WASH Officer

Medair is an international humanitarian organization established in 1988. Medair has been operating in Afghanistan since 1996 with programs mainly in the Health, Water & Sanitation, and Livelihoods sectors with significant reconstruction activities in remote areas. Current projects are Water & Sanitation, Food Security, & Disaster Risk Reduction.

An Integrated Emergency Response: Medair aims to respond to high levels of food insecurity, malnutrition, and morbidity in Tirinkot district.  The project intends to improve and extend WASH services including water supply infrastructure and hygiene practices to improve outcomes for vulnerable families.

An Integrated Emergency Response: Medair aims to respond to high levels of food insecurity, malnutrition, and morbidity in Uruzgan, which has been significantly affected by drought and conflict conditions. Building upon Medair’s decades of experience in the Central Highlands and Kandahar, the project intends to improve and extend the utilization of lifesaving preventive and curative nutrition and health services by mothers, PLWs, and children U5; to increase access to clean water, to reduce vulnerability to water-related and other preventable diseases, and to improve and increase food security for the most vulnerable families through food voucher distributions.

Overall purpose

Alleviate water stress and increase access to water, sanitation, and hygiene for people vulnerable to malnutrition and food insecurity in Uruzgan Province – primarily for water supply projects, but also for emergency responses and Medair’s WASH support in health facility programs.

RESPONSIBILITIES

•  Effectively manage the daily activities of the WASH Field foremen.
• Ensure community ownership and participation in the project.
• Ensure the correct construction materials are provided and support for the WASH field foreman in a timely manner to all project sites.
• Systematically monitor the quality of all construction activities at the district level.
• Report to the WASH Manager on a regular basis on the progress of field activities and outputs.
• Ensure that beneficiary participation is included in all phases of the project.
•  Support and gather data from the field for new WASH proposals.
• Technical training for WASH field foremen.

MAIN ACTIVITIES

Technical / Management

• Input to & adhere to a comprehensive activity plan (GANTT) covering the time frame of the project.
• Ensure the quality construction of all WASH structures, ensuring good maintenance and sustainable processes are put in place.
• Ensure full beneficiary participation in responsibility.
• Ensure accurate and timely input for the reporting of activities to the WASH Manager and local authorities (including regular and project reports).
• Support the development of new proposals.

Communicate and coordinate with the project team

• Host team meetings as necessary to facilitate projects, problem solve and complete tasks according to project timeframe. 
• Handle all site issues, e.g., technical issues or community relations, in coordination with the H&N Managers and other supervisors, if applicable.
• Complete activity records and site records on a regular basis, as requested.
• Ensure good coordination with other staff working on the project. 

Logistics 

• Coordinate with WASH Manager in logistics planning for the project, ensuring the timely arrival of materials, quality of construction materials, safe storage of assets/materials, and clear up-to-date record keeping.

Financial management

• Assist in payments and incentive distributions in the communities for skilled and unskilled labors.
• Follow procurement procedures and logistics procedures for all project purchases.
• Ensure all financial accountability is completed in a timely and correct manner.

 Security Management

• Responsible for the safety and security of project assets on site of operations.
• Employ health and safety operational approaches during all project activities.
• Adhere to the security guidelines employed by Medair on site, in-route, and help ensure all security procedures are followed.
• Actively gather and provide security information from local authorities & other NGOs in the project area.
• Follow all Medair-related SOPs in project implementation.

External Representation

• Maintain relationships with communities, including communications related to project activities, timelines, support WASH field foreman in community contribution, and community and land use agreements.
• In coordination with the management team, develop and maintain relationships with local authorities and NGOs on site, ensuring good cooperation and partnerships.

Education: Minimum bachelor’s degree in civil engineering is required, master’s degree preferred.

Relevant Experience:

• Minimum 4 years’ experience as a construction engineer, WASH officer or working in the water, sanitation and hygiene field is required.
• Adept at working with local communities.
• Familiar with the project areas.
• Experience of working with an INGO or other organizations is desirable.

Languages: Fluent in spoken & written Pashtu and English is required.

Computer: Good working skills with Microsoft Office and Auto CAD is required. Experience of using online surveys with tablets is desirable.

Organizational Capacity

• Able to plan activities based on tight project objectives.
• Ability to coordinate teams’ members and beneficiaries, providing solutions if a WASH field foreman is needed. 

Teambuilding: Able to facilitate positive team dynamics by delegating tasks, sharing information, and coaching WASH Field Foremen.

Adaptability:

• Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changes in location.
• Flexible to perform other tasks to facilitate the program.
• Adaptable to harsh field conditions and occasional long working hours.
• Willing to travel, work, and live in a rural setting.

Problem-solving & initiative:

• Oriented toward solutions and problem-solving, especially land issues.
• Able to take initiative to make thoughtful and prompt decisions.
• Follow Medair AAP mechanism.

Character & Motivation:

• Respect rural communities and behave in an appropriate manner. 
• Honest in dealing with Medair staff and beneficiaries.
• Willing to commit to the Medair values of Integrity, Hope, Dignity, Compassion, faith, Accountability, and Joy.

Communication skills:

• Able to explain tasks and concepts clearly.
• Able to communicate with staff and beneficiaries with respect and dignity.
• Clear communicator with colleagues and communities.

Interested applicants should apply and forward their applications through the online JOB APPLICATION FORM which can be found under the submission email. The link should be copied, pasted, and opened on a new page.

Note: Please indicate the position title and vacancy number in your application letter. Applications received after the closing date or without the exact position title and vacancy number will not be given consideration. After submitting the online application, if some applicants do not immediately receive an automatic email from Medair, they shouldn't worry about their submission. When you open the link. please use the dropdown menu and choose the title of the position.