Field Engineer - WASH Infrastructure

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to save, protect, and transform lives in need, CRS operates in more than 100 countries, providing assistance without regard to race, religion, or nationality. The organization focuses on various sectors including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. CRS is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and it welcomes individuals from diverse faiths and secular traditions who share its values and commitment to serving those in need. The agency's work culture is collaborative and mission-driven, aiming to improve the lives of the poor globally. CRS has a comprehensive benefits package for its staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and retirement savings plans, tailored to the country of employment for international staff.

Job Overview:
The Field Engineer position is a hands-on role focused on WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) Infrastructure programming and construction project activities, particularly within the context of the Sokoto emergency response program in North East Nigeria. The individual in this role will be responsible for leading the technical contributions to WASH programming, which includes planning, designing, implementing, and monitoring various projects. The engineer will work closely with partners and locally recruited Community Mobilizers to deliver hygiene promotion messaging and facilitate behavior change in communities. This position requires a proactive approach to identifying community needs, conducting assessments, and providing technical solutions for water and sanitation challenges. The engineer will also supervise field-level infrastructure works, ensuring compliance with technical specifications and best practices in construction and water quality management.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Field Engineer will lead various elements of WASH programming, including project design and implementation. Key responsibilities include:

• Planning and conducting needs assessments to identify community water and sanitation requirements.
• Supervising field-level WASH infrastructure works, including managing contractors and local artisans.
• Drafting technical specifications and documentation for water and sanitation activities.
• Providing technical expertise to construction supervisors and ensuring adherence to best practices.
• Conducting hygiene promotion sessions and community visits to reduce health risks.
• Training and supervising Community Mobilizers and Latrine Maintenance Teams.
• Setting up monitoring systems for community latrines and waste collection points.
• Coordinating hygiene promotion sessions with children and organizing community events.
• Liaising with partners and community leaders to ensure effective coordination within the WASH sector. 1
• Documenting success stories and lessons learned for internal and external sharing. 1
• Reporting daily progress to the Infrastructure Project Manager and managing WASH infrastructure data accurately. 1
• Ensuring compliance with security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security management procedures and participating in safety training.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong interpersonal skills and a customer service orientation. They should have experience in engaging with partner organizations and providing capacity strengthening. Knowledge of Sphere standards related to Shelter and WASH sectors is preferred. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and engineering design software (such as AutoCAD, QGIS, ArcGIS) is essential. Candidates should be willing to travel regularly to remote areas and demonstrate effective time management skills. A proactive and resourceful attitude, along with the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment, is crucial. Integrity, professionalism, and a strong understanding of the local economy and intervention areas are also required.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, hydrogeology, or a related field is required. A professional license is considered a plus. Candidates should have practical experience in public health, hygiene promotion, community development, or community water supply and sanitation.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of experience in water supply and sanitation project supervision or construction management is required. Candidates should have a balanced awareness of effectively managing contractor performance, with a preference for experience within the humanitarian sector.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, while proficiency in Hausa and Kanuri is considered an added advantage. Candidates should be able to communicate effectively in both spoken and written forms.

Additional Notes:
This position may require travel up to 50%. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and retirement savings plans. The work culture at CRS is collaborative and mission-driven, focused on improving the lives of the poor globally. The successful candidate will be expected to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct and safeguarding policies. The agency prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where CRS operates.