Program Advisor WASH

Norwegian Church Aid ('NCA') is one of the largest aid organisations in the Nordic region. We are there in disasters and emergencies to provide water and critical assistance to those affected. Together with our international network and partner organisations in the ACT Alliance we are able to reach millions of people each year and help make a positive difference around the world. We are determined to work towards eradicating injustice, and we therefore work passionately with advocacy, long-term development in local communities and providing emergency assistance. As we see more and more people impacted by disasters, we now have an even stronger focus on providing more people with emergency relief and access to clean water. We believe that people in need must be helped, and we will not stop fighting for a just world.

In Somalia, NCA provides assistance to IDPS, refugees, returnees and host communities affected and has been present in Somalia since 1993. In Somalia, NCA implements programmes in the thematic areas of GBV, WASH, Peace building, Economic Empowerment and Food Security, and Education for Peace and Sustainable Development as a contextual programme.

1.     POSITION SUMMARY

The WASH Advisor provides strategic and technical leadership for NCA Somalia’s WASH portfolio. The position strengthens programme quality, supports programme development and resource mobilization, and ensures that WASH interventions are aligned with NCA policies, approved grants, relevant government requirements, Sphere standards and applicable humanitarian coordination guidance. Working closely with programme teams, partners, communities and external stakeholders, the Advisor provides technical oversight, capacity strengthening and quality assurance across the programme cycle.

2.    AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY 

I. WASH Programme Strategy and Technical Leadership. Provide strategic and technical direction for WASH programming, ensuring alignment with the NCA Somalia Country Strategy, humanitarian priorities and recognised technical standards.

II. Programme Quality and Accountability. Ensure that WASH assessments, designs and monitoring processes include meaningful participation by women, men, girls, boys, older people and persons with disabilities, and that community feedback, safeguarding concerns and protection risks inform programme decisions.

III. Programme Development and Resource Mobilisation. Lead the technical development of WASH assessments, concept notes, proposals and donor reports, ensuring technical quality and alignment with donor priorities and requirements.

IV. Technical Oversight of WASH Grants: Monitor the technical performance of WASH grants and work with programme, finance, MEAL, logistics and field teams to identify implementation, expenditure and compliance risks and recommend timely corrective action.

V. Coordination, Partnerships and Capacity Development. Strengthen collaboration with partners, communities, government authorities, donors, the WASH Cluster and other agencies, while building the technical capacity of NCA and partner staff.

3.  MAIN TASKS 

I.  Lead WASH assessments, programme design and planning, ensuring that interventions have clear outcomes, indicators, implementation approaches and exit or sustainability strategies.

II. Maintain a documented quality-assurance system for the WASH portfolio through joint assessments, technical and design reviews, field monitoring, corrective-action tracking, coaching, technical training, partner support plans and documented evidence of follow-up.

III. Review WASH programme performance, technical results and expenditure trends, and work with the responsible budget holders, programme, finance and MEAL colleagues to address technical, implementation and compliance gaps.

IV. Prepare and review technical inputs for proposals, budgets, workplans, donor reports, learning documents and other grant-management deliverables.

V. Represent NCA in relevant WASH coordination and technical forums within agreed organizational positions and delegated authority, and communicate key decisions, commitments, risks and follow-up actions internally.

4.   OTHER DUTIES / FUNCTIONS ASSIGNED TO THE POSITION

The WASH Advisor is accountable for:

1. Providing technical oversight for water-supply, sanitation and hygiene interventions, including water-resource assessments, infrastructure design, bills of quantities, water-quality assurance, climate and environmental risk mitigation, operation and maintenance arrangements, and sustainability planning.

2. Reviewing and endorsing WASH technical designs, specifications, bills of quantities, methodologies and technical capacity-strengthening materials in accordance with NCA procedures and formally delegated authority. Ensure that complex engineering designs are reviewed, certified or approved by appropriately qualified personnel and relevant government authorities, where required.

3. Monitoring programme quality and recommending corrective action when standards, results or donor requirements are not being met.

4. Advising the Head of Programmes on WASH risks, funding opportunities, resource requirements and strategic priorities.

5. Ensuring timely and accurate technical contributions to programme plans, proposals, reports and evaluations.

6. Escalating significant financial, safeguarding, security, reputational or compliance concerns to the appropriate manager.

The position does not independently approve new grants, contractual commitments, major budget revisions or official organisational positions unless such authority has been formally delegated.

Key Working Relationships

Internal

• Head of Programmes

• WASH programme and field teams

• Area office teams

• MEAL, finance, logistics and procurement teams

• Partnership, advocacy and communications colleagues

• NCA regional and global technical advisers

External

• Implementing partners

• WASH Cluster and interagency coordination bodies

• Government ministries and local authorities

• Institutional donors

• Community representatives and programme participants

• UN agencies, INGOs, national NGOs and technical networks

Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree in Water and Sanitation Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Public Health, Water Resources Management, or a related field. Candidates with a public health qualification must demonstrate substantial technical experience in WASH infrastructure, water-supply systems and sanitation programming.

• Minimum seven years of progressively responsible WASH experience, including at least three years in a technical advisory, programme development, quality-assurance or coordination role in humanitarian or development settings.

• Demonstrated experience delivering WASH programmes in fragile, conflict-affected, drought-affected or displacement contexts. Experience in Somalia or a comparable context is strongly desirable.

• Demonstrated ability to review engineering designs, technical specifications, bills of quantities, water-quality data and infrastructure quality-control documentation. Software proficiency in AutoCAD, QGIS, KoboToolbox, Power BI or Excel is highly recommended.

• Strong knowledge of Sphere standards, Core Humanitarian Standard, WASH Cluster guidance, humanitarian accountability and environmental safeguards.

• Demonstrated experience contributing to high-quality proposals, budgets, logframes, donor reports and grant modifications for institutional humanitarian and development donors.

• Experience integrating gender, protection, GBV risk mitigation, conflict sensitivity, disability inclusion and environmental considerations into WASH programming.

• Strong facilitation, training, coaching, analytical and stakeholder-management skills.

• Excellent written and spoken English. Proficiency in Somali is strongly desirable.

• Willingness and ability to travel regularly to programme locations.

Employees in NCA are expected to contribute as team players, be flexible, and willing to assist with other tasks not mentioned in the job description.

Employees in NCA are also obligated to comply with work regulations and reasonable instructions that NCA asserts. This includes, but is not limited to, redefining duties in the event of an emergency or other circumstances that may require so.

Reporting line: To the Head of Programs

We Offer

Contract period: 12 Months with the possibility of extension.
Salary: According to NCA salary scale.
Duty Station: Garowe and frequent travel to other field locations.

Key Information - Please Take Note When Applying

• Apply by completing all the system-required fields of your experience, employment history, and education in your application.

• Ensure to attach your latest CV.

• Submit your application and CV in English.

• When creating your profile, include your full name as per your passport.

• Incomplete, email and paper applications will not be considered.

• Candidates are encouraged to apply early, as applications may be screened prior to the vacancy deadline.

• Applications that do not meet the minimum standards in terms of experience or qualifications will generally not be considered.

• Unsolicited applications not related to this specific job advertisement will not be considered.

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. We receive many applicants for each vacant position.

Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
 

Before you apply:  

We kindly ask you to carefully read the  ACT Code of Conduct for the prevention of misconduct, including corruption, fraud, exploitation and abuse, including sexual; and to ensure child safeguarding and the  Protection from Sexual Harassment, Exploitation and Abuse and Child Safeguarding policy before you submit your application. If you are the selected candidate for this position you will be asked to complete and sign our Code of Conduct and Protection from Sexual Harassment, Exploitation and Abuse, and Child Safeguarding Policy.  
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