WASH Assistant

• Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work
• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members
• Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.

• Responsible for implementing the day-to-day WASH activities.
• Work closely with all WASH projects stakeholders.
• Assist the WASH team in all tasks that facilitate the achievement of project deliverables , ensure that all activities are implemented smoothly and effectively, and make the best use of project resources for program participants.
• Conduct Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) assessments, develop BoQ, the scope of work, work plans for all rehabilitation of WASH facilities in schools and health facilities, and hygiene promotion activities.
• Provide written and oral translation for technical documents, including Bills of Quantity, Completion of Service Notes, government facilitation letters and permission documents, etc.
• Initiate and track procurement processes for purchase requests, purchase orders, and payment requests for infrastructure projects, hygiene materials, and emergency WASH services, in coordination with the Procurement Department.
• Support the WASH Officers to document daily monitoring of WASH infrastructure work and track progress towards project targets, keeping all team members apprised of achievements, delays, and issues.
• Coordinate with the MEL Department to collect beneficiary data and technical project output data (e.g., FRC test results), conduct project implementation data entry, and maintain project data bases.
• Work with the project admin and reporting assistant to manage the project filing system for all activities and ensure that information is organized according to the reporting and auditing needs of the project. Ensure required levels of confidentiality.
• Keeping on track recording of training data and project documents.
• Work closely with the WASH Officers to ensure internal weekly and monthly reports are submitted on time to the Project Manager and are of an acceptable standard.
• Coordinate closely with the WASH Officers, relevant to administrative and finance to ensure proper logistics, administration, and, human resources of the project are conducted within MC policy and with the maximum benefit to the project.
• Maintain strong understanding of the security, political, cultural, and overall contextual situation in areas of project implementation and potential project expansion, specifically regarding movements of populations and areas of settlement in camps or outside of camps.
• Collect and share with the WASH Officers any and all relevant external reports regarding humanitarian needs in Herat province.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• Actively participate in developing appropriate community mobilization and Hygiene promotion (training) tools and methods for data collection.
• In coordination with the WASH team, assist with field work for survey with measurable indicators in line with the objectives and results outlined in the grant agreement and work plan.
• Travel to all areas of WASH in respective area of responsibility to work and carry out survey and conduct both training and distribution of hygiene kits in target areas of work.
• Perform participants’ data compilation, storing, and updating on a regular basis. And share the data with the supervisor to be incorporated into reports and assessments as required.
• Prepare progress reports for all targeted locations on the assessment and monitoring activities related to the implementation of the tasks assigned by the supervisor.
• Assess the needs related to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in the targeted communities, and participate in implementing different need response interventions.
• Work with the hygiene promotion officer to develop a community mobilization and hygiene promotion response plan.
• Support the WASH Officers to document all the daily monitoring activities as per Mercy Corps’ requirements.
• Follow the standard procedures and standards when monitoring all service provision activities, including but not limited to hygiene promotion, community mobilization, and distribution.
• Support the WASH capacity building for the Community Hygiene Workers (CHWs) and Water Management Committees (WMC).
• Produce reports on weekly/monthly as well as on a required basis.
• Performs any other duty assigned by the supervisor.

• Ensure timely and accurate reporting and documentation in coordination with the WASH Officer, and other team members.

• Represent Mercy Corps in community meetings and stakeholder engagements within the project areas.

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically

• Bachelors in community health, public health, social science, engineering, or related degree.
• 1-2 years of relevant experience in implementing emergency WASH response.
• Familiar with Afghanistan water and sanitation standards and international WASH SPHERE standards.
• Extensive knowledge and work experience in Afghanistan, and preferably in the Western Provinces including Herat.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to achieve cooperation and agreement amongst diverse groups with competing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and tasks efficiently and with a calm attitude.
• Excellent time management skills and resourcefulness with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to engage with local communities and government authorities.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Honest and committed to compliance with all policies and procedures in all aspects of work.
• Good strategic thinking and planning skills with eagerness for innovation.
• Good knowledge of spoken and written English and Dari are required, Pashto is desired.

Mercy Corps