SANITATION PROJECT ADVISOR

ABOUT THE JOB

General objective: The Sanitation Project Advisor specifically will works on the “Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation” (BMGF) project aiming to design and to implement innovative on-site wastewater treatment solutions in informal settlements (ISs).

The Sanitation Project Advisor is responsible of the research and technical design aspects of the BMGF project. He/she advises SI WASH Program Managers on implementation, quality monitoring and coordinates with others WASH actors involved in the project. The main axis of the Sanitation Project Advisor’s position are:

• Ensuring the development of relevant, adapted and cost efficient technical solutions.
• Ensuring the quality monitoring of facilities installed and evaluation of the technical solutions piloted.
• Ensuring close coordination with other WASH actors (2 INGO + 1 local NGO) involved in the BMGF project.

Ensuring efficient collaboration with SI WASH Program Managers in charge of WASH project in ISs.

The main challenges:

• Understanding of Informal Tented Settlement context and constraints, specifically related to the installation of sanitation facilities.
• Definition of a SOPs ensuring the follow up and monitoring of the systems installed
• Quick integration within strong existing WASH teams

Priorities for the 2/3 first months:

• Ensure the launching of 4 new wastewater treatment systems pilots
• Implement the monitoring of 8 existing wastewater treatment systems
• Integration within SI WASH teams and other WASH partners participating to the BMGF project

Responsibilities and main activities:

Project relevance, quality and design

• Be responsible for the technical design of adapted on-site wastewater treatment solutions in collaboration with the Program Managers in charge of WASH activities in ISs.
• Evaluate the feasibility and adaptation of technical solutions designed in various informal settlement contexts.
• Define technical analysis of solutions studied regarding cost efficiency, operation & maintenance, and sustainability aspects.
• Produce design technical drawings, narratives, calculation sheets and bill of quantities related to wastewater treatment systems selected.
• Establish assessment tools to collect on-site required data for the design of adapted wastewater treatment solutions.
• Establish monitoring tools to measure the quality of activities implemented and the efficiency of the wastewater treatment systems installed.
• Organise and facilitate evaluation missions related to sanitation and wastewater treatment in ISs.
• Produce reports and technical annexes related to the project.
• Support and advice to logistics for the purchase of specific WASH items and hardware related to sanitation project
• Evaluate the relevance of the activities carried out, as well as the effectiveness of the interventions and their appropriateness with respect to contextual developments and the populations’ needs.
• Propose adjustments to the project activities, if necessary.
• Ensure that project objectives meet sustainability requirements and, if required, compliance with established norms and standards.

Implementation and operational monitoring

• Plan the different steps of the project in collaboration with SI WASH Program Managers in the light of established objectives.
• Use the project follow-up, monitoring and evaluation tools specifically designed for the project.
• Support and advice on the follow-up of contractors’ selection and quality.
• In collaboration with SI WASH Program Managers and their field teams, participate to the supervision of wastewater treatment systems implementation in ISs, considering planned deadlines and predefined technical specifications.
• Anticipate any issues linked to carrying out the waste water treatment system implementation in ISs and suggest needed adaptations.
• Work with the administrative department and SI WASH Program Managers to contribute to developing budgets relative to the project.

Technical capitalisation

• Use the capitalisation tools proposed by Solidarités International.
• Participate in the production, centralisation and dissemination of procedures, guides and tools linked to the wastewater treatment facilities installed.
• Capitalise on intervention methods and techniques and on the experiences acquired by Solidarités and others participants regarding sanitation and wastewater treatment systems.
• Elaborate guidelines related to sanitation and wastewater treatment techniques.
• Write procurement and handover reports before the end of his/her contract and send it to the appropriate persons on the mission and at headquarters.

Personnel management

• Greet and brief the new comers working on project related on sanitation in ISs.
• Identify and pass on any training needs for the WASH teams.
• Provide trainings and participate in building the WASH teams’ abilities with respect to techniques or new methodologies.
• Participate and facilitate working groups and thematic meetings related to the project.

• Participate actively to the BMGF technical coordination led by UNICEF and involving 3 other WASH actors.
• Prepare and participate to the presentation of SI proposition and findings regarding wastewater treatment in ISs.
• Participate, upon WASH coordinator request, to water sector working group related to sanitation and wastewater treatment.
• Maintain a local operational communications network and good relations with local and government authorities, UN agencies and other international agencies;

• Ensure regular updates and reporting to the WASH coordinator.
• Ensure that all reports related to the project are delivered on time and in the correct format.
• In collaboration with the WASH coordinator, prepare the administrative documents (memorandum of understanding, handover, etc.) related to the project implementation, to be jointly signed with government authorities, communities or partners.

Pass upward to the relevant persons any information on the security situation or on any event that could impact Solidarités International activities and the safety of the SI staff.

ORG CHART POSITION (reporting and functional relationships)

Line manager: WASH Coordinator

Line report(s) on base: -

Functional manager: WASH Technical Advisor

Functional report(s):  WASH in ISs Program Managers

YOUR PROFILE

Specific skills and experience:

• Master degree in Civil, Mechanical or Industrial Chemistry Engineering. Strong experience may substitute for formal education.
• Three years of documented experience in sanitation and wastewater treatment domains
• Knowledge of Near/Middle-East Context is an advantage
• Previous experience with NGO is an asset
• Problem solving and analytical skills with the ability to assess challenges and recommend solutions
• Strong training/capacity-building skills
• Computer literacy with very good command of MS Office Suite and AUTOCAD

Soft skills:

• Excellent diplomacy skills
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Flexible (will have to take on responsibilities that might not be directly on his/her JD)
• Mobility to visit different locations (day trip) in Lebanon on a regular basis (weekly).
• 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;

Language:

• Fluent English and Arabic: speaking, reading and writing skills
• French are assets

Others: 

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

SI WILL OFFER YOU

A salaried post: 2,000 USD – Basic salary

Vacation: 1.5 Paid Leaves/month

Social and medical cover.