Vacancy: Water quality monitoring and laboratory experts
Puntland State Agency for Water, Energy and Natural Resources (PSAWEN)
Terms of Reference
Puntland State Agency for Water, Energy and Natural Resources (PSAWEN)
Terms of Reference
I. General Information
Post/Title Water quality monitoring and Laboratory expert
Post/Title Water quality monitoring and Laboratory expert
Date of Issue 30th September 2013
Duty Station Garowe, Puntland
Duration of Assignment 5 months
Deadline for application 14.10.2013
Duty Station Garowe, Puntland
Duration of Assignment 5 months
Deadline for application 14.10.2013
II. Background Information
Puntland lacks comprehensive information for situation of water quality (bacteriological, chemical and physical) and hygiene condition. While access coverage to safe water is 30% in the entire population in Somalia (JMP report 2013), less than 26% of the total population in Puntland, where the majority are rural and nomadic inhabitants, has access to safe water (UNHABITAT, 2004) . Lack of safe water and poor hygiene practices are the main factors causing mortality and water related disease that takes lives of many children under age of 5 year. Quality of water in Puntland is generally very poor. According to the water quality analysis done by IOM in 2012, 93% of the sampled waters (57 water sources) from various sources in Jowle IDP settlements of Garowe including boreholes, berkads and household storages have been detected fecal contamination.
To promote and develop the water quality of country is considered ideally, a special section should be established within the responsibility agency oversee and implement activities related to the surveillance programs required a laboratory network, offices, transport, financial support, and adequate staffing. Therefore the Puntland State Agency for Water, Energy and Natural Resources (PSAWEN) strategy is to strengthen water laboratory in Bosaso with qualified staff, skilled technicians and micro instruments with analytical capacity. In order to realize the PSAWEN goal to achieve they need to build the capacity of the staff through training, formulate all the requirements activities in a national laboratory analytical capacity in an appropriate methodology for water quality analyses in chemical, bacteriological and physical analysis.
Based on the discussion between IOM and PSAWEN, it was identified that PSAWEN needs water quality monitoring and water laboratory expert through MIDA program, who has the capacity and acceptable qualifications to cover of water quality analysis and other related activities of water sanitation upgrading trainings for the laboratory staff at different levels national, regional and district.
MIDA program aims to facilitate the transfer of skills, competencies and knowledge of qualified Somali expatriates to specific institutions within Somalia. Under MIDA program and technical supervision from Migration Health Division (MHD), IOM Somali intends to support PSAWEN a water quality monitoring and laboratory expert. PSAWEN will host the qualified Somali expatriate, and will be responsible to provide a safe and secure work environment. MIDA will monitor the expatriate while in assignment.
On this background PSAWEN is seeking a qualified candidate to help developing water quality monitoring system, build the capacity of its staff and develop systems for monitoring water quality, including advice on standard operational producers monitoring and water quality testing; the expert will also provide to the PSAWEN technical support to government and non-government organizations at the national and regional levels in the planning, development and implementation stages of water quality monitoring and Water laboratory. MIDA participant will be based in Garowe and will report to the Director of PSAWEN. III. Activities / Key results expected The expert will be responsible for the following functions:
Operationalize the PSAWEN water laboratory in Bosaso certifying that various laboratory instrumentation and testing equipment are in place.
Recruit and build the capacity of the PSAWEN staff and laboratory assistants on basic skills and knowledge about water sampling, analysis, data interpretation and usage.
Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the smooth running of the laboratory and implementing the good laboratory practices.
Provide management of PSAWEN, strategic guidance and technical advice on water quality monitoring and water laboratory. Provide technical oversight challenges of water quality in Puntland and way forward
Recruit and build the capacity of the PSAWEN staff and laboratory assistants on basic skills and knowledge about water sampling, analysis, data interpretation and usage.
Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the smooth running of the laboratory and implementing the good laboratory practices.
Provide management of PSAWEN, strategic guidance and technical advice on water quality monitoring and water laboratory. Provide technical oversight challenges of water quality in Puntland and way forward
Assist and advice on standardized testing methodologies in Puntland and technical procedure and training manual
Coordinate the collection of water samples from various sources on regular bases for laboratory analysis and prepare all media and reagents used for the water quality analysis.
Perform routine physical, bacteriological and chemical tests in the field and in the laboratory using water sampling and distribution maps to locate services, valves and sample sites including hygiene inspection.
Data interpretation and validation to ensure accuracy and validity of obtained results.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of sampling, tests, findings, procedures and corrective actions taken according to the SOPs and WASH guidelines.
Coordinate and design water quality monitoring system and operational framework in collaboration with management and relevant stakeholders.
Continual assessment of SOPs upon discussion and approval with line manager in order to maintain or improve accuracy of analytical procedures.
Recording and tracking the stock for chemicals, regents and media according to WASH guidelines.
Establish and maintain strong partnership and liaison with senior management of PSAWEN, Ministry of Health, IOM, UNICEF, WHO and other WASH cluster members; promoting dialogue, information sharing and cooperation among government and non-government actors
Improve water services on the bases of national and pripritiesm hygiene education and enforcement of standards
Respond to emergency situations to maintain and monitor water quality.
Participate in WASH and related sectorial coordination meetings on behalf of Department of water to provide technical, strategic and policy advice;
Perform related duties as assigned.
IV. Target outputs (Measurable results)
Perform routine physical, bacteriological and chemical tests in the field and in the laboratory using water sampling and distribution maps to locate services, valves and sample sites including hygiene inspection.
Data interpretation and validation to ensure accuracy and validity of obtained results.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of sampling, tests, findings, procedures and corrective actions taken according to the SOPs and WASH guidelines.
Coordinate and design water quality monitoring system and operational framework in collaboration with management and relevant stakeholders.
Continual assessment of SOPs upon discussion and approval with line manager in order to maintain or improve accuracy of analytical procedures.
Recording and tracking the stock for chemicals, regents and media according to WASH guidelines.
Establish and maintain strong partnership and liaison with senior management of PSAWEN, Ministry of Health, IOM, UNICEF, WHO and other WASH cluster members; promoting dialogue, information sharing and cooperation among government and non-government actors
Improve water services on the bases of national and pripritiesm hygiene education and enforcement of standards
Respond to emergency situations to maintain and monitor water quality.
Participate in WASH and related sectorial coordination meetings on behalf of Department of water to provide technical, strategic and policy advice;
Perform related duties as assigned.
IV. Target outputs (Measurable results)
• Strategic guidance and technical advice on water quality monitoring and water laboratory
• Establishing water testing laboratory and regular water quality monitoring at national/regional/district level
• Training program and skill transfer based on identified needs
• Water quality surveillance system and procedure guideline
• Regular health and sanitary inspection around water sources and checking of water quality in Somaliland and surrounding areas
• Report of the training conducted and documents produced.
• Establishing water testing laboratory and regular water quality monitoring at national/regional/district level
• Training program and skill transfer based on identified needs
• Water quality surveillance system and procedure guideline
• Regular health and sanitary inspection around water sources and checking of water quality in Somaliland and surrounding areas
• Report of the training conducted and documents produced.
V. MIDA requirements
In order to fulfill their contractual requirements, and to facilitate payments, participant will have to deliver the following results in a timely manner:
- Work plan: A work plan will have to be developed with the supervisor during the first week of assignment, which will provide clear and time bound activities to successfully implement the outputs of assignment. This work plan will be shared with the MIDA/MHD. This work plan can be revised during the mid-term review to reflect new developments or changes in strategy.
- Capacity assessment report: The participant will conduct assessment on capacity of human resources in PSAWEN laboratory and laboratory equipment to operate quality laboratory practices.
- Capacity building strategy: The participant will develop a two page document outlining their capacity development approach, including landmark trainings or candidates for mentoring.
- Interim and final reports: Progress reports will be submitted by the incumbent to the Supervisor and to the MIDA/ MHD on a quarterly basis. A final report will be provided at the end of assignment. Qualifications
Level of education: At least Masters Degree in water quality monitoring or environmental health
Area of study: Water engineer, Environmental health, chemical engineering, hydro-geologist or any other relevant field
Years of work experience in that area: 5-8 years post graduate progressive experience including laboratory experience
Language needed: English, Somali
General skills / other requirements: Computer skills. Strong interpersonal management and organizational skills.
Area of study: Water engineer, Environmental health, chemical engineering, hydro-geologist or any other relevant field
Years of work experience in that area: 5-8 years post graduate progressive experience including laboratory experience
Language needed: English, Somali
General skills / other requirements: Computer skills. Strong interpersonal management and organizational skills.
VI. Salary
The salary for this position will be determined by MIDA based on qualifications (VI) and the level of the assignment (X), according to MIDA salary scale system.
The salary for this position will be determined by MIDA based on qualifications (VI) and the level of the assignment (X), according to MIDA salary scale system.
VII: Security and insurance modalities
Health insurance, including evacuation due to medical emergency, will be provided by MIDA. However, participants will be requested to provide a recent medical certificate stating that they are physically well and apt to work in a hardship area in Africa.
Please note that neither IOM, according to the contract, will be responsible for the security of the qualified Somali expatriates. The host beneficiary institution will be responsible for the security of the individual.
Before leaving the country of residence and upon arrival in Nairobi or in Somalia, the qualified Somali expatriate will receive a pre-departure briefing including security advice and cultural background.
Please note that neither IOM, according to the contract, will be responsible for the security of the qualified Somali expatriates. The host beneficiary institution will be responsible for the security of the individual.
Before leaving the country of residence and upon arrival in Nairobi or in Somalia, the qualified Somali expatriate will receive a pre-departure briefing including security advice and cultural background.
How to apply:
All applicants must apply online through the QUESTS-MIDA website: http://www.quests-mida.org/. To start the application process, the applicants are required to register an account with the MIDA website. Go to login and register as a user, then fill the form and create a password to enter in the applications section. Short-listed candidates will be informed of the status of their application. If you encounter any problems when applying, please send an email to quests-mida@iom.int
