Field Officer (WASH Engineer)

CRS began direct operations in Afghanistan in early 2002. CRS maintains five main offices throughout the country: Kabul, Herat, Ghor, Daykundi and Bamiyan, with sub-offices in all these provinces. The CRS strategic plan for Afghanistan focuses on poverty and risk reduction, human development, and emergency response in rural areas in western and central Afghanistan. CRS works to support:

• People, especially girls and women from marginalized communities, gain basic education
• Poor rural and peri-urban households to have increased livelihood security
• Vulnerable communities to survive shocks without long-term negative impact on their livelihoods.

Project Summary:

CRS is implementing watershed project in Daikundi Province (Daikundi, Sang-Takht, Ashtarlay, and Pato districts). The objective of the study is to assess the biophysical, sustainability, governance, and food security impacts of watershed management interventions in Afghanistan, and to identify which practices and approaches have the greatest impact in terms of sustainability and resiliency in the Afghanistan context.

The WASH Field Officer will lead day-to-day project implementation of a high-profile, multi-sectoral emergency response project under the supervision of the Senior WASH Engineer.  Responsibilities will include working directly with local government and community members, coordinating various project activities and events in support of CRS’ work to serve the poor and vulnerable. The WASH Field Officer will rely on community relations skills to ensure local partners and communities contribute to and benefit from the project.  Additionally, the Field Officer will work to sustain project impact through engagement with the community and encouragement of best practices as related to the continued management and operation of newly constructed and improved water sources.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Support the coordination and monitoring of project activities at the field level ensuring implementation schedules are met as per the detailed activity plan and adherence to systems that reinforce high quality implementation.
• Support project team in planning and organizing all aspects of the construction works, including surveying, monitoring activity work plans, progress monitoring, coordinating, and supervising the cash for work (CFW) process and contractor work implementation.
• Consistently document progress and challenges observed in the field and submit timely reports for review of the senior staff and technical advisors.
• Oversee the technical assessment and design work (structural and hydraulic calculations for small scale gravity fed piped networks) for community-based projects.
• Develop community project plans (CPPs) in coordination with community leaders and Water Management Committees (WMCs) that include detailed drawings, bills of quantities (BoQs), and scopes of work (SOWs),
• Generate and submit procurement request forms (PRFs) and support the procurement team to make sure all items are purchased according to project BoQs.
• Ensure that all materials and equipment related to the project meet the required standards and specifications.  Record and keep approved samples and ensure all construction materials match and comply with technical specifications.
• Support project foremen and skilled laborers. Provide expert guidance on construction tasks, diagnose defects, and specify remedial repairs. 
• Assist with cost management and analysis and have a good understanding of procurement processes and accepted standards of quality.
• Ensure that timely action is taken to address any deficiencies in quality/safety standards (including documentation) in all stages of construction/rehabilitation work and contribute solutions for improving overall quality.
• Ensure that all tasks are completed to a satisfactory standard before final payment is authorized.
• Coordinate and facilitate communication and information sharing among the project team, implementing partners, and project beneficiaries at the community level to assist local partners in strengthening the community interest, involvement, and support networks.
• Liaise with various community stakeholders and mobilize them to ensure full involvement of community leaders, community representatives, and local government representatives in the overall implementation and improvement of project activities.
• In coordination with the project team, support capacity building events for community representatives and WMC members. 
• Coordinate, monitor, and report on community volunteer activities.
• Compile data provided at the community level as per project requirements and contribute to the preparation of reports.

• Bachelor’s degree in civil, construction, or hydraulic engineering.
• Minimum of 2 years of professional experience in implementation of WASH project or construction of infrastructures and buildings, familiarity with technical survey, structural and hydraulic calculation, supervision of construction project, cost estimation, overseeing project implementation.
• Experience working with specialized international agencies (UN Agencies, International Organizations, and International NGOs) and in close consultation and coordination with local authorities MRRD or MUDL municipalities or other related stakeholders, community representatives, implementing partners and field staff.
• Operating and application of Auto-CAD particularly the 2D drafting, EPANET or Water GEMs, Ms office packages with advance Word and Excel skills, total station, level machine.

Required Languages – Fluency in written and spoken Dari a requirement (intermediate English skills a plus)

Travel - willingness to travel to remote communities in Daikundi Districts at least 4 days a week.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervision of Project Assistant (Foremen). 

Key Working Relationships:  

Internal: Senior Project Officer, Field Officer, WASH Technical Advisor, Livelihoods Program Manager, Field Agents, Procurement Officer, Head of Office, Security Focal Points.

External: PRRD representatives, Community leaders, WMC members, Local foremen.   

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Observation, active listening and analysis skills with ability to make sound judgment
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with diverse groups

• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)  

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.  

• Integrity  
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation 

• Builds Relationships  
• Develops Talent 
• Strategic Mindset 
• Accountability & Stewardship 

Protection Acknowledgment: CRS prohibits all forms of abuse and exploitation towards children and vulnerable adults. As a professional candidate, you commit to adhering to the Agency’s policy on protection, rights and dignity of children and vulnerable adults and to safeguard them from abuse and exploitation as defined in CRS’ Safeguarding Policy. 

We welcome as a part of our staff people who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.  

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

Protection Policy:

I understand the Agency’s commitment to protect the rights and dignity of children and vulnerable adults and to safeguard them from abuse and exploitation as defined in CRS’ Protection Policy.

 CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. 

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Submission of Applications:

Applications comprise a one-page cover letter to explain your interest and suitability for the post and your CV. Please do not attach your education documents and work certificates unless requested.

Dear Applicants!

The process of submitting a CV/Application has been changed to the online system. Therefore, interested candidates are encouraged to apply using the link provided below. Applications sent to any other email address or location will not be considered. Please ensure to rename your application file according to your name entered on the first page of the application forms.

Interested candidates can submit their applications by clicking on this link.

Please note that applications received after the closing date (i.e., January 30^th, 2024), will not be given consideration. Only short-listed candidates whose applications respond to the above criteria will be contacted for tests and interviews.