Emergency WASH Specialists

Around the world people are fighting for their right to a decent livelihood. Oxfam Novib supports them in this. We support projects, strengthen local organisations and campaign for just policies. We do so locally and internationally because poverty and injustice are global problems and are related to unjust economic and political relationships. That is why we work together with Oxfam International.

As part of its newly established Rapid Deployment Team, Oxfam Novib is looking for Technical Advisors who, together with us and many others, want to work towards creating a just world without poverty.


Two (2) Emergency WASH Specialists with a background in Public Health Promotion and/or Public Health Engineering
Both positions are global but in between deployments 1 of the two positions is based in The Hague and 1 can be based globally.


Job Profile
Oxfam Novib works with other Oxfams and with local partner organisations to be better prepared for emergency situations and to provide an appropriate response to those situations where needed. To support Oxfam country staff and partners to enable its humanitarian ambition, Oxfam Novib has established a Rapid Deployment Team (RDT), whose members will be deployed in countries where Oxfam is working, based on need for support in their area of expertise. Apart from enhancing Oxfam’s preparedness and response work, the RDT will contribute to organisation-wide capacity and profile development. As a technical advisor you will be one of the RDT members. The RDT reports to the Manager of the Humanitarian Unit at Oxfam Novib’s head office in The Hague, but during deployment in the field to the country based line manager

You will work abroad most of the year and have to be willing to travel and/or move on short (48 hours) notice as required. These positions are unaccompanied.

Key Responsibilities
Emergency response delivery
•Lead and carry out assessments on public health, in close cooperation with the Oxfam country team (programme, advocacy and e.g. logistics staff) and partner organisations.
•Provide senior support to the Oxfam team and partners in situation analysis; (integrated) response strategy development; programme design, implementation, monitoring & evaluation; and programme management, to ensure quality, timeliness and scale of overall Oxfam humanitarian programme delivery.
•Help country teams to identify donors and prepare proposals.

In-country preparedness and capacity building
•Contribute to the development and implementation of the Oxfam humanitarian preparedness strategy and investment plan in-country.
•This includes contingency planning, as well as the assessment of Oxfam and partners’ capacity to respond followed by the development and implementation of capacity building activities on WASH. It may happen that this capacity building has to take place during the response (e.g. on the job training).

Skills and Competence
•Postgraduate degree in a relevant field (undergraduate degree plus relevant overseas experience may substitute, but qualification will not substitute for experience).
•At least 5 years experience in implementing and coordinating emergency response delivery and preparedness work in EFS/VL or WASH, in more than one country (preferably countries where Oxfam Novib works), with a mature understanding of context, dilemmas, challenges and ways of working.
•Knowledge and practical experience of key WASH subjects, methodologies and guidelines. Familiar with a.o. construction of underground and superficial water operating systems, water distribution systems, water quality testing methods, water treatment and storage methods, sanitation systems, health and hygiene promotion methodologies, activities related to vector control and relevant WASH monitoring mechanisms. Furthermore, knowledge and practical experience of general humanitarian standards and principles such as Sphere Standards, HAP and the Red Cross Code of Conduct.
•An understanding of gender and diversity, and proven commitment to incorporating these concepts in your work.
•Representational skills and the proven ability to influence others, and negotiate with others, within Oxfam and the wider humanitarian sector, including institutional donors.
•Experience in external fundraising and a fair picture of the main institutional donors and their funding strategies on WASH.
•Ability to effectively support and empower Oxfam Novib field staff and partners in a wide variety of cultural contexts using methods such as mentoring, coaching, accompaniment, training and advice.
•Excellent communication and interpersonal and team working skills, both written and spoken. Fluency in English, as well as working knowledge of at least one other language (preferably French or Portuguese).

Location:
Most time of the year, you will be deployed in countries where Oxfam Novib is involved in humanitarian programming or preparations. One of the two posts has a base in The Hague and for the other post the residence (in between deployments) can be in any of the countries where Oxfam Novib has an office and where an international airport is nearby.

Salary
We offer a maximum salary of € 51075, -- gross a year. Other expat benefits can be applicable and will be discussed during the recruitment process.

Application Procedure
Are you interested? Send your application before 31 March 2011 in writing including a motivation and curriculum vitae and mentioning reference number 5-020 to jobs@oxfamnovib.nl, addressed to Mrs. Stijn Sas, HR Consultant.