About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.
In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions
into action - helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. By applying for this role an applicant confirms that they have not previously violated an employer’s sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation and abuse, child safeguarding or trafficking policy. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis. As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline (integrityhotline@mercycorps.org).

Project/ Department Summary

Mercy Corps works in places of transition, where conflict, disaster, political upheaval, or economic collapse present opportunities to build a more secure, productive, and just communities. Providing emergency relief in times of crisis, we move quickly to help communities recover and build resilience to future shocks and promote sustainable change by supporting community-led and market-driven initiatives. Recognizing both the great potential and the complex challenges faced by Afghanistan, since 1986 Mercy Corps has been implementing a range of humanitarian assistance and development programs tailored to the specific needs of the country and of those communities where we work.

Mercy Corps has implemented several key programs in the South and North of the country in key sectors such as agriculture and food security, skills development, renewable energy, natural resources management, community infrastructure, and job creation. Mercy Corps has a couple of ongoing multi-sectoral programs including WASH. Mercy Corps is currently preparing to implement a new program “Emergency WASH Response to the Returnees in Kandahar Province” funded by OCHA through the AHF funding stream. This is a short-term project (7 months) that’s aimed at responding to the acute emergency WASH needs, save lives and enhance the resilience of returnees in Kandahar through provision of safe drinking water, basic sanitation and hygiene services in Daman and Kandahar districts. 

General Position Summary

S/he reports to the WASH Officer, working closely to develop plans that ensure smooth implementation of infrastructure interventions. S/he will contribute to quality implementation of all construction and rehabilitation projects through supervision of contractual work, ensuring that all water supply and sanitation facilities meet national and/or global technical standards. S/he will ensure that all WASH activities and documentation follow Mercy Corps’ policies and procedures. S/he will inspect ongoing work and report on timelines, progress, and flag issues or potential delays, prepared to initiate mitigation measures to ensure the program implementation meets deadlines. S/he supports the overall WASH team in strategic contingency planning ahead of anticipated humanitarian response. The WASH Assistant will be based in Kandahar Province.   

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Support the implementation of field activities related to rehabilitation and the new constructions of water and sanitation infrastructure undertaken by Mercy Corps in program target areas in Kandahar province.
• Assist WASH Officer and other relevant staff in planning WASH infrastructure development programs and activities.
• Support all rehabilitation and construction activities with improved coordination and provide timely technical inputs to effectively meet the completion target.
• Support the implementation activities such as design reviews, procurement of project materials, and implementation on the ground.
• Undertake extensive field visits to assess the quality of rehabilitation/construction activities undertaken directly under the Mercy Corps staff or through contractors.
• Maintain close coordination with relevant staff and stakeholders during the implementation of the project activities.
• Contribute to the assessment and development of appropriate technologies for the water and
• Periodically support monitoring the ongoing works in the target locations and provide feedback to the team for any improvement that may need to be made.
• Support the WASH Officer to develop implementation and action plans for project implementation including all technical specifications for project implementation in collaboration with the Project Manager.
• Assist in the preparation of technical evaluations for the tender packages, and facilitate the tender and contract development process, supporting the Procurement Department as needed.
• Maintain online tracking sheets of all PRs for infrastructure, tender dates, contract start, and end date, and infrastructure documents, write monthly reports and other donor-based reports or organizational-based notes for the WASH Officer to review and submit.
• Develop and maintain good lines of communication and relationships with local authorities and the local community.
• Follow all MC protocols and regulations according to guidance provided by the direct supervisor.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• Support WASH Officer and Project Manager to prepare internal weekly and monthly reports.
• Other duties as assigned.

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

Organizational Learning 

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically
  to our program participants and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of our field projects.
• Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

• Bachelors in related field is preferred and high school graduation is essential.
• 1-2 years of relevant experience in Water, Sanitation, and community infrastructure in an emergency or post-disaster settings specifically construction/rehabilitation of water networks, solar pumping systems, wells/hand pumps, household, and communal toilets, and solid waste management.
• Familiarity with Afghanistan water and sanitation standards and international WASH SPHERE standards.
• Extensive knowledge and work experience in Afghanistan, and preferably in the southern Provinces including Kandahar.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to achieve cooperation and agreement amongst diverse groups with competing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and tasks efficiently and with a calm attitude.
• Strong technical writing skills in Pashto ability in English is a value add.
• Excellent time management skills and resourcefulness with strong attention to details.
• Ability to engage with local communities and government authorities.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Honest and committed to compliance with all policies and procedures in all aspects of work.
• Good strategic thinking and planning skills with eagerness for innovation. 
• Good knowledge of spoken and written Pashto/Dari are required.
• Computer skills if any

To apply for this position, please submit your CV and Cover letter, with the vacancy number and position title (MCA117-2024 Application for (WASH Assistant ) in the subject line, by email to af-vacancieskbl@mercycorps.org.

The deadline for submission is the close of business on 24-July-2024 applications received after the closing date and without a subject line will not be given consideration so, please make sure you put the vacancy number and title on the subject of your email, or your application will be disregarded by the system.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates whose application responds to the above criteria will be contacted for the written test/interview.

Note: Please note that MCA will provide office space and facilities only and is not providing any lodging facilities for its Team Members/Employees in HQ and field offices and it is the employee’s responsibility to arrange the lodgings for themselves if they work in a field office other than their home province.

Ps. Females are highly encouraged to apply for the MCA Open positions.