Senior Technical Officer, WASH at Family Health International (FHI 360)

Family Health International (FHI 360) is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research and technology – creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 70 countries and all U.S. states and territories.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Technical Officer – WASH

Job Requisition ID – 2022201237
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Job type: Full time
Supervisor: WASH Coordinator

Project Description

• Northeast Nigeria is currently facing a growing humanitarian crisis with a vast number of Internally Displaced Persons in need of emergency assistance. These IDPs are living among host communities, lacking access to livelihoods and resources, ultimately leading to unprecedented levels of malnutrition and food insecurity. FHI 360 has been working in Nigeria for over 30 years and is now expanding activities in Borno state to respond to the IDP crisis.
• FHI 360 is expanding its expertise by responding to this humanitarian crisis through integrated WASH, Health and Protection interventions

Basic Function

• The STO WASH will provide technical and programmatic support covering FHI360 Borno Northeastern Nigeria Field locations. Under the supervision of the WASH Coordinator, S/He will supervise WASH Assistant Technical Officers and provide technical assistance for WASH infrastructure upgrades and new construction works related to water supply systems, Sanitation facilities and public health infrastructure including medical waste management facilities.
• Other responsibilities will include field monitoring of WASH activities including coordinating water quality testing and reporting for water points and household sampling at FHI360 field sites, working with WASH field staff to coordinate WASH infrastructure maintenance and capacity building of WASH Committees.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Be involved in the preliminary planning of WASH infrastructural projects; needs assessment, WASH surveys, technical data collection and desk studies
• Be involved in the collection of data, data analysis, manipulation, and simulations to use in the design of engineering structures
• Be involved in the write-up of planning and design reports
• Be involved in the approval processes of engineering designs following established professional protocols
• Keep abreast of relevant technical design guidelines, project implementation guidelines, design standards and national policies in the water and sanitation and construction sector.
• Preparation of standard Bills of Quantities (BoQs) and drawings for all water supply , sanitation  and public health infrastructure works.
• Execute implementation of all WASH infrastructure activities within budget and as per implementation plan and detailed specifications.
• Assist the WASH Coordinator in monitoring hygiene promotion activities in line with the WASH sector strategy following an integrated approach to disseminating WASH messages.
• Coordinate the profiling, registration of   WASH NFIs beneficiaries and distribution of WASH NFIs to vulnerable people following WASH sector guidance and FHI360 protocols.  

Monitoring and Supervision:

• Effective supervision of contractors to execute works in accordance with the technical specifications
• Be responsible for directing contractors to identified beneficiary locations for new construction projects
• Work with the contractor’s Hydrogeologist in siting wells and conducting pump tests for drilled wells
• Carry out assessments on existing boreholes for rehabilitation
• Perform oversight function to WASH field staff in ensuring that all WASH activities by FHI 360 are executed according to the project technical design
• Maintain and update detailed implementation plan for all WASH activities highlighting progress against key milestones
• Ensure community participation and conduct stakeholder consultations in all WASH infrastructure design and s activities.
• Ensure all WASH infrastructure activities are well coordinated with local authorities, RUWASSA , MOWR, WASH Sector coordination ,beneficiaries  and all stakeholders,  ensuring the delivery of a comprehensive WASH package wherever services are provided
• Regular planned visits to field locations to supervise all WASH sector  activities and ensuring all WASH infrastructures meet specified standards.
• Ensure that the drilling contractor collects and submits required technical data in a timely manner
• Conduct frequent field-level monitoring and provide feedback to the WASH Coordinator

Reporting and Learning:

• Provide activity, weekly, monthly, quarterly and progress reports
• Oversee the implementation of new technological innovations in WASH
• Provide Monthly Log-frame reports/activity reports to the Programme Manager using agreed formats
• Collect and document all snags on the works and ensure their rectification as per the contract terms
• Ensure that communities are involved in the monitoring of the construction
• Update the water points database
• Conducting water quality sampling in the field locations  and consolidate water quality monitoring reports
• Consolidate weekly activity implementation reports from field locations tracking key sector indicators
• Consolidation of weekly work plan for WASH team and sharing with the WASH Coordinator
• Ensure that WASH and Public Health infrastructure construction and rehabilitation works are carried out according to contract provisions, detailed BoQs, drawings and standard specifications as  established by FHI 360 through quality checklists.
• Maintain and update   proper records for all WASH infrastructure activities including inventory of assets and equipment in field location.

Programme strategic development support:

• Be involved in feasibility studies of proposed projects
• Be involved in the design, implementation, and evaluation of pilot projects
• Contribute to the WASH strategy and reviews
• Provide capacity building to local community management structures and volunteers implementing FHI 360’s programs.

Procurement and finance:

• Aid the procurement of WASH supplies and construction projects and observe compliance on all procurement procedures
• Certifying completion certificates for WASH and Public Health infrastructure works
• Be involved in the planning of budget activities and their periodic review

Qualifications and Requirements

• B.Sc / B.Eng. in Civil Engineering with a minimum of 7 years relevant experience working  in the Water Sanitation and Hygiene Sector  in humanitarian relief contexts.
• Demonstrable experience design WASH and Public health infrastructure works
• Highly organized and able to manage multiple, simultaneous demands and able to work in a fluid environment and adhere to deadlines
• Excellent written and verbal English language skills
• Familiarity with Nigerian public sector health systems and NGOs and CBOs is highly desirable.

Knowledge, Skills & Attributes:

• Knowledge of WASH/EH and humanitarian programming in emergency situations.  
• Ability to work well with others and to develop and maintain compatibility among project staff, subcontractors, consultants and recipients of assistance.
• Ability to manage tight deadlines and deliver high volumes of work with minimal supervision.
• High degree of proficiency in written and spoken English & Hausa languages. Understanding of Kanuri language is a plus.
• Expertise in engineering design of Water Supply, sanitation and public health infrastructure.  
• Proficiency in office and designing software skills (AutoCAD, Outlook, Excel, Power Point, Word)
• Ability to work professionally, develop and maintain good working relationships with project staff, subcontractors, consultants and recipients of assistance.
• Ability to manage tight deadlines and deliver high volumes of work with minimal supervision.
• High degree of proficiency in written and spoken English & Hausa communication.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

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