Environmental Health Officer

Background:

The International Rescue Committee, one of the world’s largest humanitarian international NGOs, provides relief, rehabilitation and development support to vulnerable people and communities over 30 countries. We began work in Ethiopia in 2000 in response to severe drought in Ethiopia’s Somali region and are currently providing assistance to Ethiopians and refugees in six regions in Ethiopia, implementing emergency and development programs in health, water and sanitation, economic recovery and development (ERD), women’s protection and empowerment, education, child protection, and multi-sectoral emergency response.

Summary Statement of the Job and Detail Responsibilities 

Under the joint supervision of the Senior EH Manager and Camp Manager (administratively), the Environmental Health Officer involves in planning, management, and monitoring & evaluation of the water systems, sanitation infrastructures, and capacity building of staff and volunteer refugees in Benishangul Gumuz Region, Gure-Shembolla RC. The officers are responsible for the construction of WASH facilities and management of the water supply system and operation in coordination with the Water Technician. The position requires strong project and grant management skills, including the accurate management of the financial, material, and other resources under the program.

Detailed Responsibilities

Water Supply:

• Run the operation & maintenance/installation of WASH facilities including new construction, rehabilitation, expansion, facilitation in site selection & supervision for water well drilling, design for pipe lying, procurement & design for generators and pumps, follow-up the supply of electromechanical equipment, etc.
• Ensure the proper operation and maintenance of motorized boreholes, river intake system, hand-dug wells, springs, and rainwater supply systems at the Refugee Camp, transit centers, and host community villages.
• Lead all aspects of water quality testing activities for turbidity and free chlorine residual.
• Coordinate with water technicians and ensure the daily data for water production and quality is gathered and recorded is kept in soft and hard copies in the refugee camp and transit centers if any.
• Organize and facilitate timely response to any water supply system breakdowns in the refugee camp and transit centers in coordination with the water technician and ensure that water supply is not disrupted.
• Produce all the necessary designs and bills of quantities, specifications, drawings for the water system and prepare follow-up schedules and implement them throughout the construction phase.
• Participate in emergency need assessment in the EH/WASH sector when required for the refugee and host community program.
• Supervise all outsourced construction activities for WASH facility construction and ensure the design and constructed facilities met the UNHCR & IRC standards.
• Initiate procurements as per IRC procedure and follow up the delivery of supplies required for construction of WASH facilities including building materials, generator sets, pumps, control panel, sanitation construction materials, and pipes & fittings for sustainable operation of the system, etc.
• Creative to bring long-lasting, low cost, and acceptable sanitation facilities design & implementation with innovative manner.
• Prepare Activity, Procurement & Spending plan for active EH grants and monitor the activity implementation and budget expenditure accordingly.
• Ensures that all refugee EH projects are implemented in a timely and professional manner (IRC standards), according to goal, objectives, and indicators, and in line with donor requirements and beneficiary needs.
• Consistently review real-time budget monitoring system, BvA, follow-up budget expenditure against plan, and ensure efficient budget utilization for EH active grants.
• Draft and share weekly and monthly progress report in collaboration with the Hygiene Promotion & Water Technician Officers.
• Facilitate and coordinate in documenting EH related data and promotion records with soft and hard copies.
• Ensure the appropriate management of EH items at the warehouse and liaise with the supply chain to ensure that bi-weekly checks are made on camp store stock records.
• Act as the focal person for all activities, participate in meetings regarding EH activities in the refugee camp as advised by supervisors.
• Perform other tasks as assigned by supervisors.

Staff Management 

• Liaises with HR/Admin, Supply Chain, and Finance Departments to ensure smooth operations of activities and procedural recruitment of skilled personnel, social incentive workers, and other EH staff for the implementation of the program.
• Directly supervise a construction team assigned for refugee Camp WASH facility development.
• Assists and facilitate the orientation of newly recruited camp-based EH staff on behalf of the EH team.
• Prepare annual Performance Goals, provide bi-annual Performance Evaluation reports, and conduct joint evaluations with supervisors.

Job Requirements

• University Degree in Hydraulic, Water Resource, Water Supply, Civil Engineering, and related engineering fields and 3 years of shown experience with a first degree or 2 years for postgraduate degree holders,
• Experience in Water Supply, Hygiene, and Sanitation promotion activities, preferably in a humanitarian setting at the refugee camps, transit centers & post-conflict areas.
• Confirmed experience in project planning, management, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Experience in interaction with other implementing partners in the camp context.
• Have knowledge of national WASH strategies and standards related to local community WASH access.
• Strong mentorship, advisory, and sharing capacity for the supervisee.
• Ability to work under pressure in a potentially unstable security environment within different contexts.

Skills Required 

• Basic supervisory/managerial skills.
• Technical report writing skills.
• Computer literate.
• Proficient in spoken and written English.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge & skill of EPANET, AUTOCAD, WATERCAD, and other engineering software.

How to Apply

Candidates meeting the above qualifications are encouraged to apply only through the below IRC Online recruitment website: 

External → https://rescue.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/19688?c=rescue.

Internal → https://rescue.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/2/home/requisition/19688?c=rescue.

Please include 3 references from current and former employers.

Applications will not be returned. IRC discourages phone calls or personal visits.

Only applicants meeting the minimum qualification will be short-listed and contacted.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Your application letter/cover letter must include the following information.

• Name of the position you have applied for.
• Date of application
• Summary of your qualifications and experience
• Motivation/objective of why you have applied for the job.
• Permanent Address and present address (if different from permanent) and telephone number, if possible, also email address
• Disclose any family relationships with existing IRC employees.

IRC is an equal employment opportunity employer.  IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.