WASH Officer

WASH Officer

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 Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) in the locations in the Areas of Responsibility (AOR). 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 operation 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 and /or internationally recognised and most up-to-date standards and policies.
- Sound technical support and advice are provided to the operations under AOR  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 offices and programmes under AOR 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 operations under AOR to define the level and scope of UNHCR involvement, expressed in terms of overall and operational objectives during emergency situations as well as in care and maintenance and repatriation/reintegration programmes.
- Support operation under AOR to participate in review and analysis of relevant project proposal and budgetary submissions presented by UNHCR partners.
- 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.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

- 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 Advanced University Degree) of relevant work experience.
- 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 UN working language of duty station if not English.

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.
- Knowledge of additional UN languages. C004L3 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3
C003L3 - Communication Level 3
C002L3 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3
C001L3 - Accountability Level 3
C005L3 - Client & Result Orientation Level 3
C006L3 - Organizational Awareness Level 3
M004L3 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
M002L3 - Managing Performance Level 3
M001L3 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 3
M005L3 - Leadership Level 3
M006L3 - Managing Resources Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X002L3 - Innovation and Creativity Level 3
X003L3 - Technological Awareness Level 3
X004L3 - Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Level 3
X009L3 - Change Capability and Adaptability Level 3
X006L3 - Policy Development & Research Level 3
X007L3 - Political Awareness Level 3
X008L3 - Stakeholder Management Level 3
X005L3 - Planning and Organizing Level 3 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,
A proven experience in leadership, coordination and consolidation of WASH requirements and rationale allocation of resources among partners is essential to this position,
Working experience and knowledge of the region will be an added value,
Demonstrated experience in organizing 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 and Environmental assessment including surveys, programme implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and coordination is required,
Knowledge and experience of working with local partner agencies with a capacity to provide formal and informal training,
Ability towards analytical and creative thinking for rapid solutions,
Excellent communicator with strong interpersonal and negotiation 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 MS Access, Excel, Powerpoint, Word, water modelling sofware, GIS, AutoCAD,
Technical proficiency, fast and accurate analysis, excellent communication skills, diplomacy and the ability to build effective partnerships are essential attributes for this post. Nearly 20,000 South Sudanese refugees are reported to have fled across the border into
Sudan between 29 April and 6 May, arriving in White Nile and South Kordofan. This
latest influx follows intense fighting near Kodok and Tonga in Upper Nile state of South
Sudan and deteriorating humanitarian situations due to rising needs and security concerns
in areas where displaced civilians have gathered in Aburoc and the Protection of Civilian
(PoC) site in Malakal . The majority of newly arrived refugees are women and children. While the upcoming rainy season will limit civilian movements, reports from humanitarian actors in South Sudan indicate that between 35,000 and 50,000 people have been displaced in the affected areas and could try to flee to Sudan before the rainy season.
With an on-going influx of South Sudanese refugees, which has reached over 400,000 by 30 April 2017, the WASH sector is one of the main areas of the emergency response. Having received over 100,000 South Sudanese refugees just between 1 January and 30 April 2017, UNHCR and its partners have revised the 2017 planning figure for new arrivals from 60,000 to 180,000 bringing the total South Sudanese refugees in Sudan to 477,000 by 31 December 2017. The incumbent of the position will be required to spearhead the inter-agency coordination and provide guidance and technical advice support for the WASH interventions in the country with particular attention to the emergency situation in East and South Darfur, White Nile, South and West Kordofans states. In a highly complex humanitarian environment, the incumbent will continue to provide strategic direction, leadership and operational support for WASH service provision in diverse and rapidly developing contexts ¿ from the protracted crises of Eastern Sudan to the acute emergences developing in White Nile State, South and West Kordofan states and East and South Darfur, as well as meeting priority needs of refugees residing in the host community (both urban and rural) and ensuring capacity to respond to emergency influxes, epidemic outbreaks, natural disasters and insecurity.
The incumbent is also expected to coordinate the emergency humanitarian response under the leadership and coordination of UNHCR and the Government of Sudan through the mechanism established under the Refugee Consultation Forum (RCF).
While the position will be based in Khartoum, the incumbent will be responsible for providing technical guidance and support on water, sanitation and hygiene related matters throughout the Country. Khartoum is classified as `C¿ family duty station with Level II security. Khartoum features a desert climate (at times very hot and dusty), with only the months of July and August seeing significant precipitation.  Its average annual temperature is about 37.1 °C (99 °F). Particularly, staff with allergy may be affected by the dust. Medical and leisure facilities are limited.  It is possible to find decent houses and apartments with stable water and electricity supply. There are two international schools in Khartoum preferred by UN community which meet the language, cultural, curricula requirements. Security Level 2 pertains in Khartoum state.
Staff sensitivity to Sudanese dress code is very important.
Assigned staff needs to have completed the BSIF; BSIF2: ASIF modules and produce copies of certification.
Driving in Khartoum poses the greatest threat to staff safety and staff should avoid the use of Tuk-Tuk taxies.
Criminality is low in Khartoum but expat accommodation is being targeted. Accordingly international staff must ensure that their accommodation is MORSS compliant and guarded.
The prevailing economic state of Sudan may lead to civil unrest and violent demonstrations as occurred in September 2013. Excellent knowledge of English (written / oral / comprehension) is essential.
Knowledge of the local language (Arabic) is a plus
Some nationalities may face delay to get visa for Sudan

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in the Addendum 2 to the March 2017 Compendium is Wednesday 31 May 2017 (midnight Geneva time).