Nepal: WASH Technical Coordinator

Jun 28, 2015 | Catholic Relief Services
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This is an exciting and interesting position that requires a good knowledge of engineering, but also experience of working alongside communities and with multiple stakeholders. To assist the recovery, CRS plans to provide technical support to targeted communities for house and sanitation reconstruction using DRR techniques; and to support the most vulnerable with cash grants to cover the costs of labor and materials; and also to provide hygiene promotion. The cash component supports a Market Based approach, and to facilitate this aspect of recovery the program will include the rehabilitation of trading facilities.

You will manage a team for Shelter, and Water and Sanitation engineering. The team will work together within communities to help facilitate and accelerate the Shelter and WASH recovery activities.

The position will also require liaison and coordination with program support services as well as other programs; and will include forming and maintaining partnerships with government and other NGO for the implementation.

Background:

A 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal between Pokhara and Kathmandu, approximately 80 km northwest of Kathmandu, just before noon on Saturday, 25 April 2015. Casualty reports continue to increase, with more than 7,000 reported dead. West of the capital, the worst-hit areas are in villages along the mountain ridges. Reports from the field are that one million families are displaced from their homes, with no tarpaulins or other items for cover.

Preliminary assessments by CRS and our partner indicate that Gorkha, Tanahu, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur districts have sustained some of the worst damage, and in many areas there has been total devastation, including loss of homes, essential assets and livelihoods. Assessment are ongoing, but conditions are reported to be as bad or worse in rural districts west of Kathmandu, including colder weather. In Kathmandu Valley, tens of thousands of families are sleeping outside and require shelter and protection from the cold and rain. Safe water, food, medical care, hygiene, and psychosocial counseling are also priority needs. The aftershocks have further damaged some houses, and reinforced the fear people feel to move back into damaged homes. OCHA reports that nearly half the districts in Nepal are affected, with around 3.67 million people affected near to the epicenter, and the ACAPS summary puts shelter and WASH as humanitarian intervention priorities.

 

Primary Responsibility

Develop and supervise the implementation of technical hard ware side of the Shelter and WASH program to ensure highest level outcomes, including direct management of program engineers.

Specific Job Responsibilities

 

Assessment

Continue technical assessments for temporary and housing recovery including Wash needs (includes shelter, housing, infrastructure and water & sanitation)

Coordinate with the Shelter and WASH cluster members and other government stakeholders to proceed with most effective intervention for CRS.

 

Program Design

  • Ensure beneficiaries are consulted and their views taken into account at all stages of the program.
  • Ensure that all shelter WASH and settlement activities are integrated with other sectoral programming, such as Livelihoods and PSS.
  • Facilitate the mainstreaming of Protection and a system for Accountability (feedback mechanisms, hotline, etc..).
  • Ensure that land, tenure, access to services (water, sanitation, electricity) access to facilities (health education) and environmental and sustainability issues are considered in the program design, in keeping with industry standards and agency best practices.
  • Ensure that all CRS Shelter WASH and settlement programs comply with relevant local, national and international standards and regulations, and reflect industry standards and agency best practices.
  • Work closely with Build Back Better social mobilization team to facilitate coordinated program implementation at the field level.
  • Develop DRR and settlement strategies
  • Ensure assistance is relevant to the affected population according to the time scale, geographical areas and intervention type.
  • Ensure CRS programs follows “Do no Harm Principles” “Build Back safer” “sustainable recovery”.
  • Ensure CRS program extends its impact beyond direct beneficiaries.

Project Implementation and Monitoring – working in close collaboration with the Zonal Leads, the Shelter WASH Coordinator will:

  • Provide continuous feedback on technical aspects of shelter WASH and settlement program implementation.
  • Address challenges encountered through timely focused support or adjustments in implementation strategy/plans.
  • Provide inputs into the Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP) in accordance with the agreed shelter and settlement strategy to assure highest outcomes for every activity.
  • Facilitate selection of T-shelter and housing recovery project beneficiaries based on approved criteria and strategies.
  • Work in partnership with Technical NGO’s such as NEST or COORD.
  • Provide technical input into the procurement and logistics process for materials and equipment required by the Shelter and settlementprogram;
  • Ensure compliance with quality, safety, and environmental standards for all projects, in keeping with internationally agreed best practices or as otherwise outlined in agency guidelines;
  • Participate in CRS meetings and workshops on strategic planning, Shelter, WASH and settlementprogramming, and agency-wide initiatives as requested by supervisor;
  • Ensure protection issues are fully considered throughout the project cycle with women, elderly, most vulnerable being included in decision making for all Shelter and settlement issues;
  • Prepare and assist in the preparation of concept papers, project documents and other material to develop or promote the shelter and settlement programming. This may include taking a supporting role in reviewing proposals and concept papers submitted by CRS’ partners and assisting them in building project proposal and implementing capacity.

 

Performance Management

  • Provide quality supervision and support to any field level technical staff.
  • Support preparation of work plans.
  • Carry out coaching and performance reviews as per CRS’ performance management guidelines.

 

Information and Co-ordination

  • Provide input into communications with government bodies -CDO and DDRC – as a means of ensuring the full support of local authorities for CRS interventions.
  • Liaise with key non-government organizations (NGOs) and national, provincial, and local government, task-force teams and workshops, technical committee meetings, and coordination groups as necessary.
  • Represent CRS in the Shelter Cluster.
  • Provide regular updates on progress, priorities and constraints – verbally and in writing to CRS program lead.
  • Train and brief CRS staff, stakeholders and others on shelter issues.

 

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture, urban planning, management, social science, agriculture, environmental science or other related courses.
  • Extensive experience in project management, preferably in development context; Minimum ten (10) years practical experience in implementing emergency or community development projects, preferablymore than 5 years with an NGO in equivalent position.
  • Experience in community development, community mobilization, or similar self-help initiatives, and a desire to maximize integration of program delivery, is preferred;
  • Ability to negotiate with government officials, contractors and owners.
  • Experience and knowledge of seismic construction principles and technology
  • Knowledge and experience of Water and Sanitation construction and rehabilitation
  • Ability to develop draft MoU betweenCRS, IDP’s local government and village leaders.
  • Highly knowledgeable in appropriate Shelter and settlementadministration systems and procedures, in particular control of works and financial management;
  • Familiarity with current standards and guidelines for humanitarian emergency response, including the Sphere Handbook criteria;
  • A proven track record in managing a large team of professional personnel;
  • Able to travel extensively in remote areas.
  • Experience in handling staff or in personnel management (Human Resource)
  • Ability to work in partnership with local communities and NGOs as appropriate.
  • An awareness of local construction technologies and materials;
  • An interest in and ability to build capacity in implementing teams, local partners and community bodies, with a focus on community participation;
  • Excellent communication and negotiation skills;
  • Ability to read, analyze and interpret administrative reports, technical procedures, or government regulations;
  • Must be proficient in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook Access– and ideally MS Project).
  • Experience of working in Nepal preferred
  • Ability to write reports and procedure manuals, and effectively present information and respond to questions from CRS senior management;
  • Fluency in English (both oral and written skills).
  • Self-reliance and an ability to work in a challenging and demanding environment, under supervision.
  • Awareness, sensitivity and understanding of cross-cultural issues particularly in representing a US-based, Catholic agency.

 

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

  • Serves with Integrity
  • Models Stewardship
  • Cultivates Constructive Relationships
  • Promotes Learning

 

CRS Emergency Competencies:

Each CRS staff member working in emergencies is expected to have the following competencies to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results:

  • Communicates strategically under pressure
  • Manages stress and complexity
  • Actively promotes safety and security
  • Manages and implements high-quality emergency programs

 

Supervisory Responsibilities:

To directly support and supervise the engineering team and an ancillary support staff.

 

Key Working Relationships:

Internal:

  • Zonal program leads, support services (logistics, finance, administration), Program Lead in the ongoing development and adaptation of the program

External:

  • Relevant government departments, Caritas and partner organizations, any other NGO and training provider.Will appoint and supervise external consultants as required

 

Required Foreign Language:

Working language – English

Preferred knowledge of Nepalese

 

Required Travel:

Travel within Nepal

 

Work Environment:

Will live and work with the Gorkha district in Nepal. CRS has an office, warehouse, and accommodation

 

Disclaimer:

This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

 

EOE/M/F/D/V