Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Assistant at Save the Children Nigeria

Save the Children is the leading independent organization for children in need, with programs in over 120 countries. We save children’s lives. We fight for their rights. We help them fulfil their potential. Save the Children is working in Nigeria because one in five children in Nigeria dies before their fifth birthday. About 40% of children miss out on school and have to work to survive while nearly 2 million children have lost one or both parents to an AIDS-related disease.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Assistant

Job ID: 2100076H
Location: Ogoja, Cross River
Employee Status: Fixed Term
Contract Lenght: 1 year
Team / Programme: BPRM
Reports to: WASH Coordinator
Staff directly reporting to this post: None
Budget responsibility: None

Child Safeguarding (select only one)

• Level 3:  the post holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g. once a week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work country programs; or are visiting country programs; or because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff.

Role Purpose

• Under the direct supervision of the WASH Coordinator, the incumbent will be required to work as a member of the BPRM team unit towards the improvement of construction, hygiene promotion and community mobilization activities effectiveness, particularly as part of the Education/Child Protection intervention, to safeguard and improve the public health of children by promoting safe WASH practices, including appropriate use and maintenance of WASH facilities and services; ensuring appropriate targeted community involvement in the design and delivery of essential WASH services and facilities and sensitization including supervision of all constructions related activities.

Key Areas of Accountability:

• Support technical part of WASH/Construction needs assessments and participate in the selection of target communities and WASH facilities to be rehabilitated and / or build in the project, through technical feasibility studies, focus group discussions, visits to facilities and sites, and interview with key members of the community.
• Support in Program design and implementation: (with commitment to SC Construction Policy and Benchmark Standards and in collaboration with the WASH Coordinator):
• In collaboration with WASH Coordinator, develop detailed bills of quantities (BOQ) and drawings for the construction/Rehabilitation works of based on assessment and program requirements, ensuring that recommended work is child-friendly and within the minimum SPHERE standards. Works such as Construction or rehabilitation of (latrines, CFS, TLS, Classrooms and other Related WASH Constructions/Rehab).
• Technical training of community volunteers, members of WASH committees, governmental staff, etc… according to standards and the grants proposals.
• Planning, organization and follow up of the community mobilization in target communities on issues related to construction, rehabilitation, operation and maintenance of WASH facilities.
• Support in the establishment of the technical aspect of the internal Purchase Requests and tender documents for construction and rehabilitation of WASH facilities and other constructions.
• Verify incoming materials are of the highest quality and from acceptable country of origin.
• Where necessary, take samples for laboratory testing of materials and workmanship.
• Site management: general supervision of contractors ensuring the safety of construction sites for workers and beneficiaries and -in cooperation with MEAL department- ensure the community is facilitated to participate and provide feedback to Save the Children. Assist to develop and implement safety standard checklists ensuring that children’s safety is central (Child and adult safeguarding through proper Risk Management Plan).
• Validate the progress and quality of work of the contractors, and make the connection with the administration and Supply Chain to ensure their payments are processed in a timely manner.
• Design, implementation and organization of training for construction of small WASH facilities.
• Follow up Supply Chain / site supervision in case of direct intervention by Save the Children for small scale works.
• Follow-up of activities of local partners of Save the Children (such as local NGOs or governmental agencies, if any) in the field of facilities construction/rehabilitation, and participate in their capacity building.
• Assist to seek and obtain appropriate government sign-off on works at the critical stages; especially at the start and completion.
• As required, support emergency planning processes and response in regards to WASH.
• Establish a site book at each location and make report on progress registered in the site book while ensuring signing in with remarks
• Must adhere strictly to standards and ensure quality of materials used by the contractors falls within the utmost standard

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning:

• Verify that WASH infrastructure construction and school Construction/rehabilitation works done contractor are carried out according to quality standards established by Save the Children through quality checklists
• Plan and be responsible for the weekly reporting (or as agreed) of data in order to follow up the standard project and strategic indicators (number of beneficiaries, number and type of activities completed…

Reporting:

• Writing weekly report to line manager, as well as daily reports when required, and verbal reports whenever necessary.

Integration, Coordination Aspects:

• Ensure that construction works are integrated with hygiene promotion and community participation component, to ensure sustainability of the infrastructure built.
• Coordinate WASH construction activities with other sectors of Save the Children, in order to integrate activities in the same geographical area and for the same beneficiaries.
• Coordinate WASH/construction activities with other local actors (governmental and non-governmental).
• Ensure the integration of Gender, Child Protection, Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change related issues and other crosscutting issues to the design, implementation and development of construction/rehabilitation activities, and ensure that activities take into account the needs of specific groups and individuals, especially children, the elderly and disabled.

Operational Planning and implementation:

• Work closely with Project Education Specialist and WASH Technical Team, to ensure planning of day-to-day implementation, implementation, monitoring, documentation and reporting for BPRM WASH and Construction activities.
• Ensure timely implementation and budget performance in line with the projects plans and budgets.
• Effectively support the teachers and partners in proper service delivery are in line with BPRM Project design and Save the Children International planning guidelines and ensure compliance with the agreed work plans.
• Ensure that BPRM Project implementation are to the desired standards and on time.
• Maintain high standard of transparency and accountability in the course of programme implementation while ensuring integrity and timeliness of activities implementation in meeting programme objectives, compliance with donors & Save the Children policies.
• Provision of regular operations and implementation updates on project progress and challenges to allow for timely interventions and corrective actions by management.

Program and Financial Reporting:

• Contribute in the preparation of timely and high quality progress and end of WASH activities narrative and financial reports which are in accordance to the donor reporting schedule and formats.
• Participate quarterly follow-ups and progress review meetings to address key performance issues from the reports.

Internal and external engagements:

• Ensuring that the program experience is represented and given recognition at stakeholder meetings, workshops, donor, networks and any other engagements.
• Develop and maintain regular channels of communication with partners and key stakeholders at all levels (Community, LGEA and State).

MEAL:

• Effectively manage WASH activities projects plan and study processes which include assessments, baseline and evaluation studies, putting in place a functional Activity Tracking Table.
• Ensure that the projects quality bench marks are followed.
• Collecting and managing complaints and feedback in close coordination with MEAL team and Projects Officers.
• Ensure regular monitoring of projects results, documentation of projects case studies, lessons learnt, significant changes and best practices and coordinating learning and reflection meetings/sessions
• Ensure an effective programs/ projects monitoring and evaluation systems is in place.
• Monitor programs/ projects activities to ensure quality, timeliness and adherence to both Country Office and international Save the Children policies and procedures.

General:

• Comply with Save the Children policies and practice with respect to child protection, code of conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies and procedures. Other ad hoc tasks as requested by Line Manager.

Behaviours (Values in Practice)
Accountability:

• Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities – giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development.

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, members and external partners and supporters
• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• Willing to take disciplined risks

Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

Qualifications

• First Degree in Civil Engineering, Architectures, Water Engineering , Geology, or other WASH-related fields from a recognized/accredited Tertiary Institution in Nigeria
• At least two years’ post NYSC experience
• Advanced degree will be an added advantage
• Previous experience with other local and international NGOs
• Training and Experince in Classroom, CFS, TLS and VIP latrine construction/rehabilitation
• Community mobilisation and advocacy experience
• Computer literacy (AutoCAD, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint)
• Fluency in English
• Ability to work in partnership with government and other NGO staff
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to work within a team setting
• Independence, adaptability and flexibility with good workload management, multitasking and ability to meet tight deadlines
• Excellent communication skills
• Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy
• Ability to write clear reports;

Experience and Skills
Essential:

• At least 3 years of accrued working experience in WASH and Construction with a minimum of 1 years in a Technical WASH position in an international NGO and those applying partnership approaches is desirable.
• Experience of working with local partners and Local Government and State Authorities in Education, Water Supply and Sanitation Authority, Child Rights Governance, Health, Nutrition, Education, or Child Protection is an added advantage.
• Ability to establish and maintain conducive collegial relations and perform effectively as a member of a team.
• Willingness to travel and work in hard-to-reach areas, occasionally under strenuous conditions.
• Computer literacy and excellent documentation skills are a must.
• Availability and willingness to work extra hours during times of humanitarian responses.
• Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
• Ability to intervene with crisis management or troubleshooting as necessary.
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching
• Excellent time management and planning capacity.
• Fluent English language skills (written and verbal)
• Prior work experience in community mobilization and advocacy in Northeast Nigeria.

Additional Job Responsibilities:

• The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

Equal Opportunities:

• The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.

Child Safeguarding:

• We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Health and Safety:

• The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.

Application Closing Date
11th October, 2021.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note: Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.