Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Specialist At ForAfrika

Key Responsibilities

Technical and operational support for programme implementation (50%)

• Actively oversee WASH programmes and projects undertaken in water supply services delivery at the country level and within provincial and district level and ensure technical guidance is provided to organizational partners.
• Facilitate, lead, and ensure all WASH construction projects’ bid processes until contract agreement signing.
• Approve construction payment certificates certified by the Field WASH Teams.
• Lead the technical design of project interventions and development of technical guidance and tools for program areas and partner staff.
• The post holder will manage all WASH-related projects and supervise/provide technical support and guidance for the provincial program team.
• To manage program design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of all WASH programs.
• The post holder supports the country program response to recovery by formulating specific and overall WASH interventions at the country-office level through planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
• They ensure smooth teamwork within and across the country while enhancing integration among other programs. Key components of the position include operationalization of the country program, advocacy, networking, developing and strengthening partnerships, resource mobilization, and team management. They will work to ensure a smooth working environment between the country office team and the respective staff in the field.
• Responsible for compliance with organizational and statutory policies and laws on people and culture legality matters and supporting compliance.
• Prepare annual and quarterly implementation plans and budgets.

Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results (25%)

• Monitor project implementation processes, coordinate evaluations, share learnings and document best practices.
• Prepare quality and timely preparation of annual progress reports, including case studies and lessons learnt, and preparation and documentation of quality case studies on best practices.
• Work with regional ,provincial and district teams to support WASH programme activities and projects.
• Provide technical support to program areas in selecting effective strategic options that address child and community welfare needs.
• Oversee infrastructural projects within the country office.
• Ensure that all projects/programs are technically sound and aligned to the plans, country strategic plans, programs, and principles.
• Develop guidelines to facilitate implementing activities under the established country programs.
• Ensure optimum community involvement in conceptualizing, developing, managing, monitoring, and evaluating programs.
• Ensure effective communication and information sharing on WASH programming within the organization.
• Ensure that WASH projects are technically sound, environmentally friendly, and socially and culturally acceptable.
• Supervise to ensure that construction activities meet the acceptable standard and government requirements.
• Ensuring mainstreaming of cross-cutting issues, mainly gender, environment, AIDS, and disability, in responses and adoption of critical approaches, notably CLTS, Wash’Em

Emergency response planning and management (10%)

• Manage all aspects of ForAfrika South Africa preparedness for WASH in emergencies.
• Ensure the coordination arrangements of humanitarian WASH are in place for instant robust coordination in case of an emergency.
• Ensure that all ForAfrika South Africa programme staff are familiar with FASA ‘s procedures for responding in an emergency.
• Take up leadership/specialist role in emergency response and early recovery, as and when the need arises.

Networking, partnership building and resource mobilization (15%)

• Build and strengthen WASH strategic partnerships with government counterparts at national, provincial and district level, WASH institutions, Civil Society Organizations, Research institutes and the private sector to enhance coordination and collaboration.
• Develop program funding portfolio by conducting rapid needs assessments, writing concept notes and proposals, undertaking technical feasibility studies, preparing designs and bills of quantities, preparing tender documents, and generally supporting the development and implementation of WASH systems based on ForAfrika’s procedures to enhance resource mobilization efforts and reach more children and communities.
• Support WASH programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships and support fundraising.
• Identify potential grant projects and provide technical proposal development, monitoring, and reporting inputs
• To facilitate programme implementation and build the capacity of community stakeholders to design and achieve sustainable and climate-resilient WASH results and outcomes.

General

• Support programme activities and contribute towards organizational competency
• Represent the organization in learning events, seminars and advocate for the ForAfrika programme initiatives.
• Assist with ad hoc duties when tasked

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies required

• Construction—including supervision of various water-supply projects such as spring, hand-dug, shallow well, and deep well development and rehabilitation.
• Experience in preparation of bills of quantities and contract tendering.
• Awareness of environmental health issues with particular attention to the needs of women and children.
• Experience in managing water programme implementation and working in partnership.
• Strong proposal writing, planning programme designing and coordinating skills.
• Proven ability to work in a team environment and independently.
• Understanding of integrated development issues
• Knowledge of child-rights programming
• Knowledge of participatory Monitoring, Evaluation and Research systems and processes
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Interpersonal skills, including the ability to build relationships with colleagues.
• Have good writing and oral communication skills, including presentation.
• Understand budgetary processes, including planning, monitoring, and reporting.
• Ability to analyze information, evaluate options and think and plan strategically.
• Proficient in computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications
• Able to perform under stress, be innovative, build relationships, communicate effectively, coach and mentor, facilitate change, develop teams, initiate action, make strategic decisions, plan and organize, and have a personal commitment to children’s development and protection.
• Ability and willingness to travel and work in remote and challenging environments.

Education:

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, Environmental engineering, hydraulic engineering, or a related field with a minimum of five years of work experience.
• Master’s degree preferable.
• Demonstrated experience in managing critical programmatic areas relevant to the country program.
• A commitment to and understanding of participatory approaches to development.
• Experience in project study, design bid preparation evaluation and construction contract administration.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of relevant work experience in WASH, preferably working on humanitarian/development projects/programmes.
• Experience in emergency, recovery, and development infrastructure projects and in the construction/engineering of WASH facilities is desirable.
• Fluency in English and one of SA official languages is required.