Position Title: WASH Officer

Activation Date: 18 April, 2024   Announced Date: 18 April, 2024   Expire Date: 02 May, 2024



 
Job Location: Kandahar
Nationality: National
Category: Program
Employment Type: Full Time
Salary: As per MCA Salary Scale
Vacancy Number: MCA098-2024
No. Of Jobs: 1
City: Kandahar
Organization: Mercy Corps
Years of Experience: • 2-3 years of relevant experience in implementing water, sanitation, and community infrastructure in an emergency or post-disaster settings specifically construction/rehabilitation of water networks, motorized and solar pumping systems, wells/hand pumps,
Contract Duration: 6
Gender: Male/Female
Education: ● Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Engineering, Public Health, Architecture, Program Management.
Close date: 2024-05-02
 

About Mercy Corps:

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.
In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions
into action - helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.

Project/ Department Summary

Mercy Corps works in places of transition, where conflict, disaster, political upheaval, or economic collapse present opportunities to build a more secure, productive, and just communities. Providing emergency relief in times of crisis, we move quickly to help communities recover and build resilience to future shocks, and promote sustainable change by supporting community-led and market-driven initiatives. Recognizing both the great potential and the complex challenges faced by Afghanistan, since 1986 Mercy Corps has been implementing a range of humanitarian assistance and development programs tailored to the specific needs of the country and of those communities where we work.

Mercy Corps has implemented several key programs in the South and North of the country in key sectors such as agriculture and food security, skills development, renewable energy, natural resources management, community infrastructure, and job creation. More recently, Mercy Corps completed a WASH program focused on some of the major IDP/returnee settlements in and around Herat city in Western Afghanistan. Mercy Corps is currently preparing to implement a new program “Lifesaving integrated emergency response to vulnerable crisis-affected populations in Afghanistan” in the Herat, Kandahar, and Balkh provinces. This 23-month program is expected provide access to water and sanitation facilities, promoting Hygiene and providing emergency response MCPA and winterization.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening, and evolving to become more diverse, equitable, and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

 As a safeguarding measure, Mercy Corps screens all potential US-Based employees. This is done following the conclusion of recruitment and prior to assuming full employment.

Our screening process is designed to be transparent and completed in partnership with new Team Members. You will have the opportunity to disclose any prior convictions at the conclusion of the recruitment process before the check is initiated. We ask that you do not disclose any prior convictions in your application materials or during the recruitment process.

 

Job Description:

General Position Summary

S/he reports to the WASH Coordinator, working closely to develop plans that ensure smooth implementation of infrastructure projects. S/he will be responsible for quality implementation of all construction and rehabilitation projects through supervision of contractual work, ensuring that all water supply and sanitation facilities meet national and/or global technical standards. S/he will ensure that all WASH activities and documentation follow Mercy Corps’ policies and procedures. S/he will inspect ongoing work and report on timelines, progress, and flag issues or potential delays, prepared to initiate mitigation measures to ensure the program implementation meets deadlines. S/he supports the overall WASH team in strategic contingency planning ahead of anticipated humanitarian response. WASH Officer will be based in Herat. 

 

Essential Job Responsibilities

  • Lead field activities related to reconstruction/rehabilitation of water and sanitation infrastructure undertaken by Mercy Corps in program target areas in Herat province.
  • Assist the WASH coordinator and other relevant staff in planning WASH infrastructure development programs and activities.
  • Support all rehabilitation and construction activities with improved coordination and timely technical inputs in order to effectively meet the completion target.
  • Oversee implementation activities such as design reviews, procurement of project materials, and implementation on the ground.
  • Undertake extensive field visits to assess the quality of rehabilitation/construction activities undertaken directly under the Mercy Corps staff or through contractors.
  • Maintain close coordination with relevant staff of water directorates and municipalities during rehabilitation/construction works on public water and sanitation facilities.
  • Supervise WASH assistants and provide advice and support to help overcome any shortcomings in the rehabilitation/construction quality and management procedures.
  • Provide guidance and practical training to staff working under his/her supervision.
  • Design training modules and impart training to operators and caretakers of rehabilitated systems.
  • Assist WASH coordinator in preparation of Bi-weekly and monthly progress reports and project completion reports on relevant rehabilitation/construction activities.
  • Contribute to the assessment and development of appropriate technologies for the water and sanitation program of Mercy Corps in the targeted area.
  • Be able to design water network systems, prepare BoQs, familiar with the tender invitation, tender document, contract, and service contract.
  • Prepare and analyze the reports related to the performance of water equipment in the field including main supply, storage tanks, and distribution networks in the targeted area.
  • Periodically inspect ongoing projects and report to the WASH coordinator on progress, timelines, and any setbacks or alterations that may occur.
  • Work with WASH assistant to develop implementation and action plans for project implementation - including all technical specifications for project implementation in collaboration with the WASH Coordinator.
  • Actively participates in finalizing BoQs by ensuring the BoQs, SoW, drawings, and designs are of high quality, participate in the preparation of tender and contracts, including technical specifications of works to be performed by contractors;
  • Assist in the preparation of technical evaluations for the tender packages, and facilitate the tender and contract development process, supporting the Procurement Department as needed;
  • Maintain online tracking sheets of all PRs for infrastructure, tender dates, contract start, and end date, and infrastructure documents, write monthly reports and other donor-based reports or organizational-based notes for the WASH coordinator to review and submit.
  • Develop and maintain good lines of communication and relationships with local authorities and the local community.
  • Ensure a safe working environment for all people involved in project implementation.
  • Is responsible for maintaining detailed work plans and written records of engineering work undertaken in the project.
  • Document implementation of WASH infrastructure work and track progress towards program targets, keeping all team members apprised of achievements, delays, and issues.
  • Provide written and oral translation for technical documents, including Bills of Quantity, Completion of Service Notes, government facilitation letters and permission documents, etc.
  • Follow all MC protocols and regulations according to guidance provided by the direct supervisor.
  • Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
  • Work closely with the field engineers to prepare internal weekly and monthly reports;
  • Other duties as assigned.

 

Security

  • Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
  • Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

 

Organizational Learning 

  • As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

  • Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically
    to our program participants and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
  • Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Supervisory Responsibility: WASH assistants.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: WASH Coordinator.  

Works Directly With: Community Mobilization/Hygiene Promotion officer, Cash and NFI team, CARM, MEL, Operations, Finance Teams, Security, and other sectorial leads.

 

Job Requirements:

Knowledge and Experience

  • Bachelors in Engineering. Water engineering, Civil engineering or related degree.
  • 2-3 years of relevant experience in implementing water, sanitation, and community infrastructure in an emergency or post-disaster settings specifically construction/rehabilitation of water networks, motorized and solar pumping systems, wells/hand pumps, household, and communal toilets, and solid waste management
  • Strong familiarity with Afghanistan water and sanitation standards and international WASH SPHERE standards.
  • Extensive knowledge and work experience in Afghanistan, and preferably in the Western Provinces including Herat.
  • Good interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to achieve cooperation and agreement amongst diverse groups with competing priorities.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and tasks efficiently and with a calm attitude.
  • Strong technical writing skills in Dari and English.
  • Excellent time management skills and resourcefulness with strong attention to detail.
  • Ability to engage with local communities and government authorities.
  • Strong organizational skills.
  • Honest and committed to compliance with all policies and procedures in all aspects of work.
  • Good strategic thinking and planning skills with eagerness for innovation. 
  • Good knowledge of spoken and written English and Dari are required, Pashto is desired.
  • Strong computer skills in basic, office programs, and engineering programs such as AutoCAD.
 

Submission Guideline:

Submission Guideline:

To apply for this position, please submit your CV and Cover letter, with the vacancy number and position title (MCA098-2024 Application for (WASH Officer) in the subject line, by emailing to af-vacancieskbl@mercycorps.org.

The deadline for submission is the close of business on 2- May -2024, applications received after the closing date and without a subject line will not be given consideration so, please make sure you put the vacancy number and title on the subject of your email, or your application will be disregarded by the system.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates whose application responds to the above criteria will be contacted for the written test/interview.

Note: Please note that MCA will provide office space and facilities only and is not providing any lodging facilities for its Team Members/Employees in HQ and field offices and it is the employee’s responsibility to arrange the lodgings for themselves if they work in a field office other than their home province.

Ps. Females are highly encouraged to apply for the MCA Open positions.

 

Submission Email:

af-vacancieskbl@mercycorps.org





 

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