WASH Officer (Open to Somali Nationals only)

Organizational background:

Action Against Hunger-USA is part of the Action Against Hunger International network, which provides humanitarian relief in over 40 countries worldwide in the sectors of nutrition, health, water/sanitation, and food security. Action Against Hunger-USA, an independent NGO, currently manages operations in 8 countries: Kenya, South Sudan, Cambodia, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Haiti, and Somalia. Action Against Hunger-USA has over $75 million in programs, and approximately 2000 staff based in the various country offices, Head Quarter in New York City, and Operational Centre in Nairobi. Additional growth is anticipated.

Summary of Position 

The WASH Officer is responsible for planning, implementation, and monitoring of the Action Against Hunger WASH-related intervention in the Kismayo. The incumbent is responsible for ensuring adherence to the implementation of program activities according to accepted standards(CHS, Donors, SPHERE Standards)

Purpose: The Incumbent will oversee the day-to-day implementation of WASH activities as per Action Against Hunger standards as well as align programming to required guidelines. He/She will provide technical support in the implementation of WASH activities.

Engagement

• Representing Action Against Hunger in coordination meetings including cluster and government-led forums in collaboration with the WASH Program manager

• Participating in regular coordination meetings (Regional WASH cluster meeting) in  Kismayo

Delivery: Successful Implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of WASH interventions in Project areas in line with international/National standards and Action Against Hunger technical guidelines as well as donor requirements.

Essential job duties

Under the general guidance of the WASH Program Manager, the officer will undertake the following duties.

Planning, design, and implementation of water and sanitation Projects. 

• Identification and technical assessment of feasible water sources at the community level.
• Ensure the construction of water systems (groundwater or surface water), protection, abstraction, storage, treatment, and distribution for new systems or rehabilitation of existing systems as well as the construction of the most appropriate form of sanitation systems, in consultation with the beneficiaries and line ministries, Preparing bidding documents, materials and technical work specifications.
• Regular monitoring of ongoing WASH construction activities to ensure all the activities are as per the design, specifications, and work schedule and also Verify the work done at the site and recommend payments to contractors.
• Ensure integration of Water, sanitation, and hygiene promotion components of projects
• Capacity Building and strengthening of water management committees and linking with private sector service providers for post-construction support.
• Ensure that   procurements are initiated, monitored, and prioritized by the logistics team

Support implementation of sanitation and hygiene promotion activities 

• In coordination with the Program manager,  and Monitoring and evaluation officer, design and conduct all baseline assessments, KAP surveys, and follow-up assessments with concrete feedback findings.
• In coordination with MEAL and WASH PM undertake/take part in quantitative/qualitative assessments to identify key risky hygiene behaviors to work on and to capture key achievements within the framework of the project/s,
• In coordination with MOH, ensure proper implementation of hygiene and sanitation components of WASH projects within allocated budget and timelines.
• Support planning and implementation of community mobilization activities (using; community-led total sanitation and any new methodology that may be introduced and appropriate.)
• Provide technical support to communities in the construction of appropriate and context-specific household latrine
• Provide support to the distribution of hygiene items, and conduct monitoring and follow-up to ensure proper usage of items and appropriateness.

Reporting and Program Development  

• Compile program reports on a timely basis in liaison with other program staff; Weekly SitRep, Monthly (statistical and narrative), Quarterly, and annual donor reports
• Maintain full qualitative and quantitative records and reports of activities, disaggregated by age, and gender where appropriate
• In collaboration with the Program Manager prepare progress reports, quarterly and final donor reports, and project procurement plans and contribute to survey reports.
• In collaboration with the Program Manager and coordination team; contribute to defining technical strategy when required.
• In liaison with the program manager develop a project proposal to address district-specific gaps
• Participate in the planning, organizing, and implementation of surveys, assessments, and research studies including post-distribution monitoring

Information exchange and cooperation with Action Against Hunger interventions and stakeholders.

• Collaborate with all other Action Against Hunger departments and sectors to ensure the projects are integrated.

• Coordination with other Partners, Ministry of Water, INGOs, NGOs, communities, local leaders, and the UN working in this area to ensure the smooth running of projects.
• Any other activities assigned by the supervisor.

Supervisory Responsibilities: WASH Supervisor, Hygiene promoters, and Enumerators (engaged on a short-term basis).

Fiscal Responsibility: N/A

Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, including typing, and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of a moderately noisy office with many interruptions. Must be able to proofread own work accurately so that only minor corrections are needed on an infrequent basis.

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Gender Equality Commitments:

• Foster an environment that supports values of women and men, and equal access to information.
• Provide a work environment where women and men must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance.
• Respect beneficiaries’ women, men, and children (boys and girls) regardless of gender, sex orientation, disability, religion, race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, or marital status.
• Value and respect all cultures.

Working Conditions, Travel and Environment:

The duties of the job require regular job attendance at least five days per week. Must be available to work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as required.

Must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business purposes. While performing the duties of this job in the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high-security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well as to infectious diseases.

Requirements

Required Qualifications and Professional Experience:

• Degree/Diploma or technical training in civil/water engineering. or any other relevant field, or equivalent experience.
• Experience from both private and INGO sectors is an advantage.
• Knowledge of main donor requirements including SHF, ECHO, and GAC donors

Required Skills & Competencies:

• Report writing

• Capacity building

• Social mobilization and hygiene promotion
• Budget follow-up, Logistic management, and stock follow-up
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Survey and sampling methodology ( KAP / PDM)
• Organization, Rigor, and a Critical mind
• Ability to work within a team
• Ability to plan for self and team, forecast, anticipate, and respect deadlines
• Ability to use Word (basic level),Excel, and Powerpoint
• Fluent in Somali and English (oral and written)

Benefits

Action Against Hunger-USA provides all staff with an attractive salary & benefits package. We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees & qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Action Against Hunger-USA complies with all applicable laws governing non-discrimination in employment.

Application Process.

Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking on the apply button. All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated resume and both must be in the same language as this vacancy note. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Application close date: May 4, 2024