WASH Program Officer - Hygiene and Sanitation Promotion Officer

Country: Kenya

Organization: Action Against Hunger USA

Closing date: 9 May 2023

Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 24 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across 50 countries, our 8,300 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

Action Against Hunger USA is part of the Action Against Hunger International network. As an independent NGO, Action Against Hunger USA currently manages operations in 8 countries: Kenya, South Sudan, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zambia and Haiti. Action Against Hunger-USA has over $100 million in programs, and approximately 1,800 permanent staff based in New York City, Washington D.C, Nairobi, and country offices. Additional growth is anticipated.

Summary of position

The WASH officer shall take charge of technical aspects of hygiene and sanitation promotion interventions under the supervision of the field coordinator and Deputy Field Coordinator programs. S/he shall be responsible for planning, implementation, (technical oversights), monitoring and evaluation of high quality, innovative Hygiene and Promotion interventions

Purpose:

Action Against Hunger Kenya country office is looking to fill the position of WASH Officer-Hygiene and Promotion will be responsible for the daily implementation, monitoring, and regular consultation with program partners on hygiene and promotion interventions. Ensure linkage, synergies, and complementarity with other sectorial interventions, i.e. Nutrition, Food security, and livelihood as well as proper coordination, consultation and information sharing with partner’s communities and other stakeholders.

Engagement:

Internally work with other program staffs to foster integration with other sectors and programs. Represent Action Against Hunger in hygiene and Sanitation promotion coordination forums at the county and sub-county level, collaborate with other implementing partners, local partners, INGO, UN bodies, the local communities and government to ensure successful implementation of hygiene and sanitation interventions.

Delivery:

Under the direct supervision of the Field Coordinator and Deputy Field Coordinator programs, the Hygiene and Sanitation Officer will be responsible planning, monitoring and evaluation of the assigned Sanitation and Hygiene promotion interventions of the WASH interventions. TS/he will also be responsible for the implementation of Hygiene and Sanitation promotion interventions in target areas in line with Action Against Hunger, National, International and Donor Guidelines and requirements.

Essential job functions

Planning, design and implementation of Hygiene and Sanitation Interventions.

• Design the contents and methodology of the Community Hygiene and Sanitation mobilization campaign as required by the project.


• Prepares detail implementation plan, monitor and follow up the timely implementation of activities;


• Work with the county public health and community health strategy focal person in facilitating and providing various trainings to community hygiene and sanitation promoters and monitors who will include the Community Health Assistants (CHAs), Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) and Community Health Volunteers (CHVs).


• Provide technical advice for community hygiene and sanitation promoters and monitors at the community.


• Lead distribution of WASH NFIs (water containers, hygiene item and water treatment chemicals)


• Monitors and follow-up to ensure the proper dissemination of hygiene and sanitation messages to the target beneficiaries;


• Collect, analyze and compile reports from hygiene and sanitation activities and propose better implementation strategy in consultation with the WASH Manager


• In coordination with Program Manager, Monitoring and evaluation officer and county teams, design and conduct all baseline assessments, KAP surveys, and follow-up assessments with concrete feedback findings.


• In coordination with MEAL and WASH PM undertake/take part in quantitative/qualitative assessments to identify key risky hygiene behaviors to work on and to capture key achievements within the framework of project/s,


• In coordination with MOH, ensure proper implementation of hygiene and sanitation components of WASH projects within allocated budget and timelines.


• Support planning and implementation of community mobilization activities (using; community-led total sanitation and any new methodology that may be introduced and appropriate.)


• Provide technical support to communities in the construction of appropriate and context specific household latrine


• Provide support to the distribution of hygiene items, and conduct monitoring and follow-up to ensure proper usage of items and appropriateness.


• Carry out other additional duties as assigned by line-manager.

Reporting and Program Development

• Compile program reports on a timely basis in liaison with other program staff; Weekly SitRep, Monthly (statistical and narrative), Quarterly and annual donor reports


• Maintain full qualitative and quantitative records and reports of activities, disaggregated by age, gender where appropriate


• Prepare progress reports, quarterly donor reports, proposals, Program reports project procurement plan and contributes to survey reports.


• In collaboration with Program Manager and coordination team; contribute to defining technical strategy when required.


• In liaison with the Field Coordinator and Deputy Field Coordinator Programs develop a project proposal to address County specific gap


• In liaison with the County MOH/MOW and other partners, develop joint work plans for key activities as stipulated in the project document


• Support MOH focal persons on information, data management and reporting through the KHIS and CLTS HUB


• Participate in the planning, organizing and implementation of surveys, assessments and research studies including post distribution monitoring


• Collect and disseminate the outputs and drawbacks gained from hygiene and sanitation team in every month report of hygiene and sanitation promotion activities

Information exchange and cooperation with Action Against Hunger interventions and stakeholders

• Collaborate with all other Action Against Hunger departments and sectors to ensure the projects are integrated.


• Coordination with other Partners, Department of water, INGOs, NGOs, CBOs, communities, local leaders and the UN working in this area to ensure smooth running of projects.


• Ensure regular sharing of lessons learnt, success stories, best practices and challenges as necessary.

Visibility and Branding

• In liaison with the Field, Deputy Field Coordinators and logistic department, ensure projects are well branded

Supervisory Responsibilities

• In liaison with county health management teams, the WASH officer will work closely with MOH and department of environment in supervising CHVs and other hygiene and sanitation promoters at community level

Fiscal Responsibility

• Prepare cash forecast in liaison with the other program staff in line with the work plans


• Ensure the expenditure is as stipulated in the budget lines and strict adherence to the budget limits


• Propose anticipated budget realignment in discussion with program manager


• In liaison with the Field Coordinator and Deputy Field Coordinator programs Monitor budget spending in line with spending plan; ensure diligence in grants utilization including timely spending and value for money.


• Support the Field Coordinator and Deputy Field Coordinator programs in monthly budget reviews and suggesting amendments to Finance

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, including typing, and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of a moderately noisy office with many interruptions. Must be able to proofread own work accurately so that only minor corrections are needed on an infrequent basis.


• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working Conditions, Travel and Environment

• The duties of the job require regular job attendance for five days per week with eight hours per day. Must be available to work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as required.


• Must be able to travel as required for standard domestic based on the office needs. While visiting the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well is to infectious diseases.

Gender Equality Commitments & Zero Tolerance to Abuse

• Foster an environment that reinforces values of women and men, and equal access to information.


• Provide a work environment where women and men must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance.


• Promote a safe, secure, and respectful environment for all stakeholders, particularly for children, beneficiaries, and members of staff.


• Help to prevent any type of abuse including workplace harassment and sexual abuse and exploitation.


• Respect beneficiaries’ women, men, children (boys and girls) regardless of gender, sex orientation, disability, religion, race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, or marital status.


• Value and respect all cultures.

Required Qualifications and Professional Experience

• BSC degree in environmental health science, environmental engineering, public health, water supply and sanitation or other related fields Experience from both private and INGO sectors is an advantage.


• Knowledge of main donor requirements including UNICEF, ECHO, EU,OFDA/USAID donors

Required Skills & Competencies

• 3 years’ experience in a similar position.


• Previous experience in Arid and Semi-Arid lands of Kenya


• Computer skills with excellence in Microsoft Excel and Word


• Proven ability to work in a team and proven skills in capacity building and community development (including community participation)


• Good level of spoken and written English and Kiswahili.


• Ability to work under minimal supervision and have an impact on input on program indicators


• Demonstrate capacity in constructively engaging local authorities and local partners.


• Excellent organization, coordination, report writing skills


• Strong and effective communication and presentation skills


• Team player and Keen to details


• Knowledge on various Hygiene and Sanitation Promotion program approaches and innovations like CLTS and WASH FIT


• Understanding of main donor requirements including UNICEF, USAID, ECHO, EU, SIDA donors

How to apply

All candidates should apply through : Click here . The position is open on a rolling basis and closes on 9th May 2023 at 6:00 pm. Action Against Hunger-USA provides all staff with an attractive salary & benefits package. We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees & qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Action Against Hunger-USA complies with all applicable laws governing non-discrimination in employment.