WASH Technical Assistant

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 multiple countries around the world, providing essential services and support to millions of displaced individuals. The organization is dedicated to defending the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons, ensuring they receive the aid and assistance they need in some of the most challenging environments. NRC is recognized for its high-quality aid delivery and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, fostering a supportive culture for its employees and encouraging professional growth and innovation.

Job Overview:
The WASH Technical Assistant plays a crucial role in supporting the implementation of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) activities through technical, administrative, and organizational support. This position is vital for ensuring effective project execution by contributing to problem-solving, resource management, and sharing technical knowledge. The assistant will work independently to implement procedures and activities within their area of expertise, adhering to NRC policies and guidelines. The role requires a proactive approach to daily challenges and a commitment to maintaining high standards in community engagement and project delivery.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The WASH Technical Assistant is responsible for a variety of tasks, including but not limited to: ensuring adherence to NRC policies and guidelines; assisting in the implementation of the WASH program portfolio according to the action plan; independently executing procedures and activities relevant to their role; organizing and executing tasks according to priorities and standards; developing and maintaining specialized knowledge in WASH to effectively support the team; demonstrating initiative in problem-solving; preparing and compiling reports as required; ensuring proper documentation and filing of records; facilitating and supervising community mobilization and behavior change interventions; supporting the establishment, training, and monitoring of local WASH management structures; contributing to needs assessments and data collection; collaborating with local partners in WASH activities; and ensuring the implementation of safe and inclusive programming considerations.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess general professional skills, including experience in WASH technical expertise, particularly in community mobilization and capacity building. Experience working with NGOs, preferably in humanitarian emergency contexts, is essential. Candidates should be willing and able to travel and work regularly in the field under complex and volatile conditions. Proficiency in French, both written and spoken, is mandatory, along with knowledge of Swahili and local languages in the intervention area. Specific skills include knowledge of humanitarian standards, participatory methodologies, and community capacity strengthening.

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 SPHERE standards and behavior change theories and approaches.

Experience:
Candidates should have relevant experience in WASH technical roles, particularly in community engagement and capacity building. Experience in participatory methodologies and working with communities is highly desirable, along with a proven track record of working in humanitarian settings, especially in emergency contexts involving displaced populations.

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

Additional Notes:
This position may involve working in challenging environments, requiring resilience and the ability to manage stress. The role is full-time, and candidates should be prepared for fieldwork. NRC emphasizes a zero-tolerance policy towards exploitation, abuse, and harassment, and expects all employees to contribute to a safe working environment.