PROGRAMME ASSISTANT – WASH 266 views7 applications

The European Union’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO) seeks to recruit a

PROGRAMME ASSISTANT – WASH

To join its Regional Office in Nairobi

The European Commission’s Directorate General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid (DG-ECHO), is the European Commission Department responsible for financing humanitarian assistance. ECHO finances a range of partners, which include NGOs, UN agencies and the Red Cross Movement, to provide assistance to people affected by both natural and manmade disaster.

1. Duties & Responsibilities

The Programme Assistant (PA) – WASH will be based in Nairobi and will support ECHO’s Thematic Expert in charge of WASH in the region by undertaking the following tasks:

• Assess water, sanitation and hygiene aspects of humanitarian situations in the region and provide recommendations on appropriate response;
• Provide sectorial technical appraisal of project proposals submitted to ECHO as requested;
• Provide quality technical advice and support to ECHO-funded projects, and assess policy compliance
• Regular monitoring of on-going WASH projects and follow up of recommendations based on ECHO’s policies and international standards / best practices;
• Provide advice and support to ECHO Country Offices at programmatic and strategic levels;
• The PA will be covering Central, Eastern and Southern Africa countries where humanitarian crises are on-going or likely to occur. Frequent travel at short notice will be required. Based on evolving needs, the geographical coverage may change, and, if needed, the PA shall make him/herself available to cover countries outside the region.

2. Required Qualifications

• Bachelor or equivalent degree in water and sanitation engineering/technology; water resources management; water treatment; hydrogeology; borehole engineering or similar field;
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience at national or international level in supporting programme/project operations, in water and sanitation in the Central, Eastern or Southern Africa regions, including at least 2 years of experience with NGOs, donor or national/international organisation; this should include work outside Kenya; If the candidate does not have a relevant university degree, eight years’ work experience in the humanitarian sector will be required;
• Demonstrated understanding of water and sanitation and public health policies, standards, guidelines in emergency settings;
• Public health background is an asset;
• Knowledge of international NGOs and UN aid agencies working in the region;
• Good knowledge of Project Cycle Management and ideally of international donors’ procedures.

3. Required Skills.

• Fluent written and spoken English are required. Understanding of French language is an advantage;
• Personal initiative; ability to work both independently and in a team, with ability to set priorities, and to work to tight deadlines;
• Commitment, determination, reliability and a high degree of personal integrity and discretion;
• Ability to analyse and process complex information; ability to clearly and concisely convey information;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.)

Applications which do not meet minimum requirements will be automatically rejected.