WASH Technical Advisor

ABOUT THE STRUCTURE…

Solidarités International is an International NGO working with vulnerable populations, mainly victims of armed conflicts and natural disasters. Specialized for nearly 40 years in the coverage of vital needs, S.I. takes charge of emergency and reconstruction programs.

With respect for cultures and close to the people, Solidarités International implements its programs by combining its skills with those of its employees and local managers.

Solidarités International's teams, made up of around 270 expatriates and nearly 2200 local employees, are today present in 18 countries in Asia, Middle East, Africa and Caribbean where they are particularly committed to fighting diseases related to unsafe water but also in the essential area of food security and livelihoods.

SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL (SI) has launched its operations in Lebanon in March 2013 to address immediate needs of both Syrian refugees and Lebanese affected by the Syrian crisis. Ever since, SI in Lebanon has transitioned towards more integrated programs to still address basic needs but also implement developmental and more sustainable interventions in WASH, shelter and Disaster Risk Reduction.

SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL’s mission in Lebanon has two operational bases (Tripoli and Zahle) and a coordination office in Beirut.

The expatriate team consists of 1 staff members, while the national team represents about 115 staff members. At the time of writing, SI LEB budget volume amounts to roughly 15/16 M USD, Tripoli base counted for 60% of this amount and Zahle base for 40%.

ABOUT THE JOB

General objective:

SI is looking for a talented WASH Expert to fulfil the requirement of the position of WASH Technical Advisor. The preferred candidate should have an extensive knowledge and hands-on experience in implementing WASH programming in different settings, able to quickly analyze emergent situations while keeping track of the routine activities and ensuring the quality of their implementation.

The main challenges:

SI is an active WASH actor in Lebanon, and runs a number of diversified projects from development, to governance support, to Resilience and Early Recovery Projects aiming to restitute the public water services, to emergency driven interventions, not limited to the Syrian Refugees Crisis Response and, most recently the Cholera Outbreak.

Priorities for the 2/3 first months:

The position holder will have to focus in the first 2/3 months on the following:

• Rolling out Standard Operation Procedures (already developed) and adapt those SoPs to the emergent field context.
• Work closely with the field teams and the MEAL Department, to set up best practices in Emergency Data Reporting and Performance Monitoring (Cholera Response)
• Develop guidance notes, based on field recommendations, on Water Safety Provision during Emergency

Responsibilities and main activities:

Technical support and development, and monitoring of quality and relevancy of WASH techniques

• Support project managers in designing technical solutions for WASH activities, providing related documents (BOQ, Terms of Reference, technical specifications, drawings, narrative descriptions)
• Support WASH field teams in developing logistic document for the purchase of specific WASH items and hardware
• Support and advice to logistics for the purchase of specific WASH items and hardware
• Provide a technical and methodological advice to project managers for the implementation of technical WASH activities, especially innovative techniques  
• Support project managers in analyzing technical issues and defining solutions and mitigation measures.
• Assess feasibility of technical solutions and approaches developed regarding Lebanese law, cultural practices and market availability
• Ensure that all WASH activities are implemented according to  Solidarités International technical requirements
• Regularly visit the field and assess relevancy of WASH techniques implemented, piloted
• Propose and organize evaluations related to WASH technical innovations
• Provide trainings and develop the WASH field teams capacity with regards to WASH innovative techniques

Technical capitalization and coordination

· Participate in the centralization and dissemination of technical procedures, guides and tools linked to innovative WASH techniques

· Propose improvements to existing technical tools and designs 

• Elaborate guidelines related to WASH innovative techniques
• Remain informed about other actors WASH innovative technical approaches, techniques and methodologies 
• Support WASH Coordinator in forming a network of WASH experts, developing technical partnerships with others actors in this sector of the intervention zone.
• In coordination with the technical unit, support the WASH Coordinator in capitalizing on the intervention methods and techniques, and on the experiences acquired by Solidarités International and others actors

Strategic orientation

· Upon WASH Coordination request, contribute to the technical aspect of the sector-based strategy in accordance with SI’s policies and priorities for the intervention country.

· Support the WASH Coordinator in the analysis of the technical aspects of the WASH sector and the analysis of donors’ strategies for WASH activities

· Support the WASH Coordinator and formulate propositions for designing new WASH activities, especially related to technical innovations

· Participate in annual strategic programming work

Personnel management  

· Upon request of the WASH Coordinator, lead workshops and/or technical exchange programs

• Provide technical tests of recruitment and participate to their correction

Reporting / communication / representation

· Support the WASH Coordinator with the examination of project proposals relating to his/her activity

· Validate technical expertise reports

· In conjunction with the WASH Coordinator, establish and maintain a communication network and good relations with local/government authorities, UN agencies and other international agencies

· Represent the organization when asked and/or delegated to do so

Upon request of the WASH Coordinator reply to headquarter requests regarding specific needs

YOUR PROFILE

Specific skills and experience:

• The preferred candidate should have an educational background in one of the following topics or similar:
  • Environmental Health
  • Environmental Science or Engineering
  • Civil and Water Engineering
  • Geography
  • Health Facilities Management
  • Project Management
• At least 5 years-experience in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene sector (humanitarian settings), previous experience in similar position or managerial level position is an asset.
• Previous and proven experience in proposal writing, donors’ reporting and written technical deliverables

Soft skills:

• Distinctive interpersonal and formal communication skills
• Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills
• Adaptability to change and coping with short notices

Language:

• Arabic language, native speaker level is a must
• Professional level English language skills

SI WILL OFFER YOU

A salaried post:2300 USD

Vacation: 1.5 days/month
 

Social and medical cover: