Assistant Technical Officer - Water Quality Lab, Humanitarian Crisis Response

Educational Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Biochemistry, Genetic Engineering, Biotechnology, or an equivalent relevant discipline.

Professional Experience

• At least 3 years of relevant professional experience.

• Applicants should have previous work experience in a Development Agency, NGO, or similar organization.

Additional Requirements

• Age: Minimum 18 years.

Person Specification

Essential Experience

• At least 3 years of practical experience in WASH programmes, water quality monitoring, planning, inventory and stock management, and water quality testing, preferably within an NGO or humanitarian response setting.

Core Competencies

• Demonstrated ability in project management, programme implementation, and facilitation.

• Excellent coordination, networking, and communication skills.

• Strong expertise in reporting and documentation, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and activity management.

• Well-developed planning, analytical, and strategic management capabilities.

• Effective leadership, teamwork, interpersonal, and professional behavioural skills, supported by a positive and proactive attitude.

• Strong problem-solving, conflict management, and decision-making abilities.

• Commitment to IR’s vision, mission, and core organizational values of Sincerity, Excellence, Social Justice, Custodianship, and Compassion.

• Demonstrated integrity, accountability, and professionalism in all aspects of work.

• Commitment to personal development, continuous learning, and ongoing improvement in work quality.

• Sound understanding of health, safety, and security principles and practices.

• High levels of self-confidence, initiative, and motivation.

• Willingness and ability to comply with and uphold IR’s organizational principles, norms, and values.

• Flexibility and willingness to travel to and work in remote and hard-to-reach locations across Bangladesh.

IT Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, along with basic internet and database management skills.

• Practical knowledge of KoboToolbox and basic hardware and software installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

Language Requirements

• Strong proficiency in both Bengali and English, with effective reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.

Desirable Qualifications

• Basic understanding of social and community mobilization approaches.

• Familiarity with basic financial management principles and practices.

1. Conduct Periodic Water Quality Testing to Ensure Safe and Affordable Drinking Water for the Vulnerable FDMN Community – 40%

• Design and carry out regular water quality monitoring activities at water sources, distribution networks, storage facilities, and household levels across the assigned camps and operational areas.

• Perform physical, chemical, and microbiological water quality tests in accordance with the approved monitoring plan, covering parameters such as pH, turbidity, TDS, iron, manganese, arsenic, nitrate, Free Residual Chlorine (FRC), and E. coli, as applicable.

• Ensure appropriate water sample collection, labeling, transportation, preservation, and testing within the prescribed holding time, following approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and relevant WASH sector and WHO guidelines.

• Provide technical supervision and guidance to water quality sample collectors and volunteers, ensuring adherence to sampling schedules, field procedures, and accurate completion of sample records.

• Monitor FRC levels in treated water and facilitate chlorination, shock chlorination, and other necessary corrective measures in coordination with field and hygiene promotion teams.

• Ensure proper laboratory operations, including cleanliness, equipment calibration and maintenance, quality assurance, biosafety, and safe storage and handling of reagents and consumables.

• Immediately report suspected contamination, abnormal test results, and potential water quality risks to the line manager and concerned teams, while supporting follow-up sampling and monitoring of corrective actions.

• Maintain adequate laboratory supplies by monitoring stock levels, managing inventories, and preparing timely requisitions for essential materials and consumables.

2. Ensure Effective Water Quality Monitoring and Timely Information Sharing with the Sector and Relevant Stakeholders in Compliance with WASH Sector and SPHERE Standards – 20%

• Develop and implement weekly and monthly water quality monitoring plans, schedules, checklists, and field visit programmes in line with project objectives and targets.

• Provide technical assistance for JART and AWD-related water quality assessments and response activities, including sample collection from affected households, nearby households, and suspected contamination sources.

• Review, verify, and validate water quality data submitted through KoboToolbox, ensuring the accuracy and completeness of essential information, including source number, CASE ID or remarks, camp, block, sample type, and test results.

• Maintain and regularly update water-point registers, sample tracking sheets, laboratory records, inventory documentation, and water quality monitoring databases.

• Analyze water quality findings and emerging trends to identify contamination-prone locations, recurring water quality concerns, and potential risks, and recommend appropriate mitigation measures.

• Track progress against project monitoring targets and ensure that all field-level activities comply with relevant WASH sector standards and WHO technical guidance.

3. Establish Effective Networking and Coordination with Relevant Stakeholders – 15%

• Coordinate water quality monitoring and response activities with project personnel, Community Mobilizers, volunteers, MEAL, Hygiene Promotion teams, health partners, and other relevant WASH stakeholders.

• Attend WASH sector meetings, CiC coordination meetings, JART/AWD response discussions, and relevant technical working groups as required.

• Communicate verified water quality findings, monitoring updates, and technical recommendations to concerned stakeholders in a timely and appropriate manner.

• Contribute to water safety planning, community awareness initiatives, and capacity-building activities focusing on safe water handling, household water treatment, FRC monitoring, and water quality sampling and testing.

• Maintain regular coordination and professional communication with DPHE, UN agencies, NGOs, INGOs, and other relevant government and humanitarian authorities operating in the assigned areas.

4. Project Reporting and Documentation – 15%

• Prepare and submit timely and accurate weekly, monthly, and special water quality monitoring reports, incorporating FRC and E. coli test results, contamination patterns, key findings, and follow-up measures.

• Compile, review, cross-check, and validate laboratory findings and KoboToolbox data before reporting, ensuring accurate, consistent, and traceable documentation.

• Develop monitoring summaries, data tables, charts, presentations, and technical updates for the line manager and relevant project stakeholders.

• Promptly report suspected or confirmed water-related public health risks, including contamination findings associated with AWD cases, through established reporting and escalation mechanisms.

• Maintain proper records of implementation challenges, lessons learned, and technical recommendations, and contribute to the preparation of work plans, supply requisitions, and other project-related documents.

5. Other Responsibilities – 10%

• Assist in community mobilization and awareness-raising activities on safe drinking water, hygiene practices, household water storage, and appropriate water treatment methods.

• Ensure full compliance with organizational policies and requirements concerning visibility, safeguarding, accountability, health, safety, and security during field visits and laboratory operations.

• Participate in project events, seasonal interventions, special activities, training programmes, and workshops as assigned by the supervisor.

• Undertake any additional project-related responsibilities assigned by the supervisor that are consistent with the objectives of the project and the scope of the position.