WASH Officer (P-3)

DUTIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT:

In order to ensure wider reach out to the refugees and ensure their close involvement in the delivery and management of the Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) services, the incumbent will need to establish an appropriate consultative and monitoring framework which would draw the experience and expertise of a wide range of actors both internally and externally.

The WASH officer will be responsible for provision of professional technical support and guidance on activities within the areas of WASH. Furthermore, the incumbent is required to play a lead role in formulating appropriate project proposals and assistance activities that should be incorporated into the relevant country programmes of UNHCR. The WASH Officer will receive the technical backup and support from the Regional WASH Officer and/or the Senior WASH Officer in HQ.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT:
Accountability:

• WASH services provided to refugee and others persons of concern to UNHCR are based on UNHCR country and /or internationally recognised and most up-to date standards and policies.
• Sound technical support and advice are provided to country operation in the field of WASH.
• There is viable monitoring and evaluation system in place for data collection, analysis and interpretation to serve as evidence base for planning and interventions.
  Responsibility:
• Provide technical assistance to UNHCR country offices and programmes in the development, integration and mainstreaming of appropriate and cost effective WASH programmes.
• Undertake needs and resource assessments with Governments and partners in order to prioritize needs and activities in provision of services to refugees and others persons of concern to UNHCR.
• Support country operations to define the level and scope of UNHCR involvement, expressed in tern of overall and operational objectives during emergency situations as well as in care and maintenance and repatriation/reintegration programmes.
• Support country operation to participate in review and analysis of relevant project proposal and budgetary submissions presented by UNHCR partners within context of UNHCR programme cycle.
• Ensure that project plan and proposal submitted to UNHCR for funding adhere to internationally accepted standard.
• Maintain and update WASH contingency plan for potential epidemics, refugee and returnee movement.
• Work in a multi-sectorial and coordinated approach in co-operation with Governments, UN agencies, non-Governmental organizations (NGO¿s) and other humanitarian partners.
• Work closely with UNHCR programme, field and protection staff to identify priority WASH and key data requirements for programme planning and monitoring to ensure that minimum UNHCR and international standards are being met.
• Use community-based approaches, including clear involvement of refugees in the hygiene promotion and others sector that are related to WASH.
• Ensure regular update and share information within UNHCR as well as with relevant Government, UN and NGO counterparts and donor communities.
• Monitor and evaluate country-level WASH programmes against standard UNHCR and international indicator to ensure that programmes are evidence-based and implemented in a comprehensive and cost effective manner.
• Make provisions for the installation of WASH services in any new camp or camp extension identified for the settlement of refugees.
• Facilitate capacity strengthening activities of UNHCR and its implementing/operational partners to address key areas of WASH importance to refugees and other persons of concern to UNHCR.
• Build the capacity and competence of UNHCR¿s Public Health and WASH staff.
• Ensure WASH is adequately addressed in in-house capacity building activities of the agency such as emergency and operations training.
• Provide other duties as required.
  Authority :
• Provide guidance and recommendations on WASH programmes in the country.
• Represent UNHCR in WASH meetings as well as in technical monitoring of activities.
  MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
• University degree in water and sanitation engineering / water resources development and/or postgraduate degree in one of the civil engineering disciplines (water supply and/or hydrology) or sanitation/hygiene engineering.
  Minimum 8 years (6 years with Advance University Degree) of progressively responsible functions in water/sanitary engineering or a related field in developing countries dealing with large scale WASH activities. At least 3 years of this experience should be in a capacity directly relevant to the current position in an international humanitarian organisation dealing with large scale emergencies or displaced/refugee situations.
• 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 organising and conducting training activities and information campaigns in the areas of environmental sanitation, natural resources management, water quality, bore-hole drilling, vector control 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.
• Exposure to UNHCR mandate, its priorities and principles.
• Knowledge and experience of working with local partner agencies with a capacity to provide formal and informal training.
• Proficiency in basic computer software such as MS Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, water modelling software, GIS.
• Excellent knowledge of English and/or French (depending on the country of assignment) and working knowledge of another relevant UN language.
• DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES:
• Experience and professional training in one of irrigation, site planning, or shelter with a good understanding of the main issues in the other two sectors. To this end, an advanced degree and additional training in one or more of the above sectors would be useful.
• Applied knowledge in UNHCR programme management, project formulation, programme cycles and reporting standards.
• Previous exposure to cluster approach, preferably both at the global policy level and at field level.
• Expertise in planning, formulation, implementation, monitoring and reporting on humanitarian operations.

HOW TO APPLY:

please apply on http://www.unhcr.org under employment (down the page), International Professional Category