Water Quality Analyst

Job Summary

The main purpose of the position is to ensure that, under the guidance of the WASH/Shelter Programme Manager and the WASH/Shelter Project Manager, the quality of water supplied to project beneficiaries residing in SSUs and other types of housing units within Concern’s programme of implementation is up to standards. As such, this role includes regular and systematic testing of water samples; dissemination of advice on water treatment to programme teams, communities and refugees; and collecting, analysing and ensuring proper organisation of abundant amounts of information and data.  The role also requires that early warning mechanisms be provided once potential water contamination has been reported.

Under the direction of the Project Manager and Programme Manager, the Water Quality Analyst will plan, monitor and manage all works related to the water quality, as well as actively coordinating with all staff in consultation with the engineers and hygiene promotion officers and other programme staff members.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Project Implementation

1. Monitoring quality of drinking water at areas of Concern’s interventions, through regular and systematic water testing and providing water testing database of the results, abnormalities and analysis
2. Use expert Knowledge of water quality standards and testing procedures
3. Collect samples of drinking water at source and point of consumption
4. Analyse results of tests as per procedures and against agreed standards
5. Document results of testing and refer abnormalities to the Shelter Project Manager and Program Manager.
6. Where necessary, recommend options for water treatment, assist the Shelter Project Manager and Program Manager in design of such treatment.
7. Work with other programme staff to trace sources of disease or contaminations in order to prevent further outbreaks

2. Filing and documentation

1. Maintain and regularly update the database of water testing results, and provide reports on water quality as required
2. Coordinate and assist Logs in the procurement of items and formulation of contracts necessary for achieving project objectives
3. Coordinate with the hygiene promotion team for doing trainings for the community about water safety and household level water treatment.
4. Ensure project documents are properly filed and kept secure
5. Implement early warning mechanisms for instances where potential water contamination has been reported.

3. Representation:

a) Represent Concern at meetings with stakeholders, contractors and other relevant actors where applicable.

4. Reporting and Communication

1. In coordination with the WASH/Shelter team, support Concern to meet its minimum quality and accountability requirements in emergencies
2. Produce weekly/daily progress reports on ongoing works.
3. Document and record all works fully including any investigations on owner-beneficiary disputes, referral issues etc;
4. Document and file in a confidential way the document related to water quality
5. Facilitate communication flows between refugee leaders, community focal points and Concern staff by providing timely information as required
6. Co-ordination with other programme teams to ensure effective identification of beneficiaries and assistance to these beneficiaries.

5. Programme Management
   1. Ensure that the programme is being implemented in accordance with the objectives agreed with the donor, Concern procedures, and best practice
   2. Develop weekly, monthly and quarterly work plans and ensure that these are implemented
   3. Develop weekly, monthly and quarterly work reports.
   4. Ensure that accurate programme databases are maintained

6. Participate to emergency response in IS and housing units as part of the RNA
   1. In coordination with the Shelter and WASH Team, support Concern to meet its minimum quality and accountability requirements in emergencies;
   2. Conduct technical assessment and distributions following emergency at the request of the WASH/Shelter PM;
   3. Report on needs and assistance required;
   4. Delivery of shelter and NFI kits to people in need living in IS or sub-standards housing units;
   5. Identify the skills and promote self-help approach within the refugee population;
   6. Provide technical guidance in the installation of shelters to beneficiaries;
   7. Facilitate communication flows between Refugee leaders and Concern staff by providing timely information as required;
   8. Participate to the referral system of Concern enabling people in need to access the adequate services.

7. Participate in the COVID-19 response of CWW through assessments and distributions of IPC, disinfection and hygiene kits.

8. Conduct additional tasks as requested by the Project Manager or Programme Manager.
9. Adhere to the standards of conduct outlines in the Programme Participant Protection Policy and Concern Code of Conduct, Child Safeguarding Policy and Anti-Trafficking Policy, Concern Anti-fraud Policy.

10. Support and promote the standards outlined in the Programme Participant Protection Policy and Concern Code of Conduct to their team, partner organisations and beneficiaries, and be committed to providing a safe working environment.

11. To contribute to the establishment of preventive measures to reduce the potential for abuse in Concern programme (as per P4 section 6)

12. Support Concern’s work in Lebanon by undertaking other tasks as appropriate and required

Skills, Qualifications, Experience and Attitude Required

• Certificate in Public Health, Biochemistry or related technical qualification.
• A minimum of two years’ experience in a similar domain, including experience overseeing or managing water analysis for an NGO in a humanitarian context.
• Familiarity with Lebanese and WHO water quality standards
• Experience with laboratory work, e.g. water testing
• Experience in community based approaches
• Strong organizational skills and able to coordinate and manage a diverse array of activities and stakeholders
• Excellent communication skills in English & Arabic
• Strong negotiation and mediation skills and ability to work independently
• Report writing skills and computer skills in word processing and spreadsheets
• Experience in conducting surveys, managing data and statistics is desirable
• Willingness to stay in the camps and travel to construction sites all the time.
• Commitment to ensuring the protection of refugees.
• Strong sense of security management and willingness to follow security guidelines and regulations
• Commitment to humanitarian principles and values
• Commitment to Concern equal opportunity and gender practices