WASH Coordinator at INTERSOS Nigeria

INTERSOS is an independent humanitarian organization that assists the victims of natural disasters, armed conflicts and exclusion. Its activities are based on the principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, respect for diversity and coexistence, paying special attention to the most vulnerable people.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: WASH Coordinator

Code: SR-49-1500
Location: Maiduguri, with frequent missions in the field (Ngala, Bama, Magumeri and Dikwa LGAs), Borno
Starting Date: 01 / 06 / 2020
Contract Duration: 12 months
Reporting to: Country Programmes Coordinator / Head of Mission
Supervision of: 5
Dependents: No

General Context of the Project
Since 2009, the Boko Haram insurgency has crippled north eastern Nigeria. Borno State continues to be most affected, with over 1.8 million internally displaced persons (IDPs). Recent advances by the Nigerian Army and the Multinational Joint Task Force have improved humanitarian access in 22 of the 27 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Borno, but have also revealed the extent of the crisis. In newly accessible areas, basic infrastructure has been destroyed, essential services are non-existent, and most local governance systems are not functional.

INTERSOS has been present in Bama since July 2017, with funding support from USAID-OFDA implementing a project titled “Provision of Emergency Health Care, Nutrition, Protection and WaSH Services, for people affected by the ongoing crisis in Ngala, Bama, Dikwa, Magumeri and Monguno LGAs, Borno State, Northeast Nigeria” with the goal to reduce morbidity and mortality caused by ongoing crisis by provision of rapid emergency health care and nutrition services and ensure a protective environment to IDPs in conflict affected LGAs in Borno State, Northeast Nigeria. INTERSOS anticipates this project to continue in 2021.

In support to the UN-led coordinated humanitarian response in the region, INTERSOS has proposed a one-year WaSH in Health project to respond to Covid-19 in Bama LGA, Borno State. The project aims to reduce COVID-19 linked morbidity and mortality by provision of emergency WaSH in Health preventive services and ensure a protective environment to IDPs in Bama GSSS camp and the host community.

INTERSOS is seeking to hire an Emergency WaSH specialist to provide technical oversight and guidance to quality implementation, monitoring and reporting of WaSH pillars of these projects.

General Purpose of the Position
To provide technical support in the design, implementation, monitoring, training and evaluation of high-quality emergency WASH in health, while ensuring and linkages with nutrition and protection to effectively and efficiently address unmet needs of most vulnerable groups in the project areas.

The Emergency WASH Specialist will be responsible for assessment, design, monitoring and evaluation of the water, sanitation and hygiene component of INTERSOS’ emergency response to Covid-19 pandemic in Bama LGA. S/he will need to co-ordinate with other emergency team members and INTERSOS staff, especially logistics, health, nutrition protection sectors, to ensure a rapid, proportionate and effective response.

S/he will need to ensure response to immediate WASH and Covid-19 issues with simultaneous consideration of longer term needs and possible scenarios. Depending on the situation the specialist may need to take a very active role in technical co-ordination, support and advocacy with national and local WASH clusters and other technical agencies relevant to the Covid response.

Main Responsibilities and Tasks

• Provide WaSH sectoral leadership and expertise in the assessment.
• Conduct initial rapid assessment of Covid response in collaboration with local health workers and affected population; refine priorities and immediate activities and resources i.e. more detailed assessment versus need to address immediate Covid/WASH problems in way that allows a smooth transition
• Represent INTERSOS to stakeholders and Governmental and non-Governmental agencies (and military where present) for the purposes of the WaSH aspect of the assessment.
• Assess in-country resources, human, material and financial for response with relevant staff and agencies.
• Assess overall WASH conditions in camps/collection centres and host communities and actively seek out opportunities for INTERSOS’ involvement in responding to the needs.
• Support MEAL in interpreting WaSH related data.
• Regularly monitor WASH projects to ensure compliance with quality standards and guarantee safety of beneficiaries

Project Design:

• Support the mission in designing high quality projects that integrate WaSH, health, nutrition and protection
• Advice the mission on appropriate water systems including source selection, abstraction, storage, treatment and distribution for new systems and/or the rehabilitation of old systems.
• Advice the mission on most appropriate form of sanitation system (to include excreta disposal, vector control, solid waste disposal, drainage) taking full account of local conditions, resources, customs and cultural norms.
• Advice the mission, in collaboration with other actors a suitable hygiene promotion and Covid response strategy.
• Ensure that issues of prevention, protection and environmental impact, operation and maintenance and sustainability are factored into the project designs.
• Ensure Sphere standards both qualitative and quantitative, and specific Covid response adjustments are considered.

Response Management and Implementation:

• Work closely with the relevant implementation managers to ensure that the implementation of Covid and WASH response activities are planned and implemented in a phased and prioritized manner in full consultation and co-ordination with all relevant agencies both governmental and non-governmental.
• Ensure children and youth, gender, elderly, and disability issues are fully considered throughout the project cycle.
• Provide technical supervision of WaSH interventions
• Design appropriate monitoring and evaluation systems for Covid response and WASH interventions

Response Reporting & Evaluation:

• Evaluate the implementation of WASH activities and draft recommendations for improved response, and WASH programme design.
• Implement and document qualitative monitoring of WaSH interventions.
• Develop ToRs for WASH-related missions, assessments and evaluations.

Coordination and Representation:

• Represent INTERSOS in WaSH sector coordination meetings, and with UN, INGOs and government actors in Borno State.
• Provide regular updates to project managers, coordinators and team on progress, priorities and constraints.
• Coordinate and/or implement training and briefing of project staff and stakeholders on Covid -WASH issues.

Qualifications
Education:
Technical Competencies required for this position are:

• A suitable qualification in any discipline relating to Water Engineering, Public Health, or Civil Engineering or Environmental Health Engineering is the necessary educational background.
• Hydrology, hydro-geology, water quality and testing (as needed).
• WaSH related construction – including supervision.

Professional Experience:

• At least 10 years of practical experience in developing countries in appropriate water supplies, sanitation and hygiene promotion. It is desirable that some of this should have been in emergency relief programmes
• The post holder should have a good understanding of the public health needs of IDPs and of appropriate ways of tackling them. The post holder must be aware of and sensitive to the particular needs of women and children in this context.
• At least 10 years humanitarian aid experience in the WASH sector applied in emergency response operations.
• The ability to present concise reports, sometimes at short notice, reflecting the problems and possible solutions for particular situations.
• Ability to work independently and as a team player who demonstrates leadership and is able to support and train local and international staff and also able to work with disaster-affected communities in a sensitive and participatory manner.

Professional Requirements:

• Previous overseas work experience, ideally with INGO or UN would be an advantage.
• Good written and spoken English and other languages as required. Able to communicate clearly and sensitively with internal and external stakeholders. This includes effective negotiation and representation skills.
• Sound knowledge of M&E for WaSH.
• Ability to adapt operate effectively under extreme circumstances including stress, high-security risks and harsh living conditions. Works and lives with a flexible, adaptable and resilient manner.
• Demonstrates awareness and sensitivity to gender and diversity. Have experience and the ability to live and work in diverse cultural contexts in a culturally appropriate manner. Has a capacity to make accurate self-assessment particularly in high stress and high-security contexts.
• High level of awareness of environmental health issues as applied to emergency settings, with special attention to the needs of women and children.

Languages:

• Fluent English (written and spoken).

Personal Requirements:

• Ability to work independently and as a team player who demonstrates leadership and is able to support and train local and international staff and also able to work with disaster-affected communities in a sensitive and participatory manner.
• Adherence to INTERSOS mandate and values.

Deadline: 2nd June, 2020.

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