WASH Field Engineer

FLEXIBLE WORKING

‘We believe flexible working is key to building the Oxfam of the future, so we’re open to talking through the type of flexible arrangements which might work for you. We think this role would work particularly well as a mixed field & Office-based.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organization.

JOB PURPOSE:

To be responsible for the implementation of the day-to-day community-centred WASH activities according to the plan by establishing a good relationship with targeted communities and earning their trust. The post holder is expected to establish two-way communication where communities are listened to and provide feedback on the WASH activities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Assessment and programme/activity design:

• Participate in technical rapid needs assessment in Oxfam targeted and potential new areas of emergency intervention as directed by the line manager.
• Participate and where appropriate join in multi-sectoral assessment team and specific technical assessment/survey of a water/sanitation schemes.
• With support from line manager, collect and record basic needs assessment data from communities.
• Site supervision of construction of water and sanitation facilities

Coordination and representation:

• Coordinate activities with colleagues in other sectors, particularly public health promotion, to ensure coherent approach.
• Lead the field technical committees in cooperation with the relevant stakeholders such as PWA, CMWU, municipalities, etc.
• Participate in the needed procurement and logistic arrangement for the WASH engineering activities such as technical evaluation committees, samples submission, bid opening meeting, etc.
• Follow up with logistics and finance team the local contractor contracts and payments progress.
• Follow up the day to day field engineering activities including reporting challenges and corrective actions.

Implementation:

• Follow up the day to day engineering works with partners according to the agreed work plan and cash flow
• Daily site supervision of construction and rehabilitation works
• Monitor quality and quantity of water provided to communities in cooperation with WASH public health promotion team
• Monitor functionality, useability and safety of water and sanitation facilities
• Support partners to develop and revise the engineering activities BoQs, drawings and specifications.
• Consider Oxfam safe programming in designing and implementing the WASH engineering activities at field .
• Ensure that all WASH engineering activities have proper visibility considering the donor and Oxfam requirements.
• Any task reasonably assigned to him/her by line manager or designated person related to your field of expertise.
• Make sure that the scope of the work in the field is maintained and achieved as planned and make the necessary technical decisions assuring the relevance and effectiveness of the activities’ implementation in the field. accountability.
• Perform documentation and maintenance of all files related to engineering works, purchase requisitions and field monitoring

Staff management and Capacity building

• Accompany and monitor the work of contractors
• Cooperate with WASH team and other Oxfam team in providing the needed engineering expertise for designing WASH and any Oxfam related activities.
• Provide day to day recommendations and comments to the partner field staff enabling them to adhere to OXFAM value and/or projects requirements
• Closely coordinate with partners and Oxfam staff to arrange the field visits of donors and visitors to the WASH engineering activities sites.
• To support the local partners field staff and community members to improve their capacities and the quality of deliverables focusing on the technical engineering aspects.

Reporting and communication 

• Support on the regular program reporting adhering to Oxfam reporting formats at intervals to be decided by the line manager.
• Document meeting minutes for any community meetings, contractor meetings or partner meetings
• Report possible problem or conflict during the activities implementation and possible improvement.

General

• Eager and required to adhere to Oxfam’s principles and values (click here) as well as the promotion of gender justice and women’s rights (click here). 
• Understanding of and commitment to adhere to equity, diversity, gender, child safety and staff health and wellbeing principles.

Key Attributes:

• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to gender issues, as well as the commitment to equal opportunities.
• Ability to demonstrate an openness and willingness to learn about the application of gender/gender mainstreaming, women’s rights, and diversity for all aspects of development work.
•  Commitment to Oxfam’s safeguarding policies to ensure all people who come into contact with Oxfam are as safe as possible.

Job Dimensions:

• Under the supervision of the WAH Manager, carry out WASH programme related assessments.
• Monitor and supervise water and sanitation related construction work.
• Monitoring of water trucking activities and sanitation facility functionality
• Collection of monitoring data.
• Conduct Community consultations and engagement.
• Daily reporting on work progress to the WAH Manager  
• Work patterns are not routine and often under pressure.
• Involve communities into planned activities.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Most importantly, every individual in Oxfam needs to be able to:

• Live our values of INCLUSION, ACCOUNTABILITY, EMPOWERMENT, COURAGE, SOLIDARITY and EQUALITY (read more about these here)
• Ensure you commit to our ORGANIZATIONAL ATTRIBUTES (including adhering to the Code of Conduct):

1. Be committed to our feminist principles, and to applying them in your day-to-day behaviour and your work. Be ready to keep learning, with accountability to those who experience oppression as a result of their identities, such as their gender, race/ethnicity, disability, class, or LGBTQIA identity.”

2. Be committed to undertaking Oxfam’s safeguarding training and adhering to relevant policies, to ensure all people who come into Oxfam are as safe as possible.

EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE & COMPETENCIES

ESSENTIAL

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering
• At least 2 years of hands-on experience in humanitarian water and sanitation programme
• Ability to engage proactively with project communities to ensure their full participation, with an emphasis on ensuring the participation of women
• Quality in programme reporting
• Ability to work well under pressure and in responding to changing needs
• Diplomacy, tact and negotiation skills
• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to gender issues, as well as the commitment to equal opportunities. .
•  Commitment to Oxfam’s safeguarding policies to ensure all people who come into contact with Oxfam are as safe as possible.
• Excellent communication and cross-cultural management skills
• Excellent command of Arabic, English is desirable.
• Computer skills (Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, GIS)

SAFER RECRUITMENT

Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us. Offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks.