Drinking Water Monitoring & Laboratory Quality Assessment Support Consultant at RTI International

RTI International is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to conducting innovative, multidisciplinary research that improves the human condition. With a worldwide staff of more than 5,000 people, RTI offers innovative research and development and multidisciplinary services.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: Drinking Water Monitoring & Laboratory Quality Assessment Support Consultant

Locations: Abia, Delta, Imo, Niger, and Taraba

Background

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Effective Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Services (E-WASH) Program is working to improve urban water and sanitation service delivery by strengthening the governance, financial and technical viability of five state water boards (SWBs) in five states in Nigeria. E-WASH will work toward achieving the following mutually reinforcing objectives:

Creating professionally managed and commercially oriented SWBs.
Improving the financial and operational viability of SWBs.
Strengthening policy, institutional and regulatory frameworks for improved WASH services (including establishing accountability mechanisms).
Building national and state WASH advocacy, coordination, and communications for reform.
E-WASH is part of USAID’s wider efforts to build closer coordination with the Government of Nigeria (GoN), including the Federal Ministry of Water Resources (FMWR), select SWBs, and allied stakeholders, to advance broad-based economic growth and resilience through improved WASH services in urban areas. E-WASH is being implemented in Abia, Delta, Imo, Niger, and Taraba which were selected based on the potential level of impact in the states and where there has been significant commitment from the state government leadership and a willingness to embrace enduring reforms to improve water service delivery.
As part of the continued implementation of the E-WASH, the program has a utility support fund aimed at supporting utilities to improve their performance either in terms of water production or management. Another area of support is designing clear strategies on non-revenue water management.
E-WASH is seeking the services of a short-term independent consultant to support the management in coordinating a number of the activities related to the Utility Support Fund in controlling Water Quality and Assurance/Compliance and in conducting an outcome based training and skills transfer program for the application credible laboratory results in Water Quality Management (Process Control and Water Quality Assurance program per of NIS-554-2015 requirements for each state).

Objectives of the Assignment:

The expert will support in collaboration with an International Consultant, all technical matters related to the system operations of basic laboratory testing equipment and reagents, process control and water quality management.
Support in the Water Quality Management skills transfer program to capacitate the utility staff in the compliance monitoring requirements of NIS-554-2015 and assist in the training of the SWBs Water Quality Control Staff.

Scope of the Assignment:

Water quality assessment is an integral part of water service delivery. And there is need to equip and train the six SWB laboratories with standard equipment and reagents to enable the water boards carry out their functions at the desired capacity and hence be able to conduct effective surveillance and process monitoring for optimal performance.
One of the deliverables defined for the Water Quality Monitoring assessment in the E-WASH priority states in Nigeria was a training program for laboratory staff to improve their level of competence. The assessments completed in September 2019 defined the competence levels of the staff, in general, as insufficient. Low scores were recorded for knowledge, skills, and attitude.
An Outcome-based Education (OBE) methodology is regarded as the best approach to increase the level of competence of staff. The OBE methodology allows the employer to define the outcomes of the training in terms of knowledge and skills requirements for work to be done. For an organization using a laboratory for Quality Control and Quality Assurance, outcomes could be specified in terms of the following core key performance areas:

Basic Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and Housekeeping:

(Basic numeracy, Cleaning of glassware, Handling and storage of glassware, Different types of glassware and their uses, how to read different types of liquids in glassware, Storage of chemicals, Making up of chemical standards and work solutions, Personal Protective Equipment, Laboratory safety, Distilled water, basic calculations, and many more related topics)
Elemental Information and Computer Technology (ICT) skills (as applicable to each location)
(electronic logging of data, Back-up procedures, Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) operation)

Basic Water Treatment:

The staff should understand how drinking water is treated and the function of each treatment step. The analysis of water samples to assess the efficiency of the treatment process and Quality Assurance (QA) will be placed in context with analytical methods.

Instrument Training:

(Principles applied for instruments used for water analysis, Daily maintenance of the instrument, Calibration of the instrument, Fault finding, Minimum stock of spare parts, Use of the UPS in case of power failure)
Analytical Method and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) writing
Staff will be trained to write an analytical method and a SOP that has been verified in a logical and systematic manner.
Implement the Quality and Technical Management system
Staff will be trained on how to customize a Quality and Technical Management system, using the instruments, methods, and other supporting activities as a foundation.
The recommended mode of the proposed OBE will be “training -of -trainers.” During this process, a laboratory expert with a proven skills transfer record (Specialist) provides training to selected staff at a central locality.
After training has taken place at the specific sites, the Specialist will visit all staff on the respective sites for final assessment and moderation, including a final examination and certification. The Specialist will also perform the role of a coach for the trainers and staff.

Inputs by E-Wash:

E-WASH to provide as much as possible.
Locations of the training.
List of trainees from E-WASH SWBs.

Level of Effort:

We reckon that this assignment will be for 20 days.

Qualifications

The WASH Expert is required to have the following qualifications and skills:

A First Degree in Chemistry, Biology, Water / Environmental Sciences, or a similar field related to water resources management.
Knowledge and experience in the Water Management sector.
General professional experience
At least 6 years of relevant professional experience or 4 years (with a post-graduate degree) in the field of water monitoring and water quality assessment.
Good communication and team working skills
Specific professional experience
Practical experience in providing technical expertise for water monitoring -Physical-Chemical, Heavy Metals, Priority Substances – and reporting; relevant working experience in the environmental/water quality field.
Experience with water quality assessment including sampling, analyses and/or data interpretation.
Experience in providing on the job training and capacity building activities.

Skills and Abilities:

Extremely strong organizational and prioritization skill with strong ability to adaptively manage to objectives, resolve issues and escalate as necessary.
Strategic thinker with proven ability to link event objectives to specific prioritized workplan
Exceptional interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively and establish strong working relationships with key colleagues
Self-starter, able to think creatively and work independently
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced work environment and carry out multiple activities and projects with competing deadlines
Excellent oral and written English language communication skills
Willingness to travel domestically in Nigeria if necessary.