Water and Sanitation – Adviser

Job title:	Water and Sanitation – Adviser
Unit/dept/delegation:	Nairobi, Kenya – East Africa Regional Representation Office
Reports to:	Programme Coordinator
Responsible for:	Technical Support Team
Grade:

 
 

Purpose 

To maximise the effectiveness of Red Cross and Red Crescent WatSan initiatives in East Africa under an integrated community risk management approach by providing technical support services to National Societies and PNS implementing WatSan programmes, either in country or remotely administered from Nairobi.

Key tasks and responsibilities

 

The WatSan Adviser is responsible for overall coordination of long term WatSan programmes in East Africa so they are all aligned under the community risk management approach. He/she will help National Societies and community to understand how to, based in the identification of potential hazards, take actions to reduce vulnerability of their water and sanitation systems and protect their services against the damage caused by extreme events such as flooding and droughts. He/she will provide technical support and advice to the National Societies and the Patnering National Societies in the region while supporting every opportunity for WatSan capacity building.

He / She will be responsible for the following specific tasks: 

1. Provide technical support to the National Societies and the Partnering National Societies counterparts to ensure timely and effective assessment, planning and implementation of the long term WatSan programs with a special focus on the capacity building aspect of the host National Societies.
2. Monitor and evaluate country level WatSan programmes to encourage project implementers to plan and carry out the following tasks to improve health status of the beneficiaries and reduce vulnerability against major disasters by:
1. Ensuring that the WatSan intervention responds to a preventive health approach, integrating elements of water supply, sanitation and hygiene promotion as required, based on the assessment of risks and needs in the affected communities.  
2. Ensuring international and/or national WatSan and Disaster Risk Reduction standards are well integrated and maintained.
3. Support, develop and train (or arrange appropriate training) for the Patnering National Societies and the National Societies staff, in WatSan hardware/software and in project planning, budgeting, reporting and proposal writing to include management skills for developmental programmes.
4. Build and maintain a knowledge database and disseminate technical information, updates and innovation in the WatSan sector to the Patnering National Societies and National Societies in the region.
5. Document best practices and lessons learnt in WatSan programme implementation and share among the National Societies.
6. Liaise with and encourage National Societies to engage effectively with other key WatSan players at national level, ICRC, Government bodies at all levels, UN (Water, Sanitation and Health Cluster), NGOs, CBOs (Community Based Organizations), community groups, beneficiaries and the private WatSan sector where appropriate. Ensure the liaison with ICRC, UN (WASH Cluster) and NGOs in the area of WatSan is effective as well at regional level.
7. Produce regular, written and accurate technical reports to the Programme Coordinator with copy to the WatSan Unit in Geneva, including financial and narrative reports for the International Federation and its donors.
8. Closely work with other advisers and officers in the Technical Support unit, to contribute to disaster preparedness, operation response, and recovery, for a holistic support in the unit.
9. Respect and follow the key Federation technical documents (Strategy 2020, WatSan policy, Global Water and Sanitation Initiative, Global Health Strategy, Framework for community resilience, etc.) and international strategies (Millenium Development Goal`s, Hyogo framework, etc.). Contribute actively to the IFRC global WatSan agenda.
10. Provide a contact point for support to bilateral PNS wanting to contribute to the establishment of WatSan programmes in the region. Assist in the conduct of external evaluation of bilateral WatSan, programs in the region.
11. Support and participate actively in fund raising for the community risk management programme in the IFRC Regional Office.
12. Upon request from the Watsan Adviser and /or Head of the WatSan Unit at the Secretariat, and with approval from the Technical Support Unit, participate in global WatSan training, meetings and forums. Act as sounding board for global WatSan strategies, policies and tool development.

Lateral relationships

1. Establish and ensure effective working relationships with the other advisers and officers within the Technical Support unit and other service support departments in the IFRC East Africa Regional Office.
2. Ensure effective working relationships with National Society’s technical counterparts and leadership.
3. Ensure effective working relationships with technical and service departments at Zonal and Geneva Secretariat levels.

Duties applicable to all staff

 

1. Actively work towards the achievement of the Secretariat’s goals.
2. Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross/Red Crescent principles.
3. Perform any other work related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.

 

Required Qualifications Education:

University degree in Building and Civil or Water Engineering, Public/Environmental Health or equivalent academic qualifications A post graduate qualification will be an added advantage. Basic Delegates Training Course or equivalent knowledge

Experience:

3-5 years experience of a wide variety of WatSan roles and activities in developmental context, including management positions, 3 years experience of working for a humanitarian aid organisation in a developing country. Experience in Internationally and within the EA region would be an asset. Experience of working in management or administration Experience of planning and managing budgets Experience of writing narrative and financial reports Experience of working for the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement is preferred

Skills:

Skills in training, mentoring and developing staff Self-supporting in computers (Windows, spreadsheets, word-processing, database) Good skills in communication, facilitation and presentation is preferred Valid international driving licence (manual gears)

Languages:

English (Berlitz level 10). Proficiency in Kiswahili and French would be an asset.

Competencies:

Management of strategy, change, budgets and resources Leadership, planning, monitoring and reporting, Supervision and control Communication and networking Management of self and others Team work Intergroty and personal conduct Sensitivity to diversity Flexibility and adaptability Initiative and direction Interpersonal skills and resilience Other Ability to travel frequently (20 to 40 % of the time)

 

Submission of applications: 

Applications by email only should be sent to email address zonehr.easternafrica@ifrc.org and to be received not later than 16^th August 2010. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

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