TECHNICAL ADVISOR (WASH)

Job Description

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract (Female candidates are encouraged to apply)
Duration: 1 year (Possibility of extension)
Base: Kathmandu with an extensive field visit
Expected Starting Date: 1 August 2022
Number of positions: 1

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

Key Responsibility 1: Oversee the implementation of programs/projects and ensure that reports are submitted timely as per the set quality and standards  

• Validation of the key stages and the methodologies of the projects being undertaken (timetable, CAP survey (baseline/final) systematics, technical studies, call for tender, specifications, community approach, external evaluations etc.)
• Providing technical support (direct and at a distance) to the partners, whilst alerting or sharing information with the field teams
• Ensuring that systems of monitoring and evaluation are in place and that their results are integrated to guarantee the improvement of the projects
• Timely validation of the WASH internal reports and reports to funding agencies, as well as amendments to projects, with contributions by the teams

Key Responsibility 2: Guarantee the quality and cost-effectiveness of projects

• Ensure technical conformity of programs with international rules, orientations and technical standards, and the ACF framework documents and technical works
• Boosting the overall standard of implementation of projects in order to maximize their impact
• Ensuring, by use of ACF specific monitoring (project  quality, field visits, external audit…), that norms (SPHERE and WHO OMS), and national and international standards of technical quality are respected
• Issuing and following up technical recommendations
• Alerting the Country Director and the Technical Advisor at headquarters to all major difficulties encountered in applying necessary recommendations and/or adaptations
• Alerting the Country Director and seeking precautionary measures be taken in the case of major risks
• Facilitate external and internal evaluations of projects, in line with ACF policy
• Promotion of transparency and ethical standards in the projects by highlighting complaints/grievance procedures, particularly in respect of the beneficiary population
• Promotion of safety measures for both staff and the wider population in the implementation of WASH projects in collaboration with partners.

Key Responsibility 3: Coordinate the identification of need for the formulation and implementation of project proposals

• Contribute to the search for funding bodies for his/her sector and ensuring that there is an exchange of technical information with the funding bodies identified
• Coordinating the identification of WASH humanitarian needs
• Formulating, financing and implementing the feasibility study of WASH projects (public health, technical, socio-economic, cultural and environmental aspects)
• Involving the different departments in the definition/validation of WASH projects
• Participating in funding agencies visits whenever requested by the Country Director
• Producing WASH sections of project proposals in accordance with the formats and deadlines of funding bodies

Key Responsibility 4: Ensure the active participation of ACF in national sectoral coordination and technical forums and develop sectoral partnerships

• Representing ACF in sectoral coordination at national and sub-national levels (sectoral and/or cluster) and with the technical authorities
• Interaction with regional and municipal authorities.
• Lead Technical communications concerning the WASH projects in liaison with the Country Director and implementing partners
• Promotion of sectoral partnerships (civil society, NGOs, authorities, private sector) and the enhancement of their capacities

Key Responsibility 5: Promote capitalization, technical development and research within the WASH sector 

• Capitalization within the WASH sector at the level of the country program me, consolidation and transmission to headquarters (technical developments, pilot projects, innovative or little documented approaches, operational approaches which may serve as a reference for the ACF network, successes and failures, contextual analyses etc.)
• Sharing experience with actors in the WASH sector at country and regional levels
• Maintaining continuity in respect of WASH expertise and Country Programme past performance
• Applying new approaches proposed by Headquarters or at country level
• Reporting to Headquarters on technical development and research requirements and on the implementation of projects
• Exploring the modalities of scientific and technical partnerships (laboratories, universities, private sector)
• Developing partners technical skills in line with the evolution of the sector

Key Responsibility 6: Proactively support ACFs commitments to gender equality, child protection and disability sensitivity

• Acquire an in-depth understanding of ACFs Gender Minimum Standards & Child Protection Policies
• Proactively ensure the mainstreaming of  ACF gender equity principles in all policies and activities
• Strive to implement all work-related activities with a gender, disability and child protection lens, taking into account the different needs, concerns and ideas of our staff and beneficiaries
• Encourage the participation of all genders in meeting and on committees
• Help build an inclusive office environment where people do not feel disadvantaged or judged according to their gender or limited due to manageable disability

Key Responsibility 7: Team management in ACF and Implementing partners

• Coordinate with functional and/or hierarchical management of WASH personnel
• Evaluation of the technical performance of all WASH teams and implementing partners, including the preparation of training package and capacity building plans.
• Developing WASH competences throughout the country programme

Required Qualification & Experience

• Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering or relevant discipline with at least Four years of experience in WASH sector of which two years should be in management role.
• Should have proven skills in Civil engineering and / or construction of WASH structures (wells, reservoirs, latrines), Health promotion/public health, Community mobilization, WASH in emergency situations, Project-related statistical analyses and investigative techniques
• Experience in technical Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL), training and capacity building, advocacy & knowledge management in WASH sector.
• Good understanding of technical cross-cutting issues in WASH sector (WASH in Nutrition, new technologies and WASH governance)
• Solid knowledge of climate change adaptation, mitigation
• Knowledge and understanding of Logistical and administrative procedures, Cost-effectiveness analysis, indicators and  capitalization (international standards and methodology of intervention)
• Expertise in project cycle management
• Advanced knowledge of the mechanisms for coordination (the Cluster approach, humanitarian strategies and financing, the principles of partnership)
• Advanced knowledge of the sectoral partners and the principal funding agencies
• Knowledge and understanding of DRM, the urban environment, Sustainable Development Goals, Decentralized cooperation, Water rights and sectoral government.
• Ability to prioritize simple solutions accessible to all depending on circumstances
• Sensitive and responsive to Gender and Diversity and Social Inclusion
• Excellent standard of written and spoken English and Nepali
• Excellent computer skills including navigating email, internet, MS Word, Excel,  and PowerPoint

How to Apply

Interested Nepali applicants with suitable skills are requested to submit a motivation letter, and an updated CV with two referees through email: recruitment@np-actionagainsthunger.org by 28th June 2022 by 5 pm Nepal time. The Vacancy Reference (ACFTAWASHKA) must be mentioned in the title of the email otherwise the application may be disqualified. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further process. Action Against Hunger reserves the right to reject any or all applications. Telephonic inquiries will not be entertained.

Action Against Hunger | Action Contre la Faim is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from women, people with disabilities, and members of disadvantaged /underrepresented ethnic groups.