Water Technician at Organization For Welfare and Development in Action (OWDA), Addis Ababa , Ethiopia

The Water Technician, under the Project Coordinator’s supervision, is responsible for daily implementation of the CR-WASH programme in the designated project area, ensuring quality construction activities for beneficiaries.

The post holder: Will work closely with communities, districts, zonal Water offices, coordination forums, partners, the private sector, and the OWDA zonal team.

BACKGROUND:

Organization for Welfare and Development in Action (OWDA) was established in December 1999 to help provide humanitarian assistance to the affected population. OWDA started its operation by providing relief programs aimed at supporting the most vulnerable segment of the people. However, the organization reshaped its strategic focus to go for long-term development programs intended to strengthen local capacity to bring about durable solutions for the marginalized pastoralist and agro-pastoralist communities in the Somali region of Ethiopia.
In line with Agency for Civil Society Organizations (ACSO) Proclamation No. 1113/2019, the organization was registered by the Agency for Civil Society Organizations as a national NGO with registration No. 0421. OWDA is an active national humanitarian organization dedicated to bringing sustainable human development in the Somali Region of Ethiopia. Through its cooperation with donors and stakeholders, OWDA build the capacity of its target community through financial and technical empowerment to help them lead their livelihoods, OWDA consider them as a key stakeholder.
OWDA places special emphasis on investing and building the resilience of vulnerable pastoral and agro-pastoral communities, mainly children, women, youth, elderly and people with special needs to help them survive with natural and made shocks. The organizational age, geographical reach and the local knowledge made it possible to gain outstanding experience to deliver effective, appropriate and timely responses to target communities. OWDA’s main thematic programing are Health and Nutrition, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH), Education, Food Security and Livelihood programs mainstreamed with gender and protection.
Over its life span, the organization has grown substantially in the number of projects implemented, districts covered, staff numbers and budgets managed. OWDA implements both development and humanitarian programs in partnership with international NGOs, Donors like USAID, DFID, Norway Development Fund, EU, GFFO, GIZ, UN agencies. Likewise, OWDA is one of the few national NGOs that get direct access of Ethiopian Humanitarian Fund. OWDA is operational in all zones in Somali Region, namely: Afder, Dawa, Dollo, Fafan, Erer, Jarar, Korahe, Liben, Nogob, Shebele, and Siti zones. Since its establishment, the organization through its work in emergency and development interventions supported millions of people, saving lives and providing skills, opportunities, employment for improved livelihoods. Similarly, it has achieved great development in its organizational capacity and management of programs. OWDA has over 270 staffs and manages 8-10 Million USD annually.

DIMENSIONS:

Ensure that overall project planning, implementation, and management.
In collaboration with woreda line offices and NGO partners, conduct need assessment and select project intervention sites/kebeles.
This position will be responsible for Water Supply related activities under the CR-WASH project.
Carry out project activities and prepare progress reports.
Identify project implementation challenges/problems that hinder project performance and solve it timely manner.
Advises decision-making for specific programme contexts.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Makes available materials and other resources necessary for the construction and maintenance of water schemes, latrine, fords and culverts, warehouses, schools, irrigation schemes, fences, etc., as per the design;
coordinates and supervises the construction tasks at selected water source sites;
Fits in water pumps; rope and washer pumps; water supply pipeline fittings; hand dug wells, etc.
It makes the community participate in the water and sanitation programmes and follows up on the participation of water committees in the programmes.
Facilitates training on clean water and sanitation for the community.
Collects information about the progress of completed programmes and ensures that construction materials are properly utilised.
Promotes positive relationships with the concerned local governments and communities.
Assists the immediate supervisor in conducting surveys on water source sites;
Performs other related duties assigned by the immediate supervisor.
Perform site monitoring together with focal points assuring quality control of the activities & services;
Participate in data collection, KAP surveys, PDMs;
Participate in collection of useful data, success stories and beneficiary lists as required;
Report activities using distribution lists, attendance lists with activity reporting format;
Monitor targets and monitor behavioral changes on a regular basis in accordance with the M&E work plan;
Liaise with the technical team to ensure harmonization of activities and integration of hard and soft WASH activities;
Collaborate with other agencies (Government authorities and IPs) in implementation area;
Report all WASH related concerns on a regular basis to line manager;
Perform any other duty assigned by immediate supervisor;

KEY DELIVERABLES:

Documented work plans for the projects supported, with regular written reports demonstrating progress against targeted activities in coordination with the WASH Coordinator and Project Coordinator.

Job Requirements

SKILLS AND COMPETENCE:

Diploma in Rural Water Supply and Sanitation/TVET, Advanced Diploma in Water Supply or related field. B.Sc in Engineering fields, mainly Hydraulics and Water Resource Engineering, Civil, Environmental Engineering etc.
2-3 years of work experience, with similar jobs and experience with community development work.
Experience in Water Quality monitoring tools and skills.
Ability to understand the cultural context of the community, Experience in participatory techniques and community mobilization;
Positive and professional attitude, able to organize, maintain and prioritize work under pressure and able to work in an insecure environment;
Accountability & responsiveness within areas of responsibilities.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with communities, stakeholders, and partners.
Ability to conduct assessments, monitor and evaluate programs, and prepare reports.
Proficiency in relevant software applications such as Microsoft Office and data analysis tools.
Fluency in English and other relevant languages spoken in the community or region where they work.
Proven and good understanding of community-based approaches, including clear involvement of children, women and people with disabilities in the hygiene promotion and Social and Behavior Change related to WASH project.
Be a team player and ready to collaborate with others in positive manner.