WASH Assistant (Nganzai)

Introduction

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a Danish international non-governmental organisation, which promotes and supports durable solutions to the problems faced by refugees and internally displaced people all over the world. DRC is present in more than 30 conflict territories around the world assisting displaced people with shelter, food, income-generating activities, and a wide range of other assistance. It is of utmost importance for DRC to work in compliance with the DRC Accountability and Quality Management system and national legislations. Smooth, reliable and effective operational systems are preconditions for DRC to maintain its position as a trustworthy and reliable partner for our donors and an accountable organisation towards our beneficiaries

Background

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has had an operational presence in Nigeria since 2015 and has experience working in 33 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across the BAY states. DRC provides life-saving assistance and protection to vulnerable, conflict-affected populations including IDPs, returnees, and host communities in the sectors of armed violence reduction, livelihoods, nutrition and food security, protection, shelter and non-food items (NFI) and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).

The operational context in northeastern Nigeria remains challenging, as the ongoing conflict impedes conflict-affected communities’ access to what limited basic services are available, as well as DRC and other humanitarians’ access to persons of concern.

Purpose

The WASH Assistant’s primary function is to support the WASH Officer in ensuring the quality planning, implementation, and follow-up of WASH activities carried out by DRC. The WASH Assistant is specifically responsible for the day-to-day implementation of water, sanitation, and hygiene activities in the intervention area. This role involves coordinating with WASH counterparts in other locations, engaging with stakeholders to ensure effective project delivery, and promoting behavior change and community participation for a sustainable impact. The WASH Assistant must ensure that all activities are conducted in a manner that is sensitive to community needs, with a particular focus on gender issues, promoting the full and equal participation of women, and aligning with the needs of population in the area.

Duties and Responsibilities:

General Programming & Operations

• Carrying out WaSH needs assessment for returnee areas and IDPs and using results in designing intervention measures.
• Monitor WASH activities, construction works progress, costs, and schedule in accordance with project plan and taking of appropriate actions.
• Ensure archiving of WASH logs and procurement records.
• Ensure efficient and Effective program implementation while following the work plan. 
• Participate in preparing and Providing Inputs monthly/quarterly/annual highlights/ reports.
• Preparation of all the payment documents, after verification, submission to the finance department
• Working in harmony with all other project staff and field team for the effective and efficient day-to-day management of the WASH project in Monguno, Konduga and Nganzai.
• Mobilization of beneficiary communities to maintain the established WASH resources.
• Assist in project implementation and reporting.  
• Ensure quality control during the implementation of WASH activities in accordance with Sphere and National standards.
• Promote community participation and ownership of WASH activities, ensuring that interventions are culturally appropriate and responsive to the needs of the community.
• Prepare WASH weekly and monthly field reports to relevant authorities as needed

Coordination and representation 

• Collaborate with relevant Internal and External stakeholders on issues related to WASH.
• Represent DRC at Local WASH meetings and other relevant technical coordination meetings at the field level if needed.
• Ensure integration and support of WASH activities with other DRC sectors.
• Coordinate with WASH counterparts in other locations in the implementation of commonly funded projects.
• Ensure good representation and reputation of the WASH sector at all levels.
• Actively participate in internal coordination meetings

Logistics

• Assist the WASH officer in ensuring distribution plans are prepared and shared with logistics in a timely manner.
• Under supervision from the WASH officer, coordinate with the supply chain to facilitate the delivery of WASH NFIs to field location for distribution to beneficiaries.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Provide feedback on project implementation modality, assist in achieving maximum efficiency in project delivery, and inform the development/update of DRC’s WASH strategy in Nigeria.

Other

• The responsibilities listed in the JD are not exhaustive and may be readjusted according to operational needs but will remain in line with the overall purpose of the role.

Experience and technical competencies:

Essential:

• At least At least 1-year experience in the implementation and evaluation of Wash projects.
• Knowledge of WASH Approaches.
• Good computer skills (especially MS Office).

Desirable:

• Experience working in emergency response with NGOs, preferably in a humanitarian context.
• Basic in written and spoken English and knowledge of local languages

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree or HND in Civil and water resources Engineering, Environment Health Science, Biological Sciences, Public Health or any other behavioural science degree from a recognized institution.
• Degree or HND in any field or equivalent field with relevant work experience.

We offer

• Contract length:  12 months with the possibility of extension
• Level: NM – I, Step 1
• Start date: October 2024

General Regulations:

• The employee shall follow DRC instructions on safety, confidentiality and ethical guidelines, including the Code of Conduct and the Humanitarian Accountability Framework
• Employee should not engage in any other paid activity during the DRC contract period without prior authorization
• Employee should not engage in any activity that could harm DRC or the implementation of any project during the DRC contract period
• Employee should not give interviews to the media or publish project-related photos or other material without prior authorization
• Employee shall return all borrowed equipment for the project to DRC after the end of the contract period or upon request.

Application Process

• All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English.
• DRC provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex, colour, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.
• DRC encourages all applicants to apply and does not practice any discrimination in any recruitment process.
• Applications submitted after the closing date will not be considered.
• The position is local, and the candidate must be from the LGA (Monguno, Konduga and Nganzai)

However, all applicants shall take into consideration that DRC cannot offer an international work contract to a citizen of the country of assignment (in this specific case, Nigeria)

Deadline: Applications close on the 2nd of October 2024 at midnight (GMT time).

Note: Applications will be reviewed on rolling bases due to the urgency, therefore a candidate who closely meets the requirements may be selected before the above deadline.

• Only short-listed applicants will be invited for written tests and oral interviews.
• For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult: www.drc.dk