WASH Laboratory Assistant

All NRC employees are expected to work in accordance with the organisation’s core values: dedication, innovation, inclusivity and accountability. These attitudes and believes shall guide our actions and relationships.

1. Role and responsibilities

The WASH Laboratory Assistant (WLA) will be responsible for collecting, testing and following up on the water samples, S/he will be responsible for managing the Lab equipment, items and stock. In addition, s/he will be responsible on following up water treatment. 

Generic responsibilities

• Train NRC staff in how to take water samples in the field following testing protocols.
• Build the capacity of the WASH staff on water testing, shock chlorination and Jar test to cover water-testing gaps when needed.
• Coordinate and prepare workplan for the collection of samples taken by NRC staff in both Shelter and WASH departments
• Ensure the NRC laboratory is maintained and clean, request the lab items and equipment needed and check the quality according the requested specifications.
• Ensure minimum stock for all testing consumables (broth, sample bottles, membranes) and ensure procurement of consumables are done accordingly respecting the procurement SOP.
• Ensure NRC’s water quality testing protocols are followed and updated when needed
• Ensure that NRC’s related activities implemented within NRC’s Protection mainstreaming guidelines and reports any breaches/concerns to the line manager and/or focal point for proper action.
• Ensure that all protection related detected cases are referred to the concerned referral focal point and to the Protection Coordinator 

Specific responsibilities

• Manage the entire work flow for water quality testing, incubators, autoclave, Free residual chlorine, turbidity, TDS and photometer chemical testing
• Collect and organize water sample collection taken from boreholes, water tanks, jerry cans and other water storage containers
• Manage and update borehole water testing data with the support of the Water and Sanitation team (borehole rest water level, CFU results and borehole protection)
• Ensure water test results are communicated back to WASH staff, refugees and WASH focal points
• Manage the water testing procedure from sample taking to result reading
• Ensure water testing results and sheets handed over to the database team on daily basis.
• Send water testing weekly report and follow up on following the SOPs for the contaminated water sources accordingly, (informing refugees, adding Informal tented settlements (ITS) to water schedule, water treatment sessions and shock chlorination).
• Ensure that water testing results of CFU >10 counts and water borne diseases referrals are followed up immediately following NRC’s SOPs on 48-hour urgent referral follow up.

Critical interfaces

• CMC: engage with focal points, both when taking samples and when sharing results.
• Shelter: ensure that water samples for shelter units are collected, tested and followed up. Either directly or via training/delegation of shelter staff.
• ICLA: follow up on water testing referrals and communicate with beneficiaries
• Logistic: check the quality of items received in the office (water testing materials, incubator, and water testing kits) and liaise with logistics as needed.
• WASH team: Liaise with the WatSan and HP team to support in collecting water samples and build their capacity so they are able to cover gaps when needed. With the support of the WatSan team borehole data is collected and updated
• Database and roving team: Ensure that the water testing sheets and the results are handed over to the database team and the water testing results as a follow up of the referrals are communicated and shared.

2. Competencies

1. Professional Competencies

• Bachelor degree in health science, biochemistry, biomedical, biology or equivalent degree
• Proficient in managing Del Agua, double-incubators water sample testing.
• Experience of working with water quality testing within a humanitarian/recovery context
• Previous experience of working in NGOs or Labs related to water quality testing
• Fluency in English and Arabic, both written and spoken

• Ability to explain the reasons for testing, and assuring testing results are being communicated back to those involved

1. Behavioral competencies

• Planning and delivering results
• Working with people
• Communicating with impact and respect
• Handling insecure environments