ROLE PURPOSE:
The WASH assistant will support and provide engineering expertise for the successful and timely completion of works of Save the Children in Diyala related to rehabilitation, construction and reparation of WASH facilities in selected sites within the project areas, in particular to support in ensuring the quality and effectiveness of programming in accordance with grant proposal and guidelines, as well as SC values and principles. The WASH Technical assistant will directly supervise sites to ensure timely implementation and successful completion of WASH related construction/rehabilitation projects or components as assigned by line manager.
The WASH assistant will also be responsible for the implementation of hygiene promotion activities, environmental health awareness and cleaning campaigns in the targeted communities in the Diyala province as assigned by line manager and outlined in the detaliled Implemetation plan of the project. The post is specifically oriented towards the WASH emergency response in the context of the crisis of Iraqi IDP’s, and special attention will be made on the integration of the WASH sector in other core sectors of Save the Children programming such as child protection and nutrition, food security, health, and education when applicable.
The WASH assistant will be working within the framework of Save the Children’s programming principles and approaches drawn on relevant best practices and lessons learned, working towards enabling children to attain their rights, while compliant with donor regulations. As part of Save the Children’s dual mandate, the WASH Assistant will participate in emergency preparedness activities and be ready to respond in the event of an emergency, as required.
SCOPE OF ROLE:
Reports to: WASH Officer
Staff reporting to this post: NA
Budget Responsibilities: No
KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
Need Assessment
• Be responsible for the technical part of WASH 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.
Program design and implementation: (with a commitment to SC Construction Policy and Benchmark Standards and in collaboration with the WASH officer):
• Develop detailed bills of quantities (BOQ) and drawings for the construction/Rehabilitation works, based on assessment and program requirements, ensuring that recommended work is child-friendly and within the minimum SPHERE standards. Works such as:
o Construction or rehabilitation of sanitation facilities (latrines, incinerator, refuse pit, soakage pit…).
o Construction or rehabilitation of drinking water infrastructures (hand dug well wells, boreholes, pipe networks, reservoirs, drinking water treatment devices, water treatment plants, etc…).
o 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.
• Be responsible to establish the technical aspect of the internal Purchase Requests and tender documents for the construction and rehabilitation of WASH facilities.
• Verify incoming materials are of the highest quality and from the acceptable countries of origin.
• Where necessary, take samples for laboratory testing of materials and workmanship.
• Site management: general supervision of contractors and Save the Children staff under her/his management (if any), ensuring the safety of construction sites for workers and beneficiaries and -in cooperation with the 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 the construction of small WASH facilities at the household level.
• 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.
• Planning, implementation and follow-up of Behaviour Change Communication activities in the targeted area.
• Setting up Community Based Committees and contributing to training them on Behaviour Change Communication and mobilizing the communities to adopt positive hygiene practices.
• To Supervise and assist CBC members in timely implementation of work plans and achieving quality BCC activities.
• Conducting hygiene promotion sessions in the targeted community.
• Distribution/delivery of WASH Non-Food Items (If any) to the targeted communities and locations.
• Follow and ensure that gender, protection, local culture, and other important cross-cutting concerns are taken into account in program implementation.
• Ensure obtaining the hard records of all activities at office level and ensuring soft data is maintained on a sharable drive for all activities of the WASH program.
Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning:
• Verify that WASH infrastructure construction and school rehabilitation works done by partners and 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 components, to ensure the sustainability of the infrastructure built.
• Coordinate WASH 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 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 WASH activities including construction/rehabilitation activities, and ensure that activities take into account the needs of specific groups and individuals, especially children, women, the elderly and disabled.
SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (SCI Values in Practice)
Accountability:
• Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving results 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 to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.
Ambition:
• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team (if any), takes responsibility for their own personal development, and encourages their team/colleagues/co-workers to do the same.
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, and engages and motivates others.
Collaboration:
• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members, and external partners and supporters.
• Values diversity, and sees it as a source of competitive/collaborative strength.
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to, and soft-spoken.
Creativity:
• develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• Willing to take disciplined risks.
Integrity:
• Honest, encourages openness, and transparency; demonstrates the highest levels of integrity.
QUALIFICATIONS
BSc, Engineering, preferable to be Civil and/or Water Engineering or higher university/postgraduate degree.
Other certificates related to public health and/or communication and training will be preferable.
EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:
• Experience of 2-3 years in the field of civil construction and water infrastructure engineering, at least 1-2 years in WASH sector.
• Working ability with tight deadlines and in a fast-growing/changing program environment.
• Commitment to working through systems of community participation and accountability
• Computer literate; knowledge and experience of working on Auto CAD, Ms. Excel, word, Power point.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong knowledge and skills as well as practical experience in using civil engineering tools such as surveying Tools, etc.
• Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation.
• Commitment to self-capacity building as well as developing others.
• Excellent communication skills and strong influencing skills.
• Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy.
• The capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure working circumstances.
• Oral and written fluency in Arabic, very good English language skills.
• Ability to work simultaneously with multiple tasks, willingness and ability to work efficiently with a wide diverse group of people.
• S/he must have access to and be able to travel to all governorates of Iraq including KRI provinces for purposes of training and/or emergency response.
Equal Opportunities
The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.
Health and Safety
The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.
Additional job responsibilities
The job duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the Post holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.
Location: Diyala
Employee Status: Fixed Term
Closing Date: Aug 18, 2022
