WASH Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a global humanitarian organization established to assist people forced to flee their homes due to conflict and disaster. NRC operates in numerous countries around the world, providing essential aid and support to millions of displaced individuals. The organization is recognized for its commitment to high-quality humanitarian assistance and advocacy for the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons. NRC fosters a culture of responsibility, professional growth, and innovation among its employees, emphasizing diversity, equity, and inclusion in its workforce. The organization is dedicated to safeguarding the dignity and rights of all individuals it serves, ensuring a safe environment free from exploitation and abuse.

Job Overview:
The WASH Officer plays a crucial role in providing specialized technical support to organize and implement WASH activities while contributing to the development of new initiatives. This position is responsible for managing resources utilized by the team and providing technical guidance to ensure the effectiveness of interventions. The WASH Officer is expected to make impactful decisions that influence the activities and reputation of the organization. The role requires a deep understanding of WASH principles and practices, as well as the ability to adapt to changing contexts and needs in the field. The officer will work closely with various stakeholders, including community members, to ensure that the most vulnerable beneficiaries are targeted and supported effectively. The position also involves collaboration with monitoring and evaluation teams to assess the impact of WASH interventions and to document results for accountability and learning purposes.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ensure compliance with NRC policies, guidelines, and standards in all WASH activities.
• Implement the delegated WASH project portfolio in accordance with the action plan.
• Prepare and develop required monitoring reports for management.
• Ensure adherence to WASH strategies, tools, manuals, guidelines, and sector standards.
• Take responsibility for the technical quality and documentation of WASH project activities.
• Provide specific technical support and capacity building for project staff.
• Conduct technical analyses and provide feedback to NRC representatives in coordination forums.
• Evaluate, promote, and document ideas for technical improvement and further program development.
• Ensure projects target the most vulnerable beneficiaries and explore new ways to assist them. 1
• Develop proposals in response to contextual changes and the needs of displaced populations. 1
• Collaborate with the Monitoring & Evaluation team to draft baseline studies and follow-up evaluations. 1
• Plan and supervise quality control of WASH construction or rehabilitation works. 1
• Conduct regular field visits to ensure quality and provide guidance to field teams. 1
• Produce and contextualize technical tools to support program implementation. 1
• Support project management, logistics, financial reconciliation, and accountability. 1
• Ensure the inclusion of SIP (Safe and Inclusive Program) considerations in all activities. 1
• Plan and manage procurement processes for WASH goods and services. 1
• Implement community engagement and behavior change activities in WASH. 1
• Assess training needs of community members and prepare training modules. 2
• Support community engagement and behavior change activities using participatory methods.

Required Qualifications:

• At least 3 years of professional experience in implementing WASH activities in humanitarian/emergency contexts (Officer or minimum WASH Assistant level).
• A minimum of 4 years of experience with an NGO, preferably international.
• Previous professional experience in complex and volatile contexts.
• Proficiency in French, both written and spoken; knowledge of Swahili and local languages is an asset.
• Strong communication and reporting skills.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and integrated projects.
• Experience in participatory methodologies for community work and mobilization.

Educational Background:

• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree (A1 level) in civil engineering, rural engineering, hydraulics, public works, or a related field.
• Additional certifications or training in WASH-related fields are advantageous.

Experience:

• A minimum of 4 years of experience in the design and construction of WASH infrastructure.
• Familiarity with the humanitarian context of the assigned territories and health zones.
• Proficiency in using at least two technical drawing software (AutoCAD, Sketchup, ArchiCAD, etc.) and calculation software (Epanet, Robot SA, etc.).
• Proficiency in office tools, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Languages:

• Mandatory: Proficiency in French (written and spoken).
• Good to have: Proficiency in Swahili and knowledge of local languages is an asset.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and may involve working in challenging environments. The NRC has a zero-tolerance policy towards exploitation, abuse, and harassment, and expects all employees to contribute to a safe working environment. The organization is committed to safeguarding and expects all employees to treat everyone with respect and dignity.