Project Manager – ‘WASH on Wheels’ 187 views2 applications

About NALA

NALA works to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases in Ethiopia, specifically hygiene-related diseases that are common in areas with limited access to clean water and sanitation. NALA’s disease prevention model complements drug distribution campaigns with targeted health education, community mobilization, and improvements to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure. NALA intervention models empower communities to take the lead in promoting behavioral change and in improving WASH; increasing sustainability beyond the end of the different project. In addition, NALA’s locally-based solutions have resulted in a measurable reduction in the prevalence of disease in our project areas. As a result of NALA’s successful work, the Ministry of Health invited NALA to provide technical assistance to the National NTD Control Program, as well as coordination support to regional-level governments. The Ministry also requested special attention and implementation support for disease “hot spots,” areas where disease burden is especially high. NALA’s work has span for many years and focuses on schools, communities and capacity building and policy work both at the federal and regional levels.

 About the project

 “WASH on Wheels”— Improving WASH Access in Schools

In Ethiopia, only 23% of schools have access to water, and only 40% have sanitation services. This absence of sufficient WASH services puts children at risk for several NTDs, as well as other WASH-related illnesses. In October 2019, NALA organized an intensive WASH assessment of schools in one of our project areas in southern Ethiopia. This zone is considered a “hot spot” for NTDs such as schistosomiasis, trachoma, STH, LF, and others. The scoping team reported that a basic level of WASH infrastructure actually existed in several schools, though it was mostly non-operational. The infrastructure had been built in the past by different international or local partners, but unfortunately the facilities had not been maintained. Their evaluation highlighted two important causes of WASH failure in the schools: 1) poor maintenance due to lack of knowledge, lack of materials, or de-prioritization and 2) an absence of behaviour change to reinforce the use and sustainability of the facilities. In their post-trip report, the scoping team also expressed that most of the infrastructure could be easily fixed with the right tools, knowledge, and motivation.

For this reason, NALA is to launch “WASH mobile clinics” (or WASH on wheels) staffed by both skilled handymen and trained community workers. The WASH clinics (vehicle) will travel to different schools and fulfil two different but interrelated objectives: 1) improving WASH access in the schools, and 2) inspiring hygiene-related behaviour change amongst the school community.

KEY ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES

•  The post holder will generally be in charge of managing the ‘WASH on Wheels’ project and her/his key responsibilities will include, overseeing the project, ensuring progress on targets, and leading advocacy efforts and trainings. Some of the key responsibilities are:
•  Ensuring the training of local water and education authorities on how to identify and fix frequent WASH maintenance problems as well as prioritize hygiene education and practice in the schools.
• Work closely with the relevant stakeholders and government agencies to implement the project; mainly education bureaus and schools as well as the relevant health bureaus.
• Conduct multi-sectoral advocacy events and trainings to government and community representatives.
• Ensure that targeted schools lead WASH improvement campaigns, sanitation is better-managed in those schools and students have a healthier learning environment.
• Conduct joint monitoring and evaluation in targeted areas and schools.
• Ensure that local experts could address WASH issues efficiently by strengthening the coordination between WASH, health, and education actors in the project area.
• Develop a technical manual that will be distributed to district offices and serve as a reference guide for all relevant partners.
• Managing all appropriate project staff.

Reports to:  Country Director

Duty Station:  Regional (Hawassa or Bahir Dar with frequent travel within and between the two regions)

 Employment Duration: Immediate start –one year contract with a 3-month trial period

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

•  At least 5 years’ experience in the WASH sector and/or on coordinating and managing community mobilization and behavioural change programs in the health sector.
• At least a university bachelor degree in public health, nursing, environmental health or similar field. A relevant master’s degree will be an advantage.
• Knowledge about WASH, NTDs and SAFE strategies.
• Experience with school, health or WASH initiatives is an advantage.
• Computer literate.
• Experience communicating with remote and international teams including using file sharing (drop box/google drive/jumbo mail etc.), voice over IP applications (WhatsApp, Viber, Skype etc.)

COMPETENCIES

• Has strong analytical skills. Thinks and acts strategically and ensures that activities are prioritized and aligned within an agreed strategy.
• Has strong leadership and mediation skills. Able to mentor, problem solve and lead.
• Has good writing skills.
• Communicates clearly and works effectively with a wide range of people to reach common understanding.
• Is fluent in English, Amharic, and preferably other regional working languages and is able to communicate freely (written and orally).
• Able to juggle multiple activities at the same time.