Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Team Leader at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Team Leader

Ref Id: 200000HO
Location: Yobe
Supervisory Responsibilities: WASH Officer, WASH Foremen
Job: Program Management
Schedule: Regular
Shift: Standard
Employee Status: Entry Level
Job Type: Full-time
Job Level: Day Job
Travel: Yes, 75 % of the Time

Job Summary

• The WASH Team Leader will lead on implementation of project WASH activities. To improve access to water for hand hygiene, the project will rehabilitate water points and install handwashing stations at priority locations. Within target communities, the WASH Team Leader will manage the distribution of COVID-19 WASH NFI kits.
• To promote infection prevention and control at health facilities, the WASH Team Leader will supervise the rehabilitation or upgrade of water supply systems, installation of handwashing stations, and distribution of WASH NFI cleaning kits.
• Further, the successful candidate will implement a robust Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) approach to empower target communities to protect themselves and reduce community transmission of COVID-19.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• In coordination with the Program Manager and Procurement Officer and as per CRS standard procedures identify and assess contractors, construction suppliers, vendors of WASH NFIs, prepare contracts and documentation for works.
• Lead on management of contractors to ensure high-quality and timely implementation.
• Monitor contractors’ work regularly to ensure specified quality and timely completion.
• Develop designs and BOQ for water supply infrastructure rehabilitation that meets SPHERE standards and Cluster guidelines for quality.
• Liaise with CRS Procurement and Logistics to ensure that required project inputs are delivered according to program needs.
• Ensure meaningful engagement with beneficiary community members to ensure cultural appropriateness and inclusion of vulnerable groups in the design and implementation of WASH activities.
• Encourage contractors to employ skilled and unskilled workers.
• Monitor community workers and contractors adhere to Health and Safety standards during construction activities, including COVID-19 prevention measures.
• Use appropriate project management tools to plan, review and track progress on project implementation as well as on the utilization of project resources.
• Develop and maintain a procurement plan. Develop BOQs and prepare procurement documentation.
• Ensure the development and implementation of 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.
• Ensure timely and quality preparation of project narrative reports as defined by PM, present in an organized and orderly manner tracking of activities, indicators, baseline data and evaluation reports.
• Advise senior management about issues affecting project implementation, or key local issues affecting future grants/projects developments.
• Represent CRS at the WASH Cluster as requested by the PM.
• Liaise with CRS partners, NGOs implementing WASH projects in the target areas, State Ministry of Health as requested by the PM
• Liaise with key non-government organizations (NGOs) and national, provincial, and local government, SEMA (State Emergency Management Agency), technical committee meetings as requested by the PM.
• Organize regular meetings with WASH Officer, RCCE Officer, and Community Liaison Officer to effectively manage and escalate implementation challenges to the PM.
• Build the capacity of WASH Officer and other field staff as needed.

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal: WASH Officer, Water foremen, Community Liaison Officer, RCCE Officers, Program Manager, MEAL staff, Head of Office for Yobe State, Operations staff.
• External: Works collaboratively with partner counterparts per LGA, as well as other stakeholders including focal points from local partners, local leaders and representatives of other local stakeholder groups, government offices, health facilities, non-governmental organizations and other agencies in field locations.

Requirements / Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:

• High School diploma required. Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Minimum two years’ experience working with an international NGO in the area of WASH, with experience managing WASH infrastructure activities.
• Demonstrated high-level interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience in participatory action planning and community engagement.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and to organize and prioritize a variety of initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with WASH in health facilities.
• Experience implementing projects through local partners.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Observation, active listening and analysis skills with ability to make sound judgment.
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners, community members and government partners.
• General knowledge of local and state government practices.
• Well-developed knowledge of local community cultures, leaders, customs and practices through prior involvement in the community. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Required Languages:

• English and Hausa required; Fulani, Kanuri and/or other local languages are a plus.

Travel:

• Must be willing and able to travel up to 60% of the time to field locations in Gujba, Damaturu and Potiskum LGAs throughout the work-week.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)
These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results:

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship.

What We Offer
CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, generous retirement savings plan and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

Application Closing Date
28th August, 2020.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Important Information / Notice

• Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
• The above job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
• CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
• EOE/M/F/D/V - CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.