WASH and Shelter Coordinator

Introduction

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profit-making, politically independent, non-governmental and non-denominational relief organization.

Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

1- Background

Danish Refugee Council (DRC), and its Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding technical unit – the Danish Demining Group (DDG), has had an operational presence in Nigeria since 2015. DRC Nigeria is the largest DRC country mission in the West Africa region and one of the largest DRC country missions globally. Currently, DRC delivers life-saving assistance and protection to vulnerable, conflict-affected populations including internally displaced persons, returnees and host communities in the areas of armed violence reduction, humanitarian mine action, livelihoods, nutrition and food security, protection, shelter and non-food items (NFI) and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in 30+ Local Government Areas (LGAs) across Borno and Adamawa states in northeast Nigeria.

        2 – Duties and Responsibilities

The role is dedicated to technical coordination, advisory, fundraising and representing DRC in relevant technical fora and working group.

The WASH and Shelter Coordinator is responsible for formulating technical strategy for DRC Nigeria bringing effective, innovative modalities to the sector with emphasis on Value for Money and Going Green. The Coordinator will provide effective, timely technical advisory to the implementation team and to the Country Office Team in line with the technical and country strategy. The role will be responsible for representing DRC in relevant technical fora and working groups on country level and area level, should that be necessary, and supporting the Head of Programme in fundraising efforts for their sector through well-designed strategy, timely updates, advisory and sector engagement.

The WASH and Shelter Coordinator is based in Abuja – but expected to travel frequently to Area Offices and field locations in Borno and Adamawa states and other areas as the geographic presence of DRC Nigeria develops.

        1) Technical Coordination and Advisory

• Provide technical advisory to the implementation teams and Country Office team on any stage of programme implementation.
• Lead on creation and roll out of the technical strategy with emphasis on needs of the affected communities, innovation, and environment. Support the Head of Programmes on creating the Country Strategy.
• Provide technical inputs and review to proposals, reports, assessments and evaluations in line with the technical strategy.
• Provide technical capacity building to implementation teams and partners.
• Prepare learning/knowledge products, SoPs and guidelines covering innovative approaches and good practices, to support overall WASH and Shelter sector development and good-practice implementation.
• Initiate and contribute to the systematic assessment of WASH sector capacity gap analysis, in collaboration with government and other stakeholders, and support the design of initiatives to strengthen capacities systematically.
• Analyze Nigeria WASH and Shelter sector challenges, trends, programmes and projects, with a focus on WASH and shelter outcomes, using frameworks, analysis and tools available in the sector.

        2) Representation, Fundraising and Advocacy

• Pro-actively lead on DRC’s WASH and Shelter representation with relevant Sectors (Clusters) and working groups on country level and area level when necessary.
• Engage with relevant stakeholders incl. NGOs, donors and government to promote DRC’s WASH and Shelter programme and support sector’s fundraising efforts.
• Actively seek out new viable partnerships for the WASH and Shelter sectors.
• Actively seek out appropriate funding opportunities for the sector in line with the sector strategy.     
• Produce materials for WASH and Shelter programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships and support fund-raising.
• Interact with global and regional initiatives and partnerships for WASH and Shelter Sectors.

In addition to the above, the WASH and Shelter Coordinator may be asked to carry out other duties requested by the Head of Programme – but always in the scope of this job description.

        3 – Qualifications

        1) Required

• At least 5 years’ experience in technical management and advisory in WASH and Shelter sectors.
• Proven experience with proposal and report writing processes.
• Direct experience with drafting and reviewing of technical SoPs and guidelines, technical papers and analysis with emphasis on innovation and environment.
• Proven experience with representation in Clusters, Working groups and other relevant technical bodies.
• Proven experience with impactfully engaging with stakeholders.
• Experience working in emergency response with INGOs, preferably in a humanitarian context
• Full professional proficiency in English with the capacity to produce well-written products for formal reporting and communication.

        2) Desirable

• Bachelor’s Degree in civil/Water Engineering, Architecture or Construction.
• Master’s degree in above fields will be an added advantage.
• Experience with capacity building for national partners.
• Prior knowledge of Nigeria context.

​​​        4 – Required Skills & Qualities

• Core Competencies of DRC:
  • Striving for excellence
  • Collaboration
  • Taking the lead
  • Communication
  • Demonstrating Integrity
• Ability to work in a multinational and multicultural environment

• Excellent writing, proof-reading, and communication skills
• Excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills
• Strong ability to adapt, take initiative and work in a multicultural environment
• Interest for humanitarian sector and donor’s environment

• Listening, analytical and synthesis skills
• Excellent communication skills, as well as patience and politeness
• Exemplary sense of ethics in the workplace.

        5 – General regulations

• The employee shall follow DRC instructions on safety, confidentiality and ethical guidelines, including the Code of Conduct and the Humanitarian Accountability Framework
• Employee should not engage in any other paid activity during the DRC contract period without prior authorization
• Employee should not engage in any activity that could harm DRC or the implementation of any project during the DRC contract period
• Employee should not give interviews to the media or publish project-related photos or other material without prior authorization
• Employee shall return all borrowed equipment for the project to DRC after the end of the contract period or upon request

        6 – Application process

Are you interested? Then apply for this position on line: www.drc.dk/about-drc/vacancies/current-vacancies. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English.

DRC provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

DRC encourages all applicants to apply and does not practice any discrimination in any recruitment process.

However, all applicants shall take into consideration that DRC cannot offer an international work contract to a citizen of the country of assignment (in this specific case, Nigeria)

Applications close on the  14th of March 2023, at 11:59 p.m. GMT. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.

Due to the urgency of the position, DRC has the right to recruit a candidate who matches the required profile before the above deadline
DRC as an employer
By working in DRC, you will be joining a global workforce of around 8000 employees in 40 countries. We pride ourselves on our:

• Professionalism, impact & expertise
• Humanitarian approach & the work we do
• Purpose, meaningfulness & own contribution
• Culture, values & strong leadership
• Fair compensation & continuous development

DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process.

If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please visit drc.ngo/about-us/job-and-career/support-for-job-seekers.

Danish Refugee Council is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment without attention to race, age, ability, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other factor. At DRC we celebrate diversity and appreciate our employees for the people they are and their unique skills, backgrounds, and perspectives. We encourage all interested candidates to apply!