Field Technical Officer at United Purpose (UP)

United Purpose (UP) is an international development organisation that works to sustainably reduce poverty and improve the lives of some of the world's poorest communities. Established in 1976, the organisation has nine country programmes in Africa, Asia & South America.

In Nigeria, UP has been working for almost two decades with local partners and rural communities in the country’s South East. We implement projects funded by major international donors that aim to address gender inequalities and rights abuses, improve sanitation and access to water, foster accountability, preserve vital ecosystems and develop sustainable livelihoods.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Field Technical Officer - Sustainable Rural Drinking Water Initiative in Nigeria (SURWIN) Project

Location: Benue

Job Description

• We are looking for a dynamic, proactive and results-oriented Field Technical Officer to support the implementation of the Sustainable Rural Drinking Water Initiative in Nigeria (SURWIN) Project in Benue State in Nigeria.
• The project is aimed at improving the health of rural populations in Benue State by providing access to year-round sources of safe drinking water, and promoting improved hygiene and sanitation practices.
• It is looking at professionalizing water point maintenance services by strengthening the capacities of local technicians (LAMs) collaborating with WASH institutions to monitor the performances of these service providers and building capacities of participating communities to ensure transparent financial management of water infrastructures.
• The Field Technical Officer will be responsible for supporting the implementation of the SURWIN Project including timely implementation of project activities, capacity building, stakeholder engagement, team management, monitoring and evaluation, financial planning and management, and communication with stakeholders at the LGA level.
• The position requires familiarity with the context in which the project is being submitted, experience in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) systems, knowledge of the roles of Local Area Mechanics, ability to collaborate with Village Level Operations and Maintenance (VLOM) units of LGAs and state. The role requires a capacity for critical thinking and adaptation based on learnings and findings during the implementation period. The Field Technical Officer will report to the Project Manager and is expected to coordinate closely with the Head of Programmes.
• The project is aiming at promoting preventive maintenance and Service Level Agreement to move from one-shot repairs to a more planned approach of sustainable access to water. It will imply collaborating closely with Local Area Mechanics (LAMs) to promote their services but also ensuring the quality of service provided. It will also imply working with WASH units (VLOM units) at the state and LGA level to improve monitoring of performances of LAMs and follow-up of conditions of water points and evolution of functionality. If the project will still reinforce the capacities of communities to improve transparency and to have the capacity to pay service providers, we will be moving from a CBM (Community-Based Management) approach only.
• Plan, designed and ensured delivery of project activities at the state and LGA level in line with the Project scope of work and Self Help Africa Operations Guideline
• Coordinate with project stakeholders at the State and LGA level including local government, WASH Department/Unit, local Area Mechanics (LAMs), WASHCOMs and other stakeholders.
• Monitor and ensure planned activities are implemented at the LGA level as per the project’s design and budget allocations.
• Provide strategic and technical support to partners (WASH Unit and LAMs) – including in terms of M&E capacities, to community partners (WASHCOMs), and other stakeholders to ensure on-time implementation of project activities at the LGA level.
• Ensuring quality of delivery: proper evaluation of needs, proper rehabilitation of water points, proper organization of workshops and implementation of what will be agreed during the workshop, promotion of preventative approach and support to stakeholders for professional maintenance services
• Support in the development/identification of training modules SBCC (Social Behavior Change Communication), (Information, Education and Communication) and promotional materials.
• Provide support to the MEAL team for the tracking and monitoring of progress, data collection, database administration, documentation of the project’s impacts and results, and M&E related support at the LGA level as required.
• Conduct regular visits to fields, documentation on field activities including project’s impacts and results, and submit reports to the line manager timely.
• Ensure health safety and security measures during the facilitation of activities at the field level
• Other duties as assigned by the line manager and the Country Director.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities
Planning and Implementation:

• Prepare and implement activity plans at the LGA level keeping coherent links with the project scope of work and budget.
• Support to develop participatory assessment tools to inform implementation and training strategies.
• Support the Project team in the review of the project scope of work regularly and update in accordance with learnings, stakeholder input and consultation with the project team

Networking and Coordination:

• Conduct in-person outreach with partners at the LGA level, project stakeholders, Local Technicians, WASHCOMs, and community leaders.
• Provide strategic and technical support to field teams in building and maintaining cohesive coordination with the local government authorities.

Strengthening and Capacity Building of Local Technicians and WASHCOM Groups:

• Support Project stakeholders at the LGA level, and WASH Unit in developing a training guide to facilitate WASH activities in the communities.
• Tailor SBCC and IEC materials to local and project contexts in collaboration with stakeholders at the LGA level.
• Provide technical support to field teams in designing and conducting capacity-building activities for Local Technicians and WASHCOMs as per the capacity development plan.

Monitoring, Reporting and Documentation:

• Provide support and work with the MEAL Coordinator in tracking of activity progress, and timely collection of quantitative and qualitative information from the fields through coordination with field teams, and other counterparts, when required.
• Support the MEAL team's efforts to document the project’s achievements, results, learnings and impacts.
• Provide weekly updates and monthly reports as per the approved format summarising the progress made in implementing activities, lessons learnt, and recommendations for improvement,
• Support periodic/schedule coordination and project progress review meetings with the LGA-level field team members, and relevant stakeholders.

Safeguarding:

• Ensure safeguarding at all levels of project implementation.
• Establish feedback response mechanism across communities of implementation
• Internal: Programmes, MEAL, Finance
• External: LGA WASH Unit and other stakeholders

Education and Other Qualifications
Essential:

• At least a Diploma in Water and Sanitation Engineering, Geology, Rural Development, Public Health, Social Sciences or any field related to WASH
• ICT skills, and proficiency in using MS Office.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Effective communication, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Respect for cultural diversity and gender sensitivity.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Knowledge of mWater, Kobo and other monitoring tools used by the Government (WASH IMS) will be appreciated

Experience and Skills:

• At least 3 years of working experience with INGO/NGO in a similar or equivalent position.
• Experience in the field of WASH systems strengthening, Village Level Operations and Maintenance (VLOM).
• Strong expertise in hand pump maintenance and rehabilitation
• Experience in the development of high-standard SBCC and IEC material, training modules, and promotional material.
• Experience in community development especially empowerment and leadership development of community groups.
• Proven experience with projects requiring strong M&E
• Experience in working with culturally diverse teams.
• Understanding of WASH service delivery models
• Understanding of Village Level Operation and Maintenance (VLOM)
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Communication, networking, facilitation and community mobilisation.
• Reporting and documentation.

Desirable:
Language Requirements:

• Written and oral proficiency in English and relevant local languages (Tiv, pidgin English etc) is required.

Application Closing Date
20th November, 2023.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV (not more than 4 pages) and Cover Letter to: [email protected] using the Job Title and Location as the subject of the mail.

Note
In the cover letter (not more than 2 pages), please ensure to explain the following:

• Why you are applying for the position
• How do your skills and experiences meet the job’s specification
• When will you be able to take up the position if successful?