Environmental Health Officer/EHO

Background of IRC

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their lives. The IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities which support them, as well as those who remain within their homes and communities. We began work in Ethiopia since 2000 and currently implementing emergency and development programs in health, water and sanitation, economic recovery and development (ERD), women’s protection and empowerment, education, child protection, and multi-sectoral emergency response.

The IRC has a focus on narrowing the gender gap in humanitarian aid and ensuring that we contribute to gender equality, diversity, and inclusion in both our programs and operations by working to establish a context where our clients (including those from minority groups) enjoy the same rights and opportunities as well as an equal access to services. The IRC also has a strong commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive culture, where safeguarding is upheld in our workplace and programs. We are determined to protect our clients and staff from safeguarding violations through prevention and, where misconduct is alleged, to address it without fear or favor.

Job Overview:

The EH Officer is responsible to involve detail technical WASH need assessments, feasibility detail assessment, analysis and preparing detail designs including specification and BOQ for the hardware activities under Charity water project, monitoring and supervise the implementation of quality of hardware activities undertaking by the project. The position’s role based at Sherkole within the broader Department, Office, Program and/or Projects with a highlight of the main components of the job and any overall objectives under technical supervisor of EH manager and administrative for camp manager. In collaboration with other teams and partners working in the project area, Position holder is encouraged to handle activities, budget and staff assigned for EH activities for which they assigned. The EH officer encouraged us to participate in different project cycles assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation for effective strategy of project activities with play leading role in mentoring, coaching and leadership of environmental health workers at operational area. 

Major Responsibilities:

Coordination and representation

• Properly Supervise the progress and implementation of subcontracted or own force project implementation in the intervention woreda as per the IRC standards and work procedures.
• Represent the IRC and Works closely with RRS and UNHCR for refugee setting and for local intervention Region, Zone/Woreda Water and Health Offices towards efficient and effective implementation of the project by organizing regular field visits and joint monitoring with project steering committee.
• In collaboration with other EH teams, we ensure a high level of community participation in the project and regularly supervise the community participation.
• Coordinate partners in water quality testing and in scheme disinfection and ensure the scheme disinfection and water quality testing of all the water schemes constructed under the project was done timely.
• Coordinate with Hygiene Promotion Officer and other technical unit members to ensure targeted, effective, and quality programming.

Project implementation:

• In coordination with senior EH officer and other EH team Prepares detail water sector physical & financial implementation plan of the project which includes but not limited to activity plan, spending plan and procurement plan.
• Ensure all the constructed hardware activities are properly handover to the concerned bodies with full of recording data like GPS location, beneficiary, yields of the water schemes, history of the water schemes in well documented manner at the right time before project phase out.
• Conduct the feasibility study of the water options proposed through community action plan.
• Prepare detailed specification for items to be procured and ensure its procurements are as per set specifications.

Monitoring & evaluation:

• Properly supervise and confirm the quality and quantity of delivery of both local and industrial materials supplied by suppliers and transporters are per the IRC standards and code of conducts. And ensure the project resources including the construction materials in all kebeles of the intervention woreda are well monitored and properly used for the project purpose without any abuse.
• Ensure all the construction under the projects are of the highest quality standard and free of technical defects in at intervention camp or local community.
• Source out and monitor labor required towards implementation of project interventions and ensure the proper implementation of the organizational norms and standards.
• Maintain a regular system of project progress monitoring and evaluation.

Capacity building:

• In collaboration with other EH teams organize and facilitate different trainings for water, hygiene sanitation management committee, EHAs, Water caretaker, artesian and for government partners per the project scope.
• Facilitate to conduct technical team and water system takers capacity building training.

Strategy:

• Remain abreast of new developments in the sector and disseminate ideas, tools, and approaches among EH team.
• Represent IRC EH at external and coordination meetings with IPs, IOs and donors.

Proposals:

• Supervise/conduct needs assessments in the sector of water and sanitation, hygiene and health promotion when required.
• Actively participate in preparation of proposals, especially log frame, technical description, and budget development.

Human Resources / Staffing:

• Identify staffing needs and assists with recruitment when vital.
• Support EH manager, camp managers and senior officers with IRC performance reviews.
• Follow the IRC Human resource policy at working place.

Supply chain /Finance:

• Liaise with IRC Administration, supply chain, and Finance Departments to ensure smooth operations and appropriate support to ensure smooth project implementation.
• Raise and follow up on purchase requests, conduct equipment and materials inspections and ensure timely supply of materials to site.
• Develop and maintain tools to monitor project progress, financial commitments, and expenditures against budgets as necessary.
• Maintain budget plans & monitor spending for allocated EH budgets.
• Prepare utilization plan for inventories and work closely with others on effective and efficient use of resources and old grants.

Reporting:

• Compile detailed design, specification, bills of quantities, budget estimates in response to the proposed community action plan in all intervention refugee camp, reception centers and entry points. For development intervention for kebeles of the respective woreda
• Confirm the proper completion of every driven construction under the project and facilitate timely preparation of pay sheet as per the execution.
• Produces activity progress update and reports as per the preset reporting schedule and submit to the supervisor and copy to the Field Manager and the Project manager.
• Compile and share the material utilization report every two weeks for per site in the intervention woreda.
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Safeguarding Responsibilities: -

• Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion, and cohesion in IRC Assosa field office.
• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies.

Educational Requirements:

• BA/MBA graduate in civil, water resource engineering, Sanitary Engineering, hydraulic engineering, civil engineering, or related engineering fields of study
• At least 2 years of experience for first degree holders/1 year of relevant experience plus post-graduate degree

Preferred experience & skills:

• 2 years relevant experience in EH, preferably in a humanitarian setting (refugee camps, rural development, or emergency response) for first-degree.
• Competent in Windows, MS office, & Auto Cad, Water Cad, EPHANET, email and database experience.
• Experience of communication and supervising staff and interaction with international staff and partners and donors.
• Fluency in English, spoken and written.
• Have received training or certificate on project management, Auto cad and water cad preferred.