Programme Officer WASH-Reconstruction-Energy  

Background

Since February 24 2022, millions of civilians in Ukraine have suffered from the impact of Russia’s military aggression. By the end of March 2024, almost a quarter of the population (9.7 million) were registered as displaced persons: 3.7 million are internally displaced persons (IDPs) and around 6 million (of which 90% are women and children) have found refuge in third countries. Military attacks have repeatedly been causing civilian casualties and damaging civilian infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, houses and water supply facilities along the front line and in numerous cities throughout the country. As a result, many people struggle to access food, water, medical care, education and a safe place to live. Switzerland has been supporting the population affected by the war in Ukraine since Russia’s attack on 24 February 2022.

Switzerland’s International Cooperation (IC) has been present in Ukraine since the 1990s and can draw on many years of experience and partnerships. In response to the crisis in Ukraine, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) provided rapid humanitarian assistance with a three-pronged approach: 1) as a donor through financial contributions to partner organisations; 2) operationally as an actor implementing its own projects through the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA); 3) as an advocate for compliance with international humanitarian law. Switzerland’s humanitarian programme in Ukraine is based on the vast needs in food security, protection of victims and their rights, and comprehensive health, water and sanitation services (WASH). At the same time, the action plan is based on, complementary to and coherent with Switzerland’s ongoing cooperation programme in Ukraine. The programme covers four domains: 1) Peace, Protection and Democratic Institutions; 2) Sustainable Cities; 3) Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Competitiveness; and 4) Health. Furthermore, Switzerland plays an active role in (humanitarian) donor coordination and high-level policy dialogue.

The SHA WASH team supports Ukrainian service providers for water and sewage supply (Vodakanals) and several municipalities since April 2022. SDC/HA aims to provide comprehensive assistance for reconstruction and link it closely to the long standing SDC programme. It plans to further increase humanitarian aid activities with the perspective of a longer-term humanitarian programme (Nexus) with focus on critical infrastructures, enhancing sustainability and including systematic planning approaches. With the access of newly accessible areas, the assistance of SHA will be extended to the most vulnerable people and areas where gaps are not addressed/covered by other actors. Swiss Humanitarian Aid designs and plans a solid humanitarian reconstruction WASH programme, coherent with the Swiss engagement in the country, and possibly feeding into a future commitment of the whole FDFA for the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine. Currently, a new Country Programme for Ukraine (2025-2028) is under preparation.

Tasks

The purpose of this assignment is to lead small and larger scale reconstruction projects and to support the Head of Reconstruction (WASH/Emergency/DRR) in the development and implementation of their Humanitarian Aid programme. The incumbent will provide his/her technical expertise to develop inclusive and technical projects in close exchange with Vodakanals, municipalities, local engineering companies. He/she should review the technical design of infrastructures, including in addressing the challenge of running infrastructures during conflict-time, but also in a perspective of adapted modernization, systematic water supply and wastewater planning as well as climate resilience. Gradual modernization of the old Soviet Ukrainian infrastructure is a major challenge but also an opportunity. Under the direct supervision of the Head Reconstruction, the incumbent will, carry out following tasks:

A.    Direct project implementation (50%)

In collaboration with local purchaser, local engineers, Vodakanal, municipalities and private sector/companies, the incumbent will plan and implement projects as direct action. Activities aim to mitigate ruptures in critical infrastructure, development of new design and rehabilitation works with Vodakanals and municipalities through private engineering companies. Specific tasks include:

·          Outreach and communication with Vodakanals and other actors, in particular in newly accessible areas. Supporting in the development and enhancing of direct clear contacts and communication channels with Vodakanals, centralized and decentralized governmental and municipal project (and overall programme) entities in Ukraine

·          Lead and manage construction project: identification, development and conception of construction projects, tendering documentation and process, contracting of large-scale infrastructures together with Vodakanals, municipalities and others partners (private sector).

·          Development and review of project documents, offers and designs from Ukraine Engineer Companies and Vodakanals. Ensure qualitative, cost effective and timely implementation of activities in the field and their proper documentation. A specific effort will be put on SDC accountability towards people affected by the military aggression as well as Swiss Parliament in relation with careful and impactful use of resources.

·          Technical guidance and support to the engineer(s) and National Programme Officers (NPOs).

·          In addition to the technical implementation of direct actions, the incumbent will also support and follow up SDC partner NGO implementing WASH in Emergency and WASH in Health projects.

B.    Contribution to development of humanitarian aid programme / country strategy (20%)

The Humanitarian Aid office is in charge of a comprehensive programme with focus on WASH, Health and protection. SHA, SDC and SECO programmes shall be closely linked and complement each other’s expertise. For example, “energy efficient cities” domain has been a long-standing programme of SECO in Kyiv. The task is to build up on such experiences and networks to have a smooth shift connecting emergency relief, early recovery and development phases.

• Highlight lessons learnt and challenges stemming from the implemented humanitarian direct actions to inform planning, feasibility and opportunities of early recovery and reconstruction/development future engagements.
• Support Head of Reconstruction (WASH, Emergency, DRR) to develop a humanitarian reconstruction programme 2025+ and its integration in the new Country Programme in Ukraine.
• Identification of new intervention axes and projects to be developed in Credit Proposals in 2024 and beyond.

C.    Deputizing Head of Reconstruction (WASH, Emergency, DRR) (20%)

During the absence of the Head of Reconstruction (WASH, Emergency, DRR), the incumbent will deputize the overall programme, manage the WASH engineer team, NPO of Reconstruction and NPO humanitarian Aid in charge of the collaboration with State Emergency Service Ukraine. The incumbent will also attend SDC relevant meetings as well as support communication and visibility requirements.

D.    Technical support for SDC relief goods donated to the UA (10%)

In close coordination with the SHA H-Logistics division at HQ:

Advise on technical specification of materials and equipment, and if needed facilitate dialogue between HQ and Ukrainian recipients

Throughout his/her tasks the incumbent shall provide to the SDC-HA and MENA-Europa communication team high quality pictures, short videos/stories, where appropriate, to heighten SDCs visibility.

Carry out any other task requested by the Head of Reconstruction or the Humanitarian Programme.

Qualifications and Work experience

• Advanced university degree in a field such as Engineering or Environmental Science.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in water/waste water networks and energy infrastructure design, construction or management through HA direct actions, as implementing partner or in the private sector, at least 2 years of experience in a humanitarian context.
• Experience in program cycle management PCM of Humanitarian Aid Programme.
• Deep understanding of security constraints and ability to work in a dangerous environment.
• Familiarity with Ukraine humanitarian response or Soviet infrastructure considered an asset.
• Experience of working in an integrated Swiss embassy an asset.
• Experience in data collection/visualization/GIS sharing a plus.

Language

·      Strong written and oral English required, Russian or Ukrainian a strong asset.

Additional condition to be eligible for the job: Swiss citizenship (or Lichtenstein) or holder of a valid Swiss work permit (C)

Duty Station: Kyiv, Ukraine

Starting date and duration: As of June 1st, 2024 for 12 months

Deadline for application: 30.04.2024

For further information please contact: Christopher Middleton, Desk Officer Ukraine 
([email protected]).

Contact for application: Odette Mauron Field Resources H ([email protected])