Description

Position: WASH Technical Coordinator – COVID Response

Location: Ukhyia, Bangladesh

Reports to: Field Coordinator

Duration: 3 months

About RI: Relief International (RI) is a leading global organization and home to teams of humanitarian professionals committed to transforming adversity into renewal for the world’s most vulnerable populations. By partnering with beneficiaries and communities on the frontlines, RI innovatively bridges the gap between immediate relief and long-term community development.

Position Summary: 

Relief International (RI) currently seeks a WASH Technical Coordinator will support for RI COVID 19 Response Program.  The WASH Technical Coordinator will provide technical direction to project staff, contractors and partners, according to the projects’ activities and future O&M considerations for WASH in the hospital facilities, provide design and constructability recommendations for improvements the infrastructure delivery and provide leadership and communication to supervisors on the overall quality of the program.  The capacity building of National Teams and local partners will be an integrated component of his/her work. In addition, the Lead will, on on-going basis and with the support of the Global WASH Technical Director, assess current WASH needs and assist in program development to secure funding for new projects from a range of donors. This position requires an individual who is accustomed to the pace of emergency response programming, does not require close supervision or direction, is an excellent communicator and is flexible and highly responsive.

Position Responsibilities and Duties:

General Management

• Develop and/or support the development of preliminary design documents for review with authorities and Camp Management, and after collaboration with various stakeholders.
• Once approved, coordinate with RI engineer to create and support creation of construction design and tender documents for open contract release.
• Support tender process launch and evaluate bid submissions. Provide funders with selected construction contractor.
• Support field coordinator and engineers with site supervision in appropriate approach to local and international standards.
• Support Engineers to track construction progress, compare construction completion benchmarks to budget, and using project management tools provide concise progress reports;
• Ensure site occupational health and safety (OH&S) practices are complied with by all parties and Protection issues are considered and addressed;
• Oversee the WASH systems (water treatment and storage, wastewater collection and treatment, wet solid waste disposal, incineration, etc.) technology selection; supervise the commissioning of WASH systems and perform basic operational functions;
• Author/develop hospital WASH O&M manual;
• Support all cross project functional roles: WASH Engineering teams.
• Assess current WASH service status in camp and plan for operation of hospital WASH services, quality of supply and facilities, and on-site information systems for the hospital compound, in accordance with RI and international standards and policies.
• Adapt training materials and build staff capacity on standards and policies.
• Review and share program-specific tools / resources / curricula and work with Regional and Global team members to contextualize and adapt global and country-specific materials.

Representation/coordination with external actors

• Represent RI at WASH cluster meetings or sector working groups, coordination meetings as well during other stakeholder meetings (if relevant), and maintain a positive, professional, continuous and visible presence for RI.
• Ensure RI’s mandate is shared and explained to relevant stakeholders.
• Pro-actively liaise and build rapport with local officials, community representatives, UN agencies, and any other relevant stakeholders. 

Program Quality

• Share methods, approaches and tools with RI colleagues across the region, and contribute toward RI’s regional response strategy by ensuring programmatic coherence, innovation and responsiveness.
• Propose and implement capacity building activities aimed at enhancing skills of National Teams.
• Provide technical support to program teams consistent with international and national standards and ensure that program design and implementation creates no harm in the communities, promotes human rights and has positive impact.
• Provide support and recommendations for delivering of service in line with RI policies.
• Support Reporting and Communications to ensure that WASH activities are well documented, and that the institutional memory of RI CXB is preserved.

Donor Relations / Funding

• Provide technical input, writing and budgetary input for new program design, as needed.
• Take lead in assessments to inform new programming of impact of RI current programs.

Administration: Finances, Human Resources, and Logistics

• Support project teams to develop job descriptions and recruit qualified staff.
• Ensure that activities and expenses are regularly monitored and that action plans are developed to correct any over- or underspending in a timely manner.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Reporting

• Include the participation of beneficiaries and communities, particularly those most vulnerable or at-risk, in all stages of the project cycle wherever possible and appropriate.
• Provide a summary of recommended areas of improvement, areas of success, and lead the commencement of an action plan with RI staff, local partners and/or health facility staff to evolve and make positive systems improvements where needed.
• Revise program reports and other types of reports that are timely and meet quality methodological, institutional and donor requirements.
• Develop and support effective monitoring and evaluation system by collection, analysis of data about protection issues in order to improve the program interventions.
• Take part in donor field trips to assess project site and provide support to team as needed.

Qualification and Requirements 

This position demands a dynamic individual with a demonstrated ability to achieve results in a demanding and fast paced environment. 

• Degree in relevant Engineering program, preference for civil engineering;
• On-site construction experience is preferable;
• Direct experience and knowledge in the operation and maintenance of simple on-site water treatment and wastewater systems;
• Knowledge of medical waste management;
• Minimum three years professional experience in lead management implementing emergency response programs;
• Solid background and knowledge of UN agencies and other international emergency response systems, standards and modalities of work in WASH sectors;
• Previous experience working within the IASC Cluster system, and knowledge of sectors’ areas of responsibilities;
• Experience in technical management of programs and infrastructure projects, coaching or capacity building of teams and M&E activities;
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and strategic planning skills;
• Proficiency in English with excellent English writing skills,
• Proficiency in MS Project or other project management software;
• Proficiency in MS Office suite products; CAD and GIS skills preferred;
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and tasks efficiently;
• Knowledge of other sectors (H&N, Protection, Livelihoods) is an asset;
• Ability to work and live in remote settings with frequent travel
• We uphold the Humanitarian Principles: humanity, neutrality, impartiality and operational independence. We affirmatively engage the most vulnerable communities.

We value:

• Inclusiveness
• Transparency and accountability
• Agility and innovation
• Collaboration
• Sustainability