Senior Water Quality Officer

Background/IRC Summary:  The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

IRC has been working in Pakistan for over 30 years, and manages and delivers large, complex programs to meet the needs in health, education, protection, environmental health and livelihoods for displaced, poor and disaster affected communities. IRC works in partnership with local government and non-governmental organizations and currently works in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh provinces.

IRC Pakistan will be implementing five years “leveraging Inclusive WASH For Empowerment in Pakistan (LIFE-Pakistan) project i.e. Water For Women Fund supported by Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian government.

With an overall goal of gender equitable and socially inclusive WASH services for improved health conditions of marginalized groups, this project aims to directly improve the lives of 168,000 beneficiaries in 75 villages in three districts of KP, Pakistan.

The project will reach its goal through three pillars:

1. Inclusive community level WASH
2. Improved WASH governance
3. Strengthened decision making around WASH.

The project will focus on schools and health centers that serve communities, as well as community and household WASH. A process of participatory training and discussion will be utilized to strengthen women’s role in the community, and will be supported with life skills training and gender protection programming. Knowledge management and learning through ongoing monitoring, periodic evaluations and research will keep the project on track, provide evidence for advocacy for improving legislative environment, and draw learning for future programing.

Job Overview/Summary: Reporting to the Wash Manager, the Water Quality Officer will be responsible for managing water quality sampling, testing and analysis activities as per the guidelines, standards and norms in the target beneficiaries.

Major Responsibilities:

·         Train field Staff on use of water testing kits and on how to undertake sanitary inspection of water sources

·         To manage and supervise staff according to standards, IRC guidelines including performance management, job orientation, capacity building, support in recruitment process and grievance handling.

·         Lead ongoing water testing activities, establishing suitable facilities, protocols and methods for all needed tests.

·         Manage and monitor water quality testing facilities, equipment and supplies, ensuring that they are maintained in good working order.

·         Conduct Systematic surveys and water quality analysis in consultation with WASH manager.

·         Monitor quality of water regularly in all rehabilitated/maintained or newly constructed water supply schemes or water from water trucking, if required?

·         Develop tools and ensure sanitary inspection of water sources; and analyze data and take necessary measures.

·         Develop/adopt summarized well disinfection guideline in consultation with the WASH manager.

·         Plan, manage and monitor chlorination of applicable public water sources before distribution.

·         Take appropriate measure including disinfection of water sources (wells fitted with hand pump) found to be contaminated i.e. Shock Chlorination.

·         Submit  purchase requests for all procurements needs related with water quality assessment as per IRC procedures.

·         Prepare weekly, monthly work plans and progress reports

·         Working in harmony with all other project staff and field team for the effective and efficient day-to-day management of the WASH/EH projects.

·         Coordinate with other stakeholder on the ground for smooth, efficient and effective implementation of water quality testing.

·         Conduct evaluation of the water quality in target areas.

·         Mapping of water sources and develop data base of water quality in project area.

·         Conduct water samples collection, water quality testing and treatment according to the standards.

·         Management and update water data base.

·         Liaison and follow up with water services provider i.e. LR & RDD, PHED etc.

·         Conduct brief/ basic hygiene session on risks associated with waterborne diseases and basic water treatment methods during collection of water samples and treatment of water sources.

·         Prepare & oversee technical reports regarding water quality testing, treatment and standards.

·         Provide technical advice and assistance to beneficiaries for the water quality testing and treatment.

·         Conduct monthly evaluation of water quality testing and treatment data to determine effect on health of target communities and recommend changes in program activities to WASH Manager.

·         Report all the activities to WASH Manager in a timely manner.

·         Work as an active member of the water & sanitation team, taking on additional duties as necessary and willingly assisting other members of the team in their work.

·         Advise Project team and Project Engineers for suitable sites and depth of proposed water supply schemes.

·         Perform other duties as required.

Job Requirements:

a)      Education:

·         A qualified professional person with minimum of Bachelors (Honors) or Master Degree in Life & Environmental Science or other related field.

b)      Work Experience:

·         Minimum 3 years relevant experience.

c)      Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

·         Ability to use MS Office

·         Knowledge and practical use of water testing equipment.

·         Excellent communication skills and fluency in local languages.

·         Previous experience of water quality sampling, testing, analysis and monitoring in WASH projects (NGO experience preferred)

Language Skills:

• Fluency in English, Urdu and local language Pashtu.

Others: 

Gender Equality and Diversity:

IRC recognizes that gender equality is fundamental to the achievement of our organizational mission. As such, IRC is committed to the promotion of gender equality in all aspects of our operations and programs. Our organizational policies, procedures and actions demonstrate this commitment. Women, minorities, persons with disability (PWD) and transgender are highly encouraged to apply.