Emergency WASH Project Officers at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an International non-governmental organization supporting relief and development work in over 99 countries around the world. CRS programs assist persons on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity or nationality. CRS works through local church and non-church partners to implement its programs, therefore, strengthening and building the capacity of these partner organizations is fundamental to programs in every country in which CRS operates.

CRS re-established presence in Nigeria in 2000 and currently focuses on vulnerable children, agriculture, health and HIV, extractives and governance, and peace building programming. CRS is expanding its activities in the North-East in the area of Food Security, Nutrition, Non Food Items, Water and Sanitation.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Emergency WASH Project Officer

Location: Maiduguri, Borno State
Contract Period: 12 months
Starting Date: ASAP
Band:  C-1
Reporting To: Emergency Coordinator
Liaising with: Emergency Nutritionist, Emergency and NFI /Shelter officer

Job Description

• The Emergency WASH officer will be responsible for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene needs assessments, and the development and management of WASH interventions in line with North East Emergency strategy and organization policy framework.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

• Lead the planning of WASH project activities and set quality performance targets ensuring adherence to technical standards, best practices and donor guidelines.
• Spearhead the selection of WASH project beneficiaries based on approved criteria and strategies, ensuring beneficiaries are consulted and their views taken into account at all stages of the program.
• Oversee the work of project teams during the preparatory works, assessments, technical requirements, selection of external entities in support of the grants/projects and ensuring compliance with CRS agreements and with statutory and technical legislation issued by appropriate government authorities.
• Support fields teams in carrying out selection, design, and construction/rehabilitation of water and sanitation systems including: water treatment, excreta disposal, solid waste management, and construction of Water and Sanitation facilities.
• In collaboration with the Emergency Coordinator and Operations Manager, prepare contracts and documentation for works and oversee execution of those contracts.
• Together with the Hygiene Promotion Officer, integrate public health concepts into water, sanitation and hygiene activities.
• Ensure WASH activities are integrated with other sector teams, such as Shelter, NFIs, Nutrition, Protection and Accountability as appropriate.
• Ensure that the project engages locals and develops local capacity for longer term sustainability.
• Contribute to preparing plans, proposals, and budgets for project extensions and new projects.
• Ensure protection issues are fully considered throughout the project cycle with women, elderly, disabled and most vulnerable being included in decision making for all Shelter and WASH issues.
• Use appropriate project management tools to plan, review and track progress on projects implementation as well as on the utilization of project resources.
• Ensure the development and implement strong M&E systems using appropriate CRS tools and resources to maximize project impact on beneficiaries.
• Monitor project development and identify deviation from approved project plans and implement corrective measures when necessary to ensure that the partners meet the project objectives.
• Identify technical assistance needs for CRS and partners and take the lead in developing SOWs and follow up with TA from the region and/or external expertise as appropriate.
• Oversee management and maintenance of up to date documentation related to all projects approvals, monitoring and implementation in both hard and soft copies.
• Undertake/participate in WASH and needs assessments of IDPs and host communities in line with international standards/best practice
• Ensure a constructive co-operation with other CRS programs, local authorities, other international and local NGOs as well as the UN Agencies
• Representing CRS at sectoral coordination forums and inter-agency engagements
• Leading on monitoring and analysis of policy issues affecting WASH sector and advising the management and policy & advocacy team on key message formation;
• Any other relevant tasks as assigned by the Emergency Coordinator

Key Working Relationships

• Internal: Deputy Country Representative/Programs, Emergency Coordinator (Borno State based), Nutritionist, Security Manager, Head of Operations, Nigeria Leadership and Management Team members
• External: UNICEF, UNOCHA, Partner Agencies, Ministry of Health

Academic Qualifications and Experience

• At least 5 years of technical experience implementing WASH related interventions, especially in IDP/ displacement contexts
• Technical background in Public Health. First degree or postgraduate diploma in Public Health Engineering (Water & Sanitation), or similar relevant discipline
• Advanced understanding and experience on programme monitoring and evaluation issues. Ability to design M & E tools relevant to the WASH sector and roll it out to the technical and M & E teams
• Experience in leading multisectoral assessment teams and providing technical guidance on WASH issues
• Experience in capacity building and training of staff
• Experience in project, logistics and admin. management
• High level of communication, interpersonal, representation and negotiation skills
• Good understanding and programmatic experience on various cross cutting issues such as gender, protection and environment
• Ability to write high quality concept notes and technical sections for donor proposals 
• Ability to speak and write English is required. Fluency in Kanuri is a plus.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills 
• Strong analysis skills (qualitative and quantitative)
• Excellent one to one and group communication /information presentation skills
• Experience working with statistical computer software packages
• Project design and management skills
• Goal oriented with ability to work under pressure, independently and with limited supervision
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast paced and complex environment.
• Flexible and proactive attitude towards problem-solving
• Experience in Water , Sanitation and Hygiene assessment methodologies 
• Familiarity with different hygiene and sanitation approached applicable in Emergency
• Experience in using participatory approaches in project design and implementation
• Knowledge of working with and through local partners in emergency situations
• Ability to work in local language of area where we respond – attends meetings, deliver training, manage staff, etc.

Application Closing Date
2nd August, 2016.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should download the CRS Application Form below, fill and send with a detailed Resume in a single file Microsoft word document to: [email protected]

Click here to download the CRS Application Form

Note

• Interviews will be conducted on a rolling biases as applications come in. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
• This Job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties and responsibilities associated with the position.
• This is a key staff position that will require USAID approval.