Oficial de Campo_Agua Potable y Saneamiento

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 over 100 countries, focusing on the most vulnerable populations without regard to race, religion, or nationality. In El Salvador, CRS has been active for more than 70 years, addressing issues such as youth workforce development, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, disaster risk reduction, and emergency response. The organization is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and it welcomes candidates from the regions in which it operates.

Job Overview:
The Oficial de Campo de Agua Potable y Saneamiento will be responsible for identifying technical needs in potable water supply systems and providing operational and community support for the implementation of the Agua Segura Project. This initiative, promoted by the Apostolic Nunciature of El Salvador, aims to improve access to safe drinking water in vulnerable rural communities. The role involves evaluating water systems, monitoring infrastructure improvements, ensuring water quality control, and enhancing the capacities of water boards, community leaders, and local operators. The position is crucial for guaranteeing access to safe water and reducing health risks associated with waterborne diseases.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordination and teamwork: Collaborate with the project coordinator to plan and coordinate actions with local stakeholders for identifying water systems in communities. Schedule technical visits to communities, parishes, and local actors. Prepare documents for data collection according to project indicators and activity tracking. Participate in technical project meetings and coordinate with key community actors and institutions regarding water quality.
• Territorial diagnostics: Conduct field visits to gather information on rural water systems, including sources of supply, infrastructure, and operational conditions. Assess basic conditions related to water quality, management practices, and system functionality. Coordinate and/or follow up on studies, technical diagnostics, laboratory analyses, and feasibility evaluations required for defining interventions. Record and systematize collected information in formats, technical sheets, and field reports.
• Generation of technical inputs: Provide technical inputs for identifying needs and defining interventions in evaluated systems. Assist in preparing technical sheets that include necessary information for the feasibility of interventions, including estimated budgets.
• Community management: Promote community dialogue spaces to validate needs, generate local commitment, and strengthen shared responsibilities in the execution and sustainability of interventions. Participate in project socialization activities with communities and water boards. Prepare technical and community information in clear language to facilitate understanding of the project by beneficiary families and territorial actors.
• Technical follow-up: Support the implementation of technical interventions in water systems. Accompany field activities conducted by suppliers or specialized technical personnel. Verify on-site that activities are executed according to the technical guidelines defined by the project. Receive community works based on CRS requirements.
• Community follow-up: Assist in training activities directed at water boards and operators. Provide guidance on chlorination practices, basic operation, and maintenance of systems. Promote good hygiene practices and safe water use in communities.
• Documentation, monitoring, and impact reporting: Prepare field reports on visits made, activities executed, and progress of interventions. Record information on communities served and actions implemented. Assist in collecting evidence (photographs, attendance lists, logs).

Required Qualifications:

• Professional degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Water Resources, or related fields. Additional training in potable water, sanitation, environmental health, or WASH will be valued.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in projects related to potable water, sanitation, or community development.
• Experience in fieldwork in rural communities, preferably in evaluating or supporting water systems.
• Experience in technical data collection, surveys, or community diagnostics (desirable).
• Basic knowledge of rural potable water supply systems (collection, conduction, storage, and distribution).
• Understanding of water quality, disinfection processes (especially chlorination), and associated health risks.
• Ability to collect, record, and organize technical information in the field.
• Basic computer skills (Excel, Word, digital forms, or mobile data collection applications).
• Availability to travel frequently to rural areas. Valid driver's license and experience driving 4x4 vehicles in rural terrain (required).

Educational Background:
A professional degree in Technical and Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Water Resources, or related fields is required. Additional training in potable water, sanitation, environmental health, or WASH is considered an asset.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2 years of experience in projects related to potable water, sanitation, or community development. Experience in fieldwork in rural communities, particularly in evaluating or supporting water systems, is essential. Familiarity with technical data collection, surveys, or community diagnostics is desirable.

Languages:
Spanish is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of English or other local languages may be beneficial but is not required.

Additional Notes:
The position involves a significant amount of travel, with a 75% travel requirement within the country. The role reports to the Project Coordinator and does not have supervisory responsibilities. The candidate will work closely with internal teams and external stakeholders, including beneficiary communities, water boards, system operators, and local leaders. CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants and community members from all forms of exploitation and abuse, and the successful candidate is expected to adhere to CRS' Code of Conduct.