Sanitation Officer job opportunity at Water For People- Deadline 15th November 2021

Position Title: Sanitation Officer

Duration:  One Year with possibility of renewal                 

Department:  Water For People  Isoko y’Ubuzima WASH

Supervisor’s title:      Strategic Objective 3 Team Lead

Organizational context:                                                                                          

Water For People is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) that works with people and partners to develop innovative and long-lasting solutions to the water, sanitation, and hygiene problems in developing countries. The organization strives to continually improve, experiment with promising new ideas, and leverage resources to multiply its impact.

Water For People is currently operating in 9 countries including Rwanda where it supports WASH in the Districts of Rulindo, Kicukiro, Gicumbi, and Karongi.

Water For People has secured funds from USAID to finance the USAID-funded Isoko y’Ubuzima WASH project that will operate in 10 Districts of Rwanda from 2021 to 2026.

1.    Scope of responsibilities

The Sanitation Officer reports to the SO3 Team Lead for day-to-day project operations

• S/He will be responsible for managing all sanitation aspects of the Project, including programmatic, and reporting as they related to Water For People deliverables under the Isoko y’Ubuzima Project;

• Coordinate Sanitation activities and deliverables under Isoko y’Ubuzima Project, working alongside both the Project Team, Water For People Team, and the sub-recipient partners on the project to ensure smooth execution of Project activities and effective delivery of project outputs;

• Attend Isoko y’Ubuzima Project meetings to ensure that WFP activities under this project are coordinated, monitored, and fit into the overall project plans;

• Provide technical direction and advice to ensure that activities under Isoko y’Ubuzima Project are designed and implemented in line with the Project intended results;

• Propose and/or undertake action on operational procedures affecting the project management and implementation, as needed;

• Ensure Project review activities and the recommendations related to sanitation  deliverables are followed up, and that all data and information is updated, well organized, and easily accessible; and that lessons learned and best practices are capitalized on and shared with other partners to the project;

• Foster, develop, and maintain strong partnership relationships and regular contact with national and international NGOs, government officials, and other stakeholders working to serve as a network for obtaining and coordinating information and services to support services in the Isoko y’Ubuzima Project.

2.    Responsibilities and tasks

2.1.     Programmatic related tasks

The Sanitation Officer will specifically perform the following tasks:

• Participate in the development of project operational plans together with the project team;

• Work with district staff and local leaders to identify, select and train local artisans on the approved sanitation technologies;

• Organise sanitation and hygiene trainings for the identified community groups such as Village Agents, CHCs etc.

• Support sanitation entrepreneurs to display products and services in fairs

• Support Districts without District Sanitation Centers to have one through the identification of proper location, DSC design, construction etc.

• Work with sanitation local sanitation entrepreneurs, District Sanitation Centers, technicians, and local artisans to adjust the designed prototypes to the local context so that they are affordable to everyone in their communities;

• Support sanitation entrepreneurs, CHCs in demand creation;

• Support designated schools in improving the sanitation and hygiene conditions through MHM, mother groups, promoting approved sanitation technologies;

• Design promotion materials of the approved sanitation technologies that will be used by local entrepreneurs in the sanitation centers;

• Promote the FSM technologies that reduce the emptying frequency and promote the re-use (e.g. tiger toilets, ecosan, etc)

• Coordinate a thorough assessment on sludge management in the districts covered by the project;

• Work with local leaders to identify existing entrepreneurs, both individuals, and companies who are or willing to provide pit emptying services and safe sludge management, update them on the Project, latrine emptying technologies, and discussing financing options together with other project team members;

• Participate and contribute to any survey/study pertaining to sanitation and hygiene organized by Isoko y’Ubuzima project

• Document and share best practices, stories, and lessons learned to the entire project

Grant management and reporting

• Initiate project annual budget, and quarterly expenditure forecasts as they relate to the Isoko y’Ubuzima project

• Initiate project funds disbursement requests and liaise with the finance team to ensure that these requests are considered in the overall project wire transfers;

• Contribute to financial reports by providing timely update and documentation of expenses incurred under the project;

• Work with the finance team to track revenue and expenditures against grant budget every month and propose reallocation whenever deemed necessary;

• Perform any other sanitation-related tasks requested by the supervisors. 

3. Employment Conditions:

• The Sanitation Officer will be based in the Kigali office, with frequent field visits mainly in the ten districts where Isoko y’Ubuzima will be operating.

• It is expected that travel within Rwanda will be required if deemed necessary. International travel may be required from time to time.

• The contract between Water For People—Rwanda and the Sanitation Officer is for one-year renewable based on performance, with a three months’ probation.

• The Sanitation Officer will comply with applicable in-country rules and regulations.

4. Competencies:

Connects to the Mission – Embraces the mission of Water For People and is passionate about advancing the dynamic role it plays in leading social impact in international development.

Demonstrates Ethics and Integrity – Understands ethical behavior and business practices, and ensures that own behavior is consistent with these standards and aligns with the values of the organization.

Manages through Ambiguity – Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in responding to change and ambiguity. 

Demonstrates Cultural Awareness – Able to engage a wide range of stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds and cultures.

Action-oriented – Maintains an attitude of open, curious, and proactive learning, continually expanding own area of understanding and expertise.

Connects with Others – Listens and fosters open communication through questioning, dialogue, and information sharing.

Self-confident – Demonstrates humility, mature confidence, and courage to innovate, risk, and lead in own role.

5. Job Qualifications:

• Bachelors’ Degree in Business Development, Sanitation Engineering or Environmental management related studies
• At least 3 years of experience in the sanitation area;
• Must have experience in sanitation-related research studies;
• Have experience in WASH networks and strong relationship management skills;
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and excellent written and analytic skills, report writing, networking, and representation;
• Must be risk-taker, and have a nose for entrepreneurial opportunities;
• Good analytical skills and the ability to extrapolate lessons to other situations;
• Comfort and talent in communicating with diverse and international constituents;
• Ability to analyze and organize data and communicate results effectively;
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects with multiple priorities;
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team effort.
• Must have well-developed written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills
• Fluent in English and Kinyarwanda;
• Must be flexible, innovative, proactive, work under tight deadlines, and have excellent follow-through skills.
• Maintain sound ethical principles, integrity, and transparency of the due process
• Be a self-starter and work with limited supervision.

Note:   This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job.

6. How to Apply:

• If you are both qualified and Water For People interests you, please visit the Career Center and apply with an application letter along with detailed curriculum vitae (resume), relevant academic documents, and contact details of at least three (3) referees to this position. Please submit your application materials in English. In-person visits or phone calls are not allowed!
• Applications need to be received no later than November 15, 2021, at 5:00 pm (Rwanda time).

Note:   Women are encouraged to apply!

Done at Kigali on November 5, 2021