We announce availability of a full-time position for Senior Project Officer to be awarded in November 2018 under a recently initiated 7 years (2015-2022) programme: “REACH: Improving Water Security for the Poor". The REACH programme seeks to advance world-leading, risk-based science through interdisciplinary research to improved water security for five million poor people in Africa and Asia by 2022. The science-practitioner partnership is led by Oxford University with UNICEF as the global, regional and national practitioner partner. More details at: www.reachwater.org.uk. In Bangladesh, the programme is led by the Institute of Water and Flood Management (IWFM) of BUET with University of Dhaka and icddr,b and UNICEF, with collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh and the private sector.

This senior position will support the policy work in three observatory sites (Khulna, Dhaka and Matlab), with specific deliverables related to the Urban River Security and Universal Drinking Water Security work flows in Dhaka and Matlab. The post-holder will coordinate work that introduces smart monitoring technologies to the provision of safe drinking water. The position will be focused on (1) collaborative applied research between REACH, UNICEF and Government of Bangladesh, particularly Department of Public Health and Engineering (2) procurement, field-installation and maintenance of a continuous water monitoring and evaluation system (3) design of the information system and platform around rural water services, and (4) documenting evidence and communication of findings for improved policy and practice. The successful candidate has responsibilities to liaise with UNICEF and the Department of Public Health and Environment on technical and policy related issues.

Position Responsibilities

Project Coordination and Management

1. Manage procurement, installation and maintenance of water sensors and monitors including hand pump transmitters, piped water meters and river monitoring technologies.
2. Coordinate processes to obtain required permissions. Also coordinate with project partners for sensor placement in field research sites and ensure equipment tracking and maintenance system, as needed.
3. Coordinate and communicate REACH activities with UNICEF country and regional programmes and the University of Oxford, including attending key meetings and meeting with WASH team.
4. Coordinate and communicate REACH research, work plans, and reporting activities with Government of Bangladesh, in partnership with UNICEF and BUET.
5. Provide monthly reports and weekly updates to the Oxford University research team and support field visits from the Oxford University team and other REACH partners.

Technical Coordination and Support

1. Coordinate design and implementation of information management system including software, data management system and data visualization, particularly in relation to user needs.
2. Coordinate technical components for device installation and data logger functionality.
3. Coordinate collection of ancillary data related to universal drinking water and ensure integration into data platforms and research projects. Manage and oversee training workshops with government, NGO and community stakeholders.

Position Requirement

Qualifications

1. Minimum requirement of bachelors’ degree. Preferred specialization in engineering, information science, computer sciences, mathematics, or other quantitative disciplines.
2. Additional professional studies or advanced degree related to water management is preferred but not required.
3. Minimum of 5 years of professional experience required.

Essential Skills

1. Independent, problem-solving and creative approach to work effectively to deliver project goals on time and on budget.
2. Ability to communicate complex data to non-specialist “stakeholders”.
3. Experience working with information systems to advance monitoring, evaluation or technical improvements.
4. Fluency in written and spoken English and Bengali.

Desirable Skills:

1. Experience coordinating rural field projects, preferably within the water sector.
2. Experience curating and managing large data sets.
3. Knowledge of web-based scripting, such as SQL and PHP programming languages.
4. Experience working with Government of Bangladesh or related policy initiatives.

Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

To apply for this position, an applicant must submit application Online.

Application Deadline: October 22, 2018

For further details, please visit https://reachwater.org.uk/