Context
As part of the response to the Ebola Virus Disease Epidemic in North Kivu province, the IRC, as a non-governmental organization, is participating in the response by revitalizing the health system through capacity building of health facilities and skills of health personnel, mainly in infection prevention and control activities as well as water, hygiene and sanitation, with the aim of contributing to the reduction of contamination of healthcare workers and patients.
Main objective of the position
Based in Bunia, the WASH Manager, as the national technical expert in environmental health, supports all IRC DRC health projects by ensuring the integration of WASH components into all supported facilities. He/She oversees the implementation of WASH infrastructure in health facilities and the capacity building of staff on hygiene, sanitation, access to safe drinking water, and waste management.
The position also involves providing direct technical support to partners and training teams working in health units, ensuring adherence to infection prevention and control (IPC) procedures and the correct use of personal protective equipment. The Manager actively participates in WASH coordination frameworks, needs assessments, the development of terms of reference, the preparation of data collection tools and training guides, and contributes to data analysis to size the response and oversee its implementation in accordance with national and international standards. This role requires in-depth technical expertise in WASH and proven experience in managing projects in emergency contexts to ensure the quality and safety of interventions.
RESPONSABILITES CLES
Programme
- Conduct needs assessments to identify hygiene practices and barriers to safe practices in supported health facilities.
- Analyze data from assessments to design sustainable WASH interventions that comply with standard protocols and healthcare requirements.
- Plan and implement activities aimed at reducing risky practices, integrating physical and behavioral aspects.
- Coordinate assessments and activities with the PCI team, ensuring effective integration.
- Design technical plans, estimates, specifications and work programs for WASH (water, sanitation, waste management, sorting and isolation areas) infrastructure.
- Provide technical expertise to field teams and supervise contractors to ensure the quality of work.
- Ensure activity reporting, administrative management, and budget management of WASH projects.
- Ensure the treatment and monitoring of water quality, the conformity of hygiene and sanitation facilities to standards, and promote staff participation for the sustainability of actions.
- Contribute effectively to the application of environmental standards and conduct climate change-sensitive analyses of IRC interventions, particularly in health centers.
Supervision & Development of Staff and Partner NGOs
- To technically guide and supervise the WASH teams (officers, assistants) and auxiliary staff.
- Supervise the work of local implementation partners, train them in WASH when necessary, and ensure proper follow-up of their operational plans.
- Provide training and capacity building for staff on WASH SOPs including periodic competency-based assessments.
- Organize the mapping and deployment of teams in the intervention areas to ensure the continuity of operations.
- Support the recruitment and training of local teams to strengthen the implementation of WASH activities.
- Organize capacity-building sessions for WASH teams in the field on taking environmental standards into account and climate-sensitive programming.
Supply Chain & Finance
- Evaluate the costs of WASH activities for the preparation of budgets and forecasts.
- Prepare tender documents and technically evaluate bids to select competent contractors.
- Ensure the management of purchasing plans, POs and contracts in collaboration with the Supply Chain and monitor stocks related to WASH activities.
Coordination
- Represent IRC in WASH coordination forums and maintain regular liaison with health authorities, communities and partners for harmonized implementation.
Other Responsibilities
- Ensure the safety and security of teams, report incidents and collaborate with stakeholders to maintain a secure environment.
- Perform any other assigned tasks related to the program/project objectives.
REQUIRED PROFILE
- Academic background: Engineering degree in hydraulics, civil engineering or environmental engineering, with proven experience in implementing activities related to water, sanitation, hygiene and waste management in healthcare facilities, particularly for highly infectious diseases.
- Desired experience: Previous work in triage and isolation units, high risk of infection or biosecurity (level 4) areas, as well as experience with viral hemorrhagic fevers (Ebola, Lassa, Marburg).
- Technical skills: Excellent understanding of environmental standards in emergency contexts, mastery of international standards (Sphere), and experience in the design and implementation of WASH and sanitation infrastructure in emergency situations.
- Emergency response experience: Ability to develop innovative WASH interventions adapted to humanitarian contexts.
- Managerial and behavioral skills: Strong leadership, planning, analytical and decision-making skills under pressure, ability to work with minimal supervision in stressful and uncertain environments.
- Computer skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office and computer-aided design software (AutoCAD, ArchiCAD).
- Languages: Excellent command of French, with the ability to communicate in English and/or the local language.