Project Officer (WASH) at the Foundation for Refugee Economic Empowerment (FREE)

The Foundation for Refugee Economic Empowerment (FREE) is a purpose-driven humanitarian and development non-governmental organization that implements a range of portfolio through purposeful partnerships. FREE builds bridges for improved lives for people affected by calamity. Our mission is to support people affected by natural and man-made disasters, especially those who have suffered displacement to be able to get back their lives and livelihoods in no time.

We work also with underserved communities to ensure that they have basic facilities and services. Over the past 7 years, working closely with government, civil society and private sector partners, FREE has reached more than 1,000,000 beneficiaries across Nigeria with assistance in Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Food and Livelihood Assistance, Health and Nutrition Support, Education in emergency, among others.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Project Officer (WASH)

Location: Borno

About the Role

• Under the overall supervision of the Response Coordinator, under the direct supervision of the Programme M&E Officer, and technical supervision of the WASH Supervisor, the Project Officer (WASH) will be responsible for supporting the effective implementation of emergency WASH project in Damboa LGA of Borno State.

Core Functions / Responsibilities

• Contribute to the review and/or development of detailed work and activity plans for WASH project implementation in collaboration with Programme M&E and in accordance with Programme documents and donor agreements. Monitor adherence to work-plans, deadlines, and budgets.
• Monitor WASH project progress by assisting with the development of monitoring systems for tracking progress in area of responsibility and relevant locations in Damboa.
• Identify challenges and bottlenecks and make recommendations on corrective action to be taken including in the procurement and delivery of WASH materials. Document best practices and share lessons learned.
• Work closely with technical working groups and the WASH cluster including relevant Government sectors and Technical Working Group (TWiG) on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Returnees, Host community, IDPs WASH needs in the LGA to check adherence to work plans. Contribute to the implementation and periodical review of strategies,. Provide technical inputs in producing the assessment reports and making recommendations for further action.
• Provide technical support on FREE Emergency WASH assistance to affected people including engagement with the WASH Cluster.
• Contribute to the development and maintaining of positive relations with government counterparts, on assistance to IDPs, returnees and IDPs hosting communities.
• Assist Programme Manager and work closely with the project development and communications teams in FREE Office to identify new project opportunities on WASH and provide regular updates on activities for purposes including ensuring appropriate donor visibility and project implementation sites.
• Supervise the WASH unit’s volunteers based at LGA level to ensure compliance to implementation plans. Provide guidance and support to WASH programme field volunteers (including development/revision of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and technical notes) and technical support on synergies between head- and field offices regarding staffing needs and the efficient use of resources.
• Check that the integration of cross-cutting issues such as protection, environment, gender, children, Gender Based Violence (GBV), Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and other vulnerable groups are considered in WASH project design, budgeting, and implementation.
• Participate to the meetings of WASH team at LGA level at WASH Cluster and with the government's authorities, state representative's institutions, WASH partners, local and other coordination forums.
• Support the adequate inter-agency coordination mechanisms in the LGA and assist in building and maintaining strong relations with partners, government entities and represent FREE in working group and overall coordination.
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience
Education:

• Degree in Environmental Studies, Civil Engineering, Conflict Resolution, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two (2) years of relevant professional experience; or Experience.
• Experience with roles for tasks of a similar nature to this assignment;
• Minimum of two (2) years experience in the WASH sector; and,
• Experience liaising with donors, government officials and other stakeholders and a proven track record of resource mobilization.

Skills:

• Proven skills to analyse statistical information.
• Ability to translate planning and specifications into technical briefs for data capture and analysis, and vice versa.
• Demonstrated ability for leadership in the context of partnership building and consensual decision making.
• Demonstrated team building and information management skills.
• Advanced data visualization and information design skill.
• Skills and knowledge on the planning, design, execution and supervision of WASH implementation; and,
• Ability to conduct travel duties freely and frequently in different areas of Ethiopia.
• Demonstrated understanding of different data collection methodologies.
• Understanding of relational data theory.
• Proven track record of working with government officials, NGO and communities in the execution of humanitarian WASH projects.
• Knowledge and experience working with UN administrative procedures; and,
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, networking and presentation skills.

Languages:

• FREE’s official languages are English. Fluency in Hausa is an advantage.

IT and specific systems:

• Strong computer skills in Office environment and data management. Knowledge of GIS software and KoboKollect is a plus.

Application Closing Date
4 PM: 6th November, 2022.

Interview Date
9th November, 2022.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their recent CV along with a Cover Letter (no more than a page) to: info.free_ng@proton.me using the Job Title as the subject of the email.

Pre-employment Checks
Any employment with FREE could be subject to the following checks:

• Screening clearance
• Criminal records check
• Receipt of satisfactory references.

Note

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.
• Do NOT apply for more than one position.
• Existing FREE staff are eligible to apply.

Our Values and Commitment to Safeguarding:

• FREE is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom FREE engages.
• FREE expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.
• The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.
• All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks.
• We may request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment.
• By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.