Job Title: WASH Social and Behavior Change Specialist

Reports to: Marburg Response Project Manager

Duration of contract: 6months with possible extension

Supervisory Duties: N/A

Water For People is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) that works with people and partners to develop innovative and long-lasting solutions to the water, sanitation, and hygiene problems globally. The organization strives to continually improve, experiment with promising new ideas, and leverage resources to multiply its impact.

Water For People is currently operating in 9 countries including Rwanda where the organization is supporting WASH in the districts of Rulindo, Kicukiro, Gicumbi, Karongi and Gisagara. Ten more districts are supported under the USAID-funded Isoko y’Ubuzima Project.

With a shared passion for our mission, our values guide how we act and interact based on five core pillars:

• Collective Transformation: We believe in the power of collective
• Environmental Stewardship: We are committed to being responsible stewards of the environment.
• Integrity: We act honestly and transparently to inspire trust.
• Courage: We encourage brave exploration of new ideas and informed risk-taking.
• Amplify all Voices: By putting people first, celebrating diversity, and pursuing justice, we prioritize our shared humanity.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The main purpose of WASH SBC Specialist As seen with the recent Marburg Virus and COVID-19, Rwanda is vulnerable to viral disease outbreaks. WASH interventions, including infrastructure as well as social and behavioral change, play an important role in preventing and mitigating the impact of these dangerous outbreaks. It is against this background that Isoko y’Ubuzima is hiring a Social and Behavioral Change Specialist who will focus on the behavioral component of the project.

JOB SUMMARY

The WASH SBC Specialist reports to the Project Manager. She/ he will be responsible for leading the SBC strategy focused on: 1) Promoting the proper and appropriate use of WASH infrastructure; and 2) Promoting proper hand hygiene to prevent disease transmission.

She/ he will be responsible for organizing capacity-building activities of relevant local officials and stakeholders who are involved in community mobilization, develop with them an action plan and monitor the implementation of the agreed plan.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic and Operational planning

• Conduct a rapid assessment of hygiene practices and use of handwashing and sanitation facilities in targeted healthcare facilities and public places such as bus stations and markets. 
• Lead the design and development of SBC materials and strategies to be used in the targeted areas to promote the proper use and care of WASH infrastructure and proper hand hygiene.
• Provide technical leadership in the implementation of the SBC strategy.
• Help prepare project reports, including weekly activity updates and monthly and quarterly reports.

Capacity development

• Work with healthcare facility management and the management and private sector businesses working in public places to develop and implement sustainable strategies to promote hygiene practices that contribute to the prevention of disease transmission.
• Develop and implement a training plan of local business owners and relevant stakeholders in charge of community mobilization in hygiene promotion and management of water supply services.

Advocacy and learning

• Lead the advocacy for proper management of WASH infrastructure and hand hygiene among stakeholders in the project area, as well as the thematic working groups of the MoH and MININFRA.
• Contribute to organizational learning by preparing and disseminating data, lessons learned, good practices, and statistical and qualitative data to Water For People staff, partners, and other stakeholders, and organize periodic organizational learning events to share best practices.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Work with the MEL team to collect and analyze data collected under the monitoring framework for assessment of progress, social impact on beneficiaries and areas for improvement;
• Based on monitoring results, work with stakeholders to design strategies to improve hygiene and sanitation practices in the targeted areas;
• Ensure regular monitoring of work progress against plan and take action towards any deviation or delays.

Finance

• Provide all required data to the finance team on time and indicate appropriate account (s) to be affected by expenditures incurred under your area of responsibility.
• Track revenue and expenditures against the grant budget on monthly basis.

Flagship Activities

Duties for this position should not be considered definitive. Duties may be added, deleted or modified in consultation with the incumbent as necessary. Job descriptions and staff performances will be reviewed regularly.

Primary working relationships

• Marburg Response Project Manager
• Chief and Deputy Chief of Party
• Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Manager
• Technical Leaders of consortium members
• Communications and Outreach Specialists
• Advocacy and Influence Managers

Relevant Work Experience

• At least 5 years of experience in the environmental health area;. 
• Having worked for International NGOs in a similar or related position.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health sciences or related studies (Master’s degree in public health or communications would be an added advantage)
• At least 5 years of experience in the environmental health area; 
• Experience in environmental health-related research studies;
• Experience in WASH networks and strong relationship management skills;
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and excellent written and analytic skills, report writing, networking, and representation.
• Be a risks taker, and have a nose for entrepreneurial opportunities;
• Good analytical skills and the ability to extrapolate lessons to other situations;
• Comfort and talent in communicating with diverse and international constituents;
• Ability to analyze and organize data and communicate results effectively;
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects with multiple priorities;
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team effort.
• Well-developed written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills
• Fluent in English and Kinyarwanda.
• Flexible, innovative, proactive, to work under tight deadlines and have excellent follow-through skills.
• Maintain sound ethical principles, integrity, and transparency of the due process
• Be a self-starter and work with limited supervision.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

This role will require traveling to the areas of Isoko y’Ubuzima operations and other parts of the country to execute her/ his responsibilities.

Our commitment ensures that we:

• Have a different array of thinking that comes from diverse backgrounds and cultures, enabling us to solve some of the world’s greatest challenges.
• Strive for a culture of inclusion and belonging by treating each other with dignity, respect, and appreciation enabling us to feel welcome, supported, and valued.    
• Effectively connect, communicate, and build long-lasting relationships with stakeholders within our diverse communities.  
• Have a diversity of thought, perspectives, backgrounds, identities, and talents that will support our mission to develop high-quality drinking water and sanitation services that are available to Everyone Forever. 

Safeguarding

Water for People is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees, volunteers and partners to share the same commitment. We believe every employee, stakeholder and every member of the communities we work with has the right to be protected from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect, harassment, discrimination, intimidation and exploitation - regardless of age, race, religion, and gender, status as an individual with a disability or ethnic origin. Water for People holds a zero-tolerance policy against sexual exploitation, discrimination, exploitation, abuse and harassment. Violations to stated policies will be subject to corrective action up to and including termination of contract.

HOW TO APPLY:

If you are both qualified and Water For People interests you, please visit our Career Center and apply with a cover letter to the Country Director- Water For People in Rwanda, along with a curriculum vitae (resume), other relevant academic/ professional work experience certificates. Please also attach your Identification Card (ID)/ passport. Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis; please apply before 29 January 2025.

Note: Women are encouraged to apply