WASH Officer at Global Village Healthcare Initiative for Africa (GHIV Africa) – Borno & Yobe Full Time NEW

Job Title: WASH Officer

Locations: Revolving (Borno & Yobe)
Reports To: Education Field Supervisor or Education Program Manager
Duration: One year subject to renewal

Job Purpose

• The WASH Officer is responsible for implementing and overseeing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) activities within the Education Cannot Wait (ECW) project.
• This role ensures that children and communities affected by emergencies have access to clean water, adequate sanitation facilities, and hygiene education.
• The WASH Officer will work closely with the education team, local authorities, and community stakeholders to integrate WASH interventions into the education programs, ensuring that WASH services are accessible, sustainable, and effective for all beneficiaries, particularly those in vulnerable situations.

Key Responsibilities
WASH Program Implementation:

• Lead the planning, design, and implementation of WASH interventions in ECW project schools or learning centers, ensuring integration with education activities.
• Oversee the installation, maintenance, and repair of water supply systems, sanitation facilities, and hygiene infrastructure in schools, ensuring accessibility and functionality.
• Monitor the water quality, ensuring that it meets safety standards for consumption and use by students and teachers.
• Ensure proper waste management practices, including waste disposal systems and menstrual hygiene management, in line with WASH standards.

Hygiene Promotion and Education:

• Develop and implement hygiene education activities, including awareness-raising campaigns on handwashing, menstrual hygiene, and safe water practices.
• Provide training to teachers, school staff, and students on hygiene practices, water handling, and sanitation maintenance.
• Distribute hygiene kits to students and teachers, ensuring adequate supplies for menstrual hygiene and sanitation needs.
• Integrate WASH messages into the school curriculum to ensure sustainability and behavior change among students.

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E):

• Support the establishment of monitoring systems for WASH-related interventions, including tracking water use, sanitation facility functionality, and hygiene behavior change.
• Regularly monitor the performance and effectiveness of WASH activities, identifying challenges and providing solutions to improve outcomes.
• Collect and analyze data on WASH indicators (e.g., access to safe water, sanitation coverage, hygiene practices) and report findings to the Program Manager and donors.
• Participate in internal and external project evaluations and provide technical input on WASH activities.

Coordination and Collaboration:

• Collaborate with the Education team, local authorities, and WASH-related stakeholders to ensure that WASH interventions align with the needs of the community and broader humanitarian response plans.
• Engage with community leaders, parents, and teachers to increase awareness and ownership of WASH interventions.
• Ensure strong coordination with local partners, including government, NGOs, and community-based organizations, to avoid duplication of efforts and ensure effective implementation.

Capacity Building and Staff Support:

• Train and build the capacity of local WASH staff, school staff, and community volunteers to implement, monitor, and maintain WASH interventions.
• Conduct regular site visits to provide technical guidance and troubleshooting support for WASH facilities and hygiene promotion activities.
• Ensure that WASH interventions adhere to national and international WASH standards, guidelines, and best practices.

Reporting and Documentation:

• Prepare and submit regular reports on WASH activities, progress, challenges, and outcomes, in line with ECW project requirements and donor expectations.
• Maintain accurate records of WASH interventions, including water quality tests, site assessments, training activities, and beneficiary feedback.
• Contribute to the development of WASH project proposals, concept notes, and strategic plans as required by the organization and donors.

Child Protection and Safeguarding:

• Ensure that all WASH activities are designed and implemented with consideration for child protection and safeguarding policies.
• Promote safe access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services for vulnerable children, especially girls, children with disabilities, and those from marginalized communities.
• Respond to any child protection concerns related to WASH activities, ensuring that all risks are mitigated and reported in accordance with safeguarding protocols.

Requirements
Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Engineering, Public Health, Civil Engineering, or a related field. A Master’s degree in a relevant field is an advantage.

Experience:

• 3 – 5 years of experience working in WASH programs, preferably in education, humanitarian, or development settings.
• Experience with the integration of WASH activities into education programs, particularly in emergency or crisis contexts.
• Familiarity with international WASH standards, including Sphere, WHO guidelines, and WASH in schools standards.

Core Competencies:
Technical Expertise in WASH:

• Strong technical knowledge of water, sanitation, and hygiene systems, including water supply, waste management, and hygiene education.
• Proficiency in designing, installing, and maintaining WASH infrastructure (e.g., handwashing stations, latrines, water filtration systems) for schools or learning centers.
• Knowledge of water quality testing, sanitation facility management, and waste disposal methods in school environments.

Program Management:

• Strong project management skills, with the ability to plan, implement, and monitor WASH interventions in an education setting.
• Experience in managing budgets, resources, and timelines for WASH projects.
• Ability to coordinate and integrate WASH activities with other sectors, particularly education and child protection.

Community Engagement and Sensitivity:

• Ability to engage with diverse communities and stakeholders, ensuring that WASH interventions are culturally sensitive and contextually appropriate.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to explain technical WASH concepts to non-technical stakeholders and local communities.
• Capacity to work with local authorities, school leaders, and community-based organizations to promote ownership and sustainability of WASH activities.

Monitoring and Reporting:

• Strong skills in monitoring, evaluation, and reporting, with experience in collecting and analyzing WASH-related data and preparing progress reports.
• Ability to use data to identify trends, challenges, and areas for improvement in WASH programming.
• Familiarity with reporting requirements for donors and stakeholders, and the ability to prepare clear, concise reports.

Problem Solving and Adaptability:

• Ability to identify and address challenges related to WASH program implementation, including resource constraints, technical issues, and community concerns.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances and priorities, particularly in emergency or crisis contexts.

Child-Centered Approach:

• Commitment to child protection principles and a focus on ensuring that WASH interventions are inclusive and accessible to children, including girls and children with disabilities.
• Experience in creating child-friendly WASH facilities and promoting hygiene education that engages children and empowers them to take ownership of their health and hygiene practices.

Teamwork and Collaboration:

• Ability to work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams, including education, health, and protection staff, to integrate WASH into education programming.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, including experience in training, supervising, and motivating local staff and volunteers.

Personal Attributes:

• Empathy and Compassion: Demonstrates a genuine concern for the well-being of vulnerable individuals.
• Integrity: Maintains the highest ethical standards in all professional activities.
• Resilience: Capable of working under challenging conditions and managing stress effectively.
• Problem Solving: Proactive in identifying issues and implementing solutions.

Application Closing Date
27th December, 2024.

Important Information

• GHIV African PSEA / GBV, and Child Safeguarding policies:  The successful candidate shall comply and promote the PSEA/GBV, and Child safeguarding Policies at all course and all levels.
• Women and Persons Living with Disability (PLWDs) are strongly advised to apply.