Uganda: WASH Officer

DUTIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The WASH Officer will support the UNHCR Country Operation in Uganda, in collaboration with the Government, to coordinate the provision of WASH services to persons of concern to UNHCR in areas covered by the Arua Sub-Office including Rhino, Imvepi and Bidibidi Settlements. This will include ensuring that an adequate level of WASH service is provided at each site in accordance with applicable UNHCR and National Standards.

The WASH Officer work very closely with the Ministry of Water and Environment to ensure that national standards are applicable to the designed projects for the settlements. The WASH Officer will contribute to the development of WASH strategies and operational plans for the settlements including the management of WASH infrastructure and water supply systems. Also, in order to ensure wider reach out to the refugees and ensure their close involvement in the delivery and management of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services, the officer will need to establish an appropriate consultative and monitoring framework which would draw the experience and expertise of a wide range of actors both internally and externally.

The WASH officer will be responsible for provision of professional technical support and guidance on activities within the areas of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH). Furthermore, the incumbent is required to play a lead role in formulating appropriate project proposals and assistance activities that should be incorporated into the relevant operation programmes of UNHCR.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability

• WASH services provided to refugee and other persons of concern to UNHCR are based on UNHCR and /or internationally recognised and most up-to-date standards and policies.
• Sound technical support and advice are provided to the operations in the field of WASH.
• Viable monitoring and evaluation system is in place for data collection, analysis and interpretation to serve as evidence-base for planning and interventions.

Responsibility

• Lead the delivery of WASH services for refugees to meet the UNHCR standards and / or the national WASH standards, depending on the context.
• Coordinate the activities of WASH Partners, together with other UN agencies, governmental and non-governmental counterparts and local authorities to ensure delivery of WASH services to beneficiaries meet UNHCR standards of assistance, depending on the context.
• Facilitate adoption of methodologies for monitoring and reporting.
• Provide technical guidance and support to partners on all water, sanitation, hygiene promotion and environment related issues, to ensure quality, cost-effectiveness, sustainability and impact soundness in their implementation and in accordance with UNHCR policies, standards and priorities.
• Facilitate capacity strengthening activities of national UNHCR WASH staff and, if applicable, of staff of implementing/operational partners to address key areas of WASH importance to refugees and other persons of concern to UNHCR.
• Contribute to the budgeting, planning, programmatic processes and financial management of the operation in the area of WASH.
• Formulate project submissions, including budgets, to respond to identified needs in collaboration with appropriate authorities, implementing and other partners, UNHCR Programme and technical sectors.
• Advise Programme staff and managers on the strategic development of WASH aspects of the Programme.
• Actively participate in drafting WASH strategies, developing and implementing work plan, indicating indicators, for any existing or newly installed refugee settlement or settlement extension identified.
• Jointly with technical staff of implementing partners and other WASH actors, update detailed needs and resource assessments and revise designs of technical plans as necessary, taking into account practical aspects of implementation, long-term sustainable solutions, and relevant technical specifications and guidelines.
• Advise and assist the UNHCR programme staff on the development of WASH aspects of the programme including budgeting and input to financial management of the programme on technical areas, when needed.
• Supervise and monitor the implementation of the ongoing water, sanitation, hygiene projects administered directly by UNHCR and its partners.
• Ensure that mechanisms to monitor the performance of UNHCRs partners on WASH activities in the refugee camps / settlements / host community are in place.
• Ensure that the WASH monitoring system data collection and reporting is carried out systematically, properly and timely with quality information
• Report regularly on WASH activity implementation by all WASH partners, while maintaining accurate records of all relevant WASH performance indicators.
• Prepare monthly sectorial reports and submit material for preparation of periodic project monitoring reports as required by the office at country level.
• Perform other duties as required.

Authority

• Provide guidance and recommendations on WASH programmes in operational areas in Arua.
• Represent UNHCR in WASH coordination meetings.
• Oversee technical monitoring of WASH activities.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• University degree in Water / Civil / Environmental / Public Health Engineering. Advanced training in water, sanitation and hygiene promotion will be preferable.
• At least 8 years of progressively responsible functions in water and sanitation or a related field in a developing countries dealing with WASH facilities.
• 5 years of proven experience in large scale WASH infrastructural project management.
• Proven technical expertise in area of WASH assessment including surveys, programme implementation, monitoring and evaluation and coordination is required.
• Ability to coordinate a range of diverse actors and activities to achieve a common objective in the area of WASH.
• Proven technical expertise in the area of WASH assessment including survey, programme implementation, technical design, monitoring and coordination.
• Exposure to UNHCR mandate, its priorities and principles.
• Excellent knowledge of English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

Good understanding of integrated water resource management, water, wastewater and solid waste management strategies and design.

• Applied knowledge in UNHCR programme management, project formulation, programme cycles and reporting standards.
• Previous exposure to UN sector approach, preferably both at the global policy level and at field implementation approach.
• Expertise in planning, formulation, implementation, monitoring and reporting on humanitarian operations. Working knowledge of the Log Frame approach.
• Proficiency in basic computer software such as water modelling software, GIS, AutoCad.

Position Competencies

C004L3 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3
C003L3 - Communication Level 3
C002L3 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3
C001L3 - Accountability Level 3
C005L3 - Client & Result Orientation Level 3
C006L3 - Organizational Awareness Level 3
M004L3 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
M002L3 - Managing Performance Level 3
M001L3 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 3
M005L3 - Leadership Level 3
M006L3 - Managing Resources Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X002L3 - Innovation and Creativity Level 3
X003L3 - Technological Awareness Level 3
X004L3 - Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Level 3
X009L3 - Change Capability and Adaptability Level 3
X006L3 - Policy Development & Research Level 3
X007L3 - Political Awareness Level 3
X008L3 - Stakeholder Management Level 3
X005L3 - Planning and Organizing Level 3

DESIRABLE ATTRIBUTES

• University degree in water and sanitation engineering / water resources development and/or postgraduate degree in one of the civil engineering disciplines (water supply and/or hydrology) or sanitation/hygiene engineering.
• Minimum of 8 years (6 years with Advance University Degree) of progressively responsible functions in water/sanitary engineering or a related field in developing countries dealing with large scale WASH activities. At least 2 years of this experience should be in a capacity directly relevant to the current position in the UN or in an international organisation dealing with large scale emergencies or displaced/refugee situations.
• Ability to coordinate a range of diverse actors and activities to achieve a common objective in the area of WASH.
• Demonstrated experience in organising and conducting training activities and information campaigns in the areas of environmental sanitation, natural resources management, water quality, bore-hole drilling, vector control and appropriate technologies.
• Proven technical expertise in the area of WASH assessment including surveys, programme implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and coordination.
• Exposure to UNHCR mandate, its priorities and principles.
• Knowledge of and experience with partner agencies with a capacity to provide formal and informal training.
• Proficiency in basic computer software such as MS Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, water modelling software, GIS.
• Excellent knowledge of English language
• On the job coaching and mentoring of national staff
• Multi agency coordination and dealing with the public
• Ability to come up with creative and innovative solutions to operational challenges.

CURRENT SITUATION

The Government of Uganda (GoU) is a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol. It is also party to the 1969 OAU Convention. It has incorporated its obligations under international law within its own domestic legislation through the 2006 Refugee Act and 2010 Refugee Regulations. Uganda adopts a settlement approach to refugee management and protection, whereby, upon receiving refugee status, new arrivals are provided with plots of land in refugee-hosting villages on which to build new homes and grow agricultural crops. Refugees are able to freely access public services such as health and education and are granted a range of rights and freedoms, including freedom of movement, to seek employment and to start their own business. The operational implication of this is that programme management becomes more akin to a rural developmental programme rather than a typical refugee camp management. Longer term vision and creative linkages with developmental actors are required to ensure that the settlements are developed with a multiyear vision and linked more closely with the district government structures. Refugees are also free to choose to live in urban settings, where UNHCR support is focused on protection issues, community services and limited livelihood assistance

Uganda is currently hosting 898,082 refugees and asylum-seekers according to the Government’s Refugee Information Management System (RIMS) (as of end of October), the largest number in the country’s history. Uganda continues to receive three simultaneous emergency influxes from South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi. Around 62% of the total refugee population are from South Sudan, around half of whom have arrived since the outbreak of violence in July 2016. The vast majority of South Sudanese refugees are being hosted in Uganda’s West Nile district in settlements in Adjumani, Yumbe, Arua and Koboko. New arrivals from South Sudan are received at transit or collection centres in Elegu, Palorinya, Kerua and Kuluba. The majority of new arrivals are currently being hosted in the recently opened Bidibidi settlement, which in the space of a few months has become one of the largest refugee-hosting areas in the world. Together with the Government of Uganda, UNHCR coordinates the humanitarian response in the refugee settlements, working with implementing and operational partners to provide life-saving assistance and basic services.

WORKING AND LIVING CONDITIONS

Arua is a medium size town with the population of about 700,000. The town is peaceful. Arua is located in a corner of the country that borders both South Sudan and the DRC. There are significant amount of local economic activity as a result of cross-border trade.

Good accommodation is available in Arua. Health facilities are available but basic. All other recreation facilities are available.

Staff members are required to make accommodation arrangements of their own (either in UN cleared hotels or through private rental arrangements in which case prior advice from UNHCR Field Safety Advisor has to be sought.
Banking facilities are available
Internet services, mobile services are available but not very reliable.
PAMA is used in the office.
Power supply is not regular and most of the time power is supplied by Generator.
No International schools are available.
Inadequate medical facilities available.
Vaccines for Meningitis, Yellow Fever, and Typhoid are required and also take Anti Malaria Tablets before proceeding.

SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS

Arua Sub office is 6 hours' drive away from Kampala in West Nile. It has a new field unit being established in Yumbe district with several border crossing points along DR Congo and South Sudan borders. Arua as well as Koboko and Yumbe district are all considered under having a low security level (security level II). It is a non-duty station category. Although a fast growing town Arua, Yumbe and Koboko have challenges of poor social, health, educational and recreational amenities. Settlements have thus been established in Rhino camp, ocea and Bidibidi for the South Sudanese refugees. Although terrorism is a threat across Uganda, the major security challenges in Arua, Koboko are road traffic accidents, petty economically motivated crimes, domestic violence and disease outbreaks and prevalence include but are not limited to Malaria, HIV, hepatitis B and Typhoid fever. The UN security management system has put in place mitigation measures to reduce on the impacts of the safety and security challenges there-in.

ADDITIONAL FACTORS

Although English is the only essential language, knowledge of Arabic would be an asset since most refugees speak it.

Please apply through the UNHCR website at http://www.unhcr.org/careers.html under international vacancies.