Assignment Objectives
The objective of the WASH Officer is to make sure that WASH related service levels to refugees meet UNHCR and/or WASH sector established standards (depending on the context).
Key outcomes from the recruitment will include:
§ Improved & upgraded water supply system and infrastructure to serve the refugees and to some extent, depending on the context, the host communities.
§ Improved sanitation and solid waste management.
§ Intensified hygiene promotion and capacity building.
§ Reduced environmental impact of refugees in hosting countries and/or camps.
Scope of works
Leadership and Coordination
§ Lead the delivery of WASH services to refugees within or outside camps in order to meet the UNHCR standards and/or the WASH sector standards of assistance, depending on the context.
§ Act as a focal point on water, sanitation, and hygiene promotion within UNHCR Office.
§ Coordinate the activities of WASH Partners, together with other UN agencies, governmental and nongovernmental counterparts, local Authorities, to ensure delivery of WASH services to beneficiaries meet UNHCR standards and/or WASH sector standards of assistance, depending on the context.
§ Facilitate adoption of harmonized methodologies for monitoring and reporting.
WASH Strategy, Planning, and Programme Support
§ Advocate, help and support the development of new policies and strategies for UNHCR in key aspects of WASH.
§ Contribute to the budgeting, planning, programmatic processes and financial management of the programme in the area of WASH.
§ Formulate project submissions including budget to respond to identified needs in collaboration with appropriate authorities, partners, UNHCR programme and technical sectors.
§ Advise programme staff and managers on the strategic development of WASH aspects of the programme.
§ Actively participate in drafting WASH strategies, developing and implementing workplan, identifying indicators, for any existing or newly installed refugee settlement or settlement extension identified.
§ Jointly with technical staff of implementing partners and other WASH actors, update detailed needs and resource assessments and revise designs of technical plans as necessary, taking into account practical aspects of implementation, long-term sustainable solutions, and relevant technical specifications and guidelines.
Technical Assistance and Capacity Building
§ Provide technical guidance and support to partners on all water, sanitation, hygiene promotion and environment related issues, to ensure quality, cost-effectiveness, sustainability and impact soundness in their implantation and in accordance with UNHCR policies, standards and priorities.
§ Facilitate capacity strengthening activities of UNHCR WASH staff and its implementing/operational partners to address key areas of WASH importance to refugees and other persons of concern to UNHCR.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Quality Assurance
§ Supervise and monitor the implementation of the ongoing water, sanitation, hygiene projects administered directly by UNHCR and its partners.
§ Ensure that mechanisms to monitor the performance of UNHCR's partners on WASH activities in the refugee camps/settlements/host community are in place.
§ Ensure that the WASH monitoring system data collection and reporting is carried out systematically, properly and timely with quality information.
Reporting
§ Report regularly on WASH activity implementation by all WASH partners, while maintaining accurate records of the relevant WASH performance indicators.
§ Prepare monthly sectorial reports and submit material for preparation of periodic project monitoring reports as required by the office at country level, the Senior Regional WASH officer and HQs.
§ Perform any other relevant tasks as assigned by the supervisor
WASH Officer Profile
Essential minimum qualifications, professional experience and skills
Academic:
· University degree in Water/Civil/Environmental Engineering/water resources development. Advance training in water, sanitation or Public health Engineering will be preferable.
Experience:
· At least 8 years of progressively responsible functions in water/sanitary engineering or a related field in developing countries dealing with large scale WASH activities.
· 3 years of proven experience in large scale infrastructural project management.
· Proven ability to deal with multiple tasks in courteous and service-oriented manner in demanding working condition that often has short deadlines.
· Ability to coordinate a range of diverse actors and activities to achieve a common objective in the area of WASH is essential.
· Demonstrated experience in organizing and conducting training activities and information campaigns in the areas of sanitation, water resources management, water quality and appropriate technologies are important elements for this post.
· Proven technical expertise in area of WASH assessment including surveys, programme implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and coordination is required.
Skills:
· Ability towards analytical and creative thinking for rapid solutions.
· Good communicator with strong interpersonal and negotiations skills to deal with persons of various cultural and educational backgrounds.
· High ethical and professional standards.
· Team player with service oriented attitudes.
· Proficiency in basic computer software such as water modelling sofware, GIS, AutoCAD.
Languages:
· Excellent knowledge of English or French (written / oral / comprehension) is essential.
· Working knowledge of another UN language.
HOW TO APPLY:
Applicants can send their application and CV to the following email address: HQWASH@unhcr.org
by 25th January 2015.
by 25th January 2015.
