WASH Advisor

Location

Starting Date & Initial Contract Details

August 2021. Full time, 12 months.

Role Overview

Provide technical advice and support to management and project staff, deliver training and ensure quality programming. Develop, lead, monitor and evaluate technical aspects of the country programme WASH activities. Coordinate and network at a senior level with national and regional authorities, clusters and other NGOs, providing capacity building for national and international staff, championing best practice (international and Medair) and contributing to the overall management of the country programme. Advise on assessment and survey design for existing and new project areas; point of contact in the country programme for GSO sector Technical Advisors.

Project Overview

Medair is responding to the humanitarian needs in Yemen through an integrated health, nutrition and WASH response targeting vulnerable persons in selected districts. WASH activities form an integrated part of the approach addressing unsafe water, poor hygiene, and diarrhoea’s aggravating effect on malnutrition. WASH infrastructure at supported health facilities will be improved to reduce the risk of disease transmission. WASH emergency preparedness and response (EPR) interventions will depend on the response required – for example whether it is responding to IDP needs, a disease outbreak, flooding/cyclone events, high malnutrition within a community, etc. Medair strives to protect beneficiaries in all projects, upholding the ‘Do No Harm’ principle. The project design includes gender and protection mainstreaming components and a demonstrated accountability to the affected population.

Our Culture

Key Activity Areas

WASH Project Management

• Provide programme support and technical advice with an emphasis on WASH and disaster risk reduction.
• Maintain an overview of the country WASH programme(s) and of the regional context, with a view to strategically developing new projects in current sites and / or in surrounding regions.
• Give technical advice to field managers and GSO on potential involvement in new WASH interventions and internal WASH capacity for implementation.
• Define appropriate policies, guidelines and protocols for the WASH aspects of Medair’s work in country, in consultation with other field managers and in line with relevant government, Sphere and WHO guidelines.
• Provide technical support to the WASH teams in all project sites, including the evaluation and impact analysis of current projects and the writing of donor proposals and reports within the required timeframes.
• Carry out regular monitoring visits in conjunction with other field managers, ensuring that project objectives are met within the stated time-frames and in accordance with recognised international standards.
• Supervise and monitor the development of reporting systems for data collection (qualitative and quantitative), analysis and follow-up and feedback to relevant staff, donors, partners and other agencies.
• Maintain an oversight of WASH supplies ordered for the WASH projects, supporting the WASH and logistics staff in the coordination and quality control of WASH supplies.
• Provide input into the integration of beneficiary participation and accountability in all aspects of the project.

Representation

• Develop and maintain relationships with UN, NGOs, donors, partners and other stakeholders, with the objective of raising public awareness of Medair and ensuring good co-operation and partnerships.
• Seek out relevant networks or task groups on specific WASH-related humanitarian aid issues and actively participate.
• Accompany donors on field trips, and ensure programme details are transmitted in a timely and professional manner.
• Represent Medair, as appropriate, at coordination, sector and bilateral meetings, working groups, with national and / or local government departments and any other relevant meetings or events, facilitating supportive synergies and overall progress in the WASH sector and avoiding duplication with the work of other agencies (e.g. NGOs, UN, etc).

Staff Management

• Involved in the recruitment of WASH staff for the country programme, providing advice on technical skills.
• Ensure that all WASH staff are adequately trained and, if necessary, create possibilities for capacity building, mentoring and coaching, within budget constraints. Plan and develop training material as required.
• Support line managers in inductions and appraisals of WASH staff, particularly with regard to technical skills.

Financial Management

• Work with the Projects Coordinator and relevant field managers and GSO staff to plan and construct WASH budgets.
• Work with the Projects Coordinator to ensure the WASH project expenditure is in line with approved budgets, advising on potential under / over spend and recommending appropriate corrective action.

Quality Management

• Promote and use the Medair e-library, Box resources and other operating procedures, ensuring that all standardised formats are used and guidelines are followed.
• Ensure WASH projects are implemented in line with donor proposals and requirements and in accordance with Medair, donor, country and international standards e.g. Sphere and HAP standards, WHO recommendations, etc. Follow the direction of the WASH Advisor at GSO regarding quality, strategy and technical guidelines.
• Regularly assess and provide feedback on the quality of WASH programmes during field visits.
• Maintain a resource library for the WASH team and keep up-to-date with the latest trends and updates within the sector. Ensure all WASH staff have access to necessary and appropriate information as required.

Team Spiritual Life

• Reflect the values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts.
• Work, live, and pray together in our Christian faith-based team settings. Fully contribute to the rich spiritual life of your team, including team devotions, prayers, and words of encouragement.
• Encouraged to join and contribute to Medair’s international prayer network.

This job description covers the main tasks that are anticipated. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary.

Qualifications

• BSc in Water / Environmental Engineering or Management or Civil Engineering or Hydrology / Geology.
• Strong working knowledge of English (spoken and written).

What is the ROC and why is it required?

Experience

• Relevant post-qualification professional experience, in a management position.
• 1-year overseas experience in relief work with an NGO managing and coordinating WASH projects, preferably in an emergency context. Project Management experience.
• Excellent proposal and report writing skills (including ability to develop and report on log-frames).
• Knowledge of Humanitarian Essentials, Sphere and HAP Standards, protection issues and other international humanitarian guidelines and protocols. Good financial management skills.
• Excellent negotiation/advocacy skills within varying cultural and professional contexts.