Water Quality and GIS Specialist -Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) (Re-advertised)

With over 70 years of experience, our focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. We help children of all backgrounds, even in the most dangerous places, inspired by our Christian faith.

Come join our 34,000+ staff working in nearly 100 countries and share the joy of transforming vulnerable children’s life stories!

Key Responsibilities:

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Support effective Project Planning and implementation through:

• Directly engage professional staff engaged in collecting water samples, conducting water quality investigations, laboratory testing research, and regulatory impact analysis.
• Support and build capacity for the implementation of sustainable and safe water access
• Review water quality reports and analytical results from bacteriological and chemical analysis for regulatory compliance and water quality investigations.
• Manages the response to water quality emergencies and complaints by investigating water compliance incidents and assigning personnel to investigate and determine corrective actions for implementations
• Oversees compilation of monthly, quarterly, and annual water quality report
• Develop work standards and water quality framework/plan to guide field implementation with alignment to the WVI water quality protocol, National and WHO standard guideline
• Liaisons with external regulatory agencies and member agencies, as it relates to operational activities that may affect water quality or compliance with regulations
• Manages the cataloging of information in various periodicals and responds to technical or more complex questions or complaints related to water quality
• Develop and routinely update water quality database for all water points constructed with the support of the organization.
• WASH Technical guidance and support to the Area Programs in planning, budgeting, and implementation process to ensure alignment to the WVU strategy and the Our Promise.

• Ensure cross-cutting themes are mainstreamed in all WASH projects.
• Work with Area Programme Coordinators to ensure Registered Children and their households are participating and benefiting from WASH Programme interventions.

Technical Support and Training

• Identify local-level capacity needs and support capacity-building activities for WVU staff and partners to improve the quality of WASH programming.
• Participate in the development/adaption of training curriculum/manuals for implementation in the Programme areas.
• Mobilize and conduct training to build the capacities of staff and partners on water sampling, testing, and reporting using the Mwater application
• Provide mentorship and coaching to staff and community structures on household water safety

Partnership and Networking

• Identify and build strategic linkages, relations, collaborations, and networks with partners and other stakeholders involved in WASH at the District and National level

• Participate and represent WVU in key donor engagements and technical working forums relating to water quality at the district, regional, and National levels whenever applicable

• Point of contact concerning water quality technical issues across the national office
• Identify opportunities for strategic collaboration and funding in WASH

Research, Documentation, and Evidence building 

• Effectively document all information related to project successes, innovations, and promising practices and disseminate through appropriate mechanisms for scaling.
• Ensure identification of research areas, conduct research, and document key learnings
• Conduct barrier analysis for different behaviors and design for behavioral change.
• Conduct information needs assessments in relation to access and utilization of basic water supply, water quality, gender and social inclusion in WASH

Project management, Coordination, and Reporting  

• Lead National level water quality WASH staff learning/ reflection
• Compile and submit timely, accurate, compliant monthly, biannual, and annual reports on water quality to influence program shifts and decision-making.
• Participant in Cluster/regional management meetings
• Support implementation of grants and PNs in area of operation

Resource Acquisition

• Identify and initiate viable funding proposals for resource acquisition to support WASH Programme interventions.
• Participate in resource mobilization through concept papers/proposal writing for fundraising

People Management

• Participate in staff recruitment, staff orientation, on job mentorship, and coaching of staff for performance improvement and maintenance
• Conduct staff performance target settings, reviews, and appraisals.

KNOWLEDGE/QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE ROLE

Required Professional Experience

Laboratory Analysis – Extensive Knowledge of chemical and bacteriological principles, terminology, analytical techniques and methods, laboratory instrumentation, and equipment pertaining to the analysis of water and drinking water samples.

Extensive knowledge of National and WHO Drinking-water quality guidelines.

Laboratory Instrument – Thorough knowledge of laboratory instruments such as ICP, ICP-MS, GC, GC-MS, IC, TOC, or automated colorization analyzers. Ability to perform troubleshooting of instrumentations and equipment to including performing general maintenance and repairs.

Supervision – Knowledge of leadership techniques, principles, and procedures to assign work, schedule, supervise, train, and evaluate the work of assigned staff.

Safety – Thorough knowledge of safety procedures for handling and testing samples.

Five years’ laboratory experience with three at supervisory role.

Good computer skills and ability to write high quality technical programme reports and impact/success stories.

Good Training facilitation and coordination skills Experience in development of proposals/concept papers for fundraising Excellent research, monitoring and evaluation skills.

Required Education, training, license, registration, and certification

Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science or related field with 5-7years of progressively responsible experience. A background in microbiology is preferred.

A certificate in data modelling and GIS mapping and reporting is an added advantage Must be able to drive with a clean riders’ license, class B

Preferred Knowledge and Qualifications

Must possess good communication skills and be courteous in working with communities. Must be fluent in English. Experience in proposal writing and lobbying.

Travel and/or Work Environment Requirement

40% field work and 60% office

Work environment:  60% Office-based with frequent travel to the field; Ready to spend 20-40% time in field.

Travel:  5% Domestic/international travel is required

Advert Start Date: 17th June 2024

Advert End Date: 24th June 2024

World Vision Jobs Uganda

Applicant Types Accepted:

Local Applicants Only