HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation is an independent development organization based in Switzerland and it has been operating for the last 65 years worldwide. HELVETAS is registered in Ethiopia as foreign organization with the Agency for Civil Society Organization to operate in the areas of Rural Infrastructure, Natural Resource Management, Support to CSO and Local Governments, Skill Development & Education and Emergency Response. See also. www.helvetas.org. 

Under its emergency response program, HELVETAS Ethiopia in partnership with ECHO project consortium partners will implement WASH project in Wag-Hemra zone of Amhara region targeting conflict affected communities in the woredas. For this action, HELVETAS is looking for a very competent and experienced WASH engineer who can able to manage the implementation of the project.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

The WASH Engineer leads and provides support in the development, planning, implementation and monitoring of ECHO funded water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) service improvements in Wag-Hemra Zone of Amhara region to ensure access to safe/drinking water to target community. And to supervise, conduct design, studies and review water resource, sanitation and hygiene development projects. And closely follow up and ensure the implementation of water resource development project is in line with the plan, design, available standards, and community needs in project areas. The WASH Engineer is responsible for the overall WASH project operations, avail the engineering drawings for related WASH facilities to be implemented, and ensure quality of construction of water supply schemes are in place and take appropriate corrective measures. S/he will maintain a professional working relationship with key actors in the project areas in order to ensure efficient delivery of the project results and provide timely reporting on activities.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Under supervision of Senior Expert- Emergency Preparedness and Response, the WASH engineer will be in charge of the following engineering support for the WASH activities of the emergency response. 

• Ensure the construction and rehabilitation of Water and sanitation schemes as per approved design.
• Ensure the quality and quantity of material of construction and rehabilitation of water and sanitation schemes as per design.
• Impart training to the community for maintenance and rehabilitation of water and sanitation schemes.
• Create partnership and collaboration with key partners including youth enterprises that have established to provide WASH services in project areas.

Project Supervision:

• Conduct initial situational and technical assessments of WASH situations and infrastructure as may be required during emergency and assess the needed maintenance and rehabilitation WASH works.
• Coordinate and participate in project start up meetings with key implementing partners.
• Supervise the implementation of the WASH Project activities in project woredas.
• In coordination with emergency preparedness and response senior expert, implement project activities in accordance with the project guidelines/document and targets.
• Develop and continually update Detailed Implementation Plans (DIPs) for the delivery of project WASH services.
• Develop Bills of Quantities (BoQs), and tender documents.
• Review designs, specifications, BoQ and conditions of contract issued by project and attend all site level meetings with Contractor and Water and energy development offices of respective project woreda and zone water engineers.
• Provide supervision, technical assistance, and project management skills to local staff within project operational areas.
• Monitor and inspect private contractor work at vital construction and rehabilitation milestones per project schedule.
• Help the youth enterprises to involve in the development, maintenance, and rehabilitation of water supply schemes.
• Verification of the appropriate standard and quantity of materials used in construction and rehabilitation of water and sanitation schemes.
• Assist in the preparation of the specifications and documentation for the procurement of key WASH related supplies in collaboration with the partners and HELVETAS field offices.
• Ensure that all WASH components are implemented as per the project papers and including design, developing of bills of quantities for water supplies, emergency latrines, Emergency WASH NFIs etc., as per identified needs and within provisions of the project budget;
• Develop, negotiate, and manage contracts with service providers (may include preparation of tender documents for purposes of soliciting bids/tenders from contractors.
• Assist in ensuring the close liaison and consultation with the communities’ leaders, WASHCOs WUAs, Kebele water committees and health extension workers during implementation of the WASH services as per project document requirement.
• Liaise between the project’s stakeholders and beneficiaries.
• Need to be aware of emergency procedures in a response.

Capacity building and staff development:

• Assist in undertaking of the capacity building of the various groups involved in projects, including Youth enterprises, WASHCOs, WUAs, kebele water committee, and health extension workers, in aspects of water, sanitation and hygiene in an emergency humanitarian situation.
• Conduct trainings for project staff, Community WASH Focal Points, and Youth enterprises on WASH infrastructure monitoring, operations, and maintenance.
• Develop and execute a capacity building plan for HELVETAS and key implementing partners Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) staff.
• Provide technical support to key partners in implementation of water schemes construction and rehabilitation interventions.
• Support in social mobilization around technical issues when applicable.
• Ensure capacity building of all team members including YES-Amhara project on technical things.
• As delegated by the supervisor liaise with M&E Officers to ensure sharing of lessons learned, tools and systems.
• Support & Work with YES-Amhara project staff.

Work quality outputs and budget controls:

• Assist in establishing and oversight of implementation of systems for efficiently controlling the quality of technical works; closely tracking works progress against payment and work plans, and controlling the quality of the final construction outputs as per donor and user community expectations.
• Maintain construction and rehabilitation budgets components to ensure appropriate and efficient use of resources in the project.
• Monitor expenditures, budgets, and track activity expenses; ensure that appropriate action is taken in a timely fashion.
• Develop technical resources (e.g., strategic framework, standard operating procedures (SOPs), manuals) to guide HELVETAS’S WASH Infrastructure interventions, drawing from international best practices, along with field specific observations.
• Develop clear infrastructure monitoring tools (e.g., checklists).
• Define the reference standards to be adopted in the planned WASH infrastructure.
• Prepare and launch tender bidding procedure for construction contractor(s).

Coordination Activities:

• When required, in collaboration with senior Emergency Preparedness and Response officer, s/he will represent the HELVETAS Ethiopia and actively participate in the WASH Cluster Meetings to review progress, as well as if necessary, attending regional level WASH Cluster meetings.
• Coordinate day-to-day operation and financial management of the construction and rehabilitation works and re-measured all implemented works in the field in accordance with the approved project work plans.
• Provide support in Liaising with beneficiary community, WASH cluster and local authorities in the selection of project sites as per requirement of the project design.
• Actively coordinate and participate with key stakeholders (e.g., Government sector offices, private service providers, NGOs, UN agencies) related to WASH Infrastructure.
• Reporting and communication:
• Confirm that project documentation is well prepared, including weekly and monthly project reports on implementation/construction/rehabilitation status, as per requirements of HELVETAS Ethiopia.
• Undertake regular development inspections highlighting potential area of concern.
• Ensure that all WASH infrastructure data is well managed and provides an accurate representation of the reality on the ground.
• Validate the accuracy of the data, and the quality of the WASH Infrastructure.
• Support senior Emergency Preparedness and Response officer in liaising with Finance and Grants team in tracking WASH component project expenditure, reviewing financial reports, and addressing queries of related expenditure in timely manner.
• Report the daily progress of works to the Senior Expert-Emergency Preparedness and Response.
• Submit regular reports related to the project’s WASH infrastructure to the Senior Expert-Emergency Preparedness and Response.
• Compile project reports highlighting project impact against indicators.
• Contribute to field-based reports to HELVETAS/or external donors.

Job Requirements

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

The role is one that requires technical expertise (in water, water quality analysis, sanitation, structural design and/or construction). 

Education and Experience:

• MSc or BSc degree in Water resource engineering, Civil engineering, Environmental or public Health Engineering or other equivalent educations.
• Minimum 5 years in the field of construction of WASH facilities.
• At least two-year experience in supervising and monitoring Water, Sanitation and Hygiene promotion projects.
• Minimum of two-year experience working on emergency response and development programming with an international NGO.
• Experience related to water & sanitation engineering in a humanitarian setting, including direct experience of repairing and constructing water treatment systems and installing submersible pumps in boreholes. Technical expertise should also include water quality analysis, sanitation, structural design and/or construction.
• Proven experience of coordinating large public health and/or WASH program. It is desirable that some of this should have been in emergency relief program.
• Experience in the design and delivery of training or capacity building program
• Experience in implementing Cash for Work and or Voucher Cash Transfer is preferred.
• Experience in sewage, water and sanitation infrastructure is preferred.
• Physically able to spend the long periods of time in the field.
• Willingness to travel to rural areas.
• Experience of working in a volatile security environment is essential.
• Experience of managing staff at the field level.

Skills Required:

• Proficiency in standard office software packages and GIS.
• Demonstrated leadership ability to inspire and empower others.
• Demonstrated technical and managerial ability, sound judgment, ability to interact and work effectively with others at all levels.
• Excellent communication skills, calm and a good sense of humor.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective working relations at all levels.
• Excellent team work skills and the ability to build good relations both internally and externally

Competencies:

• Proven commitment to accountable practices.
• Proven ability to manage large varied workloads and deal constructively with stress and periods with long hours.
• Proven ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines and work with limited supervision
• Proactive, stable and robust character and a good team player.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should submit their application, including a CV, with names and contact numbers of three referees directly either by CLICK HERE, or by email through 

HumanResources.ETH@helvetas.org

HELVETAS is an equal opportunity employer; however, women candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Please make sure you write the position title and the duty station you are applying for in the subject line. 

Kindly note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.