Senior Project Officer – SWASH

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 worldwide. The organization is committed to improving the lives of the poor and vulnerable, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. CRS's work encompasses various sectors, including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The agency fosters a collaborative, mission-driven culture and welcomes individuals from diverse faiths and secular traditions who share its values. CRS is dedicated to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, ensuring that all staff adhere to its Code of Conduct. The organization prioritizes hiring candidates from the regions in which it operates, reflecting its commitment to local engagement and empowerment.

Job Overview:
As a Senior Project Officer for the SWASH program, you will play a pivotal role in leading the coordination and implementation of integrated water, sanitation, and shelter interventions under the RAPID program. Your primary focus will be to ensure equitable access to safe, reliable, and sustainable services for targeted communities. This position involves overseeing the development and rehabilitation of WASH infrastructure, managing water supply systems, and implementing sanitation improvements and shelter support activities. You will promote community ownership through participatory planning and capacity building of local structures and government partners. Additionally, you will guide the delivery of emergency shelter interventions and advocate for safer construction practices, ensuring that all activities align with CRS standards and accountability principles. Your leadership will be crucial in fostering collaboration among local stakeholders and ensuring the successful execution of project activities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Your responsibilities will include organizing and leading the implementation of all assigned Shelter and WASH activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan, ensuring compliance with CRS program quality principles, donor requirements, and best practices. You will develop necessary documentation in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to provide Shelter solutions and WASH infrastructure in accordance with Nigerian legislation and established standards. Promoting solutions that respect local building culture will be essential, as will conducting training for local construction supervisors and craftspeople on safe construction practices. You will support the development of designs and Bill of Quantities (BOQ) for shelter, water supply, and sanitation infrastructure, ensuring they meet qualitative, quantitative, and cultural appropriateness criteria. Regular monitoring of construction work and materials will be required to ensure quality and safety, and you will be responsible for coordinating project evaluation activities and guiding partners in reflecting on project experiences. You will also oversee relationships with local project stakeholders, mobilize local actors, and ensure proper tracking of resource use through periodic budget reviews. Additionally, you will coordinate capacity building and technical support activities, ensuring that all project documentation is complete and filed according to agency and donor requirements.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in construction-based engineering, architecture, or fields related to WASH and Shelter programming. A minimum of 5 years of experience working with international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) in water supply, sanitation, construction, or infrastructure projects is required. Proven ability to provide technical assistance and expert advice in infrastructure-related fields is essential, along with experience in project management, planning, supervision, quality assurance, and reporting. Familiarity with SPHERE standards for shelter and WASH is also necessary, as is a good knowledge of working with local partners.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor’s degree in construction-based engineering, architecture, or related fields that pertain to WASH and Shelter programming. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the technical aspects of the role and ensuring compliance with relevant standards and regulations.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience working with INGOs in the fields of water supply, sanitation, construction, or infrastructure projects. Candidates should have a proven track record of providing technical assistance and expert advice, as well as experience in project management, planning, supervision, quality assurance, and reporting. Familiarity with local building regulations and humanitarian recovery shelter strategies is highly desirable.

Languages:
Proficiency in English and Hausa is mandatory for this position. Additionally, proficiency in other local languages will be considered an advantage, enhancing communication with local communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Plateau State, Nigeria, and requires a willingness to travel up to 40%. The role involves supervisory responsibilities over Partner SWASH Officers and requires strong relationship management skills. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. For candidates employed outside the U.S., benefits packages are based on the country of employment. The agency is committed to safeguarding program participants and ensuring that all staff adhere to its Code of Conduct. The successful candidate will be expected to sign and comply with these standards.