Yemen: WASH EXPERT - Yemen

INTERSOS is an independent humanitarian organization that assists the victims of natural disasters, armed conflicts and exclusion. Its activities are based on the principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, respect for diversity and coexistence, paying special attention to the most vulnerable people.

1.Terms of reference

Job Title: WASH Expert
Code: SR-35-265
Country: Yemen
Duty Station: Ibb and regular visits to Sana’a and Taiz
Starting date: 01/12/2017
Contract duration: 5 months - renewable
Reporting to: Project Manager for multi-sectoral programme in Ibb, Head of Mission
Supervision of: National staff teams for Cholera response and WASH: team supervisor for Cholera (1), hygiene promoters (8) and sprayers (8), water quality officer (1). For WASH: activity coordinator (1), engineers (2) and hygiene promoters (6)
Dependents: No

2. General context of the project

Two years after conflict escalated in Yemen, the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the country has reached a milestone with millions of lives in acute need for life saving assistance. The country is facing one of the largest humanitarian emergencies in the world. The ongoing military campaign has destroyed the economy and moved an already weak and impoverished country towards social, economic, and institutional collapse.

Half of Yemen’s population lacks clean water, sanitation and hygiene services, thereby increasing the risk of infectious diseases. There are acute shortages of critical drugs and medical equipment. Health facilities in Yemen like all public sector services, have received irregular financial support to cover operational costs and staff salaries. The conflict continues to claim children’s lives and their futures. Data shows that the number of children killed in conflict increased by 70 per cent, and nearly twice as many children were injured and recruited into the fighting since March 2016 compared to the same period the previous year.

As of Sep 2017, the Task Force on Population Movement (TFPM) has identified, over 2 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) (335,671 households) who have been displaced due to conflict since March 2015, dispersed across 21 governorates in Yemen. For the same period, the TFPM has identified 956,076 returnees (159,346 households), across 20 governorates. 10.3% of the total population of Yemen has experienced the shock of displacement due to conflict in the last 30 months.

INTERSOS is implementing a multi-sector project: The proposed project will aim to coordinate and integrate multi sector humanitarian response within Ibb and Taizz governorates, Central Yemen by enhancing and complimenting the existing OFDA funded action, ‘Emergency protection and WASH assistance for conflict affected populations in Dhi Al-Sufal and Al-Sayani districts, Ibb governorate’ whilst targeting specific gaps and needs highlighted within this on-going project with the ever-changing context within the region.

Working with host communities, marginalized populations and IDP’s within collective shelters, INTERSOS will offer a complimentary programming, creating direct linkages with the community through integrated case management and outreach in the areas of Gender Based Violence, through Women’s centres, Child protection through Child and Adolescent Spaces and specific outreach and technical support in Nutrition focussing specifically on issues of monitoring and management of Acute and Moderate Malnutrition. INTERSOS will also respond to the needs of population through WASH programming providing targeted communities with both Soft and Hard services including rehabilitation of drinking water supply and outreach through hygiene promotion.

From September 2017 onwards we witnessed a declining trend, however cholera is not yet over in Yemen. The epidemic is present in 96% of Yemen's governorates and in 305 districts out of 333 districts. More than 849,585 suspected cholera cases and over 2,171 associated deaths have been reported since April 27th, 2017. Children under the age of 18 represent 57 % of all the suspected cholera cases. The overall case fatality rate is 0.26%. Laboratory testing continue to confirm cases of cholera.

For WASH sector INTERSOS will have 2 track approach:

• Cholera response: focus on DTC and ORCs looking into risk mitigation working (safe water, improved sanitation and increased hygiene) – Yarim, Kafr,Maqbana and Shamayteen (Ibb and Taiz) in tandem with other emergency funding for health services at ORC and DTCs in these locations.
• Shelter conditions: INTERSOS will focus on the WASH conditions at collective shelter, secure safe water access and storage (drinking points), improved sanitation conditions (latrines and washing points) and public waste collection.
• The WASH expert must ensure that the project meets minimum standards, in a cost effective and timely manner to the benefit of conflict affected communities in Ibb and Taiz.

3. General purpose of the position

The WASH expert must ensure that the project meets minimum standards, in a cost effective and timely manner to the benefit of conflict affected communities in Ibb and Taiz.

The WASH expert is assisting the Project Manager on the management, strategic programming, implementation of wash activities and achievement of objectives related to the Wash component in the geographic area of competence, as well as in the identification and formulation of new interventions in order to improve the WASH conditions of the target population according with INTERSOS protocols and the Country Strategy.

4. Main responsibilities and tasks

• Organize, manage and monitoring the WASH project activities in Yemen central region, ensuring timely and quality implementation in compliance with the defined project strategy as well as INTERSOS and donor guidelines;
• Undertake a detailed technical assessment of the WASH needs and gaps for assistance in the project target areas to define the exact locations of intervention and the beneficiaries;
• Coordinate with the logistic, administration and finance staffs to procure all equipment, supplies and materials required to implement the WASH project activities, ensuring cost efficiency and accountability in compliance with INTERSOS and donor regulations and procedures;
• Undertake daily field visits to provide technical guidance and supervision as well as regularly monitor the progress of the WASH project activities;
• Continuously assess the WASH needs of the target populations in the project areas, periodically update the WASH situation analysis and inform the programme accordingly;
• Work closely with the colleagues to ensure the integration of the WASH project activities with other sectors;
• Train, coordinate and supervise the WASH project national staff in Yemen and evaluate their performance.
• Support the management in preparing the narrative and financial reports with reference to the WASH project component, according to INTERSOS and donor requirements;
• Support the HoM on the development, implementation and evaluation of the mission strategy and programme in reference to the WASH Sector providing technical inputs and recommendations for new and ongoing interventions in the country.
• Support and develop capitalization of WASH activities in the mission
• Proactively participate in WASH cluster and relevant inter-sectoral coordination meeting at national, governorate and hub level.

5. Required profile and experience
Education

• MA in Engineering, Geology or other relevant studies
• Specialized studies – courses on WASH in emergencies, Public Health, academic WASH

Professional experience

• Minimum 3 years of experience in humanitarian WASH programming, including access to safe water, improved sanitation and environmental health programming
• Prior work experience in complex humanitarian setting – in the field
• Prior work experience in the Middle East is highly desirable
• Prior work experience in cholera outbreaks response
• Demonstrated experience in staff supervision

Professional requirements

• Demonstrated leadership and interpersonal skills
• Good computer skills
• Readiness to commit and adhere to the values, mission and vision of INTERSOS

Languages

• Excellent written and spoken English
• Arabic would be asset (read and written)

Personal requirements

• Strong team spirit, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment
• Able to work independently
• Strategic vision and planning
• Ability to work in team and adapt to different environments
• Practical and problem-solver
• Readiness and ability to move around in Yemen

For further information and to apply, follow the link below:

https://intersos.knack.com/imp#intersosorg-vacancies/vacancy-details/59f...

In case you encounter difficulties applying through INTERSOS' platform, you can also apply by sending your CV, motivation letter and 2 references via email to recruitment@intersos.org , with subject line: "SR-35-265 Wash Expert - Yemen**".

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the first interview.