JSI Research and Training Institute, Inc. is a leader in improving the health of individuals and communities by providing high-quality technical and managerial assistance to public health programs worldwide. JSI has implemented projects in 104 countries, and currently operates from eight U.S. and 81 international offices for the past 30 years.

Job Description

JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. (JSI) has received funding from the United States Agency for International Development to implement the Strengthening Partnerships, Results and Innovations in Nutrition Globally (SPRING) Project to work in northern Ghana with a focus on strengthening the treatment and preventive nutrition services in health facilities, and overseeing the implementation of specific tasks that strengthen community based nutrition improvements.

Job Summary
Under the general direction and guidance of the Deputy Country Manager, ensure all WASH programming is of excellent technical quality in support of both government and local organisational partners. The post holder is expected to provide technical advice and support to project staff to ensure programming objectives are successfully achieved. The post-holder shall also contribute to the development and/review of SPRING strategic direction and actively lead in the development of WASH programme formulation.

Reporting Relationship
The WASH Advisor reports to the Deputy Country Manager based in Tamale, Ghana.

Background
SPRING/Ghana will help build and instill a nutrition lens across sectors, with a particular focus on WASH through linking infrastructure development with BCC messaging. SPRING/Ghana will support regional and district level coordination meetings with government and non-government stakeholders who are undertaking nutrition and nutrition-related (WASH) activities.

These meetings will provide a venue for mapping WASH related BCC and water/sanitation infrastructure efforts across the district. In addition, district-level WASH BCC strategies will be shared with all development actors working in the district to ensure consistency and coverage in messaging and follow-up.

Specific strategies for collaboration would be derived from links established with the range of actions planned across each target district. SPRING will conduct outreach to District-level Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) offices to obtain the most recent water maps and water infrastructure improvement plans to assist SPRING/Ghana in developing and rolling out seasonally-appropriate WASH messages.

This collaboration will be built in as a part of SPRING/Ghana’s planned district-by-district survey of WASH constraints and opportunities to be carried out in the last quarter of FY14 to identify and guide programming for WASH-specific actions by district which are expected with the WASH for health procurement of USAID.

Major Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Technical Leadership

•   Ensure all programme staff receive the necessary and appropriate technical support. In consultation with staff and Deputy Country Manager, agree on the range of advice, support, training and/or other assistance required to facilitate high quality programming.  This will involve regular visits to field sites.
•   Extend technical support and direction to the program staff in selection of water sources, protection and development of selected water sources, access to adequate and improved sanitation facilities as well as promotion of good hygiene practices and environmental issues and ensure it is evidence based and appropriate to the context.
•   Lead on the development of tools for project staff and partners to improve the quality of water, sanitation and hygiene activities.
•   Provide technical training for project staff and partners as required.
•   Design assessment tools for assessment of water and sanitation facilities in communities, health centres and/or schools. Design and conduct baseline surveys.
•   Review relevant monitoring reports to ensure that technical debates are well articulated and reports are of acceptable quality before submission. Provide support where necessary to improve report writing skills. Lead in the evaluation and review process for all WASH Projects including the development of Terms of Reference, selection and management of consultants.
•   Actively participate in the program review and Thematic Plans; lead in the preparation of situation analyses, surveys, evaluations etc.
•   Build on technical knowledge, latest research in the sector and current/previous programming to develop implementation platforms.

Qualification Required & Experience

•   Postgraduate qualification in discipline related to Civil or Water Engineering, Public Health Engineering or technically relevant field. A first degree with a combination of work experience may also be considered in lieu of the advanced degree.
•   At least 8 years of relevant experience.
•   Significant experience in WASH programming; ideally with experience in the following areas:
•   Community based Hygiene Promotion
•   Community Led Total Sanitation
•   Strong commitment to capacity building of government and local partners with willingness to adopt a participatory and consultative management approach.
•   Good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate and negotiate clearly and effectively at all levels, taking into account cultural and language difficulties; tact and diplomacy are essential.
•   Strategic thinker with highly developed influencing skills.
•   Fluent in spoken and written English.

Location: Tamale

How To Apply For The Job

JSI is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified individual are welcome to apply. Please send your cover letter and CV to jobs@spring-nutrition.org or the JSI address listed below.

•   If you submit via e-mail, please write the title of the job you are applying to in the subject line.
•   JSI will only contact short-listed applicants.
•   Please no phone calls.

SPRING Representative
JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc.
House# F134/5
Third Soula Street
Labone
Accra, Ghana

Closing Date: 22 May, 2014

www.jsi.com
http://www.spring-nutrition.org