Technical WASH Assistant – The Water Trust

THE ORGANIZATION

The Water Trust empowers rural communities in Uganda to reduce preventable death and debilitating disease by enabling access to safe water and a healthy, clean environment. Since 2008, The Water Trust has partnered with more than 600 communities in Masindi and Kiryandongo, benefitting more than 250,000 people. The Water Trust aims to increase the scale of its operations and pioneer new approaches to increasing the impact and sustainability of water, sanitation, and hygiene programs. With new grants from USAID and other leading funders, The Water Trust is gaining momentum and looking for a Technical WASH Assistant to support the team to increase access to clean and safe water for rural communities.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Technical WASH Assistant supports Construction and Maintenance Supervisors to design standard operating procedures and project plans and timely and efficiently implements these standards and plans in their areas of operation. In close coordination with local government structures and in collaboration with The Water Trust Community Development Officers, the Technical WASH Assistant supports the CMS in each phase of the technical project cycle (planning, implementing, monitoring, and reporting), while building relationships with and coordinating with rural communities and external contractors.

The Technical WASH Assistant shall also contribute towards supporting rural communities, schools, and health centers to bring about behaviour change towards maintaining improved water sources and engaging in healthy hygiene practices. The ideal candidate will have strong engineering expertise, at least two years’ experience in WASH Projects with an international NGO, and a track record of developing processes and systems that improve efficiency and quality in the construction industry. This is an excellent opportunity for an early-career professional with strong engineering skills, a passion for WASH, and with an interest in learning and contributing to a growing organization. Women are strongly encouraged to apply as we work toward a world of greater gender equality in engineering and and water, sanitation, and hygiene.

MAJOR FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support Construction and Maintenance Supervisors (CMS) to design the technical and operating standard procedures and best practices of WASH infrastructure and water quality.
• To assist in the identification of community water and sanitation needs.
• To develop technical specifications and bills of quantities (BOQ) for works.
• To assess the water and sanitation training needs of the community and assists in the development of appropriate training materials and plans.
• Conducts water quality testing and sanitary inspection at water points.
• Provides technical assistance to the CMS and local counterparts on issues of water and sanitation information and communication strategies
• Effectively plan, manage, implement, monitor, evaluate and report the technical program activities focusing in WASH infrastructure and water quality within budget and set standards through the coordination, supervision and training of external contractors.
• Develop, facilitate and support the existing structures (e.g. Water and Sanitation Committees, SHGs and Hand Pump Mechanics) to ensure the sustainable management of WASH infrastructure.
• To establish or ensure productive relationships with local and district authorities and community members at all levels toward strong coordination and solutions for sustainable community managed WASH infrastructure as Involve and inform communities and community leaders about the activities
• Communicate regularly and with clarity to the senior management through the direct line manager on, progress against targets including timelines.
• Reporting for results based-management of programs through timely and applicable reports as required by the line manager and technical manager. Deliver quality program reporting requirements, such as collection of activity evidence (e.g. quality photos, community members’ quote), timely gathering of monitoring data (pre and post intervention).
• Assists in the compilation of weekly and monthly WASH technical reports, program documents.
• Assist in updating the M&E database in relation to water point issues, functionality, and other indicators.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS

• Higher Diploma or National Diploma in Civil, Water Resources engineering or Geology minimum.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience from working with WASH technical projects in a humanitarian/recovery/development context.
• Experience from working with social work and/or with distribution of humanitarian assistance is an advantage.
• Previous 2-3 years’ work experience in community-based water and sanitation programs; work experience with an NGO is desirable.
• Must have knowledge of water supply, hygiene, sanitation requirements and protocols.
• Familiarity with international minimum standards of water supply, hygiene, sanitation service delivery (i.e., SPHERE) is an advantage.
• Must have previous experience in training and Training of Trainers.
• Excellent communication skills – written and spoken – in English required.
• Fluency in one or more of the national/regional languages (Runyokitara (Runyoro), Kiswahili, Luo preferred).
• Must be willing to work as a team member, take direction, and share technical skills with colleagues and counterparts.
• Computer literacy in word processing and spreadsheets is required,
• Must be able to work under pressure.
• Experience working in a humanitarian/recovery/development context.
• Documented past work results related to the position’s responsibilities.
• Strong planning skills and ownership of results.
• Strong relationship- and trust-building skills with colleagues and community members.
• Communicates effectively and with respect.

Desirable

• Extensive knowledge of 4WD vehicle and motorbikes maintenance with Valid Permit Class “A”.
• Advanced Information Technology knowledge such as familiarity with mWater, AutoCAD, GPS, ArcGIS, and Google Earth is strongly desirable.
• Ability to speak local languages in the project area (Swahili, Runyoro, Luo, Iteso, Lugbara, Lugisu).
• Willingness to travel to all locations, for regular oversight and review.