WASH officer

Date: 03-Mar-2023

Location: Yabello, Ethiopia

Company: Plan International

The Organisation

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation 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 85 years, and are now active in more than 80 countries.

Roll Purpose

The main purpose of the job is to implement a Joint WASH NFI Disaster Rapid Response project which mainly focuses to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all and improving Hygiene promotion services. The post holder will report to the Program Manager and with a dotted line or matrix relationship to the WASH/program Coordinator, the RRM WASH Manager/ Thematic Sector Lead, and others based in the country office.

• The post holder will have responsibility for the feasibility study, detail design, BOQ, contract management, regular monitoring, WASH construction supervision, quality control, and report preparations of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene facilities.  
• Provide technical support to district staff and WASHCO members for the planning and implementation of WASH and hygiene practices at the community, school, and health facility levels in the target villages
• Work in collaboration with community members, local health staff such as community health workers and the women development army (WDA) to implement regular growth monitoring and growth promotion activities
• Support and promote target selection and lead community dialogue sessions.
• Facilitate and lead the district stakeholder for the Implementation and integration of WASH and health and nutrition projects.
• Collect and record any documentation about the project history for learning, and reporting 
• She/he will ensure a smooth working environment and teamwork within Plan International Ethiopia the respective field staff and across the WASH, health and nutrition partners;

Accountiblity

Project design, implementation, and reporting

• Responsible for the quality standard of all WASH activities
• Monitor construction/rehabilitation quality in line with the standard
• Coach project and government staff on how to undertake ongoing technical support
• Conduct field feasibility study on new project sites
• Follow up proper management of construction sites and take a measurement, and quality control, give instructions with the consultation of the WASH coordinator and other hierarchies 
• Establish and facilitate training for the beneficiary at community, Education, and health facilities/ institutions.
• 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.
• Close monitoring and follow-up for smooth and on-time project implementation.
• Participate in Preparing and developing in consultation with appropriate stakeholders’ annual and multi-year project plans.
• Record and share good practices and case stories achievements of the project
• Participate and contribute to the quality and timely reporting and documenting of project activities including preparation of quarterly/yearly project progress reports.
• Manage and organize training, workshops, and meetings that concern the project at all district levels.
• Field supervision and quality control of the construction of borehole, Rural, and Urban piped water supply projects, rehabilitation, and expansion of civil works, and construction of VIP Latrine.
• The post holder is expected to develop a standard design for all infrastructure supported by the Plan based on the humanitarian and government standard.
• Participate in the bid process, Prepares Bid documents, and construction agreements, and coordinate contract awards.
• Prepare to take off sheet, cost, and material estimation for payment and planning

Policy engagement and networking

• Facilitate and collect baseline information and data from the community and submit it to PA for further analysis. Prepare the baseline report for his line manager.

• In addition to the Emergency WASH Officer, he/she can serve as a principal representative to WASH thematic networks and clusters in the project areas that have relevance to the project implementation, create collaborative and positive partnerships and alliances, and influence policy that maximizes the impact of the project.
• Establish links and good relationships with relevant district government authorities, UN organizations, NGOs, academic and research institutions, and the media, in water, sanitation, and hygiene to draw information and knowledge for project efficiency and effectiveness.
• Makes follow-up and proper documentation and share district government information, and strategies with respect to water sanitation and hygiene.

Partnership development and strengthening

• Periodically collect project-related and relevant information about other organizations working within the target districts to gain institutional knowledge of the environment.
• Seeks opportunities for different kinds of partnerships for enhanced quality project implementation.
• Provide technical assistance and build the capacities of WASHCOs, clubs and local partners in project management.
• for smooth project implementation of project Facilitates communication and interaction between partners/collaborators

Relationship Management / Communications

• Reports to Project manager & Program Coordinator
• Key relationships
• Internally: The job holder has a close working relationship internally with the following departments and/or functions:
• Field teams (all officers); PA team and CO staffs
• Externally: The job holder has a close working relationship externally with the following departments and/or functions:
• Program beneficiaries, local government sector offices, particularly zonal and woreda Agricultural Office, Zonal and woreda water development, DRMC offices and. NGOs operating in PA. 

Child Protection and Gender Equality Responsibilities

• Demonstrate commitment to Plan’s child protection policy through implementing the policy in its entirety, and report any actual or potential risk situations following the reporting procedures, being aware of abuse and risks to children, being vigilant, and becoming familiar with the Child Protection Policy.
• Raise children’s rights/protection awareness and the importance of gender equality and respect for diversity within Plan and amongst partners and community members.
• Child protection and gender equality policies are understood by the staff and partners.
• Ensure equal participation and benefit of boys and girls and children with disabilities in all phases of project implementation.
• Ensure enough budget and resources are allocated for gender equality activity in their respective area annual plans and project activities.
• Support partners in understanding plans’ gender equality strategy and program criteria and capacity-building activities on gender as part of the regular work at the field level.
• Ensure the representation of Plan Ethiopia in their respective project from gender equality perspectives.

• Plan Ethiopia has put in place a CP policy that all of its staff must adhere to and sign.
• 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.

Donor Reporting

• Prepare and provide all the necessary technical and information inputs prepare quarterly, mid-term and yearly reports and end of project report deliverables, as per standard templates and direction provided, including all narrative and financial content and associated annexes.
• Prepare and submit monthly narrative reports, including updates on project progress and outstanding issues to the line manager and communication department as necessary.
• Identify and communicate any issues related to project delay to the line manager, other concerned bodies and include relevant mitigation/contingency plans.
• Assist and ensure that results of any internal Plan-led or external donor-led audits are addressed.
• Provide technical support for government partners and program unit staff on effective M and E applications. 
• Identify, document, and disseminate best practices, success stories, and stories of changes from within and outside the Plan to staff and other development partners.
• Ensure project learning and achievements are documented and disseminated widely.
• Ensure all project documentation is filed and organized for accountability purposes.

Dealing with Problems:

• The post holder will coordinate field-based staff in collaboration with any other department to ensure the highest level of program quality and overall impact. This will encompass strengthening accountability, planning, management, adherence to policies and procedures, and promoting a culture for the delivery of results.
• The position involves a high degree of complexity in resolving a wide range of challenges that typically occur in project management. The post holder will demonstrate the ability to solve problems, think strategically while implementing projects, and introduce innovations as needed to meet the demands of a dynamic operating environment while ensuring Plan systems and policies are adhered to.
• Understands organizational strategies and contributes to their fulfilment by supporting his/her team to play their roles and implement programs in accordance with organizational values, goals, and requirements. 
• Working at the community and district level to give support to partners and sector staff influences PA colleagues to adhere to required implementation standards in an integrated manner to support the sustainability and effectiveness of the PlE programs.

Key relationships

To maximize overall Project impact through the optimized contributions of others, the post holder will be required to initiate, develop and maintain a range of working relationships, including with government counterparts, implementing partners, community organizations, and other development organizations within the region/project area.

Internally s/he must have an effective working relationship within the programs department, PA staff, and the Project team is essential. The job holder will have frequent communication with his line manager, the program area staff, and support staff at Plan International Ethiopia, colleagues at Plan National Offices, and various internal staff networks.

Technical expertise, skills, and knowledge

Essential

Educational Qualification and Experience

• At least Bachelor’s Degree in Hydraulic Engineering, Water Resource Engineering, Water Supply, and Environmental Engineering, and related disciplines
• Minimum 3 years of the total experience of which experience in the WASH sector and experience in emergency WASH is advantageous.
• Experience in WASH facilities construction in a complex and demanding workload.
• Substantial experience in coordinating, mobilizing community, planning, implementation, supervision, monitoring, and reporting.
• Demonstrated work experience in designing, supervising, and implementing water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructural programs in the community, school, and health centers.
• Ability and willingness to travel and work in rural areas where the project is implemented, within approved security frameworks.
• Strong interpersonal skills, communication, presentation, and facilitation skills, and an ability to train and mentor staff.
• Desired spoken and written English.
• Good computer skills (particularly Excel, Word and databases).

Desirable Knowledge

• Knowledge of the water, sanitation, and hygiene sector.
• Knowledge and experience in supervising infrastructures.
• In-depth knowledge of project cycle management and child-centred community development programming.
• Knowledge of development issues, trends, challenges and opportunities, and implications to community development.
• Knowledge of effective participatory Monitoring, Evaluation, and lesson learning systems and the process of project cycle management.
• Experience in the implementation of integrated WASH, Health and Nutrition projects.

Skills Specific to the Post and Competencies

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to build relationships with colleagues.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including presentation.
• Strong negotiation, influencing, and problem-solving skills.
• Numeracy and the ability to interpret financial data, to understand budgetary processes including planning, monitoring, and reporting.
• Ability to analyse information and evaluate options including planning skills.
• Proficient in computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications.
• Ability to interpret financial data, to provide management support to budgetary processes including planning, monitoring, and reporting.
• Resilience, adaptability, and flexibility: the ability to operate effectively under a stressful working environment, often under tight timelines and high donor expectations
• Child centre development and Gender are aware.
• Fluency in English and Amharic languages Knowledge and skill in local languages is a plus.
• High levels of attention to detail and quality

Additional Skills Specific to the Post

• Fluency in English and Amharic languages Knowledge and skill in local languages is a plus.
• High levels of attention to detail and quality
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to build relationships with colleagues.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including presentation.
• Strong negotiation, influencing, and problem-solving skills.
• Numeracy and the ability to interpret financial data, to understand budgetary processes including planning, monitoring, and reporting
• Ability to analyze information and evaluate options including planning skills.
• Proficient in computer skills and use of relevant software and other application

Knowledge:

• Good knowledge of the area and local custom
• Basic computer skills (desirable and advantageous)
• Languages required:
• High level of the local language skill (mandatory), Amharic, and English languages;

Plan International’s Values in Practice

We are open and accountable

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

We strive for lasting impact

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

We work well together

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

We are inclusive and empowering

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

Physical Environment

• The position involves a high degree of complexity in resolving a wide range of challenges that typically occur in project implementation. The post holder will demonstrate the ability to solve problems, think strategically while implementing projects, and introduce innovations as needed to meet the demands of a dynamic operating environment while ensuring Plan systems and policies are adhered to.
• It is a field-level working environment with at least 100 % field travel.

Location: Borena

Type of Role: Emergency Wash officer

Reports to: Project coordinator

Salary: xxx

Closing Date: March 10,2023

Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for.

We want Plan International to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Plan International is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.

We foster an organisational culture that embraces our commitment to racial justice, gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. This means that we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with and we must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.

A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International’s Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan International also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme we will request information from applicants previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Please note that Plan International will never send unsolicited emails requesting payment from candidates.