WASH Coordinator – NRC (Norwegian Refugee Council)

Water and Sanitation

NRC (Norwegian Refugee Council)

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent, humanitarian, non-profit, non-governmental organization that provides assistance, protection, and durable solutions to refugees and internally displaced persons worldwide. The majority of our more than 4000 staff members are national employees in NRC’s projects in over 30 countries in Africa, Asia, America, and Europe. 

The NRC Ethiopia program was established in June 2011 to assist Somali refugees in Dollo Ado and Eritrean refugees in Shire. NRC quickly became a leading shelter agency in Ethiopia and designed the government-approved transitional shelter for Dollo Ado beneficiaries. NRC is improving the living conditions of refugees in the selected camps through the provision of Shelter and Education (Youth Education Pack & Alternative Basic Education) while continuing to explore other relevant core competencies in line with emerging needs for refugees. NRC mainstreams gender and protection throughout all program activities and is an active, evidence-based advocate with a view to enhance the situation of NRC’s target groups.

Role and responsibilities

The WASH WASH Project Coordinator is responsible for the coordination of the WASH projects within the Somali Region.

Generic responsibilities 

  1. Line management of WASH Project staff 
  2. Adherence to NRC policies, guidance and procedures;
  3. Contribute to WASH strategies development, project proposals and provide input on needs and gaps;
  4. Manage and implement a delegated portfolio of WASH projects (activities, budget and project documentation) as delegated from AMP in line with proposals, strategies and donor requirements, and ensure high technical quality;
  5. Provide regular progress reports to APM;             
  6. Promote and share ideas for improvement and necessary changes in the activities;
  7. Ensure that projects target beneficiaries most in need of protection, explore and asses new and better ways to assist;
  8. Ensure capacity building of project staff and transfer key skills;
  9. Liaise and collaborate with relevant local authorities and other key stakeholders;
  10. Promote the rights of IDPs/returnees in line with the advocacy strategy.

Specific responsibilities 

  • To ensure minimum standards of technical quality in all activities and interventions, which are technically appropriate, realistic, in line with project specific objectives and on budget. 
  • Undertake contract management and tendering processes of the diverse contractors for WASH hardware and software activities.
  • Plan, coordinate and implement NRC WASH activities (Public Health Engineering, Public Health Promotion, Construction) in the Somali Region.
  • Ensure that assessment, program design and implementation consider the needs and vulnerabilities in Somali Region.
  • Ensure that WASH program design is informed by and integrated with NRCs’ other priority sectors of ICLA, Livelihood and Food Security (LFS), Education and Protection.
  • To ensure that sustainable systems are set in place for longer-term operation and maintenance of all water and sanitation infrastructure, including the provision of all necessary training.
  • Prepare and oversee the implementation process to ensure timely delivery of programme activities (for example, monitoring against logframes, individual performance management workplans).
  • Prepare timely financial and narrative reports on project activities in compliance with internal NRC requirements and any relevant external donor requirements. 
  • Ensure appropriate management and use of NRC resources at all times
  • Manage project staff on a day-to-day level working with other technical departments, security, logistics, administration and senior management staff (depending on assignment).
  • Ensure that NRC’s work in WASH programming is coordinated with efforts of other agencies and Government and represent organization at Interagency Coordination meetings.
  • Contribute to learning, experiences and evidence to relevant global advocacy objectives relating to WASH through case studies and documentation.  

Professional competencies 

  • Degree in Water Engineering, Public Health, Civil Engineering, Public Health, Environmental Health, Hydrology;
  • 5 years’ experience from working as a WASH Coordinator or similar in a humanitarian/recovery context with an INGO/ NGOs’;
  • Experience in implementing integrated WASH activities (both software and hardware);
  • Previous experience from working in complex and volatile contexts;
  • Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities;
  • Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile;
  • Fluency in Somali and English, both written and verbal.

 Context related skills, knowledge and experience 

  • Knowledge of the operating context in Somali Region.
  • Knowledge of the local languages is an advantage; 
  • Knowledge and experience of the application of SPHERE and links to emergency and longer-term development practice;
  • Excellent teamwork and interpersonal skills.
  • Experience in use of design software’s like AutoCAD, ArcGIS and statistical packages;

Behavioral competencies

  • Managing resources to optimize results
  • Handling insecure environments 
  • Empowering and building trust
  • Managing performance and development
  • Planning and delivering results
  • Strategic Thinking

Lien