Sudan: WASH Officer

Apr 13, 2023 | UN High Commissioner for Refugees
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The WASH Officer will be responsible for provision of professional technical support and guidance on activities within the areas of Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) in the locations within the Areas of Responsibility (AoR). Furthermore, the incumbent is required to play a lead role in formulating appropriate project proposals and assistance activities that should be incorporated into the relevant operation programmes of UNHCR. S/he is normally supervised by the Senior Programme Officer and will receive the technical backup and support from the Senior WASH Officer. In addition, the incumbent will be expected to work within multi-functional and interdisciplinary teams.

The WASH Officer will support the UNHCR Operation, in coordination with the Government, to assess needs and coordinate the provision of WASH services to Persons of Concern (PoC) to UNHCR. This will include WASH contingency and preparedness planning, assessment and development of long-term WASH strategies and operational plans. The incumbent will be responsible for the coordination of WASH partners in conjunction with government authorities, and for monitoring progress and quality of WASH programme implementation to ensure that an adequate level of WASH services are provided at each site in accordance with the UNHCR WASH manual, technical guidelines, and applicable UNHCR and/or national standards and the Sustainable Development Goal targets.

S/he will follow a rights-based and community focused approach to programme design and implementation. The incumbent will follow the five principles for protection, accountability and WASH as outlined in UNHCR’s WASH Manual.

Where there is no senior WASH colleague in operation or the region, the incumbent should maintain regular communication with the WASH team in HQ for technical advice, information, and access to updated global tools and resources.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

Leadership and Coordination

  • Coordinate activities of WASH implementing partners, together with other UN agencies, governmental and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other partners to ensure delivery of WASH services to beneficiaries (PoC and host community) meets UNHCR and /or nationally recognised and most up-to-date standards and policies.
  • Where there are PoC living outside of camps/settlements, strongly lead and collaborate with partners to ensure the enjoyment of the human right to water and sanitation by all PoC.
  • Work closely with government and partners, following the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR), to unlock resources (humanitarian and development) for the design and construction of community-centred infrastructure, improved hygiene conditions, safe management of water and sanitation services and service provision upgrades in refugee hosting areas.
  • Promote all decision making regarding WASH services to take in to account the needs and capacities of PoC, and the solutions proposed by PoC.
  • Facilitate WASH coordination among partners, ensuring that inclusive and good practice coordination structures for all technical sectors covered are in place, and that sector coordination functions at national and field levels are in line with operational and partner requirements.
  • Address gaps and overlaps in UNHCR funded WASH programmes and unmet needs, and the activities are oriented to address priority WASH issues.
  • Manage and provide support to a multi-sector ¿technical unit¿ in the AoR, including sector functions covering site planning, shelter, health, nutrition, and environment.
  • Provide support to national government(s) for inclusion of PoC within national SDG 6 development plans (Urban and Rural) and financing mechanisms and service delivery systems.
  • Support key WASH strategic partnerships with development and humanitarian agencies to support inclusion of refugee WASH services within national systems and development financing mechanisms.
  • Engage with Urban WASH actors (GAUC, UCLG, UNHABITAT, Municipal Authorities, Utilities, and relevant government line ministries) for preparedness planning, inclusion in pro-poor tariffs, and provision of WASH services to PoC hosted in urban areas.

WASH Strategy, Planning and Programme Support

  • Maintain a WASH strategy which identifies the targets and approaches for water supply, excreta management, personal and environmental hygiene (including menstrual health), solid waste management, vector control, and institutional WASH facilities. The strategy should include a contingency plan for potential epidemics, refugee and returnee movement.
  • Jointly with WASH partners and other stakeholders, update detailed needs and resource assessments and revise designs and technical plans, taking into account practical aspects of implementation, long-term sustainable solutions, and relevant technical specifications and guidelines.
  • Closely advise and assist the UNHCR programme staff on the development of WASH aspects of the programme including planning, budgeting and input to financial management of the programme.
  • Ensure PoC are consulted during planning, design, implementation, and monitoring of WASH services using an age, gender and diversity approach.
  • Ensure the WASH Strategy includes all UNHCR PoC, and considers at a minimum WASH access data collection, and advocacy for inclusion of all PoC (both in camp and out of camp) within national systems of WASH service provision

Technical Assistance and Capacity Building

  • Ensure that the needs of women, children, the elderly and people with disabilities are adequately addressed in planning and implementing WASH activities.
  • Support operations to define the scope of UNHCR involvement, expressed in terms of overall and operational objectives during emergency, transition, and protracted phases.
  • Lead in the review and analysis of partner project proposals and budgetary submissions.
  • Use community-based approaches, including clear involvement of women, girls, boys, and men, elderly, persons with disabilities in the design of WASH related infrastructure, products, and services.
  • Provide technical assistance to UNHCR offices and programmes in the development, integration and mainstreaming of appropriate client-focused and cost effective WASH programmes.
  • Develop or ensure development of information, education and communication materials through community consultations, collaborating with women, girls, boys, men, elderly, persons with disability, and other potentially marginalised groups.
  • Assess needs and facilitate capacity strengthening activities of UNHCR and its implementing/operational partners to address key areas of WASH importance to PoC.
  • Build the capacity and competence of UNHCR’s staff on both hardware and software components of WASH
  • Ensure community capacity building is carried out through multi-discipline teams working with women, girls, men, and boys of the community to train and empower them on WASH related aspects including: menstrual health, hygiene promotion, operation and maintenance, monitoring and reporting, and other topics.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Quality Assurance

  • Monitor and evaluate WASH programmes against standard UNHCR and SDG indicators to ensure that programmes are evidence-based and implemented in a comprehensive, client-focused, and cost effective manner.
  • Ensure robust monitoring and evaluation is carried out following UNHCR’s WASH monitoring system using standard resources for data collection, analysis and interpretation.
  • Ensure that all data regarding the boreholes and WASH infrastructure is updated on UNHCR’s GIS portal and relevant website(s).
  • Ensure SDG 6 WASH access data is collected and recorded in the WASH Monitoring System for all UNHCR PoC to enable comparative reporting against national averages, to ensure that refugees/IDPs are not being ¿left behind¿.
  • Collate WASH services access data (for both in-camp and out-of-camp PoC) to identify and promote inclusion of PoC within national SDG 6 development plans and financing mechanisms and service delivery systems.

Reporting and Accountability

  • Foster PoC’s access to feedback and accountability mechanisms for the WASH services.
  • Collate and analyse data on the satisfaction of PoC with regards to WASH services.
  • Prepare regular sectorial reports and submit material for preparation of periodic project monitoring reports as required.
  • Report regularly on WASH activity implementation by all WASH partners, while maintaining accurate records of all relevant performance indicators.
  • Ensure adequate reporting, timely updates and briefings to donor and management.
  • Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level


For P3/NOC – 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education


Agriculture Civil Engineering Environmental Sciences Hydrology
Geology Natural Resources Management Project management Construction
Public Health Rural Development Community Development Social Science
Anthropology Sociology Social work Social Developmnt
Architecture Urban policy & planning Water resource /development
Water/Sanitation Engineering
or other relevant field.
(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified.

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Proven expertise in the area of WASH including surveys, programme implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and coordination.

Desirable

Knowledge and understanding of water and wastewater hydraulics and physical, chemical and biological properties; solid waste management practices, vector control and hygiene promotion/awareness raising strategies.

Knowledge and understanding of relationship between water, wastewater, solid waste, vector control to public health indicators, and value of hygiene promotion/awareness raising and behaviour change methodologies.

 

Functional Skills


WA-WASH-related Technologies
CO-Reporting skills
SP-Natural Resources Management
WA-Drinking-Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance
WA-WASH Assessment: Survey planning, implementation and oversight
IT-Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)
SP-Vector Control Systems Management
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements


For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.

For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Desired Candidate Profile

Experience in complex emergency setting with a multitude of actors. Knowledge and understanding of water and wastewater hydraulics and physical, chemical and biological properties; solid waste management practices, vector control and hygiene promotion/awareness raising strategies.
Knowledge and understanding of relationship between water, wastewater, solid waste, vector control to public health indicators, and value of hygiene promotion/awareness raising and behaviour change methodologies.
Demonstrated ability to liaise with the government, line ministries and relevant authorities and counterparts to ensure strong coordination and partnership.

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

Desired languages

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

The political context in Sudan remains complex, diverse, and fast-changing necessitating high levels of political sensitivity and solid coordination and communication skills. The operations in Sudan includes emergency response, regular refugee programmes, IDP support (emergency, durable solutions), voluntary repatriation, statelessness, and special projects, for example peacebuilding support funded by the UN Peacebuilding Fund. UNHCR Representation in Sudan has presence in five main regions of Darfur, Kordofan, East Sudan, White Nile Kosti, Blue Nile. The Representation Office in Khartoum provides the overall strategic guidance and implementation of the operations, security, policies, and liaison with key Government stakeholders, donor communities, UNAMID/UNITAMS, UNCT/HCT and NGO partners. The Representation Office in Khartoum provides an oversight of activities in Sudan being supported by 15 offices. The incumbent will be based in Gedaref and will report to the Head of Gedaref Operation in the region, where Gedaref Sub-Office was reactivated in November 2020 to respond to the new arrivals in the newly established camps Um Rakuba and Tunaydba. The incumbent will ensure wider reach out to the refugees and ensure their close involvement in the delivery and management of the Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) services, the incumbent will need to establish an appropriate consultative and monitoring framework which would draw the expertise of a wide range of actors. The incumbent is expected to have a pro-active mature attitude and be able to perform well under stress, albeit in less-than-ideal living and working conditions. It requires more commitment than elsewhere to make life affordable in Gedaref. Therefore, flexibility and the ability to live and operate in hardship conditions (including dust, heat, shared living quarters, limited water supply) are essential. The Gedaref region is in a state of humanitarian emergency, and environment requires a mature level of cultural awareness. The incumbent should demonstrate: Experience in emergency preparedness and response in complex operations. Proven experience in developing, reviewing and implementing WASH related technical guidelines. Proficiency in operating UNHCR Global Public Health Portal, IRHIS integrated refugee health information systems which includes WASH section. Proven capacity in managing WASH programs in complex Partnership Agreements. Integrity and zero tolerance to SHA/SEA.

Living and Working Conditions:

Gedaref is classified as E non-family duty station. The Gedaref Sub-office covers 3 refugee camps in eastern Sudan: Um Gargour in Kassala state, Um Rakuba in Gedaref state and Tunaydbah in Gedaref state with an additional fourth site planned for opening very shortly. Gedaref also has two transit centers Hamdayet in Kassala state and village 8 in Gedaref state. Gedaref field office which was decommissioned in 2019 and reactivated Nov 2020 to support staff responding to emergency in Ethiopia emanating from the conflict in the Tigray region. These respond to needs of the new arrivals which were settled in the newly established two camps Um Rakuba and Tunaydbah, to ensure continuous access for PoC, monitoring activities in the camps, and facilitating liaison and coordination with local authorities. Gedaref Sub-office has two guesthouses with about 26 international staff including the emergency response team and about 60 national staff. Both guesthouses are equipped with satellite TV and with a common room has a 55 inch flat TV screen and BeIn satellite decoder. Gedaref have two approved UNDSS hotels Al -Rabwah hotel and Almotwakil hotel. Food stuffs are readily available in local markets and people can eat/buy at two restaurants usually in the evenings. Bottled water and water dispensers are recommended as the quality of the tap water in Gedaref is hard and salty therefore bodywash and soap that can lather in hard water are recommended. There is a resident UNHCR doctor in Gedaref, and a backup doctor to support when away, t as government hospital and private hospitals in Gedaref state are not of the established UN standards. In case of emergency the UNHCR doctor will support with evacuation processes to this end the Sub-office will shortly acquire an ambulance. There are no recreational activities in Gedaref and internet connectivity even though stable but can be erratic at times. All the guesthouses have UNHCR internet connections and the office is working on having a consistent fiber internet connection. Inflation rate continues to fluctuate, and standard of living is high. Gedaref is usually hot but cold during the raining season with possible of flooding. Staff are strongly recommended to bring with them books, sun screen, windbreakers, gumboots, mosquito nets as well as Malaria medication.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education BA: Water/Sanitation Engineering (Required), BA: Water Resources Development (Required)

Certifications

Work Experience

Competencies: Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Innovation & creativity, Judgement & decision making, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Teamwork & collaboration, Technological awareness

UNHCR Salary Calculator: https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium: March 2023 Compendium – Part B

Additional Information

Functional clearance: This position requires Functional Clearance