WASH & Shelter Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a global humanitarian organization that has been operational in Cameroon since 2017, focusing on supporting individuals who have been forced to flee their homes due to crises. NRC's mission is to protect displaced communities and assist them in rebuilding their lives. The organization operates in various crisis-affected regions across Cameroon, including the Far North, Northwest, Southwest, East, and Adamawa. NRC's work is centered around four main areas: legal assistance (ICLA), Water and Sanitation (WASH), Shelter, and Education. These programs are designed to address urgent needs while also facilitating long-term recovery. NRC promotes an integrated approach across its offices, aiming to provide coordinated support that helps communities transition from emergencies to stability. More information about NRC can be found on their official website, and a short video showcasing their work is available online.

Job Overview:
The WASH & Shelter Specialist will play a crucial role in providing technical oversight and strategic direction to both Country and Area offices in advancing the WASH & Shelter Core Competency (CC). This position is pivotal in leading the strategy and enhancing the technical quality of NRC’s Shelter and WASH programs in Cameroon. The Specialist will be responsible for supporting project implementation at the field level, which includes traveling within the country to ensure quality assurance. They will also develop a collaborative country strategy, build staff capacity through mentoring and training, and design a donor strategy aimed at growing the program. The role requires a deep understanding of the challenges faced by displaced populations in relation to WASH and Shelter, and the ability to lead the development of innovative programming that addresses these challenges effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The WASH & Shelter Specialist will be responsible for several key duties and responsibilities, including:

• Leading the technical innovative development and ensuring the quality of WASH and Shelter CC in the country, promoting holistic programming in conjunction with other CCs, and ensuring harmonization and consistency across CC projects in line with NRC Programme Policy.
• Contributing to the development of context analyses and outlining strategic directions for integrated WASH and Shelter programs that address emergency, recovery, and development needs.
• Taking the lead on quality project deliverables to ensure high technical outputs and providing strategic leadership on programming that recognizes the challenges faced by displacement-affected populations.
• Leading the proposal development process, including budgets, modifications, project reviews, and reporting, ensuring high technical quality throughout.
• Supporting programmatic monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and indicator tracking in collaboration with project teams and the M&E department.
• Conducting needs assessments in collaboration with Area Program teams, Protection teams, and M&E teams, as well as leading baseline, mid-, and end-evaluations.
• Representing NRC with relevant donors, government ministries, and in humanitarian coordination meetings within the country.
• Actively promoting and operationalizing synergies between WASH and Shelter and other NRC programs and CCs to move towards integrated programming, particularly focusing on Education protection and ICLA.
• Providing support and input to the recruitment processes for all WASH and Shelter staff. 1
• Being accountable for organizational learning from program implementation, sharing best practices, and capacity building. 1
• Leading the implementation of Safe and Inclusive Programming Minimum Standards throughout programs, with a focus on capacity building, guidance, and interdepartmental engagement. 1
• Integrating SIP elements into technical documents such as assessments, guidance notes, and tools.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires several professional competencies, including:

• A minimum of 5 years of experience within the technical expertise area in a humanitarian or recovery context.
• At least 2 years of expertise in WASH and/or Shelter, either as a Specialist, Project Manager, or similar role.
• A Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields.
• Experience working in complex and volatile contexts, with documented results related to the responsibilities of the position.
• A strong understanding of personal leadership skills and profile.
• Fluency in both French and English, with strong written and verbal communication skills.
• The position requires 60% travel to field offices, necessitating flexibility and adaptability.

Educational Background:
Candidates should possess a Master’s degree or similar qualification in relevant fields related to WASH and Shelter. An advanced degree is preferred, although significant experience in the field of WASH or Shelter may be considered in lieu of formal education. The educational background should ideally include coursework or training relevant to humanitarian response, project management, and community engagement.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of 5 years of experience in a technical expertise area within a humanitarian or recovery context. This includes at least 2 years of specific experience in WASH and/or Shelter as a Specialist, Project Manager, or in a similar capacity. Experience in complex and volatile environments is essential, as is a proven track record of delivering results related to the responsibilities of the position. Familiarity with the Central African region and experience in team capacity building are also important.

Languages:
Fluency in both French and English is mandatory for this position, with strong written and verbal communication skills in both languages. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the region may be considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with diverse communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Yaoundé, Cameroon, and is offered as a national contract with a duration of 12 months, renewable based on funding availability. The salary and benefits are aligned with NRC’s Cameroon National Salary Scale, specifically at grade

• NRC is committed to being an equal opportunity employer, encouraging female applicants and embracing diversity across various dimensions, including age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability. The organization fosters a culture of innovation and responsibility, providing employees at all levels with opportunities to contribute ideas and take initiative. Additionally, NRC emphasizes safeguarding and expects all employees to treat everyone with respect and dignity, contributing to a safe environment and reporting any instances of exploitation or harassment.