Shelter and WASH Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a humanitarian organization that has been operating since 1946, dedicated to helping people affected by displacement. NRC's mission is to protect the rights of displaced and vulnerable people and to provide them with the necessary assistance to rebuild their lives. The organization operates in multiple countries around the world, focusing on providing shelter, education, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, and legal assistance. NRC is known for its commitment to accountability, inclusivity, and innovation in its humanitarian efforts, employing thousands of staff members globally to deliver aid and support to those in need.

Job Overview:
The Shelter and WASH Officer position is crucial for the successful implementation, monitoring, and reporting of Shelter and WASH activities in Benghazi and its surrounding areas. The officer will be responsible for overseeing construction and rehabilitation works, ensuring community mobilization, and maintaining technical quality and compliance with NRC standards. This role requires a proactive approach to project management, where the officer will implement projects through direct modalities, ensuring that the needs of the most vulnerable beneficiaries are met. The officer will also be expected to promote and share ideas for technical and programmatic improvement, ensuring that all activities align with NRC's core values and principles.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Shelter and WASH Officer include:

• Implementation & Supervision: Facilitate and supervise the construction and rehabilitation of water and sanitation facilities and shelters, providing support to the solar team and community infrastructure. Monitor the quality of work conducted by contractors and laborers, providing feedback on materials, progress, and workmanship to the line manager.
• Community Engagement: Facilitate community mobilization, awareness sessions, and behavior change interventions. Supervise the distribution of shelter, WASH, or energy-related kits, ensuring accountability and transparency while engaging beneficiaries in the maintenance and sustainability of completed facilities.
• Assessments & Technical Design: Participate in needs assessments, beneficiary identification, and technical design processes, including Bill of Quantities (BoQs), drawings, and Statements of Work (SoWs). Provide technical inputs for Shelter, WASH, and energy access interventions.
• Capacity Building & Sustainability: Conduct on-site training for masons, skilled and unskilled workers, and local populations on safe construction and maintenance practices. Promote sustainability through community-based management and technical support.
• Monitoring & Reporting: Collect and share weekly field data, including photos, distribution lists, success stories, and meeting minutes. Support project monitoring, ensuring accurate reporting on progress, challenges, and lessons learned. Ensure data accuracy and proper documentation for all activities in coordination with the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) and Information Management Officer (IMO) teams.
• Protection and Inclusion: Ensure that all project activities uphold the safety, dignity, and inclusion of beneficiaries. Support the implementation of Safe and Inclusive Programming and Protection Mainstreaming across all activities. Facilitate accountability mechanisms and share community feedback with relevant teams.
• Coordination & Collaboration: Maintain close coordination with the Shelter/WASH team, Housing, Land and Property (HLP) staff, and support functions. Share field observations and beneficiary feedback to improve project design and implementation.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Shelter and WASH Officer position include:

• A minimum of 2 years of experience working in a humanitarian or recovery context or equivalent.
• At least 2 years of technical experience in WASH and/or shelter construction fields.
• A Bachelor’s Degree or higher in civil engineering, structural engineering, water engineering, architecture, or any relevant field.
• Experience working in complex and volatile contexts, demonstrating the ability to adapt to changing environments.
• Technical expertise in Shelter and/or WASH and Emergency Response.
• A good understanding of common water, sanitation, and hygiene promotion approaches.
• Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities.
• Proficient computer skills, including MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) and knowledge of AutoCAD, WaterCAD, and structural analysis and design software.
• Fluency in Arabic, both written and verbal, and a good level of English, both written and verbal.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Shelter and WASH Officer position includes a Bachelor’s Degree or higher in civil engineering, structural engineering, water engineering, architecture, or any relevant field. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the technical aspects of shelter and WASH projects, as well as for ensuring compliance with engineering standards and practices.

Experience:
The level of experience needed for the Shelter and WASH Officer position includes a minimum of 2 years of experience working in a humanitarian or recovery context, with at least 2 years of technical experience specifically in WASH and/or shelter construction fields. Candidates should have experience working in complex and volatile contexts, demonstrating their ability to navigate challenging environments effectively. Additionally, experience supervising construction and rehabilitation activities is crucial, as is the ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders and communities.

Languages:
Fluency in Arabic is mandatory for this position, both written and verbal. A good level of English, both written and verbal, is also required. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication with beneficiaries, stakeholders, and team members, ensuring that project objectives are met and that community engagement is successful.

Additional Notes:
Additional notes for the Shelter and WASH Officer position include that female candidates are highly encouraged to apply. The position may involve working in insecure environments, and candidates should be prepared to handle such situations. The role is expected to be full-time, and the organization may consider recruiting internationally or nationally, depending on the candidate's qualifications and experience. Compensation and benefits details will be provided during the recruitment process.