Wash Senior Officers at Mercy Corps Nigeria

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action - helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within now, and for the future. 

Mercy Corps has worked in Nigeria since 2012, focusing its programming on adolescent girls’ empowerment, economic development, conflict mitigation, and humanitarian response.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Wash Senior Officer

Location: Maiduguri - Borno State

Program/Department Summary

• With the insurgency affecting North East Nigeria and displacing millions of people, Mercy Corps is expanding its humanitarian programming to support the conflict-affected population in Borno.
• In response to the ongoing crisis, Mercy Corps is scaling-up food security, non-food items, nutrition, protection, livelihoods, and water sanitation hygiene (WASH) activities in Dikwa, Ngala, and Jere Local Government Areas in Borno State to address emergency needs.

General Position Summary

• Mercy Corps is looking for a strong WASH Senior Officer who will be responsible for the day to day planning, implementation, and monitoring of the WASH components of Mercy Corps programs in Dikwa and Ngala.
• S/he will work closely with all Project and Support staff and ensure a high level of integration of WASH activities with other program components.
• The WASH Senior Officer must ensure the smooth implementation of program objectives according to approved work plans, adherence to budgets, and within a level of quality that can be measured through M&E interventions.

Essential Job Functions

• Work closely with program managers to implement WASH programming in line with Mercy Corps, Donor and Nigeria local government requirements and norms.
• Lead and participate in the planning, design and implementation of Water, Sanitation & Hygiene projects in accordance with applicable technical standards and best practices.
• Oversee all wash activities within the program and ensure actual implementation is happening  in accordance with the approved work plan, budget, project documents and implementation strategy.
• Conduct environmental impact assessments and analysis and compile reports for MC and donor.
• Supervise and work closely with WASH field officers and project beneficiaries in the area of operations on daily basis to identify and prioritize needs
• Lead and participate in needs assessments and baseline surveys to identify needs related to water, sanitation, and hygiene in the selected project areas.
• Supervise, coordinate and monitor all field activities related to water point rehabilitation, latrine construction/rehabilitation, and, hygiene promotion.
• Lead mobilization of communities to fully participate in program implementation to ensure sustainability.
• Coordinate the establishment and training of relevant WASH committees for the operation and maintenance of all water, sanitation facilities to be implemented under the project.
• Represent Mercy Corps at WASH sector coordination meetings and ensure that information is shared with other staff during project review meetings for incorporation of good practices into action plans.
• Ensure good coordination and working relationships with Local Government in line departments (eg Water department, Health Inspector Office/Public health department, Environment  Office & Education Office), relevant NGOs and UN agencies, beneficiary communities and local authorities.
• Work closely with the Monitoring & Evaluation staff to capture the data required for measuring impact.
• Establish and maintain good coordination and good working relationships with different actors and partners in the same intervention.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission
• Any Other duties as assigned

Organizational Learning:

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries:

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically
• to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Knowledge and Experience

• At least 3 years of relevant experience in supervision or team leadership position preferably with an international NGO.
• Degree or a Diploma in Civil, Water Engineering or Community/Public/Environmental Health Sciences. 
• Excellent skills and experience in the assessment and supervision of WASH and rural projects
• Proven ability to lead a team of professionals in the field of expertise in order to successfully achieve the objectives of the project.
• Creativity in program implementation with a demonstrated pattern of logical thinking. Sincere commitment to engaging women (gender sensitivity) in WASH activities.
• Computer literacy with good knowledge of Office applications and databases.
• Excellent communication and diplomatic skills.
• Experience in training, team building and staff capacity building
• Written and spoken fluency in English and Hausa, Kanuri fluency an advantage.

Success Factors

• The successful candidate will be capable of multi-tasking, rapid decision-making, have initiative, drive and a lot of energy, as well as high emotional intelligence, constructive mentoring skills and proven experience with capacity building.
• S/he will be committed to long-term program sustainability and the delivery of high-impact activities at the community level. Successful Mercy Corps team members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and challenging environments, and make effective written and verbal communication a priority.
• In particular, the successful candidate will be willing to travel to locations such as Dikwa and Ngala according to the needs of the Mercy Corps program. This will mean sometimes staying and working in stressful environments with very basic living conditions, strictly following security protocols at all times and sometimes working long and irregular hours.
• Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps' policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Application Closing Date
6th January, 2017.

How To Apply
Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their CV's and Cover Letter in one document, addressing the position requirements to: ng-recruitment.nigeria@mercycorps.org
Or
Drop off application in a sealed envelope with the position boldly written to:
Mercy Corps Nigeria
Plot 119, NUJ Street,
New GRA Bama Road,
Maiduguri,
Borno State.

Note

• All applications must include the position title in the subject line and not more than 4 pages.
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
• We are an equal opportunity organization and we strongly encourage women to apply for this position