WASH Quality Assurance Specialist

WASH Quality Assurance Specialist

Location: Kathmandu

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action – helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future. Mercy Corps has been operating in Nepal since 2005, implementing programs in food security, agriculture, market development, financial services, youth engagement, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. We take a systems-based approach in our programming, with the aim of improving the lives and potential of vulnerable individuals and communities across Nepal.

Program / Department Summary

A devastating earthquake of 6.4 magnitude on November 3, 2023, striking Jajarkot District in Karnali Province resulting in 154 fatalities, 366 injuries, and displacement of tens of thousands of people, many forced to endure freezing overnight temperatures outside due to fear of aftershocks. Furthermore, 660 water supply schemes and 42,820 household toilets were affected, along with WASH facilities in 279 schools and 29 healthcare facilities, as reported by MoRED-Karnali. Safe water supply and sanitation are paramount to affected communities. The earthquake exacerbated the vulnerabilities of affected populations, leading to compromised water access, storage and treatment, and in some cases, returning to open defecation. Given past episodes of diarrhoea and cholera outbreak in affected areas, it is crucial to support the rehabilitation and restoration of water supply systems, construct new schemes, and rehabilitate toilets and handwashing facilities in communities, schools, and healthcare facilities. In this regard, Mercy Corps is implementing a post-earthquake recovery program. It is also anticipating a UNICEF supported project to implement WASH and Nutrition joint recovery project in Jajarkot and Rukum West.

General Position Summary

The Quality Assurance Specialist will oversee the successful implementation of WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) projects, focused on the construction and repair of water supply schemes, toilets, and sanitation facilities in schools and communities. The specialist ensures that all work is performed with close coordination with the local government, meets the quality standards and project specification of the construction and repair. S/he will work very closely with the implementing partner and also with the UNICEF WASH team in the field through regular contact and communication.

This role requires an excellent understanding of the construction methods, materials and safety protocols with an ability to oversee multiple construction sites. S/he needs to do a regular site inspection, monitoring the use of quality construction materials and adherence to the safety protocols. This role also plays a crucial role in ensuring projects are on the right track and within the timeline through close coordination with contractors, engineers, and the project management team to mitigate delays. Additionally, the specialist is required to prepare documentation and reports, providing updates to the Project Manager to facilitate informed decision-making and the successful completion of WASH projects. Through their efforts, the Quality Assurance Specialist ensures the delivery of safe, sustainable, and high-quality infrastructure that contributes to the overall well-being of communities.

As gender and social inclusion (GESI), governance and environmental compliance are cross-cutting and core components of all MC programs and is required to own these components to ensure GESI sensitivity and integration, governance practices and environmental compliance are integrated into the program activities.

Essential Job Responsibilities

The specific duties of the Quality Assurance Specialist include the following but are not limited to this:

Oversee Construction and Repair of WASH component

• Supervise/ Monitor the construction and repair of water supply schemes, toilets, and WASH facilities in schools and communities.
• Ensure construction is done as per the approved designs and cost estimates within the project’s timeline.

Quality Control

• Ensure the use of quality and quantity of construction materials as per the agreement with the vendors and requirement of the construction or repair reflected in the approved designs of the site.
• Conduct regular site inspections to verify the quality of the work being done.

Timeline Management

• Monitor project timelines to ensure that all construction and repair activities are completed on schedule.
• Work closely with our implementing partner and other project related staff to address delays and challenges proactively.
• Prepare a project plan that mitigates the challenges and risks associated with the project that may hinder the completion of the project in the given timeline.

Compliance and Safety

• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and health regulations during construction activities.
• Implement best practices for WASH facilities to meet the national standards.

Reporting and Documentation

• Provide regular progress reports to the Project Manager with detailed activities, challenges, and mitigation.
• Maintain UpToDate records of construction progress, material usage, and quality checks.
• Prepare high-quality reports, learning briefs and other documentation to communicate program achievements and challenges to donors, partners, and internal stakeholders.
• Develop and implement strong monitoring systems to track project progress and outcomes.
• In coordination with the PM and the Project Coordinator of implementing partner lead in development of project planning and implementation documents and ensure these documents are maintained as per Mercy Corps Program Management minimum standard.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Collaborate with contractors, engineers, community members, school authorities and local government to ensure smooth project implementation.
• Coordinate and work closely with our implementing partner in the field and provide support to their work.
• Coordinate and collaborate with UNICEF’s field staff and represent Mercy Corps in meetings and forums.

Finance & Compliance Management

• Manage project resources efficiently and ensure compliance with procurement and financial guidelines.
• Support Project Manager to conduct regular budget vs. Expenditure (BvE) meetings and suggest adjustments as needed.
• Support in management of sub awards to implementing partners in coordination with finance, subaward and compliance team.

Team Management

• In coordination with PM, provide regular performance and programmatic feedback as an ongoing effort, ensure regular communication, and maintain team accountability.
• Coordinate and where appropriate support PM to facilitate regular team review and reflection meetings, team- building to support team capacity-building and adaptive management towards achieving program deliverables.

Others

• 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.
• Mercy Corps as a humanitarian agency is expected to response as and when crisis and humanitarian situation engulfs. As an MC employee, all staff are expected to be part of humanitarian and emergency response in addition to their regular roles and responsibilities in such situations.
• Other duties as assigned by the direct Supervisor, Director of Programs and or the Country Director.

Security

• 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.

Organizational Learning

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:N/A

Accountability To Beneficiaries

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of our field projects.
• Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values always and in all in-country venues.

Reports Directly To: Project Manager

Works Directly With: Project Manager, Finance, Operation and Partner Staff

Knowledge And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or relevant field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 4 years of experience in the relevant technical fields with 1 year specific on WASH.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and implementation of community Water Supply Sanitation and Hygiene Projects.
• Solid experience in undertaking technical survey, design, preparation of Bill of quantity for different technology on water supply scheme.
• Preferred previous working experience with international NGOs and aware of compliances with UN system.

Success Factors

A successful candidate will have the ability to live and work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment with a capacity to spark innovative approaches to programming and inspire groups to collaborate closely to implement high-quality programs. They will have a proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results, with an ability and willingness to remain mobile for short-term and/or long-term as necessary within the region, based on programmatic needs. An ability to work independently and as part of a team, with curiosity about and sensitivity to new cultures, a desire and ability to learn and grow, both personally and professionally, and a great sense of humor.

The most successful Mercy Corps team members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations. Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/short-term assignment to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme — SCHR We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members must complete mandatory Code of Conduct eLearning courses upon hire and annually.

As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline (integrityhotline@mercycorps.org).

Travel Required: Yes.