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.

ABOUT THE JOB

General objective:

The WASH Technical Advisor guarantees the quality and suitability of all proposed WASH technical approaches.

He/she strongly contributes to the process of capitalization and the improvement of Solidarités International methods and techniques in the field of WASH.

The main challenges:

• Understanding of intervention contexts:
  • Informal Tented Settlement (ITS) contexts and constraints, specifically related to WASH intervention, this in North Lebanon and Bekaa
  • Intervention supporting the North Lebanon Water Establishment (NLWE) targeting the area under NLWE Qobayat local office
• Understanding of different aspects of the WASH related projects:
  • WASH activities implementation in ITS, including emergency response
  • Design, installation, operation, maintenance and monitoring of water and wastewater treatment system in ITS
  • Development of long term infrastructure project in collaboration with NLWE, dealing with specialist consultants and contractors’ work implementation
  • Training, supervision and capacity building of a local NGO in charge of community engagement activities
• Ensure SI external representation in Water Sector Technical Working Groups
  • Understand Water Sector strategy for 2021
  • Proactively participate in 2 Water Sector Technical Working Group: Sanitation and Water Quality.
  • Participate to the development and implementation of SI WASH strategy

Priorities for the 3 first months:

• Understanding of SI WASH interventions in Lebanon and related contexts
• Integration within SI WASH department and teams
• Take over SI representation in 2 Water Sector Technical Working Group: Sanitation and Water Quality.
• Evaluation of all water and wastewater treatment systems installed in ITS
• Support the launching of an infrastructure project supporting NLWE: collaboration with the NLWE, especially its local office of Qobayat, installation of water supply system and taking over of operation of a wastewater treatment plant.

Responsibilities and main activities:

TECHNICAL FUNCTIONS

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

ORG CHART POSITION (reporting and functional relationships)

Line manager: WASH Coordinator

Line report(s) on base: -

Functional manager: WASH Coordinator

Functional report(s):  : All program managers related to his/her sector

YOUR PROFILE

Education:

Master degree in Civil, Mechanical or Industrial Chemistry Engineering. Strong experience may substitute for formal education.

Experience:

• 3 years of documented experience in water and sanitation domains
• Knowledge of Near/Middle-East Context is an advantage
• Previous experience with NGO is an asset

Technical skills and knowledge:

• Problem solving and analytical skills with the ability to assess challenges and recommend solutions
• Strong management and training/capacity-building skills
• Computer literacy with very good command of MS Office Suite and AUTOCAD

Soft skills and spirit: 

• Excellent diplomacy skills
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to delegate
• Flexible (will have to take on responsibilities that might not be directly on his/her JD)
• Adaptability to changing work environment and possible volatile security situation
• Stress management skills: ability to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines, with peaks of heavy workloads;

Languages:

• Fluent English and Arabic: speaking, reading and writing skills
• French is an asset

Others: 

• Commitment to the fundamental principles of SI’s charter and ethics.

SI WILL OFFER YOU

A salaried post: 2,000 USD – Basic salary

Vacation: 1.5 Paid Leaves/month

Social and medical cover.