The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their lives. The IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities which support them, as well as those who remain within their homes and communities. We began work in Ethiopia since 2000 and currently 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: 

The Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion Officer is responsible for managing and following up hygiene promotion, sanitation and capacity building activities in the assigned Wereda/field office.

She/he will lead and facilitate project field assessments, prepare proposals, prepare reports, monitor & manage S & H activity budgets, and organize capacity building training. The S & H promotion Officer will report to SERRO. The position demands working internally with IRC Health, WASH, CWI, Emergency Response team, SPM and Field Coordinators and externally with other INGOs/NGOs, Government partners, Clusters and Task Forces.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Take part in multi-need S & H assessments in the assigned Wereda with other program teams and the field team as well as with partners.

• Coordinate with Senior ERR Officer and Senior Program Manager in design and implementation of quantitative and qualitative assessment including KPC and formative research to identify risky hygiene behaviors and prioritize current barriers to behavior change.

• Actively participate in designing appropriate BCC/communications strategy to promote safe hygiene practices for all targeted implementation sites.

• In cooperation with SERRO, design and plan activities to reduce health risks, with reference to both physical and behavioral aspects.

• Ensure that WASH programs adhere to appropriate guidelines and follow the priorities set by SPHERE, Organizational, MoH to ensure that all Hygiene Promotion activities are consistent with established standard methodologies.

• Ensure that context specific IEC/BCC materials are always available for each targeted implementation site and the proper use of the materials during all hygiene promotion activities.

• Ensure the proper and culturally acceptable dissemination of hygiene and sanitation messages are done at all intervention areas.

• Organize and lead community level hygiene awareness campaigns that are feasible and acceptable and work on prevention of cholera responses. 

• Organize and facilitate training for community representatives on Hygiene and sanitation promotion.

• Assist IRC Harer Field office Emergency Response Unit and field offices in surveys, assessment, response planning, organizing in implementation, monitoring and evaluation of emergency responses, community hygiene promotion and school hygiene education programs in the project areas.

• Take deployment assignments and coordinate and lead emergency operations assessment in new locations in the field, assist in hiring field staff, and set up emergency response in new areas when needed.

• Facilitate S & H, emergency response training and workshops for IRC and partner staff.

• Assist field offices in preparation and review of S & H response proposals.

• Assist in setting up, implementation and monitoring of beneficiary feedback mechanism.

• Use participatory approaches as far as possible throughout the program cycle, in training, and in the use of toolkits and other materials.

• Ensure that Hygiene Promotion activities and resources are implemented and handed over or ended in a way that promotes local capacities and sustainable operations.

• Ensure that gender, protection, MHM, the environment, and other important cross-cutting concerns are considered in program design, implementation, and reporting; ensure that activities reflect the needs of specific groups and individuals e.g., elderly people, children, and people with disabilities.

• Build capacity of hygiene team to identify needs, identify suitable activities and indicators, and plan projects

• Build capacity of school club and youth in implement quality hygiene projects with a genuine focus on behavior change

• Establish the WUA and provide capacity building training

• Follow the quality of water delivery via provision of CB for partners.

  Programs Management

• Grant, Budget and Procurement Monitoring and Management

• Participate in Preparation of IFC and procurement plan for S & H activity, materials, and services.

• Assist in tracking of S & H and emergency supplies, dispatch, distribution in different disaster-affected including documentation

• Assist in drafting concept papers/ proposals and budgets for future interventions.

• Design and manage a plan to monitor activities, outputs and impact and adapt the program as needed.

• Coordinate assessments, plans, and activities with other agencies (governmental and non-governmental), as necessary

• Ensure design and establishment of data collection, monitoring tools and management systems to promote improved and effective data management, storage and analysis for SHP activities.

• Provide regular and reliable narrative reports, as on weekly, monthly, quarterly, Government and Donor report as needed.

  Reports and Proposals

• Organize and compile in the review of field reports and share with SERRO.

• Assist in the development of proposals and budgets for future S & H and emergency responses by the IRC Harer Field Office

• Prepare a monthly progress report and weekly update and submit it to the SERRO as per the agreed the reporting time scheduled.

• Prepare a project success story quarterly and submit to the Senior ERRO

• Draft the Quarterly progress report for Donor and Government and share to the SERRO for revision and compilation and take feedback and response accordingly.

• Organize and ensure the documentation of every project activity, formative assessments, KPC survey and capacity building activities both in hard and soft copies supported by pictures.

  Monitoring and Evaluation

• Participate and assist in the monitoring of IRC direct interventions in the assigned project area.

• Assist in facilitation of IRC Harer Field Office, government and donor monitoring visits and project evaluations.

• Participate in post-intervention assessments in coordination with CWI, EH, Health, ES-NFI and CASH and program units as well as field team.

  Representation, Coordination, and Working Relationship

• Work closely with IRC Harer Field Office Health, EH, CWI, ES-NFI and CASH Program, and other units for increased integration and teamwork.

• Work closely and coordinate with IRC Harer Field Office supply chain, finance and HR staff to ensure timely and compliant program activities and expenditures. 

• Regularly, represent at WASH cluster Coordination and other relevant emergency coordination forums with NGOs, UN agencies, government Bureaus in Deder Wereda and share updates on this and emergency situations to supervisor.

• Coordinate and share regular IRC updates to the WASH cluster.

• The S&H Officer shall take on any additional responsibilities as requested by his/her supervisor; Senior ERR Officer. 

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.

Job Requirements: 

Educational Requirements:

•    BSc Degree or MSc Degree in Public Health, Environmental Health or related from a recognized University

Preferred experience & skills

• At least 2 years of experience for first-degree holders.

• 1 year of work experience plus a postgraduate degree and 5 years of experience for diploma holders.

• Experience in handling emergency programs and experience of team mobilization teams and having good knowledge of project management

• Good communication and interpersonal skills.

• Experience in budget management, Ability to use computer and Technical and report writing skills.

• Report writing skills.

• Project management skills. 

• Computer literate. (Outlook, power point, excel and word processing)

Language Skills: 

• Proficient in English writing and speaking skills and the ability to speak the local language is an asset.

How to Apply

Candidates meeting the above qualifications are encouraged to apply only through THIS LINK

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.

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

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal 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, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law