Environmental Health Officer (EH Officer)

Background of IRC:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities that support them, as well as with those who remain within their homes and communities. At-work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. IRC leads the way from harm to home. Began work in Ethiopia, 1999 in response to severe drought that happened in Ethiopia’s Somali region. Currently, providing assistance in ten different regions implementing emergency and development programs in health, water and sanitation, economic recovery and development (ERD), women’s protection and empowerment, education, child protection, and multi-sectoral emergency response.

The IRC has a focus on narrowing the gender gap in humanitarian aid and ensuring that we contribute to gender equality, diversity, and inclusion in both our programs and operations by working to establish a context where our clients (including those from minority groups) enjoy the same rights and opportunities as well as an equal access to services. The IRC also has a strong commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive culture, where safeguarding is upheld in our workplace and programs. We are determined to protect our clients and staff from safeguarding violations through prevention and, where misconduct is alleged, to address it without fear or favor.

Job Overview/Summary: 

This position will help to contribute to the improvement of the health and socioeconomic well-being of targeted communities by increasing access, capacity building, and fostering ownership among communities and local government to sustainably meet their water, sanitation, and hygiene needs. The position mainly involves undertaking detailed technical WASH knowledge areas on detail feasibility assessment, analyses and preparing detail designs including specification and BOQ for the hardware activities (Water supply and Sanitation facility) project. It also requires very good knowledge on monitoring and supervision of construction activities to ensure its quality and sustainability and handing over the construction WASH facilities to the user communications and concerned government organizations. The EH officer will directly report his achievements to Field Coordinator. S/He will also monitor the work of Environmental Health Assistant under his/her supervision in the intervention woreda.

Major responsibilities include:

• Identify water supply systems to rehabilitate and maintain. And conduct the feasibility study of the water options proposed with the engagement of user communities, compile detail design, prepare specifications for items to be procured, prepare bills of quantities, budget estimates.
• Prepares detail Environmental Health physical & financial implementation plan for emerging emergency responses.
• Works closely with Zone/Woreda Water and Health Offices towards efficient and effective implementation of the response
• Works in collaboration with IRC Hygiene Promotion Officers in promotion of safe hygiene practices in Emergency responses which include Health Promotion activities.
• Produces activity progress reports as per the preset reporting schedule and submit to the supervisor.
• Coordinate the woreda partners in water quality testing and in scheme disinfection and ensure the scheme disinfection and water quality testing of all the water schemes constructed/ rehabilitated under the project was done timely.
• Provide any required technical support for the EHAs on design, supervision, and monitoring of the emergency WASH projects for effective implementation of the project.
• Properly supervise and confirm the quality and quantity of delivery of both local and industrial materials supplied by suppliers and transporters are per the IRC standards and code of conduct. And ensure the project resources including the construction materials in all kebeles of the intervention woreda are well monitored and accurately used for the project purpose without any abuse.
• Ensure all the construction under the projects have the highest quality standard and free of technical defects, as per organizational norms and standards, timely update progress reports as per the schedule supervisor and facilitate payment timely for the completed construction activities.
• In collaboration with other EH and HP teams, ensure high level of community participation in the project and regularly track the community participation and contribution in terms of money with local labor market standards.
• Properly Monitor the progress and implementation of subcontracted or own force project implementation in the intervention woreda as per the IRC standards and work procedures.
• Works closely with Region, Zone/Woreda Water and Health Offices towards efficient and effective implementation of the project by giving prioritization of regular field visits and joint monitoring with project focal persons. Act on the corrective feedback given from government partners and smoothly hand over the constructed schemes with the proper documentation to the user communities as well as government signatory offices.
• Accomplish additional work as assigned by supervisor.

      Safeguarding Responsibilities: -

• Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion in IRC [team/office]
• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies

Educational Requirements:

• MSC or BSC degree or Diploma in Hydraulic Engineering, Water supply and Environmental Engineering, Hydraulic and Water Resource Engineering, Water Resource and Irrigation Engineering, Civil Engineering, and related fields

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• 2 years of relevant experience with the first degree or diploma with 5 years of experience
• 1 year of relevant experience for post graduate degree(MSC).
• NGO experience is a plus.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as, an overall ability to be clear and concise in all communications.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills; proven ability to prioritize and deliver on time.
• Strong analytic problem-solving skills
• Ability to work both independently and in a dynamic, cross-functional global team structure.
• Basic supervisory/managerial skills.
• Basic computer skills (Microsoft office, Excel, word).
• Experience of data analysis software (Arc GIS and SPSS) is an asset.
• Experience of Engineering Software (Water cad, Epanet and Auto CAD etc.)
• Knowledge of domestic water supply system hydraulic design.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with stakeholders at all levels
• Ability to manage and work through change in proactive and positive manner.

Language Skills:

• Excellent written and verbal communication in English, Amharic, and ability to speak local language is advantageous.

How To Apply

Candidates meeting the above qualifications are encouraged to apply only through the below IRC On-line recruitment website: 

IRC Career Site:

Please include 3 references from current and former employers.

Applications will not be returned. IRC discourages phone calls or personal visits.

Only applicants meeting the minimum qualification will be short listed and contacted.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Your application letter/cover letter must include the following information.

• Name of the position you have applied for
• Date of application
• Summary of  your qualifications and experience
• Motivation/objective of why you have applied for the job
• Permanent Address and present address (if different from permanent) and telephone number if possible also email address
• Disclose any family relationships with existing IRC employees.

IRC is an equal employment opportunity employer.  IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

IRC strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels who as individuals, and as a group, embody our culture statement creating a working environment characterized by critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity for us to achieve our aspirations as a team and deliver the best possible services to our clients.

Professional Standards: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity Anti-Retaliation and Combating Trafficking in Persons

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols, and other supportive benefits and allowances