Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Officer at Plan International Ethiopia

Plan International Ethiopia

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Position: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Officer

Job Time: Full-Time

Job Type: Contract

Place of Work: Hawassa - Ethiopia

Posted date: 3 years ago

Deadline: Submition date is over

The Organisation

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion, and discrimination. And it’s girls who are most affected.

Working together with children, young people, our supporters, and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.

We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national, and global levels using our reach, experience, and knowledge.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

Role Purpose

Plan International is an independent child rights and humanitarian organization committed to children living a life free of poverty, violence, and injustice.

We actively unite children, communities, and other people who share our mission to make positive lasting changes in children’s and young people’s lives. We support children to gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to claim their rights to a fulfilling life, today, and in the future. We place a specific focus on girls and women, who are most often left behind.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for more than 75 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

The position holder is primarily responsible to lead and implement the WASH program/ project found at the Regional States of South Nation Nationalities and People’s and Sidama and to ensure the linkage to the Country Enabler WASH Program at the program area level. The post holder is responsible for the delivery of results in line with pre-agreed project plans and objectives and operate Project implementation at all stages throughout the project cycle. Given that a significant amount of the project thematic activities are done in partnership with key government sector offices, s/he will have also a key aspect of the role is nurturing, developing, and facilitating the achievement of results.

He/she is expected to proactively engage in documenting lessons and practices with the aim for policy influencing and ensure the benefit of children and also build institutional capacity of Plan and its partners to effectively respond to WASH-related needs; with the overall objective of improving sanitation and hygiene practices and expanding access to sustainable WASH facilities.

DIMENSIONS OF THE ROLE

Financial measures or statistics relevant to the post such as budget; list of direct and indirect reports

• The post holder will report to the Program Area Manager SNNP PA, and technical report line WASH Specialist/WASH lead at the country office.
• The post holder will have overall responsibility for the planning, management, operation, coordination, and regular monitoring of the project to ensure smooth and fast implementation of the WASH activities of FY2021 SPAD Project including designing, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the WASH facilities construction and the soft components such as MHM and hygiene promotion. 
• The post holder is responsible for feasibility studies, designing, preparation of tender documents, Construction Supervision, and Contract Administration closely working with the project team, community, and local government, and reporting while ensuring quality Project delivery to the overall enabler WASH program and Infrastructure activities.
• Facilitate, lead, and ensure all WASH construction projects bid process until contract agreement signing and also facilitate final hand over of ended construction projects.
• The position holder will have no direct supervisees but will closely work with field staff
• She/he ensures smooth teamwork within and across the program area/working team at the country office while enhancing integration among other programs. 
• Responsible for compliance with organizational and statutory policies and laws on People and Culture legality matters and also has the responsibility to support in ensuring compliances.
• Key components of the position also include working with other regional actors, (like NGOs, UN Agencies, etc) regional advocacy and networking, project-level thematic area planning, developing and strengthening partnerships, and mainstreaming of child-centered and women-focused community development.
• The position will be based at SNNP PA, Hawassa

Resource Mobilization

• Develop program funding portfolio through conducting rapid needs assessments, writing concept notes and proposals, undertaking technical feasibility studies, preparation of designs and bills of quantities, preparation of tender documents and generally supporting the development and implementation of Water and Sanitation systems based on Plans’ corporate procedures to enhance resource mobilization efforts to reach more children and communities. 

Monitoring and evaluation

• Monitor the project implementation processes, coordinate evaluations, document best practices, and share learnings.
• Prepare quality and timely monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual progress reports including case studies and lessons learned and preparation & documentation the best practices.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Ensure quality program delivery at all levels of the project cycle management in line with the child-centered community development approach.
• Provide technical support to the program areas team in the selection of effective strategic options of WASH that address child and community welfare needs sustainably. 
• Ensure the technical soundness, appropriateness, and general quality in water supply and sanitation and Infrastructure project design, planning, implementation of projects and construction Supervision and Contract Administration.
• Provide leadership to the multiple uses of water system development and infrastructure project planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation; assess the outputs, outcomes, and impact of project interventions.
• Ensure effective and efficient thematic area coordination in consultation with the Project Coordinators and other project staff.
• Close monitoring and follow up for smooth and on time WASH activities implementation.
• Develop and submit weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, annual, and multi-year plans including innovative concept notes for WASH activities.
• Record and share good practices and case stories of WASH activities
• Ensure effective and efficient management of financial resources, including review and check project budgets, monitoring expenditures, and implementing cost control measures.
• Ensure M&E and learning in close collaboration with the M&E team.
• Ensure quality and timely reporting and documenting of WASH activities including preparation of progress reports.
• Manage and organize training, workshops, and meetings that concern WASH activities at all levels and participate when relevant.
• Field supervision and quality control of the construction of borehole, Rural, and Urban piped water supply project, rehabilitation and expansion of civil works, construction of VIP Latrine, and all construction projects under the SPAD and the enabler WASH program in the program area.
• The study, design, preparation of all necessary bid documents and Facilitate bid process, Prepares Bid documents, and construction agreements and coordinate contract awards. Prepare payment certificates against the agreement
• Ensure effective communication and information sharing on WASH programming within PIE
• Ensure that  WASH projects are technically sound, environmentally friendly, socially and culturally acceptable;
• Supervise to ensure that construction activities are done to the acceptable standard and government requirements
• Serve as a principal representative to WASH thematic networks and clusters in the region that has relevance to the project implementation, to create collaborative and positive partnerships and alliances, and to influence policy that maximizes the impact of the project.
• Make follow up and proper documentation and share in accordance with regional government policies, strategies, and Plan’s with respect to water, sanitation, and hygiene, and other construction activities
• Ensuring mainstreaming of cross-cutting issues mainly gender, environment, HIV&AIDS, and disability in responses and also the adoption of important approaches from PIE’s pertinent initiatives notably CLTS
• Shall perform other duties as assigned by her/his line manager, WASH Program Lead and leaders or members of other teams/programs, managers, etc

Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Child Protection (CPP) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI) are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy including relevant Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• Assist and support the communication department in developing communication materials through adopting and contextualizing it and disseminate to identified target audiences, organizations, media, etc., support the department in translating materials into local languages as necessary.
• Promote a collaborative, team environment amongst the project/program team.
• Inform the line manager and then to the donor of any issues or proposed resource changes that may require technical assistance or donor approval in a timely fashion. 
• Oversee outreach activities at the community level to support and raise awareness about the purpose of the activities and the project and any related opportunities.
• Shall perform other duties as assigned by her/his line manager, WASH Program Lead, and leaders or members of other teams/programs, managers, etc for program integration and working together.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Educational Qualification and Experience

• BSc degree in Hydraulics or Civil Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, or related disciplines with at least 3 years of relevant experience in water supply and sanitation development, construction supervision, and Contract Administration with NGO experience.
• Demonstrated experience in key programmatic areas and in the management (feasibility study, design, construction supervision, contract administration, etc.) of water supply and sanitation projects and infrastructures.
• Experience in CLTSH, community mobilization, and organization skill
• Experience in preparation of Bill of Quantities and specifications, bid document preparation and evaluation, contract document preparation, negotiation management, as well as supervision and administration of projects.
• Experience and Knowledge of using Water CAD, AutoCAD and related software packages are that used for preparing designs and drawings
• A commitment to, and understanding of, participatory approaches to development.
• Experience in project study, design bid preparation evaluation, and construction contract administration.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the water, sanitation, and hygiene sector.
• Construction – including supervision of a wide variety of WASH facilities and other construction projects.
• Experience in preparation of bills of quantities and contract tendering.
• Awareness of environmental health issues with special attention to the needs of women and children.
• Ability to deliver quality projects in a short time and work under stressful conditions.
• Proven ability to work in a team environment and independently.
• Understanding of integrated development issues
• Knowledge of  participatory Monitoring, Evaluation and Research systems and processes
• Excellent written, verbal communication skills in English and Amharic.

Skills Specific to the Post

• Interpersonal skills, including the ability to build relationships with colleagues
• Understands budgetary processes including planning, monitoring and reporting.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including presentations.
• Ability to analyze information, evaluate options and to think and plan strategically
• Proficient in computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications
• Able to work with minimal supervision
• Creates a highly motivated team of unified purpose

Competencies

• Able to perform under stress,  innovative, build relationships, communicate effectively, coach and mentor, facilitate change, develop teams, initiate action, strategic decision making, planning and organizing and a personal commitment to children’s development and protection. 
• Good organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability and willingness to  travel and work in remote and challenging environments

PLAN INTERNATIONAL’S VALUES IN PRACTICE

We are open and accountable

1. Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including sponsors and donors.
2. Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
3. Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
4. Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
5. Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organization for all children, girls & young people

We strive for lasting impact

1. Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
2. Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge, and new ideas.
3. Focuses resources to drive change and maximize long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.
4. Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.

We work well together

1. Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
2. Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
3. Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners, and communities.
4. Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

We are inclusive and empowering

5. Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
6. Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
7. Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners, and communities.
8. Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.