WASH Technical Advisor

WASH Technical Advisor

ROLE PURPOSE:

Under the general direction and guidance of the Manager of Programme Development and Quality, ensure all programming in WASH is of excellent technical quality, attracts significant donor funding and contributes to Save the Children’s strategic objectives, national/global learning and advocacy.

The WASH TA is expected to provide technical advice and support to project staff to ensure programming objectives are successfully achieved, with frequent visits to the field to support staff capacity and high-quality programme implementation. S/he shall facilitate the development of the Ukraine country office strategy on WASH in integration with health, nutrition, education and protection, and work with colleagues to drive its effective roll-out. S/he will work closely with the advocacy team where appropriate. The WASH TA will represent Save the Children in national forums, such as the national cluster on WASH.

CONTEXT:

In the early hours of 24th February 2022 Russian forces launched major cross-border attacks against Ukraine from the north, east and south, by land, sea and air. In addition to the immediate physical and psychological impacts of ongoing attacks, this carries significant humanitarian implications for a country already experiencing an economic and humanitarian crisis linked to protracted conflict over the past 8 years. The situation remains highly fluid but will clearly have a devastating impact on girls, boys and their communities, including through fueling displacement and protection risks, the destruction of infrastructure and loss of basic services, deepening the economic crisis; along with longer term physical and psychological impacts. Currently, more than 10 million people are displaced both settling in the western part of Ukraine or crossing the border to neighboring countries as a direct result of the war.

Reports to: Programme Quality and Development Director

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

General management

• As a senior member of the Country Office, demonstrate behaviours that are consistent with Save the Children’s Mission, Vision and Values at all times.
• Contribute to a conducive and productive work environment
• Carry out the responsibilities of the role in a way which reflects Save the Children’s commitment to safeguarding children, and comply with our Code of Conduct, Child Safeguarding Policy, anti fraud and other policies.

Strategic Planning and Programme Development

• Lead the development and implementation of the WASH component of the Save the Children Ukraine country strategy, ensuring collaboration with Health, Nutrition, Protection and Education. Clearly reflect gender and disability issues in our programming to ensure equity of services.
• On an ongoing basis, lead the analysis of WASH needs in Ukraine.
• Build on technical knowledge, personal understanding of Emergency WASH and Construction requirements and services in Ukraine, prior and after the incursion, to develop proposals for new programming. Make use of community, partners information that reflects community priorities and government policies for new programming opportunities.
• Analyse donor priorities and positions on issues related to WASH, identifying institutional funding opportunities and developing and maintaining contacts with potential donors, partners and key technical agencies. Ensure that new partnerships in this technical area reflect the programme quality we expect, and build the capacity of partners to do effective protection work.
• Ensure that programme strategy supports and demonstrates good practice in child participation, safe programming, and child safeguarding.

Programme Quality

• Monitor and provide timely, relevant, accurate input on the technical aspects of Save the Children programming related to WASH. The position will be required to travel 40% of the time to Save the Children operational location of Lviv, Chevenitsi, Ushhgarod and other field locations
• Work closely with the Programme Operations department to ensure all programme staff and partners (where possible) receive the necessary and appropriate technical support as regards programming on WASH.
• In consultation with staff and project managers agree on the range of advice, support, training and/or other assistance required to facilitate high quality programming and ensure that this is delivered on a regular basis.
• Analyse and provide feedback on programme implementation and training to relevant staff to ensure compliance with SCI construction policy.
• Analyse and provide feedback on programme implementation to ensure gender equity.
• Assist in the development and training of tools for project staff and partners to improve the quality of our work. Ensure access to appropriate technical training for project staff and partners as required
• Where external consultants (local or international) are required to technically support or monitor and evaluate projects, work with MEAL on the recruitment and subsequent management of contracted consultants as per the recruitment guidelines.
• Review relevant monitoring reports to donors to ensure that technical debates are well articulated and reports are of acceptable quality before submission. Provide support where necessary to improve report writing skills.
• Provide input on partner selection, and provide technical coaching of partners in WASH, including sharing of relevant publications, tools and training opportunities.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning

• – – – In coordination with WASH Backstops and MEAL team, ensure the development and adoption of a monitoring and evaluation framework, key indicators and quality benchmarks for WASH that helps each project to improve quality of reporting, clearly articulate progress and impact of projects, identify issues for advocacy and input for new programmes/projects in the future.
  • Participate in the design of baseline, mid-term and end of project evaluations for programme with WASH components, including working with Country MEAL Manager on Terms of Reference.. Monitor the evaluation process and provide input and clarification as needed. Review evaluation findings and ensure that lessons and recommendations are captured and capitalized.
  • In coordination with Country MEAL Manager participate in design effective activities and tools to ensure beneficiaries’ participation to all project cycle management phases with particular focus on women and children.
  • In coordination with Country WASH backstop and Country MEAL Manager participate in design WASH datasets for WASH indicators to be reported on IMPACT (Information Management Platform for ACTion).
  • Regularly review and monitor WASH programmes for child safeguarding issues. Take corrective action in modifying programme activities and/or report incidents.
  • Ensure active dissemination of programme findings and lessons learned through the production of high technical quality lessons learned documents and their effective dissemination to key stakeholders

Advocacy and Policy Development

• Maintain an up to date and in depth understanding of national policies, strategies and other initiatives and developments by the Government of Ukraine and other stakeholders relating to WASH, and support civil society strengthening to hold duty bearers accountable to policies. Regularly assess and communicate the implications for Save the Children’s programme and priorities of any changes in the operating environment relevant to this theme in close collaboration with other relevant advisor(s). Ensure alignment of strategy with relevant legal frameworks.
• Help to clearly articulate any WASH advocacy messages for the Ukraine country office. Develop policy briefs and position papers as and when required related to WASH, in collaboration with the sub-cluster, collaborating agencies, and members, as needed.
• Specifically ensure the following:

1. Representation and active participation in the National WASH Cluster.
2. Ensure presence at relevant coordination meetings at national and regional levels, as well as other key donors and stakeholders
3. Advise field teams to ensure adequate field visibility through attendance at coordination meetings

Team leadership

• Bring together SC staff from across the CO to build a capable, high performing team;
• Be a positive role model for WASH staff and support their capacity development and advancement;
• Assist in the recruitment of WASH programme staff in technical areas of expertise as appropriate and ensure availability of appropriate professional development opportunities;
• Through consistent presence in the field, provide initial and refresher training to staff have a clear understanding of Save the Children’s strategies and approaches as well as those of the government.

Other

• Participate actively in PDQ programme meetings, planning and review activities, providing enhanced insight into WASH.
• Actively participate in key relevant internal meetings such as Programme Review Meetings, Senior Management Team or Area-based meetings as required. Participate in donor visit to project(s) within the country office portfolio, as required.

SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice):

Accountability:

• Holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities – giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages others to do the same
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• Future orientated, thinks strategically

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, members and external partners and supporters
• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• Willing to take disciplined risks

Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• A WASH professional with qualification in Water/ Civil engineering, Environmental engineering, Public Health, construction or related qualifications
• Significant professional experience, at least 3 years of working at a senior level in WASH for international NGOs, UN or government
• Excellent understanding of the WASH sector within the Ukraine context; experience working in integration with other sectors such as health, nutrition and education an advantage.
• Experience working in rapid onset emergencies (CAT 1).
• Knowledge of and Experience with the mobile, displaced and refugee settlements.
• Proven representation and advocacy skills.
• Strong commitment to capacity building of national staff and partners with willingness to adopt participatory and consultative approaches.
• Experience writing donor funding proposals for institutional grants in excess of US$1 million.
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate and negotiate clearly and effectively at all levels, taking into account cultural and language difficulties.
• Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge existing mindsets.
• Experience solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy in.
• Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner.
• Ability and willingness to dramatically change work practices and hours, and work with incoming surge teams, in the event of emergencies.
• Fluency in English and Ukrainian Language and an understanding Russian language will be added advantage.
• Commitment to Save the Children values, including willingness to abide by and enforce the Child Safeguarding policy.

We offer a competitive package in the context of the sector. This Role is offered on the basis of International terms and conditions. Also, interviews will be held on ongoing basis, adverts will be closed once a person is identified.

For non- EU citizens; Visa is to be obtained.

The Organisation

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Application Information:

Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application, and include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations. A copy of the full role profile can be found at www.savethechildren.net/careers

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.