Water Quality Officer at Peace Winds Japan

Peace Winds Japan (PWJ) is a Japanese Non-Governmental Organization established in 1996. PWJ has been providing humanitarian and development assistance for people affected by forced displacement and natural disasters in more than 20 countries in the world.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Water Quality Officer reports to the WASH Coordinator, and is responsible for ensuring the supply of quality water to refugees and host community members in Dadaab camps.
The Primary responsibilities of the Water Quality Officer will include overseeing the proper treatment of water at permanent and temporary treatment plants; supervision and monitoring of regular water quality test activities; setting up of water quality data management system (data collection, entry, analysis, reporting); and conducting regular training to build the staff capacity on water quality. He/she will also ensure proper management of equipment, consumables and other resources under the program and report periodically to supervisors. Other responsibilities include overall management/supervision of WASH activities.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Ensure proper treatment/disinfection of water at treatment points.
Establish clear and straightforward management systems including Jar tests, Alum dosage, Chlorine dosage, chemical preparation, etc.
Organize regular water quality data monitoring system and conduct regular water quality test starting from the source, to different stages of treatment plant, tap stands, storage reservoir/s, household level, etc to ensure refugees/host community are supplied with safe water as per UNHCR and international standards.
Develop necessary formats and a database for regular water quality data collection, data entry, storage, analysis and report production.
Raise purchase requests for procurement of equipment, reagents, treatment chemicals, and ensure the availably of all necessary items in stock for regular water quality test and operation.
Ensure the cleaning of treatment plant units, service reservoir, and clean water wells at regular, scheduled intervals.
Prepare the preparation of Operation manuals for the water treatment plants in Dadaab camps.
Work with other WASH officers and coordinate with other IPs on information sharing related with water quality and promotion of proper water storage at household level.
Summarize and produce weekly, and monthly water quality report to the Area Manager to share to head office and UNHCR;
Serve as the focal person for water quality issues for Dadaab camp and head of the water quality lab.

Water Quality Control

Collect water samples from selected water sources and from points of its usage i.e boreholes, households, water taps, schools and health facility
Carry out physical and bacteriological analysis of drinking water for all the camps and water sources. Coordinate and manage lab testin.
Ensuring training of national staff, incentive staff and WASH committees in technical areas including water quality testing and/or building and maintaining quality water point structures.
Ensure SPHERE standards both qualitative and quantitative are considered for analysis of water quality and quantity.

Sanitation and Hygiene

Together with hygiene promoters, WASH committees and community leaders, conduct assessments to understand barriers and motivators for promoting key sanitation and hygiene practices and behaviors.
Develop effective social and behavioral change intervention strategies for promoting key sanitation and hygiene practices and behaviors based on identified barriers and motivators.
Support hygiene promoters to carry out these strategies through regular hygiene promotion activities and community dialogues to engage communities to foster their initiatives to improve their sanitation and hygiene
Provide technical assistance for the community agents and beneficial communities on construction/installment of WASH related facilities e.g., toilet, hand washing facility, refuse-pit and dish rack, etc.
Coordinate with education partners and schools to implement School Led Total Sanitation (SLTS), star school awarding and any other activities to promote sanitation and hygiene among school going children
Conduct community awareness creation sessions on menstrual hygiene management. This includes dialogues with leaders including religious leaders and any other trusted persons in the community
Work together with incentive staff, Contracted CBOs, market committees and any other groups and individual to remove the waste from the residential and communal spaces, dispose the waste and manage existing disposal site properly. Develop a strategy for sustainable solid waste management service for the future implementation
Develop sanitation marketing strategies with CBOs and private sectors for sanitation and hygiene and involve hygiene promoters in carrying out sanitation marketing activities.

Project Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation

Work with the health partners on how to interpret and use data/findings to guide targeted interventions and decision making
Work closely with the MEAL officer to conduct routine KAP surveys and latrine census.
Timely development of monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual performance reports and highlighting success stories arising from the field
Represent the organization as required in inter-agency and government coordination meetings and liaise with other organizations working in the operational area where appropriate.
Carry out any other task as requested by the supervisor

Requirements
Required Qualifications Education and qualification

Bachelor's degree in analytical chemistry, biochemistry or microbiology from a recognized university. Bachelor’s degree in Water engineering or public health/environmental health with extensive experience in water quality management may be considered.
Knowledge of SPHERE, WHO and national water quality standards
Be a registered/licensed member of the relevant professional body
Additional course or personal learning on community development, livelihood, project and business management is an asset
Understanding of water pipeline designs, knowledge of ArcGIS; Epanet, AutoCAD Civil-CAD and water modeling software is an asset

Relevant Experience

Minimum 5 years relevant work experience in the area of Water Quality Management and at least 2 years in humanitarian setting.
Experience in capacity building for community own resource persons or community-based staff
Experience in intervention projects with strong community involvement
Experience in partner and stakeholder coordination
Experience in designing and implementing social and behavior change communication

Skills and competencies

Ability to observe and understand cultural and social contexts and reflect the understandings in programing
Excellent analytical and report writing skills
Strong community engagement and facilitation skill
Ability to infuse positive energy to the team
Attention to detail, keen at following procedures and meeting deadlines
Ability to organize tasks simultaneously and prioritize work
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Strong interpersonal skills working with cross cultural and multi diverse teams
Ability to build strong working relationships for partnerships
Standards of Professional Conduct especially on integrity, service, and accountability

Capacity building:

Conduct regular training/refreshment/ jointly with the Water quality team members including Hygiene promoter team, assistant water quality Assistant officers, and treatment & chemical operators and camp water quality monitors.
Prepare notes, modules, and other related resources regarding the training component and share for the trainees;
Organize the laboratories with necessary equipment, manuals for equipment, books, and other electronic reference materials.

General Employees’ Obligations and Responsibilities

The Employer stipulates the right to assign the Employee any other kind of work derived from his/her specialization. In case of urgent work and such like the Employee may be asked to work overtime as well as during public and other holidays.
Deliver project objectives within time, resource and budget constraints.
Correctness and completeness of given tasks.
The Employee takes over the responsibility for all entrusted material or cash. The Employee is obligated to cover all damages or losses caused by his carelessness.
Maintain confidentiality of all information gained from employment within, not publicly.
Representing and upholding the values, policies and procedures of PWJ at all times.
Your schedule is subject to change at any time according to the organization needs.
Behave in a professional manner at all the times with the understanding that the public associates your behavior with PWJ.