Background

Swiss Church Aid/HEKS is the aid organization of the Protestant Churches of Switzerland. It has headquarter in Zurich/Switzerland. Swiss Church Aid/ HEKS works towards a more human and more equitable world, assisting people and communities to overcome economic, social or humanitarian disparities in order to gain autonomy and to live with dignity. Therefore, Swiss Church Aid/ HEKS engage in development cooperation, humanitarian aid and church cooperation and works in more than 30 countries and runs around 200 projects world-wide. Swiss Church Aid/ HEKS is a member of the ACT Alliance.

In Ethiopia, Swiss Church Aid/ HEKS has programs with focus on Natural Resources Management, WASH, and Inclusive Markets for Smallholder Pastoralists and Farmers and Humanitarian Assistance for drought and conflict affected communities.

Job overview

The WASH Officer will be part of Swiss Church AID/ HEKS Country Office team and will be responsible for the implementation of the Angolelana Tera WASH project in Angolelana Tera Woreda of North Showa Zone, Amhara Region.

The project aims at enhancing rural communities, schools and health institutions access to safe and improved WASH services by building a multi-village rural piped scheme and promoting proper sanitation and hygiene facilities and services in target kebelles.

The position holder is responsible mainly for management and supervision of the WASH project including ongoing planning, implementation, coordination, monitoring and reporting project activities. He/she also establishes and maintains relationships with community, local government and kebelle leaders to identify priority needs, target beneficiaries, and joint monitoring of the project outputs. 

Duration: One year with possibility of extension

Major Responsibilities

• Responsible for the implementation of the WASH project in Angolelana Tera woreda
  • Develop detailed work plan and implement the project as specified in the work plan, provide technical support to implementing partners
  • Conduct feasibility studies and Carry out detail design of water supply schemes and associated structures, design water distribution systems, pumping systems, pumping stations water storage reservoirs;
  • Identify design alternatives, ensure designs are to the standard and make sure compliance with national standards
  • Prepare/revise BOQs, technical specifications and drawings, review tenders and payment certificates as deemed necessary
  • Conduct environmental impact studies related to water collection, treatment, or distribution
  • Support water quality assessments and disinfect sources as required
  • Support the training of local communities/caretaker/ and Water Sanitation and hygiene Committees (WASHCOs) on scheme management, operation and maintenance, ensure that the WASHCOs and community scheme care takers are well functioning
  • Support the implementation of Sanitation and Hygiene promotion sessions and any other hygiene and sanitation based activities
  • Work with and provide timely technical support to the SCA/HEKS co-implementing partners, Maintain respectful and constructive relations with field project team
• Keep track of and monitor and follow up the progress of construction/rehabilitation activities promptly identifying any current or potential challenges
• Write technical reports, report regularly to the Head Office WASH coordinator and program manager on the project progresses and other relevant issues on monthly and /or weekly basis as required.
• Establish and maintain transparent, functional working relationships with local government at woreda level and with the communities and NGOs operating in the project area.

Job Requirements

Education: MSc Degree in water supply and environmental engineering, Water Resources engineering, Hydraulic Engineering or related fields.

Work Experience:  At least 6 years of relevant experience preferably in an NGO.

Language Skills: Good verbal and written command of English, and Amharic is required.

Computer literacy: Literacy of technical software (i.e. AUTOCAD, GIS, EPANET).

Desirable Qualities, Skills and Competences

• Demonstrated experience in WASH projects
• Ability to understand financial requirements of project and to manage activities in line with project budget
• Accountability and responsiveness within areas of responsibilities
• Ability to generate timely and quality reports
• Gender sensitive and experience with inclusive approach (work with people with disabilities, extreme poor families, minorities and other marginalized groups
• Ability to understand the cultural context of the rural community and use that culture as an input for community mobilization
• Good communication and coordination skill, preferably with the community and woreda line departments government
• Commitments to Swiss Church Aid/HEKS’ organizational values
• Passionate, strongly dedicated and highly committed to work for the improvement of the poor community