WASH Officer at Save the Children

ROLE PURPOSE: 

Be responsible for the design, implementation, follow up and evaluation of WASH and infrastructure construction and rehabilitation in communities targeted by Save the Children in the region of Garissa/Wajir - KENYA Country Office. The post is specifically oriented towards the WASH emergency response in the context of the crisis HoA Drought Response, and special attention will be made ​​on the integration of the WASH sector in other core sector of Save The Children such as nutrition, food security, health, education and child protection.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: WASH Manager

Staff reporting to this post: NA 

Budget Responsibilities: Reviewing WASH budget lines

Role Dimensions: Water supply, storage and Sanitation, Construction, Hydraulics, Capacity Building.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY : 

Need Assessment 

• Be responsible for technical part of WASH needs assessments and participate in the selection of target communities and WASH facilities to be rehabilitated and / or build in the project, through technical feasibility studies, household level questionnaires, focal group discussions, visits to facilities and sites, and interview with key members of the community.

Program design and implémentation :

• Be responsible/ support for the design, establishment of work specifications and quotation, follow-up and evaluation of activities related to the construction of WASH infrastructures in public institutions and communities, such as:
  • Construction or rehabilitation of community water supply systems facilities 
  • Construction or rehabilitation of drinking water infrastructures (hand dug well wells, boreholes, pipe network, reservoir, drinking water treatment device). 
  • Technical training of community volunteers, members of WASH committees, governmental staff 
  • Hygiene promotion for community including leading in distribution of WASH NFI
• Planning, organization and follow up of the community mobilization in target communities on issues related to of construction, operation and maintenance of WASH facilities.
• Be responsible to establish the technical aspect of the internal purchase order and tender documents for construction and rehabilitation of WASH facilities.
• Be responsible for the quality control of materials WASH procured by Save the Children and its subcontractors.
• Site management: general supervision of contractors and save the children staff under his management, ensuring the safety of construction sites and community participation.
• Validate the progress and quality of work of the contractors, and make the connection with the administration and supply chain to ensure their payments are done on time.
• Design, implementation and organization of training for construction of small WASH facilities at household level (hand washing device, sand filters ...).
• Follow up logistics / budget management / site supervision in case of direct intervention of Save the Children for small scale works (rehabilitation of water points or latrines etc ...)
• Follow-up of activities of local partners of Save the Children (such as local NGOs or governmental agencies) in the field of WASH facilities construction, and participate in their capacity building.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning:

• Verify that WASH infrastructure construction and rehabilitation works done by partners and contractor are carried out according to quality standards established by Save the Children through quality checklists 
• Plan and be responsible for the weekly reporting of data in order to follow up the standard project and strategic indicators (number of beneficiaries, number and type of activities completed...)

Reporting:

• Writing weekly report to line manager, and verbal reports whenever necessary.

Integration, coordinations et traversal aspects:

• Ensure that all WASH activities are integrated with hygiene promotion and community participation component, to ensure sustainability of the infrastructure built. 
• Coordinate WASH and construction activities with other sectors of Save the Children, in order to integrate activities in the same geographical area and for the same beneficiaries.
• Coordinate WASH activities with other local actors (governmental and non-governmental).
• Ensure the integration of gender, child protection, HIV, environment and other crosscutting issues to the design, implementation and development of WASH activities, and ensure that activities take into account the needs of specific groups and individuals, especially children, the elderly and disabled.

SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (Our Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling SCI’s values.
• Holds the partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages others to do the same
• Widely shares their personal vision for SCI, engages and motivates others
• Future orientated, thinks strategically.

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters.
• Values diversity sees it as a source of competitive strength.
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions.
• Willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency.
• Commitment to Save the Children Values.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Required:

• Professional experience of 4 years minimum, including 2 years in the field of WASH infrastructure construction in humanitarian or development context.

Essential:

• Solid and progressive management experience working in an emergency response contexts or fragile states
• At least a degree in Civil, Water and  Sanitation Engineering, Public Health Engineering
• Registration with the Engineering Board of Kenya is essential
• Previous experience in managing integrated Health and WASH activities in a public health programme
• Previous experience of project management, implementing integrated Health and WASH projects within agreed timescales and budget limitations
• Experience of and commitment to working through systems of community participation and accountability in an emergency integrated Health and WASH context
• Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation
• Some experience of representation and ability to represent Save the Children effectively in external forums. Commitment to the aims and principles of Save the Children. In particular, a good understanding of the Save the Children’s mandate and child focus and an ability to ensure this continues to underpin our support
• Ability to write clear and well-argued assessment and project reports
• Excellent communication skills
• Strong influencing skills
• Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy
• A high level of written and spoken English
• The capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure working circumstances.
• Commitment to the aims and principles of Save the Children. In particular, a good understanding of Save the Children’s mandate and child focus and an ability to ensure this continues to underpin our support
• Ability to speak and communicate in English/Kiswahili
• Ng’aturkana language is added advantage.

Desirable:

• Previous experience in working with an Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)
• Previous experience in addressing small water supply system issues
• Knowledge of Save the Children systems and ways of working. 
• Experience with working with subcontractors
• Direct experience in the geographical area of intervention of Save the Children.