A job description is a written statement that describes the employee’s role and responsibilities. The role and responsibilities shall be executed within the NRC framework. The job description facilitates the recruitment process by stating the necessary competencies. It is mandatory for all positions.

Position:                                   WASH and Shelter Technical Officer (Engineer)

Reports to:                                Area Manager

Supervision of:

Duty station:                             Abi-Adi Tigray Region

All NRC employees are expected to work in accordance with the organization’s core values: dedication, innovation, inclusivity and accountability. These attitudes and believes shall guide our actions and relationships.

Role and responsibilities

The WASH and Shelter technical engineer will assist in providing technical support in the development of NRC’s WASH and Shelter programming and high quality technical planning and implementation of inputs for resulting schedule of work and monitoring agree indicators. He/she shall ensure efficient and effective construction of sanitation facilities in the respective implementation sites, inspect and monitor routine sanitation facilities (bathing shelter, Final disposal sites and latrines) and maintenance  of the constructed systems to ensure minimal service as per the sphere standard. He/she will be responsible in all WASH construction at her/his respective site. The WASH and Shelter Engineer will be the lead in all technical designs, BOQ preparations related, and tender documents to WASH constructions.

Generic responsibilities:

• Ensure adherence with NRC policies, tools, handbooks and guidelines
• Implement delegated support function portfolio according to plan of action
• Prepare and develop status reports as required by management
• Ensure proper filing of documents
• Promote and share ideas for improvement of the support function
• Capacity building of the WASH Assistants as agreed in the performance development plans
• Supervision of contractors engaged by NRC to ensure work is done as per drawings, technical specification and to the highest quality standard.
• Preparation of reports, technical guidelines, drawings and other strategic documentations.
• Ensure smooth running and uninterrupted water reticulation system in the implementation in the IDP camps.

Specific responsibilities:

• Together with the other WASH staff, appropriately design, coordinate, supervise, implement and closely monitor mainly the technical aspects of both the emergency and longer term WASH activities and interventions for the IDPs, returnees, and host communities in Somali region in line with the proposals, strategies and donor requirements;
• To ensure that all planning processes and BoQs are in line with budget planning, budgetary constraints and in accordance to the contractual obligations to the donor and make sure that all BoQs and technical specifications are shared with the concerned partners.
• Appropriately design and ensure timely and smooth implementation of all technical aspects of the WASH project activities (borehole/Shallow drilling, water supply construction/rehabilitation and distribution networks, latrine construction, handwashing facilities, etc.) in a manner that promotes cost-efficiency (value for money) and innovation with the WASH programme, through participatory approaches that maximizes community involvement and ownership.
• Ensure that WASH facilities are planned, designed and implemented in a manner that addresses crucial issues related to Gender and Protection, as well as the needs of the Persons with Special Needs e.g the disabled and elderly persons.
• Participate in the strategic planning and drafting proposals for all new WASH construction project activities within Shire Area Office and as would be required.
• Where applicable, prepare tender and contract documents and take lead in the contract evaluation and awarding process;
• Coordinate all contract management activities for all major contracted works, to ensure adherence to contract specifications, terms and conditions, including timely issuing of completion certificates and payments;
• In close collaboration with finance office, ensure construction expenditures are within approved budgets by regular monitoring of both physical work progress and actual expenditures, as relates to the provisions in the BoQs;
• Work in close collaboration with all programme sector staff, especially the Community Development and WASH teams, to ensure provision of technical inputs and support in the implementation of community sub-projects; to ensure construction project eligibility, cost-effectiveness and community empowerment in all aspects of project management and implementation;
• Ensure quality control of all contracted and directly implemented construction works by travelling regularly to all construction sites to ensure adherence to contract specifications and / or workmanship specifications and adherence to set completion dates;
• Develop and or adopt relevant local and international standards and guidelines such as Sphere minimum standards for all WASH construction projects, apply them during implementation and ensure adherence by NRC and Partners’ staff and the Contractors;
• To assess the quality of works, complete and incomplete and make recommendations for improvement or modification as part of an ongoing monitoring mechanism;
• Write field visit report to provide feedback on quality and engineering works underway to further advice programme management of any corrective measures to be taken and ensure donor reports are in compliance with all grant related reporting requirements;
• Ensure ongoing documentation of project progress and integrate sound M&E procedures in all technical aspects of projects.
• Provide regular updates to supervisor and team on progress, priorities and constraints – verbally and in writing;
• Strict adherence to NRC rules, regulations and code of conduct is mandatory for all activities and at all times;
• Work closely with program support functions (logistics and finance departments) for WASH program supplies and activities planning working with field teams and logistics to procure project supplies within the project budget.
• Maintain open lines of communications with all technical field staff;
• Depending on the situation, he may be asked to perform other tasks as requested by the supervisor.

Context/ Specific skills, knowledge and experience & Generic professional competencies:

• BSc degree in Hydraulics, Water Resource, Civil and other related field.
• Minimum 6 years’ experience for diploma holders and 4 years for degree holders on WASH and the design of water supply schemes and other WASH facilities.
• Experience from working as a WASH Engineer/ Officer in a humanitarian/recovery context
• Previous experience from working in complex and volatile contexts as WASH Engineer
• Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities
• Proven practical experience undertaking water supply designs, civil works and implementation both rural and urban systems for at least 5 years. IDP experience preferred.
• Knowledge of AutoCAD, Water CAD or any civil works design software is highly desirable
• Experience in drilling boreholes, shallow wells and hand dug wells and designing water supply system from the source up to the distribution points.
• Proven practical experience undertaking water quality analysis (bacteriological, chemical and physical) in a busy institution or organization.
• Experience of working with INGO in a similar capacity will be an added advantage
• Excellent communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to explain and present complex technical information
• Sensitivity to the needs and priorities of disadvantaged populations (minority groups etc.)
• Cultural awareness and experience of working of different stakeholders
• Community mobilization skills
• Language: Fluency in written and spoken English is essential and local language is must.
• Excellent capacity building and facilitative supervision skills.

Personal Qualities: 

• Managing resources to optimize results
• Handling insecure environments
• Planning and delivering results
• Empowering and building trust
• Managing performance and development