WaSH Field Officer (Water Quality Testing)

Action against Hunger is an international non-governmental, private, apolitical, non-religious and non-profit organization created in 1979. Its goal is to combat hunger and dangerous situations that threaten men, women, and children. Currently 500 expats and more than 5,000 employees are working for Action against Hunger in more than forty-six countries working in projects concerning four areas of focus: nutrition, health, food security and water and sanitation. 

In Lebanon, the Syrian crisis continues to generate political, social, and economic pressure due to the war in Lebanon and keeps more than 1.5 million refugees in a situation of increasing vulnerability. In this environment of political, economic and social uncertainty, our teams have maintained their high levels of humanitarian response and aid to Lebanon. Likewise, our interventions have been maintained in the Bekaa and northern areas, as well as in the south of the country, with a special focus on working in partnership or in consortium with other organizations and on institutional strengthening of the relationship with both donors. institutional, such as with local authorities and entities

Under the supervision of the WaSH Head Of Project, the WASH Field Officer (Water Quality Testing) will be responsible for collecting, testing, and following up on the water samples, as well as managing the Lab equipment, items, and stock. In addition, s/he will be responsible for following up water treatment activities when required

Objective 1: Operation and maintenance of laboratory and capacity building of field team (30%)

1.1 Train ACTION AGAINST HUNGER staff on how to take water samples in the field following testing protocols.

1.2 Build the capacity of the WASH staff on water testing, shock chlorination and Jar test to cover water-testing gaps when needed.

1.3 Coordinate and prepare workplan for the collection of samples taken by ACTION AGAISNT HUNGER staff in WASH department.

1.4 Ensure that ACTION AGAISNT HUNGER laboratory is maintained and clean, request the lab items and equipment needed and check the quality according to the requested specifications.

1.5 Ensure minimum stock for all testing consumables (broth, sample bottles, membranes) and ensure procurement of consumables is done accordingly respecting the procurement SOP.

1.6 Ensure ACTION AGAISNT HUNGER’s water quality testing protocols are followed and updated when needed.

1.7 Ensure the security and protection measurements are followed in the laboratory. The laboratory should be managed by the officer

1.8 Manage the stock follow up of Lab items and any missed items should be reported to line manager and log department

1.9 Ensure that ACTION AGAISNT HUNGER’s related activities are implemented within ACTION AGAISNT HUNGER’s Protection mainstreaming guidelines and reports any breaches/concerns to the line manager and/or focal point for proper action.

1.10 Ensure that all protection related detected cases are referred to the concerned referral focal point.

Objective 2: Manage, collect, and conduct water quality testing (40%)

2.1 Manage the entire workflow for water quality testing, incubators, autoclave, Free residual chlorine, turbidity, TDS and photometer chemical testing.

2.2

Collect and organize water sample collection taken from boreholes, water tanks, water trucks, jerry cans and other water storage containers.

2.3 Manage and update borehole water testing data with the support of the Water and Sanitation team (borehole rest water level, CFU results and borehole protection).

2.4 Ensure water test results are communicated back to WASH staff, targeted community and WASH focal points.

2.5 Manage the water testing procedure from sample taking to result reading.

2.6 Ensure water testing results are well archived (hard and soft copies) on daily basis.

2.7 Send water testing weekly report and follow up on following the SOPs for the contaminated water sources accordingly, (informing refugees, adding Informal tented settlements (ITS) to water schedule, water treatment sessions and shock chlorination).

2.8 Ensure that water testing results of CFU >10 counts, and water borne diseases referrals are followed up immediately following ACTION AGAISNT HUNGER’s SOPs on 48-hour urgent referral follow up.

2.9 Performs chemical, biochemical and bacteriological tests on a variety of samples, including influent, effluent, potable water, groundwater, surface water, sludge, and compost.

Objective 3: Design and implementation of the water quality plan for the WASH

Department (15 %)

3.1 Design and implement a water quality-monitoring plan in coordination with the WASH Supervisor and the WaSH Head Of Project.

3.2 Conduct systematic surveys, collect water samples and carry out water quality analysis (bacteriological and chemical) in the Laboratory.

3.3 Monitor quality of water regularly and maintain a database for water quality results.

3.4 Develop tools and ensure sanitary inspection of water sources; and analyse data and take necessary measures where needed

3.5 Plan, manage and monitor chlorination of water.

3.6 Perform any other tasks assigned by the WASH Head Of Project

Objective 4: Reporting (10 %)

4.1 Prepare weekly, monthly work plans and progress reports; and prepare water quality reports

4.2 Report possible problem or conflict during the activities.

4.3 Report the use of materials and possible improvement.

Objective 5: Other water and sanitation activities (5 %)

5.1 Support other WaSH teams in household assessments, monitoring the services of water trucking and dislodging, and the Hygiene Promotion sessions.

5.2 Be committed to participate in any other activities to achieve the project goals.

5.3 Support other WASH related activities.

Objective 6: Security

6.1 Respect the security rules specified in the mission and base security plan, see to it that the team under his/her responsibility complies with the security plan and perform the security management tasks that can be assigned in its protocols.

6.2 Communicate to the security managers of the working location any security related information or noncompliance with the security plan

Objective 7: Support humanitarian activities of Action Against Hunger

Objective 8: Gender & Safeguarding

8.1 Promote safe and equitable environments, through knowledge and application of the protocol against harassment and gender policy.

8.2 Knowledge and compliance with safeguarding policy.

Qualifications:

• Experience in working with water quality testing within a humanitarian/recovery context. Previous experience in working for NGOs or Labs related to water quality testing.
• Humanitarian sector knowledge: Experience in the humanitarian sector is a plus

Action against Hunger is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work such as but not limited to sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and/or financial misconduct; We expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through endorsing our code of conduct and other related policies and only those who share our values and code of conduct will be recruited to work for us.