Project Officer -SanMark and Construction Quality at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Job Summary

• As a member of the Integrated Community Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Improvement (ICOWASH) project team, you will be accountable to provide support for the implementation of sanitation marketing in the project intervention districts and report on the progress and quality of latrine construction in target communities and households as well as the operationalization of sanitation entrepreneurs and sales agents in latrine products design, promotion and sales in support of Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work in serving the poor and vulnerable. You will organize trainings and meetings with district level actors (e.g., Business Advisory Center, etc.), and attend same to review ongoing activities and develop actions for future programming. Your thorough and service-oriented approach will ensure that the project consistently applies best practices and constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits those we serve.

Roles And Key Responsibilities

• Play lead role in the effective roll-out of sanitation marketing activities in project districts in line with the Rural Sanitation Model Strategy (RSMS).
• Support in the technical design of household latrine products and review of bill of quantities/material schedule to ensure the estimated costs are reasonable and cost effective to enhance the work of sanitation entrepreneurs.
• Work with sanitation entrepreneurs and sales force to ensure that the poor and most vulnerable are reached with sanitation marketing services through various innovative means.
• Support in developing communication materials (promotional messages, leaflets, brochures, etc.) to increase the desire for household latrines in beneficiary communities.
• Regularly monitor the progress and quality of construction at the business location of all sanitation entrepreneurs, ensuring compliance with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and best practices. Map business locations of sanitation entrepreneurs and their clients using Information Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D).
• Build relationships and coordinate with local government authorities and beneficiaries to accept sanitation marketing products and to advocate for utilization by beneficiary communities.
• Support CRS to maintain accepted WASH and infrastructural standards for the sector and ensure that project staff, partner agencies and recipient communities understand and adhere to these standards including sustainability measures.
• Monitor and report any challenges and/or gaps identified to inform adjustment to plans and implementation schedules. Assist partners in their efforts to reflect on project experiences.
• Complete project documentation for assigned activities. Assist with identifying information for case studies and reports on promising practices.
• Support accountability through supporting project evaluation activities and assisting project efforts to collect and analyze data per specified mechanisms and tools. Actively seek and respond to feedback from partners and project beneficiaries.

Required Languages - Mampruli, Dagbani, Gurnne and Talen

Travel - the position is based in Mamprugu Moagduri or Talensi District with extensive travel to project communities (80% Travel to project communities).

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Observation, active listening, and analysis skills with ability to make sound judgement.
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners and community members.
• Attention to details, accuracy, and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities.
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented
• Great time management and ability to work to meet deadlines in multiple tasking environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Building and Construction, Construction Management, Water Resources or Business and related disciplines, Accounting and other relevant qualifications.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in project support. Experience in the field of Sanitation Marketing, WASH infrastructure design and inspection and for an NGO would be a plus.
• Experience in participatory action planning and community engagement.
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data preferred.
• Experience using MS windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Possession of a valid license to ride a motorcycle.
• Knowledge of local language would be a plus.

Key Working Relationships

Supervisory Responsibilities (none)

Internal: Regional /HQ technical advisors, Head of Programs, WASH and other line managers, Project Manager, Senior Project Officer for WASH, Community Mobilization, SILC, M&E, and other Project officers.

External: Government partners and service providers (Contractors)