WASH Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization that assists people forced to flee. Established to address crises across 31 countries, NRC provides emergency and long-term assistance to millions of people each year. The organization advocates for the rights of displaced individuals and operates NORCAP, a deployment capacity that enhances international and local capabilities to prevent, prepare for, respond to crises, and recover from them. NRC also manages the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre in Geneva, a global leader in reporting and advocacy for internally displaced persons. NRC is committed to ensuring equal opportunities and aims for a diverse workforce in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability.

Job Overview:
The WASH Officer will work under the supervision of the WASH Coordinator to plan, implement, monitor, and report on both Hard and Soft WASH activities. This role involves collaboration with health authorities, response partners, and beneficiary communities. The officer is expected to contextualize NRC guidelines and approaches, ensuring that the projects target participants with the greatest needs while evaluating new and improved ways to provide assistance. The position requires regular field visits to ensure the quality of construction or rehabilitation work related to WASH systems, producing and contextualizing technical tools to support program implementation, and collaborating with the Monitoring & Evaluation team for baseline studies and follow-up assessments. The WASH Officer will also be responsible for capacity building among workers under their supervision and ensuring community participation in decision-making processes, promoting the rights of displaced individuals in line with advocacy strategies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The WASH Officer's duties include planning and implementing soft WASH activities, engaging the community, and facilitating behavior change. They will manage procurement processes for WASH-related goods and services, ensuring that projects are responsive to the evolving context and the needs of displaced populations. Specific responsibilities include supervising the rehabilitation and construction of WASH infrastructure in health facilities, ensuring quality control of works, and participating in technical receptions. The officer will support the implementation of infection prevention and control standards in health centers, conduct WASH FIT/IPC assessments, and monitor the functionality of handwashing facilities. They will also oversee WASH activities in schools, organize hygiene promotion campaigns, and ensure the safe management of biomedical waste. Additionally, the officer will prepare technical specifications, monitor project indicators, document best practices, and provide training to health facility staff and community groups.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess at least one year of professional experience in the design and construction of WASH infrastructure, with prior experience in complex and volatile contexts. A minimum of a Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, rural engineering, hydraulics, public works, or a related field is required. Candidates should have a deep understanding of the humanitarian context in the assigned territories and health zones, proficiency in at least two technical drawing software (such as AutoCAD, Sketchup, ArchiCAD) and calculation software (like Epanet, Robot SA), as well as strong skills in Microsoft Office applications. Experience in participatory methodologies for community engagement and the ability to synthesize and communicate effectively are essential. Candidates must be willing to travel and work regularly in the field.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in engineering fields such as civil engineering, rural engineering, hydraulics, public works, or similar disciplines. This educational foundation is crucial for understanding the technical aspects of WASH infrastructure and ensuring effective project implementation.

Experience:
The position requires at least one year of relevant professional experience, particularly in the design and construction of WASH infrastructure. Experience in humanitarian contexts, especially in complex and volatile environments, is highly valued. Familiarity with donor-funded projects and collaboration with health authorities is also beneficial.

Languages:
Fluency in French and Swahili is mandatory, while knowledge of local languages is considered an asset. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication with community members and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position may involve working in regions with significant health, safety, and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security risks. NRC takes these risks seriously and has procedures in place to mitigate known risks, although they cannot be entirely eliminated. The organization emphasizes equal opportunity employment and aims for a diverse workforce. The role may require full-time commitment and could involve international recruitment.