Water, Sanitation and Hygiene – WASH Technical Officer Joint Country Pogramme

Introduction to the JCP country office:

Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) and DanChurchAid (DCA) have been working in Zambia for more than 20 years and became a Joint Country Programme (JCP) of NCA and DCA in 2011. Together with local communities and government institutions, JCP seeks to contribute to a Zambia where all women, men, girls and boys on equal terms are empowered to enjoy economic, political, social, environmental and democratic rights, so that they benefit from the sustainable growth of the country through three thematic programmes: (i) Climate Smart Economic Empowerment, (ii) Gender Justice Free of Gender Based Violence and (iii) Fighting Inequality .

Purpose of the role:

Responding to the national drought emergency in 2024, and as part of its new strategy, the NCA-DCA JCP Zambia office has started to implement climate resilient Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programming, both through direct implementation and through partners. The NCA-DCA JCP is therefore seeking a suitably qualified individual to fill the position of WASH Technical Officer for the NCA-DCA JCP Zambia office. This is a new role within JCP.

Key roles and responsibilities:

The preferred candidate must be able to carry out the following tasks:

• Plan, organize and conduct technical WASH assessments in targeted locations, and prepare technical reports, bill of quantities (BoQs) and technical specification documents accordingly.
• Work closely with the JCP procurement department to prepare tender documents and evaluation criteria for WASH related procurements and participate in the JCP procurement committee for the technical evaluation of offers.
• Monitor the work of JCP contractors on-site, ensuring that all works, equipment, and material comply to the agreed terms, timeline, Bill of Quantities (BoQs) and technical standards.
• Manage, support and follow up with Field WASH Engineers, where applicable.
• Provide technical WASH support and guidance to the JCP partners for the implementation of their WASH programming.
• Coordinate, liaise with and provide support to relevant technical authorities and WASH stakeholders on provincial, district and community level.
• Work closely with and provide support to targeted community leaders, village WASH committees and technicians, to promote sustainable and climate resilient WASH governance in the JCP catchment area.
• Provide technical and other WASH input to donor and head office proposals, reports, and MEAL documents, ensuring compliance with applicable requirements and guidance documents.
• Representation of the JCP in WASH Cluster meetings, working groups, and other relevant coordination forums.
• Ensure that the WASH program activities are well integrated with and complementary to other JCP thematic areas, in close cooperation with relevant colleagues, thus maximizing the expected impact the JCP aims to achieve in the communities we work with and support.

Qualifications:

• Minimum bachelor’s level University degree in Water Engineering, or similar.
• 5 years of professional experience in water and sanitation engineering projects.
• NGO experience within WASH programming is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of and experience in community engagement and mobilization, as well as in CLTS and PHAST/CHAST approaches will be considered a plus.
• Technical knowledge of and experience in solar power supply systems will be considered a competitive advantage.

Professional Membership

• Engineering Institute of Zambia- EIZ

Skills and Competencies:

• Good understanding of relevant Zambian legislation.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Good communication skills.
• Proficient use of MS office applications.
• Knowledge and use of CAD software is desirable.

Personal attributes:

• High ethical standards of behavior, respect for others, and confidentiality.
• Strong interpersonal skills
• The ability to work in a multicultural environment.
• Energetic, proactive, and capable of working independently as well as being an active member of the team.
• Flexible and creative with a positive attitude and an aptitude for solving problems.
• Thoroughness, attention to detail and strong analytical skills.