About ZOA

ZOA works with committed and motivated staff in serving millions of people affected by poverty, disaster, injustice and conflicts. Through the efforts of our dedicated staff, we are able to bring Signs of Hope and to support people who suffer due to armed conflict or natural disasters by helping them to rebuild their livelihoods.  ZOA has a zero tolerance to Safeguarding, Child & Adult Safeguarding, Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuses.

We value our employees and offer a wide range of benefits to meet the specific needs of our staff and their families.

Purpose:

Working closely with the Humanitarian Response manager, and the Emergency Response Coordinator (ERC). The Shelter and WaSH specialist will provide technical expertise in the design and implementation of ZOA’s emergency operations specifically in shelter and WaSH programs in Ethiopia, ensuring that shelter and WaSH sector responses are implemented according to agreed project plans, budgets, and timeframes. The purpose of this role is also to support ZOA Ethiopia’s Humanitarian Response Manager in the execution of his duty to align emergency responses with the objectives of the Country Strategic Annual Plan and with government and donor guidelines.  The specialist will also support the development of a country-wide emergency strategy for refugees and IDP’s and other vulnerable beneficiaries. The specialist will also provide direct support in project design, project implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting in close collaboration with ZOA’s Humanitarian Response Manager, Manager of Programme Quality, and Programme Area Managers.

Typical Responsibilities - Key end Results of the Position:

A. Shelter and WASH:

1. Technical Advisory Capacity:

• Support the preparation and updating of ESNFI and wash Clusters technical core documents. In particular, the Technical Advisor will have a key role in developing technical guidelines and standards.
• Lead any ongoing Technical Working Groups (TWiG) or instigate as necessary in accordance with the ESNFI and wash Clusters’ objectives.
• Together with the field engineers, partners, explore water schemes and shelter typologies, prepare bills of quantities for location-specific interventions, undertake needs assessment and contribute towards the design of new projects.
• Provide regular updates to HRM and ensure that ESNFI and wash Clusters partner responses are in line with existing international, national, and IASC policy guidelines, technical standards, and relevant Government obligations in terms of urban zoning, building code compliance, and the environment.
• Provide oversight of compliance of ESNFI/Wash Clusters partner programs with agreed technical guidelines, local partner capacity building and advise the Cluster Coordinator accordingly.
• Prepare and deliver Build Back Better training packages and design IEC materials tailored to local implementation sites to complement humanitarian shelter and WaSH support.
• Support to Promote utilization of participatory and community-based approaches in the planning and implementation of projects in order to ensure that humanitarian responses build on local capacities.
• Support to promote and adopt standardized approaches, tools, and formats for common use in the shelter and wash programming within the framework of an agreed common shelter and wash strategies.
• Contribute directly to cross-cutting strategies and issues including but not exclusive to Housing Land and Property; cash modality for distribution; gender equity and protection.
• Ensure and report exchange of good practices and lessons learned amongst partners by organizing presentations, joint visits, sharing documents, and other activities.
• Support in Promoting the attention to vulnerable groups and cross-cutting issues including establishment of context-specific beneficiary targeting criteria, context-specific monitoring tools, and Accountability to Affected Population strategy.
• Lead the construction or rehabilitation of water networks, gravity flow systems, wells, roof rainwater catchments, or boreholes.
• Support to develop and ensure the use of appropriate techniques and materials for hygiene promotion and training for staff and community.
• Support the field office WASH and shelter team and provide technical support, training, and capacity building.
• Leading any water-borne disease prevention campaigns, water treatment, water trucking, and emergency water supply.
• Leading and participating in the shelter and wash-related assessments and post-implementation monitoring.
• Ensure appropriate design, construction, and implementation of shelter and WASH hardware according to technical standards, as well as proper maintenance and use of WASH equipment.
• Support the field WASH and shelter team and provide technical support, training, and capacity building.
• Provide technical inputs during the CN, and proposal development process and support the program quality department (grant manager) and grant finance manager in delivering agreed BoQs.
• Ensure that all data and information is updated, well organized, and easily accessible; and that lessons learned and best practices are capitalized in ESNFI and wash sectors.

2. Planning, Reporting, and Monitoring

• Actively participate in proposal development and contribute to shelter and wash components
• Lead the preparation of regional and or Zonal government signatory authorities proposals and agreements with a budget for the shelter and  wash sectors
• Compile and submit sector reports with the required level of quality internally and externally including donors and signatory government authorities
• Collecting and compiling regular updates from the field concerning shelter and wash sectors
• Lead joint monitoring and PDM to ensure program quality in the field
• Analyze and report on the evolving humanitarian needs and provide clear recommendations for interventions.
• Develop appropriate targeting criteria and mechanisms to ensure the needs of identified vulnerable groups are met.

3. Coordination Capacity:

• Assist the humanitarian response manager in providing technical advisory services and expanding the contact with key sector stakeholders, including national and provincial authorities, national and international organizations, and representatives of affected populations, respecting mandates and program priorities of each of the stakeholders.
• Support the development and implementation of a common strategy within the ESNFI and WASH Cluster.
• Actively engage new partner agencies to expand ESNFI and WaSH Cluster participation and response and adapt cluster structures and operational models as required to optimally respond to the evolving situation.
• In conjunction with the humanitarian response manager and grant manager, advocate for funding and materials needs for partners to address identified gaps.
• Support to the preparation and revision of contingency planning and preparedness processes at the country and regional level.
• Establish and maintain a regular meeting schedule as required to discuss regionally adapted targets, debate on challenges, monitor progresses, and identify gaps and overlaps with all relevant Cluster members active in their respective areas.
• Support the HRM to ensure effective technical links with other Clusters, in particular the WaSH, CCCM, Protection, Education, and Health Clusters.
• Promote linkages and synergies with recovery and development stakeholders and work within the framework defined by the coordination mechanisms supporting return.
• Ensure the integration of agreed priority cross-cutting issues in sectorial needs assessment, analysis, planning, monitoring, and response (e.g. age, gender, environment, HIV/AIDS, COVID 19, and diversity).
• Support the HRM, Area managers, and ERC to ensure appropriate systems of accountability, establishing standardized indicators and feedback mechanisms.
• Support the HRM to represent the ESNFI and WaSH Clusters at the country and regional levels, local and national organizations, UNOCHA representation, and donor agencies.

Qualifications And Experience

•  Master’s degree in Architecture, Civil Engineering, or a related technical field from an accredited academic institution. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Minimum 5 years experience in relevant field-based project technical experience required, with at least 3 years working in the area of Shelter and WaSH programming.
• Experience in managing moderately complex projects preferably with an International NGO.
• Experience in different international organizations (e.g. UN agencies, INGOs, IOs, Donors, Red Cross Red Crescent Movement).
• Good knowledge of the Humanitarian Reform process, Cluster system, and the role of the UN, the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, and the NGO humanitarian community in the Shelter Cluster.
• Good knowledge of shelter and WaSH related technical guidelines and international standards, including Sphere standards.
• Sound technical knowledge and experience in traditional architecture materials, construction methods, water drilling/trucking, and resilient construction techniques.
• Sound knowledge of the shelter and WaSH challenges and possible solutions in the country.
• Good skills in using Microsoft Office software and other commonly used software. Knowledge of AUTOCAD software is required. Skills in graphic design (Adobe Suite) software and is desirable.
• Experience in working in environments with significant security challenges is an advantage.
• Knowledge of all regions of Ethiopia is an advantage.
• Previous experience in Cluster roles is an advantage.

Context/ Specific skills, knowledge, and experience:

• Context related skills, knowledge, and experience
• Knowledge of the emergencies context in Ethiopia
• Knowledge on Accountability to Affected Persons or CHS essential
• Experience with start-up and program development
• Experience with technical project management, design, and PCM tools
• Computer skills essential. Skills on data collection such as KOBO toolbox a plus
• Solid understanding and experience of protracted and acute crisis contexts

Behavioral competencies

• Communication, representation, negotiation, and leadership skills;
• Strategic thinking and planning skills, ability to set priorities, prepare manageable work plans, and evaluate progress;
• Goal-oriented and visionary;
• Managing resources to optimize results;
• Managing performance and development;
• Empowering and building trust;
• Handling insecure environments;
• Flexible and creative.