WASH Technical Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an international non-governmental organization founded in Norway, operating in over 25 countries worldwide. NRC has been active in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since 2001, focusing on various sectors including Education, Rapid Response to Population Movements (RRMP), Protection and Humanitarian Mediation, Shelter, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Food Security and Livelihoods (LFS), and Information, Counseling, and Legal Assistance (ICLA) for displaced populations. NRC's presence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is significant, particularly in the provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri, where it addresses the critical humanitarian needs of affected communities.

Job Overview:
The WASH Technical Assistant plays a crucial role in supporting the implementation of water, sanitation, and hygiene activities through technical, administrative, and organizational assistance. This position is essential for problem-solving, resource management, and sharing technical knowledge to ensure effective project execution. The assistant will work closely with the team to ensure adherence to NRC policies, tools, manuals, and guidelines while independently implementing procedures and activities relevant to their role. The WASH Technical Assistant will also be responsible for community mobilization, behavior change interventions, and the distribution of WASH kits, contributing to the overall improvement of hygiene and sanitation practices in the targeted communities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The WASH Technical Assistant will have a variety of responsibilities, including ensuring adherence to NRC policies and guidelines, assisting in the implementation of the WASH program portfolio according to the action plan, and independently executing tasks based on priorities and standards. Specific duties include developing and maintaining specialized knowledge in the WASH sector, demonstrating initiative in problem-solving, preparing reports as required, ensuring proper documentation, facilitating community mobilization, supporting the establishment and training of local WASH management structures, contributing to needs assessments, and collecting and sharing evidence of WASH activities. The assistant will also monitor the procurement process for WASH goods and services and provide continuous feedback on quality to their manager.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates should possess a strong background in WASH technical expertise, particularly in community mobilization, awareness-raising, and capacity building. Experience working with NGOs, preferably in emergency humanitarian contexts, is essential. The candidate must be willing and able to travel and work regularly in the field, often in complex and volatile environments. Proficiency in French, both written and spoken, is mandatory, along with knowledge of Swahili and local languages in the intervention area.

Educational Background:
A minimum of a university degree (equivalent to BAC+3) in social sciences, local development, public health, health promotion, anthropology, or a related field is required. Candidates should have a thorough understanding of the humanitarian context in the assigned territories and health zones, as well as knowledge of standards such as SPHERE. Familiarity with behavior change theories and approaches, participatory methodologies for community work, and community capacity building is also necessary.

Experience:
Candidates should have relevant professional experience in the WASH sector, with a focus on community mobilization and capacity building. Experience working with communities in humanitarian settings, particularly in displacement contexts, is highly desirable. The ability to plan and monitor activities effectively is crucial, along with experience in qualitative data interpretation and analysis software.

Languages:
Fluency in French is mandatory, with proficiency in Swahili and local languages being advantageous. Strong communication skills in these languages will facilitate effective engagement with communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and may require travel to various field locations. The NRC is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in its workforce and expects all employees to uphold safeguarding principles, treating everyone with respect and dignity, and contributing to a safe environment free from exploitation and harassment.