What we are looking for

NRC Syria looking for a WASH Specialist to join the mission. The role holder will provide technical oversight and strategic direction to Country and Area Offices to further the development of the WASH Core Competency (CC). They will ensure quality implementation for all WASH interventions, improve Governance and climate proofing of WASH systems, ensure coordinated approach with local and international WASH stakeholders, develop/refresh NRC WASH country strategy, capacity-build staff through mentoring and training to increase the technical capacity of the staff and develop donor strategy to further grow the program.  Additionally, they will have strong implementation oversight experience as well as an enthusiastic and proactive approach to ensuring quality and relevance of a large WASH program portfolio.

What you will do

The role will have some of the following main specific responsibilities:

  • Responsible for technical innovative development and quality of WASH in the country, holistic programming (with other CCs) and ensuring harmonisation and consistency across WASH projects in line with NRC Programme Policy.

  • Lead the process of establishing proposals, budgets, modifications, project reviews, and reporting, ensure high technical quality and provide strategic guidance on programme design.

  • Take the lead on establishing and following quality project deliverables to ensure high technical outputs including but not limited to review of technical and safety assessments, bill of quantities, participation in tender processes and review of outputs.

  • Provide strategic leadership on the development of programming that includes durable solutions, adequate governance and climate resilience of WASH system for people affected by displacement where appropriate.

  • Support programmatic M&E and indicator tracking (especially using the NRC ‘GORS’ M&E platform), WASH data and means of verification reviews, and follow-up in conjunction with project teams and the M&E (Monitoring and Evaluation) department.

  • Ensure budgets, work plans and spending plans in line with donor budgets are developed and maintained by supporting Project Coordinators, Managers and Area Managers

  • Develop and lead on conducting technical and safety assessments, needs assessments (in collaboration with Area Program teams, Protection team and M&E team), baseline, mid-and end-evaluations.

  • Represent NRC within the WASH sector, to relevant donors, government ministries and in relevant humanitarian coordination meetings in the country.

  • Actively promote and operationalize synergies between WASH and other NRC programmes to move toward integrated programming focussing on Shelter and Education.

  • Provide support and input to the recruitment processes for all WASH staff in the country.

  • Accountable for organisational learning from programme implementation, for sharing of best practices and for capacity building.

  • Keep an overview of the activity implementation and undertake field support visits post initiation of projects to evaluate needs: support areas and teams including raising red flags where needed. 

  • Develop and lead quality improvement plans, using technical quality control check list, quality benchmarks and Complaint and Feedback Mechanism (CFM) outcomes, and ensure continuous improvement. 

  • Ensure NRC’s Safe and Inclusive Programming (SIP) and digital solutions are incorporated into WASH programming.

Please download the complete Job Description here to learn more about the position. 

What you will bring

  • Minimum 5 years of experience within a humanitarian/recovery context.

  • Candidates with an advanced degree preferred; significant experience in the field of WASH considered in lieu.
  • Experience working in complex and volatile contexts.
  • Minimum 5 years of experience in WASH including 2 years at senior level (as Specialist/Technical Adviser or Project Manager).
  • Knowledge of the Syrian context and other middle east countries is a plus.
  • Experience in team capacity building.
  • Advanced computer skills, especially in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
  • Experience with leading coordinating activities within humanitarian clusters/sectors coordination platforms.
  • Understanding of SPHERE and other core humanitarian standards is required.
  • Experience in Water Governance and water cost recovery models.
  • Experience in Linking Climate Adaptation to WASH (including CCA smart solutions).
  • Fluency in English, both written and verbal. 
  • Knowledge of Arabic is a plus.

What we offer:

  • Duty station: Damascus, Syria.

  • Contract: 12 months

  • Travel: 40% within areas of operation.

  • Salary/benefits: Grade 9 on NRC’s national or international salary scale.

  • NRC is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to diversity without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability.

  • We think outside the box, encourage ideas, and give responsibility to all employees at all levels. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative.

Find out more about the benefits of working for NRC

Important information about the application process

  • Internal candidates: To apply as an internal candidate, log in with your official email or click on Opportunity Marketplace.

  • For internal candidates please use your official email address when applying.

  • Complete all the system-required fields for experience, employment history and education.

  • Submit your application and CV in English, taking care to attach your latest CV.

  • We receive many applications for each vacant position and so only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

  • Applications that do not meet the minimum standards in terms of experience or qualifications will generally not be considered. Unsolicited applications not related to this specific job advertisement will not be considered. 

  • If you have any questions about this role, please email mero.recruitment@nrc.no with the job title as the subject line.

Why NRC?

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee. Our 15,000 staff work in crises across 40 countries, providing life-saving and long-term assistance to millions of people every year.

NRC currently has over 3,000 staff across the Middle East dedicated to assisting people affected by conflict in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Libya and Palestine. Its humanitarian interventions are based upon its programming expertise in the Core Competencies of Shelter, Education, WASH, Livelihoods and Food Security, and Information Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA) to vulnerable displaced people that were forced to flee.   

Watch this short video to see NRC in action.

We are looking for people who are passionate about helping refugees and people forced to flee. Are you one of those people? If you are, NRC offers you the opportunity to:

  • do demanding and professional work, often in challenging contexts.

  • join a work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility.

  • be part of a welcoming and supportive community committed to human dignity.

Learn more about NRC's operations in Syria here.

At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.