Pakistan nationals: WASH Officer

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

, , PK

Background

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with 192 member National Societies. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, our work is guided by seven fundamental principles; humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

Organizational Context

Pakistan is one of the countries adversely affected by the COVID-19 in terms of reported cases. The government has been actively taking measures for the prevention and the containment of COVID-19 since the start of the outbreak however the numbers are rapidly increasing. As underlined by the WHO and domestic health authorities, an integrated WASH and health response are imperative to mitigate and contain the spread of the virus in the country. However, WASH is one of the weak areas in the country as Pakistan ranks 80th out of 122 nations in maintaining water quality standards and majority of the population in the country is exposed to the hazardous of drinking unsafe and polluted water from both surface and ground water sources, resulting in 40% morbidities related to Gastro Intestinal Tract Infections (GIT) and 50% mortalities of all reported diseases are attributed to drinking polluted and unsafe drinking water. Inadequate water supply results in high incidence of water related diseases, which in turn increase morbidity and mortality rates and pose a major threat to the survival and development of children. Clean water, basic toilet and good hygiene practices are essential for the survival and development of children. The lack of access to proper sanitation facilities, 25 million people still practice open defecation in Pakistan, impacting the health and wellbeing of women, children and elderly Children suffering from repeated episodes of diarrhoea are likely to fall behind in school or drop out altogether, furthermore this is also a cause of stunting. The situation in the wake of COVID-19 is even more relevant as health response and hygiene are primary contributing factors to control the spread of the viral transmission.Along with provision of hygiene products and COVIDawareness to understand the virus and safeguard the citizens, there is a need to disseminate authentic messaging for health and hygiene practices to ensure preparation and mitigation. The federation has established a COVID-19 Response unit which represented by different movement partners is aimed coordinating and assisting COVID-19 response throughout the country. The unit, along with Federation’s Emergency Plan of Action follows a Domestic Response Plan underlining the need for a well-functioning WASH component integrated with Health to better address the challenges and threats posed by the viral outbreak. The WASH component focusses on reducing water and sanitation related diseases by health and hygiene promotion and by awareness raising through IEC material development and distribution, clean drinking water and sanitation facilities to front line workers in quarantine centres and health facilities, waste management and hygiene kits distribution etc.

Job Purpose

The primary objective of the position is to support WASH related component in the wake of COVID-19 as part of the COVID-19 Response Unit by working closely with PRCS.

WASH Officer, as a part of the COVID-19 Response unit will support Pakistan Red Crescent (PRCS) in in planning and executing WASH related activities integrated to all ongoing Health and WASH related programs. With the presence in all provinces up to district level, PRCS can support to reach these communities through different information sharing methods.

 

WASH officer will focus on building community health and WASH capacity by carrying out effective health and hygiene activities and supporting the most vulnerable communities as outlined in the preparedness, containment, and mitigation phase of COVID-19 Response Plan. These interventions will have a significant effect on both outbreak response and overall humanitarian impact of the pandemic without the high risk involved with clinical care. WHO/UNICEF guidance on Water, Sanitation, Hygiene, and waste management for the COVID-19 virus and the Safely managing wastewater and faecal waste will be followed.

 

WASH Officer is primarily responsible for overseeing the technical engineering direction of the COVID-19 Domestic Response Plan related to WASH operations as part of the COVID-19 Response Unit. Handing over of any other tasks/ assignments not related to the response is the discretion and authority of the line manager.

 

Overall assignments will include, but not limited to, providing the requisite support to the multiple recover and development projects that require technical support. The core responsibilities will include preparing designs and drawings for hardware schemes, project implementation, networking and liaison with relevant stakeholders, communication, capacity building and mentorship of PRCS staff and volunteers, monitoring and evaluation.

The WASH Officer, reporting to the Operations Manager and Health Manager is part of the COVID-19 Response Unit of the IFRC Pakistan Country Office.

 

The WASH Officer will spend 75% of his/her time in Islamabad with frequent travel to field sites and 25% to support IFRC country office emergency response long term resilient and development WASH program – based on need. However, due to prevailing security situation in the wake of COVID-19, the travel will be as per security advice. (At this time, there it no travel foreseen for the next few months to come.)

Job Duties and Responsibilities

    • The incumbent should get well versed with the COVID-19 Domestic Response Plan especially related to Health and WASH component.
    • As a part of the COVID-19 Response Unit, get detailed understanding of the unit’s overall objectives and align WASH component as part of the umbrella Response Plan to deliver on key objectives.
  • Produce technical design/ drawings, BoQ, feasibility study reports and other technical documents necessary for COVID-19 Domestic Response’ WASH related component.
  • Provide required technical support to the Logistic/ procurement department for preparation of tender documents, specification and tender evaluation related to Health and WASH component.
  • Maintain accepted Infrastructural standards for the sector and ensure that project staff, implementing partner agencies and recipient communities understand, accept and adhere to these standards.
  • Review projects at proposal and different stages of the implementation to ensure national and international construction protocols including appropriate environmental safeguard are maintained.
  • Regularly review the physical progress of the construction works and produce progress reports to ensure accuracy and consistency with the overall project/ donor reporting requirement.
  • Support and train community facilitators, volunteers and PRCS staff on WASH technical requirements (hardware and software) as required
  • Support the assessment of needs and resources required for WASH activities in an evolving situation together with other team members and jointly plan appropriate integrated COVID-19 responses
  • Monitor the impact WASH activities and provide regular information for reporting and follow up.
  • Ensure WASH interventions are integrated with other sectoral interventions to best meet needs of the targeted population and ensure protection, gender and inclusion elements as well as community engagement and accountability measures are included in WASH planning and implementation in terms of COVID-19.

Education

  • University degree in Civil Engineering/water resource engineering/ construction management or relevant discipline

Experience

  • At least 3-5 years working experiences in Water/Sanitation/ construction management in any reputed national/international organizations
  • At least 3 years of experience in the similar/higher position
  • Work experience with RC/RC
  • Good command in 2D and 3D engineering design softwares like AutoCAD, ETABS, Stadd Pro, Sketchup etc.
  • Excellent experience of report writing and concept note/proposal development

POSITION TYPE

Full-Time

ORGANIZATION TYPE

NGO/Civil Society

EXPERIENCE-LEVEL

3-4 Years

DEGREE REQUIRED

Bachelor's (Or Equivalent)

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