Senior Public Health Engineer - National Role

Team Purpose

Despite the Syrian refugee crisis, the Bekaa Water Establishment (BWE) currently operates under major financial deficits, mostly due to the (i) low subscription rates and even lower bill collection rates for water provision, (ii) high rates of non-revenue water due to leakages in the supply systems and illegal water consumption by Lebanese residents, Syrian refugee and also water truckers, (iii) high energy demand and cost for water pumping, and (iv) no cost recovery for wastewater collection and treatment services.[1] A major bottleneck to the provision of a reliable water service provision in Lebanon, and the Bekaa in particular, is the energy requirements for water pumping. Intermittent electric energy supply by the grid in the Bekaa has necessitated that most water systems are equipped with generators to supplement electricity deficiencies. This comes at a considerable cost for fuel to power generators.

Oxfam, with funds from the Swiss Cooperation Office in Lebanon, will implement the project “Empowering the Bekaa Water Establishment in transitioning to more effective and sustainable water service provision in crisis affected Lebanon’ that aims to contribute to the effective and sustainable water service provision to crisis affected Lebanon, by improving financial returns for the BWE, through ensuring cost recovery to the BWE is made in return for water and sanitation services provided to Syrian refugees residing in Informal Tented Settlements and lowering the operational cost for water production with the construction and operation of solar water pumping systems. The project further co-funds other Oxfam WaSH interventions.

Job Purpose

This position will be part of a WaSH Humanitarian programme in the Bekaa Valley, that aims to contribute to the effective and sustainable water service provision to crisis affected Lebanon, by improving financial returns for the Bekaa Water Establishment (BWE), through ensuring cost recovery to the BWE is made in return for water and sanitation services provided to Syrian refugees residing in Informal Tented Settlement and lowering the operational cost for water production with the construction and operation of solar water pumping systems. The public health engineering activities will provide WaSH assistance to vulnerable persons.

The appointed person will support the provision of water and sanitation services and the construction and rehabilitation of WaSH facilities, ensuring they are completed to the agreed specifications and within the agreed project timeframes, as well as ensuring cost recovery to the BWE.

The post-holder is expected to:

• Represent Oxfam and our partners in our areas of operation and be responsible for supervision of the efficient delivery of activities, including ensuring a high quality of construction work and ensuring that strict health and safety procedures are adhered to at all times. The selected candidate will be a key member of the site supervision team, which will consist of site engineers, tradespersons (masons and plumbers etc), and maintenance staff.
• To carry out assessments of water, sanitation and hygiene facilities and prepare recommendations and BOQ’s for required construction, repair or rehabilitation works. This may be carried out with other partners.
• In addition, and as needs arise, be a part of the emergency response team, responsible for designing and installing light, rapid and simple toilet, shower, hand washing and water collection facilities. The scope of work will vary depending on the circumstances.
• Directly manage a team of PHE assistants, ensuring oversight of daily work activities and performance objectives.
• The role will involve at least 40% presence in project sites, irregular work patterns and volumes

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Programme Implementation

1.  Provide direct management and oversight over the PHE activities, including drafting key project management documentation, including work plans, spending and procurement plans, and monitoring progress and challenges of implementation, as well as coordinating closely with other team members, specifically Public Health Promotion and Protection teams, where applicable, to ensure integrated and coordinated humanitarian programme activities.
2. To assess emergency WASH-related needs especially considering the broader perspective of Public Health.
3. Contribute to the design, management, and communication of a transition to sustainable, partner-led implementation approach, including a responsible exit strategy
4. Source and provide technical resources and support needed to complete scopes of work, including reviewing the quality of the work completed, the adherence to health and safety standards and ensuring the work stays within assigned schedules and cost targets.
5. With the Project Manager, establish systems and controls for site supervision, including daily site checks and documentation of the ongoing work.
6. Act as key focal person with the implementing partners and contractors, ensuring positive, transparent and accountable working relationships.
7. Together with the team, ensure regular contact with the beneficiaries is maintained in target areas including refugee representatives, peer group members, as well as with the wider community members, with particular attention to vulnerable groups;
8. Work with the project team to define the methods of community participation that ensure the greatest possible participation of vulnerable groups, and mentor team members in the implementation of appropriate approaches for community engagement and provide feedback as necessary;
9. Support team member in delivering capacity development activities for community focal points and in preparing and facilitating community consultations on project activities, encourage activities that allow for feedback and suggestions from community members, and ensure this information is used to inform project activities and approaches
10. Contribute to monitoring learning and developments of community focal points, impact of activities and adapt project activities and approaches accordingly in coordination with the Project Manager and WaSH Coordinator
11. To ensure full monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning practises are integrated into programme implementation, including closely monitoring of outputs, documenting lessons learned and monitoring and resolving non-compliance.
12. If requested by the Project Manager and WaSH Coordinator, participate in assessments of existing water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in other parts of Lebanon, producing recommendations and BOQ’s for WASH activities construction and rehabilitation work.

Programme approach:

1. To be familiar with and abide by international humanitarian standards, including the NGO/Red Cross Code of Conduct, the People in Aid Code, Oxfam International procedures and ensure these are applied in the implementation of PHE activities, including raising awareness and building the capacity of Oxfam staff on these standards and how to action them.
2. To be familiar with and abide by the Oxfam partnership principals and approach.
3. Ensure accountability to beneficiaries, designing and implementing regular, transparent and two-way communication with Oxfam’s beneficiaries and key stakeholders, including refugee representatives and peer group members. This should include active community participation in the design, implementation and monitoring of activities with a specific focus on vulnerable/marginalised groups, ensuring feedback is incorporated into Oxfam’s programming.

1. Reflect on national and international WASH programme experience to contribute to PHE /WASH learning reviews and actively participate in monthly programme quality meetings.
2. To support the mainstreaming of gender into all activities including the introduction of mechanisms to enable women to participate in decision making around public health engineering issues.

Coordination

1. As requested, participate in WaSH field based meetings with other stakeholders, and coordination and communication with the Water Establishment and municipalities.
2. Ensure appropriate internal and external representation, sharing regular reports to the Programme Manager and attending external meetings with key stakeholders e.g. Government, UN, NGOs.

Staff Management

1. Direct Management of the PH Engineers D2 and assistant PH Engineer E, as applicable
2. Provide overall day to day support and management of the PH Engineers D2 and Assistant PHE, WaSH monitors, and volunteers where applicable including performance management, and supporting implementation partner’s staff during construction work.
3. Ensure that all members of the works supervision team contribute to maintaining a positive relationship with contractors, beneficiaries and other key stakeholders.

Technical Skills, Experience & Knowledge

Essential

• Civil, Mechanical or Environmental Engineering degree qualified (or other relevant qualification) and have a strong background working with in the construction environment, ideally working with Lebanese’s construction companies and detailed knowledge of setting out procedures, dimensional drawings, and site supervision procedures. Experience could substitute for a formal qualification, but not vice versa
• Over 3 years of relevant experience progressively responsible experience in a similar role – specifically in humanitarian/development programmes funded by different donors in the WaSH sector.
• Team and site project management experience.
• Excellent understanding and knowledge of WaSH
• The ability to present concise reports, sometimes at short notice, reflecting the problems and possible solutions for particular situations. Diplomacy, tact and administrative skills in order to work with people at managerial and, on occasions possibly senior government levels is important.
• The post holder should be at ease in working with local communities and Syrian refugees.
• Well-developed interpersonal and team skills and proven ability to be flexible in demanding situations.
• Good written and spoken English and Arabic.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Sympathy with the aims and Objectives of Oxfam.

Desirable

• Master’s degree in civil, mechanical or environmental engineering (D)
• Good understanding and knowledge in renewable energy (D)

[1] Oxfam 2017, Feasibility assessment for Water Service Provision to ITSs in Lebanon. A Case study of North Bekaa.