WASH Technical Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a global humanitarian organization that provides assistance to people forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, or natural disasters. Established in 1946, NRC operates in multiple countries around the world, focusing on providing high-quality aid and defending the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons. The organization is known for its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, fostering a supportive culture that encourages professional growth and innovation among its employees. NRC emphasizes the importance of safeguarding and has a zero-tolerance policy towards exploitation and abuse.

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 assistance. This position is essential 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 related to their core competencies, ensuring adherence to NRC policies, tools, manuals, and guidelines. The role requires a proactive approach to daily challenges and the ability to prepare and compile reports as required by management.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The WASH Technical Assistant is responsible for developing technical drawings, quantitative estimates, and specifications for construction or rehabilitation of water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure identified by NRC. They will facilitate, supervise, and organize construction or rehabilitation work, ensuring that it meets NRC standards. The assistant will also support the capacity building of skilled and unskilled workers and local populations. Responsibilities include conducting physical-chemical and bacteriological analyses of constructed or rehabilitated water facilities, collecting and sharing weekly evidence and verification sources, and monitoring the procurement process for WASH activities. Additionally, the assistant will contribute to needs assessments and participant targeting through data collection and supervision, ensuring the quality and reliability of analysis. They will accompany local partners in implementing hard WASH activities and communicate regularly with management regarding work quality and collaboration. The assistant will also contribute to data collection and complete necessary checklists to ensure safe and inclusive programming considerations are implemented, as well as follow up on environmental screening recommendations.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have a minimum of a technical engineering degree (equivalent to BAC+3) in civil engineering, rural engineering, hydraulics, public works, or a related field. They should possess professional experience in the WASH technical field, particularly in construction-related aspects, and demonstrate experience working with NGOs, preferably in emergency humanitarian contexts. The ability to travel and work regularly in the field, especially in complex and volatile environments, is essential. Proficiency in French, both written and spoken, is mandatory, along with knowledge of Swahili and local languages in the intervention area. Candidates should also have a deep understanding of the humanitarian context in the assigned territories and health zones, familiarity with standards such as SPHERE, and proven knowledge in water quality and treatment.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a minimum of a technical engineering degree (equivalent to BAC+3) in 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 implementation of related activities.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have relevant professional experience in the WASH technical field, with a focus on construction-related aspects. Experience working with NGOs, particularly in emergency humanitarian contexts, is preferred. Candidates should demonstrate their ability to manage projects and work effectively in challenging environments, showcasing their problem-solving skills and adaptability.

Languages:
Proficiency in French is mandatory for this position, as it is the primary language of communication. Knowledge of Swahili is also required, and familiarity with local languages spoken in the intervention area is considered an asset. This linguistic capability is essential for effective communication with local communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is likely to be full-time and may involve working in challenging and potentially unsafe environments. The Norwegian Refugee Council is committed to safeguarding and expects all employees to treat everyone with respect and dignity, contributing to a safe environment for all. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy towards exploitation, harassment, and abuse, including sexual exploitation and harassment. Candidates should be prepared for the possibility of travel and fieldwork as part of their responsibilities.