Jobpointghana

Project Assistant at Water & Sanitation for the Urban Poor

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by

milagrogertrude

Company Profile

Water & Sanitation for the Urban Poor (WSUP) is a not-for-profit company that helps transform cities to benefit the millions who lack access to water and sanitation.

We were created in 2005 as a response to the unprecedented urban explosion that has left cities unable to provide basic services, such as access to a toilet or drinking water, to low-income communities. We work in seven countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, supported by an office in the UK. Since inception we have helped over 29 million people access improved water, sanitation and hygiene services.

In Ghana, WSUP has implemented programs in Kumasi, Sunyani, Accra and Tamale, as well as multiple adjacent peri-urban areas. For more information on WSUP\’s vision and approach, see www.wsup.com.

 

Job Description

 

  • Department: Programmes
  • Place of work: Kumasi
  • Duration: Full time, fixed term (till 31st May 2023)
  • Grade: 6
  • Salary: GHS 43,955 to GHS 46,987
  • Reports to: Project Officer
About the Role
WSUP is seeking a motivated self-starter to perform an exciting and varied role as a Project Assistant. The Project Assistant will support the implementation of a project aimed at providing improved water supply and safe sanitation in low-income communities. The programme will target three (3) local assemblies in the Ashanti region through constructing mechanized piped water systems and WASH facilities for communities and schools. The project will be supervised under a financially sustainable community and school management model alongside strengthening capacities of community management committees and school management committees to ensure effective operations and maintenance of WASH systems.
Job Description Overall Purpose
The Project Assistant will support the Project Officer in the implementation of the project to improve water supply and safe sanitation in communities and schools. This programme will target low-income communities in three (3) local assemblies in the Ashanti region alongside strengthening capacities of community management committees and school management committees to ensure effective operations and maintenance of WASH systems.

The post holder will support the Project Officer in the planning, implementation and monitoring of programme delivery at the community level. She/He will ensure that programme activities are delivered on time to the highest quality standards and value for money. The Project Assistant ensures all aspects of the project are implemented effectively, professionally, and in accordance with the culture and practices of the local population, WSUP and donor requirements.

Main responsibilities & tasks
  • Work with Project Officer to plan and implement community development activities as well as water and sanitation solutions
  • Support Project Officer to provide on-site supervision, monitoring and support to project stakeholders and community management committees
  •  Planning, attending, and coordinating meetings and events for the project
  • Support capacity building of community management committees and school management committees and school SHEP coordinators
  • Review designs submitted by contractors for construction of water and sanitation systems
  • Support procurement of contractors for the construction of WASH facilities
  • Conduct site visits to construction sites with consultants and contractors
  • Organise and facilitate periodic site meetings with consultants, contractors, and project community stakeholders
  • Provide insights on quality assurance for all design, construction, and maintenance processes submitted by consultants in accordance with the programme standards, and routinely suggest improvements to ensure high quality standards and cost effectiveness.
  • Monitor compliance of all legal, health, safety, and environmental requirements of WSUP projects’ construction activities in Ghana in accordance with all internal, national, and international standards and report any issues to the Project Officer.
  • Support Project Officer to supervise and manage consultants, contractors, project staff and project implementation partners on project implementation activities.
  • Ensure funder and WSUP’s visibility and/or branding used in the project is in line with the recommended guidelines in consultation with the Project Officer.
  •  Ensure that all relevant stakeholders have the right information about the project, its objectives, deliverables, and timelines.
  •  Undertake any other project-related tasks that shall be assigned by Project Officer/Management.

 

Required Skills or Experience

 

Person specification
Evidence that applicants meet the essential criteria will be assessed by the following methods:
Application (A),  Interview (I), and Test (T) as indicated below.

Essential

Qualifications and experience
  •  First University Degree in relevant subject such as (Water and Sanitation Engineering, Civil Engineering) or related subjects from an accredited/recognized University/Institute (A)
  • Experience working in different cultural contexts (I)
  • Experience in project coordination and planning (A, I)
  • Experience working in low-income communities (LIC) and construction works (A, I)
Knowledge
  •  Knowledge of WASH sector and WASH partner engagement in Ghana (A, I)
  • Knowledge of the local government system and the Metropolitan assembly (I)
  • Knowledge of project management life cycle (A, I, T)
  • Knowledge of Microsoft office applications. (I, T)
  • Understanding of the safeguarding risks relating to work in schools and communities (I)
Skills and abilities
  • Willingness and openness to working in the sanitation sector (A);
  • Ability to influence and engage effectively with local government and the Metropolitan Assemblies (A, I);
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills (A, I);
Other
  •  Passionate about WSUP’s aims and ethos (I)
  • Absolute adherence to WSUP’s policies on Safeguarding, Child Protection, Health & Safety and Business Ethics and lead on these by example

Desirable

Qualifications, experience, knowledge, skills
  • Related experience at the district, municipal or metropolitan assembly level in implementation of public health surveillance, health campaigns and response, and overall WASH experiences (I)
  • Previous experience in implementation of WASH hardware is an advantage (A)
  • Experience working in the project location (Ashanti region). (A)
  • Experience in participation at Metropolitan level coordination meetings (I)
  • Experience in reviewing construction designs
  • Previous experience working in collaboration with community management committees and school management committees. (A)
  • Prior work experience in the field with an NGO/INGO (A)

 

How To Apply | Project Assistant at Water & Sanitation for the Urban Poor

To submit your application, click on the link below and complete all relevant fields on the online application form.

Click Here To Apply Online

CLOSING DATE: 15th Sep 2022

Interviews
Week commencing 29th September 2022

Please note: This job is based in Ghana. Applicants must have the right to work in Ghana at the time of application. Please do not apply if this is not the case.