Job Title: WASH Social and Behavior Change Specialist
Reports To: Marburg Response Project Manager
Duty station: Water For People in Rwanda office
Duration of the Contract: 6months with possible extension
Supervisory Duties: N/A
About Water for People
Water For People is an international not-for-profit organization established in 1991. Our vision is a world where every person has access to reliable and safe Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services. We exist to promote the development of high-quality drinking water and sanitation services, accessible to all, and sustained by strong communities, businesses, and governments. We value accountability, courage, empowerment, partnership, and transparency.
Isoko y’Ubuzima is a five-year WASH project funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), awarded in July of 2021. The activity is being executed by a consortium led by Water For People including IRC, CARE International, and VEI. It will take place in ten districts namely Rwamagana, Kayonza, Ngoma, Kirehe, Nyagatare, Nyanza, Ruhango, Nyamagabe, Ngororero and Nyabihu.
Under the USAID-funded Isoko y’Ubuzima project, Water For People may receive funds to implement targeted WASH intervention in response to Rwanda’s Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak. The $1 million project will focus on enhancing WASH infrastructure and promoting hygiene in healthcare facilities and public places to reduce MVD transmission.
- POSITION OBJECTIVE
As seen with the recent Marburg Virus and COVID-19, Rwanda is vulnerable to viral disease outbreaks. WASH interventions, including infrastructure as well as social and behavioral change, play an important role in preventing and mitigating the impact of these dangerous outbreaks. It is against this background that Isoko y’Ubuzima is hiring a Social and Behavioral Change Specialist who will focus on the behavioral component of the project.
- JOB SUMMARY
The WASH SBC Specialist reports to the Project Manager. She/ he will be responsible for leading the SBC strategy focused on: 1) Promoting the proper and appropriate use of WASH infrastructure; and 2) Promoting proper hand hygiene to prevent disease transmission.
She/ he will be responsible for organizing capacity-building activities of relevant local officials and stakeholders who are involved in community mobilization, develop with them an action plan and monitor the implementation of the agreed plan.
- ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES
- Strategic and Operational planning
- Conduct a rapid assessment of hygiene practices and use of handwashing and sanitation facilities in targeted healthcare facilities and public places such as bus stations and markets.
- Lead the design and development of SBC materials and strategies to be used in the targeted areas to promote the proper use and care of WASH infrastructure and proper hand hygiene.
- Provide technical leadership in the implementation of the SBC strategy.
- Help prepare project reports, including weekly activity updates and monthly and quarterly reports.
- Capacity development
- Work with healthcare facility management and the management and private sector businesses working in public places to develop and implement sustainable strategies to promote hygiene practices that contribute to the prevention of disease transmission.
- Develop and implement a training plan of local business owners and relevant stakeholders in charge of community mobilization in hygiene promotion and management of water supply services.
- Advocacy and learning
- Lead the advocacy for proper management of WASH infrastructure and hand hygiene among stakeholders in the project area, as well as the thematic working groups of the MoH and MININFRA.
- Contribute to organizational learning by preparing and disseminating data, lessons learned, good practices, and statistical and qualitative data to Water For People staff, partners, and other stakeholders, and organize periodic organizational learning events to share best practices.
4. Monitoring and Evaluation
- Work with the MEL team to collect and analyze data collected under the monitoring framework for assessment of progress, social impact on beneficiaries and areas for improvement;
- Based on monitoring results, work with stakeholders to design strategies to improve hygiene and sanitation practices in the targeted areas;
- Ensure regular monitoring of work progress against plan and take action towards any deviation or delays.
5. Finance
- Provide all required data to the finance team on time and indicate appropriate account (s) to be affected by expenditures incurred under your area of responsibility.
- Track revenue and expenditures against the grant budget on monthly basis.
- COMPETENCIES
- Connects to the Mission – Embraces the mission of Water For People and is passionate about advancing the dynamic role it plays leading social impact in international development.
- Demonstrates Ethics and Integrity – Understands ethical behavior and business practices, and ensures that own behavior is consistent with these standards and aligns with the values of the organization.
- Manages through Ambiguity – Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in responding to change and ambiguity.
- Demonstrates Cultural Awareness – Able to engage the wide range of stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds and cultures.
- Action-oriented – Maintains an attitude of open, curious and proactive learning, continually expanding own area of understanding and expertise.
- Connects with Others – Listens and fosters open communication through questioning, dialogue, and information sharing.
- Self-confident – Demonstrates humility, mature confidence and courage to innovate, risk, and lead in own role.
5.QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS REQUIRED:
- Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health sciences or related studies (Master’s degree in public health or communications would be an added advantage)
- At least 5 years of experience in the environmental health area;
- Experience in environmental health-related research studies;
- Experience in WASH networks and strong relationship management skills;
- Strong interpersonal communication skills and excellent written and analytic skills, report writing, networking, and representation;
- Be a risks taker, and have a nose for entrepreneurial opportunities;
- Good analytical skills and the ability to extrapolate lessons to other situations;
- Comfort and talent in communicating with diverse and international constituents;
- Ability to analyze and organize data and communicate results effectively;
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects with multiple priorities;
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team effort.
- Well-developed written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills
- Fluent in English and Kinyarwanda.
- Flexible, innovative, proactive, to work under tight deadlines and have excellent follow-through skills.
- Maintain sound ethical principles, integrity, and transparency of the due process
- Be a self-starter and work with limited supervision.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
This role will require traveling to the areas of Isoko y’Ubuzima operations and other parts of the country to execute her/ his responsibilities.
EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS:
- Position will be based at Water For People in Rwanda office.
- Regular travel to program sites.
Note: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job.
6. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Water For People is committed to protecting children encountered during our work and by our employees, preventing sexual abuse and exploitation of all individuals with a particular focus on women and children and other marginalized communities in the performance of our work, preventing human trafficking in the performance of our work and in our supply chain and to having a drug-free workplace. During the recruitment processes, additional documentation will be requested to comply with our policies and in accordance with the legal requirements in your country of residency, this includes a background check. If you apply for employment, we want you to be aware of our recruitment, selection, and hiring processes including important policies regarding employee conduct.
Water For People is an equal opportunity employer who is committed to creating a culture of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our workplace. Water for People strives to create and maintain a level of diversity that reflects the communities we serve. Achieving this—regardless of race, ethnicity, ancestry, tribal affiliation, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, veteran status, disability, socioeconomic class, educational attainment, Parental status, genetic information, political affiliation or other social identities is critical to our ability to have a world where every person has access to reliable and safe water and sanitation services.
Our commitment ensures that we:
- Have a different array of thinking that comes from diverse backgrounds and cultures, enabling us to solve some of the world’s greatest challenges.
- Strive for a culture of inclusion and belonging by treating each other with dignity, respect, and appreciation enabling us to feel welcome, supported, and valued.
- Effectively connect, communicate, and build long-lasting relationships with stakeholders within our diverse communities.
- Have a diversity of thought, perspectives, backgrounds, identities, and talents that will support our mission to develop high-quality drinking water and sanitation services that are available to Everyone Forever.
- Safeguarding: Water for People is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees, volunteers and partners to share the same commitment. We believe every employee, stakeholder and every member of the communities we work with has the right to be protected from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect, harassment, discrimination, intimidation and exploitation – regardless of age, race, religion, and gender, status as an individual with a disability or ethnic origin. Water for People holds a zero-tolerance policy against sexual exploitation, discrimination, exploitation, abuse and harassment. Violations to stated policies will be subject to corrective action up to and including termination of contract.