Requisition ID: req15985

Job Title: WASH Officer

Sector: Environmental Health

Employment Category: Fixed Term

Employment Type: Full-Time

Open to Expatriates: No

Location: Beitbridge, Zimbabwe

Job Description

The WASH Officer ensures successful implementation and supervision of community-based water supply and sanitation interventions in Beitbridge district. Additionally, this position will support development of staff and community capacity building in water supply and sanitation operation, maintenance, and management. She/He will participate in mobilization of WASH resources and ensure implementation is done in close collaboration with government partners, program staff, the local community, the local authority, and other relevant agencies. The role will also involve developing and interpreting technical designs of various WASH infrastructures and general construction contract management and discharge in accordance with IRC acceptable standards and specifications. During implementation of project’s activities, the Officer will be required to provide feedback to relevant project partners and the Local authorities with an aim of improving overall WASH program quality.

Main Responsibilities

The WASH Officer will identify and assess the key needs of WASH facilities and services to be addressed and whom to engage and develop an appropriate implementation strategy to either construct, rehabilitate or repair such facilities. She/he will ensure that an engagement approach to working with communities and the local authorities, other partners is employed, and all activities are carried out in a way that is critical to community needs and promotes the full and equal participation of women, men, children, and youth.

Primary Responsibilities Include

Program

Craft and manage assessments and studies to identify WASH needs in target communities.

Working with the WASH Engineer to manage assessments/evaluations to identify key strengths, limitations of community structures handling WASH facilities. In collaboration with other WASH staff, design and plan activities on construction/rehabilitation and repair of water supply and sanitation facilities and ensure timely implementation.

Supervise construction, repair and rehabilitation of water supplies systems and sanitation facilities in strict alignment to government regulations and the SPHERE standards.

Support implementation of hygiene promotion activities appropriate to the context in close collaboration with the WASH Engineer to ensure that technical and social aspects of water and sanitation programming are coordinated.

Support assessments and assist in proposal development for additional resources for water supply, sanitation, and hygiene interventions.

Any other relevant responsibility as may be assigned by the Supervisor or other relating supervisors.

Capacity Strengthening

Working with the WASH Engineer, facilitate training WMCs, other Community structures and local authorities on improved hygiene/sanitation practices, management, and sustainability of WASH infrastructure.

Continuously supervise functionality and performance of community structures managing WASH facilities, identify capacity gaps and develop capacity strengthening plans.

Together with government line departments, continuously supervise functionality and performance of community structures managing WASH facilities.

Reporting

Support development of monthly, quarterly, semi- annual and end of projects reports on water supply and sanitation components of the project and ensure that the reports are prepared in a timely manner and in accordance with donors and IRC requirements.

Support development, monitoring and evaluation water supply and sanitation project indicators and standards

Provide regular reports on water supply and sanitation activities and program progress against work plan and program activities including donor reports according to donor requirements.

Maintain an up to-date activity tracking tool (soft copies and hard copies) of all water supply and sanitation infrastructure related activities and ensure timely updating of project monitoring tools.

Coordination And Collaboration

Co-ordinate and network with the relevant County Government ministries and departments, community-based organizations, NGOs, and other relevant departments working in the Beitbridge in providing technical support and assistance to WASH activities.

Seek mentorship and approval from EH Officer on any changes to approved designs for water supply and Sanitation systems.

Under the mentorship of the supervisor contribute towards strengthening of integration of WASH programming with the other key IRC program Sectors.

Participate in district and provincial WASH coordination meetings and forums.

Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs

Qualifications

Degree/Diploma in Environmental Health, Civil and Water Engineering or related field.

A minimum of three years’ experience in WASH programming and implementation with evidence of successful implementation of similar projects.

Minimum Of 3 Years Meaningful Work Experience

Required Experience & Proficiencies:

Demonstrated experience in supervising construction works especially water supply schemes is an asset.

Experience in community engagement approaches, participatory approaches, and community negotiation

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with a team.

Ability to conduct community WASH needs assessment, program planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of WASH activities.

Good understanding of SPHERE and other international standards

Good computer application skills (MS-Office, CAD software)

Professional Standards

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity Anti-Retaliation and Combating Trafficking in Persons