***This is a part-time position (~24 hrs/wk) and can either be based in our Concord, NH office (preferred) or remotely, anywhere in the US.***
WHO WE ARE
The Water Project unlocks human potential by building and connecting global networks of local leaders, communities of generous supporters, and an informed public to provide sustainable water and sanitation programs to needlessly suffering communities in developing countries. We are committed to bringing people together to solve the problem of finding clean water. Whether it’s our local teams in the field, our international staff, our donors and fundraisers, or the communities we serve – we believe that people are the greatest solution to the water crisis.
Our scrappy and dedicated staff thrives on collaboration with partners and volunteers. We inspire ideas and invent tools that equip our supporters to help people suffering needlessly without clean, safe water. We’re a non-profit with the heart of a tech start-up. We tell stories. We strengthen partners. We build solutions. And we change lives, one village at a time.
WHAT THE ROLE IS
The Water Project’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Resolution, and Learning (MERL) organizational work measures and evaluates our strategic water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) values of functionality, uptime, reliability, geographical saturation, and water quality. These values are our commitment to those experiencing immense challenges connected to the global water crisis and the foundation of building trust among partners, communities, and donors.
The MERL associate will work with the Director of MERL to assess the ongoing reliability of our projects/programs and identify opportunities for resolution and improvement.
Key Responsibilities:
- Maintain our project database by ensuring that all existing records are accurate and up-to-date and by adding new records when projects are implemented (using the mWater monitoring platform)
- Clean and analyze survey data for reports
- Create data visualization consoles on the mWater monitoring platform to make quantitative information more easily accessible to The Water Project’s staff, partners, and donors
- Assist with regular data reviews with partners and the Western Kenya Regional Service Hub
- Assist with annual partner monitoring training, including the possibility for international travel to support in-person training
- Assist with survey development and annual survey review process
- Ensure that water quality testing is accurate by staying up-to-date on the testing methods used in our different program areas, keeping our water quality manual up to date, and identifying opportunities for improvement
- Assist with the development of protocols for communicating water quality test results and implementing resolution activities
- Assist with qualitative research initiatives – project planning, data collection, data-coding and data management
- Support program team by assisting with seasonal/priority projects, as needed
- Report directly to the Director of MERL
Qualifications:
- Desire to work with data and learn The Water Project’s WaSH monitoring and evaluation system
- Excellent attention to detail
- Able to handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
- Familiarity with international development context and WaSH concepts
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field with coursework in statistics, environmental science, public health, engineering, or international development is preferred.
- High proficiency with Excel required
- Experience with Stata or other statistical analysis software is preferred
- Experience with qualitative research study design, data collection, and analysis
- Experience with water quality testing
- Familiarity with mWater application a plus
- Familiarity with GIS or other mapping software a plus
WHO YOU ARE
You love working with data
For you, data provides a fascinating opportunity to see what is really happening. You want to be part of that process within an organization that is improving reliable water, sanitation, and hygiene access to hundreds of thousands of people.
You are reliable
You show up, and you finish the job. You realize that the work of The Water Project depends on the reliability of people and parts, from a seal in a hand-pump to the person who consistently gets the job done. You play an important role in an organization committed to addressing the global water crisis and find value in fulfilling these commitments. You understand that your reliability translates to better data reliability, which translates to organizational reliability.
You are a learner
You will work with the team to figure out how to best execute the tasks at hand. Oftentimes this will come from coaching from the Director of MERL, but it will also involve research that you can bring to the team. You want to learn about The Water Project and how we can provide better communication through training, surveys, and the data we receive.
You are open to constructive criticism
You recognize that the monitoring, evaluation, resolution, and learning process is not about you. You trust your team enough to make changes to your work. You also trust your team enough to bring your gifts, ideas, and creativity to the table. You are a good listener and are committed to making our shared work a little bit better. You are a team player that appreciates the skills of others.
You pay attention to detail
There is much truth to be found in the details. You are able to quickly learn methods for spotting inconsistencies and warning signs with water points and survey patterns. You see what fits and what does not.
You are organized
You’ll raise our standards by improving our capacity to collect, filter, organize, and assess the vast amount of information connected to our projects. Your organization allows you quick access to the resources you have at your disposal.
You are a team player
We excel by collaborating. You work well in a fast-paced non-competitive environment and you are excited about filling a critical job with skills that complement and uplift others in the organization.
