Catholic Relief Services: WASH Coordinator

The Ghana Program of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Catholic Relief Services, an international non-governmental agency specializing in relief and community development is seeking qualified candidates to fill a senior position as Water Resources Development, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion (WASH) Coordinatorto be based in the Tamale Office. The incumbent will report to the Head of Programs.

Primary Functions
The WASH specialist will be responsible for ensuring that CRS Ghana’s WASH activities are technically sound and impact positively on the lives of people. To achieve this, a high level of commitment to strengthen the overall capacity of the Country Program by reviewing and providing feedback to strategic planning, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of water and sanitation system delivery projects, as well as improved hygiene knowledge and practice will be critical.

This position does not only require a high technical level in water, sanitation and hygiene promotion but also leadership, coordination skills and familiarity with Sustainable Livelihood models and gender mainstreaming.

Key Job Responsibilities:

Technical Support
Coordinate the Wat/San Unit at CRS Ghana and maintain overall responsibility for technical oversight of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) activities
Provide technical oversight and coordination to the W.A.T.E.R funded infrastructure and hygiene program for immediate implementation
Lead in the development, revisions and implementation of PRA/PLA, PHAST, SHEP and WASH protocols, materials and methodologies, to promote community problem solving and decision-making concerning health, hygiene and sanitation issues
Integrate public health concepts into water, sanitation and hygiene activities and ensure close collaboration with health and other sectors, including hygiene promotion and community mobilisation
Ensure gender integration in the design and implementation of projects, that WATSAN programming is consistent with the Sustainable Livelihood Approach and integrates environmental considerations.
Manage the CRS/Ghana advocacy activities regarding the WATSAN sector within the NGO community and government departments
Represent CRS/Ghana at water and sanitation fora, and technical sessions
Lead the identification, research and development of new business opportunities in the health sector for CRS Ghana
Coordinate with M&E Manager to determine an optimal monitoring strategy for the sector;
Ensures that WASH projects engage local stakeholders and develop local capacity for longer-term sustainability
Participate in the regional technical reviews of water and sanitation proposals and provide technical feedback and guidance for possible innovations
Assess opportunities for integrating Water and Sanitation with existing programs and develop concrete strategies for encouraging integration at the community level
Manage all assigned CRS/Ghana’s WATSAN programs
Ensure that the strategic design of the Water and Sanitation program adheres to existing governing policies (CWSA, WRC, etc)
Identify potential linkages with research and funding institutions in the WATSAN sector.
Where applicable, develop an advocacy strategy to address existing WATSAN policies that negatively impact the most vulnerable
Initiate operations research to document and draw lessons learned from CRS’ experience in the WASH sector and disseminate to partners and other CRS CPs and Agency support staff.
Position will be based in the Tamale with frequent travel to project sites within the northern region.

Required Skills or Experience

Postgraduate/specialized training in water, sanitation and hygiene, water resources management or other related discipline
Minimum of (five) 5 years professional experience in development projects preferably in WASH project planning, monitoring and evaluation, at a supervisory level
Proven experience in budgeting and budget management
Strong analytical and communication skills and ability to multi-task under pressure and yet remain effective and productive
Excellent reporting and computer skills, cultural sensitivity, ability to work with people, good judgment and commitment to the Agency’s mission
Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to work with partners and lead a team
Willingness to travel in-country and internationally as required by the Agency
Desirable

Experience in health education, community mobilization, hygiene and sanitation campaigns will be an added advantage.
Fluency in French
How To Apply

Salary: Commensurate with experience
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Interested candidates should kindly email their cover letter, resume and three professional references as soon as possible or by February 25, 2011 to:

[email protected] and [email protected]

Only short-listed candidates will be acknowledged

Offer valid till: 25 Mar, 2011