Live and Learn: Sanitation and Project Management Advisor – Phno

Posted by Kim Axworthy to South East Asia, 8th August 2010, 5:56pm
Location: , Cambodia Link to google map
Applications close 6th September 2010

Partner Description:

Live & Learn Environmental Education is a non-profit, non-government organisation which promotes greater understanding and action toward human and environmental sustainability through education and dialogue building.

Live & Learn works with communities through critical entry points, such as safe drinking water issues, to address community health concerns but also to facilitate community ownership of problems and the action necessary to address and sustain a better quality of life for all community members.

EWB has worked with Live & Learn in Cambodia for a number of years on the Tonle Sap Sanitation Project.

 

    

 

 

Project Background:

Each year communities around the Tonle Sap Lake region of Cambodia are flooded during the monsoon when the Tonle Sap lake expands by up to 5 times its dry season area.  Floating villages move geographically (by up to 10 km) with the expanding and receding flood waters, whilst stilted villages remain stationary and are subject to vastly changing water levels (from dry ground to deep flooding around the raised houses and buildings).

Community members in floating and stilted villages often defecate directly off the back of buildings into the water, directly into the water from a hole within a latrine cubicle, off the back of a boat, or from a tree.  Community members play in, access food sources from, and gain drinking water from the waters of the Tonle Sap.  There is significant concern of the health and environmental impact that defecation directly into the waters (particularly during low water level periods) has.

As with many places in the developing world, the design and implementation of toilets for the Tonle Sap, need to consider cultural and economic considerations to allow broad uptake.  Monitoring of the true impacts of current practices and the efficacy of latrine options is important for any technical solution.

Previous EWB volunteers have worked with Live & Learn and other partners in Cambodia to develop and trial floating latrines and waste disposal methods.

For 2011 two parallel key activates are planned:

1. Development of a supply and demand for sanitation for floating communities. This shall use proven techniques such as CLTS and Sanitation Marketing.
2. Improve current process and develop of new technologies for trialling such as; a biodigester to turn waste into a useful, cleaner, inexpensive fuel source; miniature waste-management barges for use on a household scale (rather than village level).  Accompanying this work will be the support of already established project teams in Australia, focused around each of the technologies and trials.

The volunteer should be capable of looking into new opportunities for funding and alternative technologies as they arise for Live and Learn.

The precise skill set and experience of the candidate does not necessarily need to be in the Water and Sanitation field, although this would desirable.

 

Role Required:

Live and Learn require a Field Volunteer for 12 months to work alongside their staff in delivering the following objectives:

• Build the capacity of Live and Learn staff in Project Management and Implementation.
• Maintain and build strong relationships with the local Cambodian communities; government agencies and international aid organisations to ensure any solutions are culturally acceptable, sustainable and affordable;
• Build the capacity of local partner organisations, community groups, small and medium sized enterprises to supply affordable sanitation to floating communities;
• Build demand for sanitation in floating communities by education and maintaining a participatory approach when developing sanitation options;
• Provide support for EWB volunteer project teams to enable them to be actively engaged in the project;
• Assist and mentor a local staff member to supervise a small project team while overseeing project implementation, administration and budget;
• Regularly report (written and verbal) to EWB, L&L Management and donors; and
• Work with the users of prototype toilets and waste disposal barge to improve systems.

 

Timing:

The role consists of three important phases beginning in October 2010, including a 12 month field placement in Cambodia commencing in January 2011.

 

Phase 1: Pre-departure – October 2010

• Pre-departure preparation (medical clearances, training, administrative)
• Linking with the Australian based EWB project team if required for the project
• Linking with a local EWB chapter to enhance your resources and support networks and create opportunities for sharing your experience with members
• Identifying additional resources and support for the project
• Communicating with the Partner Organisation to discuss and clarify the project and role requirements

 

Phase 2: Field operations – January 2011

• Departure to host country and partner organisations
• Working alongside your counterpart within the partner organisation to meet your position objectives and build organisational and technical capacity
• Linking with EWB Field Officers to develop appropriate ‘Learning & Change’ materials to share with EWB members and partner organisations

 

Phase 3: Post field alumni – 2012

• Return to Australia to collaborate with the project team, knowledge hub (if relevant) and with an EWB chapter for a minimum period of 12 months  - this is on a casual volunteer basis – e.g. one evening a fortnight
• Participate in various EWB events including the National Conference and intake presentation evenings
• Participate in the development and dissemination of ‘Learning & Change’ materials within the EWB community
• Mentor future field volunteers preparing to work with the partner organisation

 

To fulfill this role, the volunteer will receive an allowance for living and basic accommodation, airfares to your host country at the commencement and completion of the placement, travel and emergency evacuation insurance, technical and personal support from EWB staff and chapters.

 

Applications

Please complete the volunteer application form and attach a statement addressing how you meet the essential and desirable selection criteria. We cannot assess applications that do not address the selection criteria.

 

Selection Criteria

We are looking for people who want to make a difference through a challenging cross-cultural experience, who are committed to having positive impact in overseas communities through all aspects of their placement, and who are willing to share their experiences with others to create change within the engineering sector in Australia

It is important that our volunteers understand that they will be working to build local capacity, rather than manage and deliver a project themselves, and this should always be their key focus.

For this particular role, it is essential that the candidate has:

• Relevant degree (Engineering – Environmental, Civil, Water / Environmental Science or similar);
• Experience in project management and working in multicultural teams;
• Creative, open-minded, ability to improvise. Flexibility to identify and capitalise on opportunities for L&L that may be outside the existing projects scope;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills especially in a cross-cultural environment;
• Self motivated and well organised.

 

The ideal candidate would also have meeting the following desirable criteria:

• Experience in water and sanitation, particularly in the developing environment
• Experience in small scale, low cost construction methods.
• Experience working with international aid organisations and/or government agencies.
• Willingness to travel to and spend time with rural communities in Cambodia.
• Knowledge of basic Khmer or willingness to learn.

 

Our field volunteers are expected to demonstrate the following personal attributes:

• Humility
• Cross-cultural communication skills
• Empathy and caring for others
• Enthusiasm and passion
• Creativity
• Willingness to learn
• Adaptability and ability to deal with ambiguity
• Good understanding of capacity development and current development issues
• Leadership skills and experience in a leadership role
• Ruggedness and ability to live in harsh conditions

 

Additional Information

Confirmation of secondment is subject to:

• Formal approval from EWB and the partner organisation.
• Procurement of visa and work permits.
• Satisfactory completion of a first aid certificate.
• Satisfactory participation in a pre-departure briefing run by EWB in November 2010.
• A satisfactory medical examination of the applicant.
• A satisfactory criminal record check of the applicant and accompanying adults by the Australian Police.

 

EWB adheres to statutory laws in Australia and foreign countries regarding child exploitation, child pornography and the abuse of children. We are committed to the protection of children from all forms of harm.

Applications close on Monday 6^th September.

Please complete and return applications to k.axworthy@ewb.org.au with “Live & Learn Cambodia” as the subject title.

Or post to the EWB Perth Office:

c/o The University of Western Australia
School of Environmental Systems Engineering
M015
Crawley 6009
WA

Please DO NOT attach CVs, references or any other documentation.

For more information contact Kim Axworthy – South East Asia Program Coordinator:

Email: k.axworthy@ewb.org.au
Ph: +618 6488 8039

 

Live and Learn: Sanitation and Project Management Advisor – Phno

Posted by Kim Axworthy to South East Asia, 8th August 2010, 5:56pm
Location: , Cambodia Link to google map
Applications close 6th September 2010

Partner Description:

Live & Learn Environmental Education is a non-profit, non-government organisation which promotes greater understanding and action toward human and environmental sustainability through education and dialogue building.

Live & Learn works with communities through critical entry points, such as safe drinking water issues, to address community health concerns but also to facilitate community ownership of problems and the action necessary to address and sustain a better quality of life for all community members.

EWB has worked with Live & Learn in Cambodia for a number of years on the Tonle Sap Sanitation Project.

 

    

 

 

Project Background:

Each year communities around the Tonle Sap Lake region of Cambodia are flooded during the monsoon when the Tonle Sap lake expands by up to 5 times its dry season area.  Floating villages move geographically (by up to 10 km) with the expanding and receding flood waters, whilst stilted villages remain stationary and are subject to vastly changing water levels (from dry ground to deep flooding around the raised houses and buildings).

Community members in floating and stilted villages often defecate directly off the back of buildings into the water, directly into the water from a hole within a latrine cubicle, off the back of a boat, or from a tree.  Community members play in, access food sources from, and gain drinking water from the waters of the Tonle Sap.  There is significant concern of the health and environmental impact that defecation directly into the waters (particularly during low water level periods) has.

As with many places in the developing world, the design and implementation of toilets for the Tonle Sap, need to consider cultural and economic considerations to allow broad uptake.  Monitoring of the true impacts of current practices and the efficacy of latrine options is important for any technical solution.

Previous EWB volunteers have worked with Live & Learn and other partners in Cambodia to develop and trial floating latrines and waste disposal methods.

For 2011 two parallel key activates are planned:

1. Development of a supply and demand for sanitation for floating communities. This shall use proven techniques such as CLTS and Sanitation Marketing.
2. Improve current process and develop of new technologies for trialling such as; a biodigester to turn waste into a useful, cleaner, inexpensive fuel source; miniature waste-management barges for use on a household scale (rather than village level).  Accompanying this work will be the support of already established project teams in Australia, focused around each of the technologies and trials.

The volunteer should be capable of looking into new opportunities for funding and alternative technologies as they arise for Live and Learn.

The precise skill set and experience of the candidate does not necessarily need to be in the Water and Sanitation field, although this would desirable.

 

Role Required:

Live and Learn require a Field Volunteer for 12 months to work alongside their staff in delivering the following objectives:

• Build the capacity of Live and Learn staff in Project Management and Implementation.
• Maintain and build strong relationships with the local Cambodian communities; government agencies and international aid organisations to ensure any solutions are culturally acceptable, sustainable and affordable;
• Build the capacity of local partner organisations, community groups, small and medium sized enterprises to supply affordable sanitation to floating communities;
• Build demand for sanitation in floating communities by education and maintaining a participatory approach when developing sanitation options;
• Provide support for EWB volunteer project teams to enable them to be actively engaged in the project;
• Assist and mentor a local staff member to supervise a small project team while overseeing project implementation, administration and budget;
• Regularly report (written and verbal) to EWB, L&L Management and donors; and
• Work with the users of prototype toilets and waste disposal barge to improve systems.

 

Timing:

The role consists of three important phases beginning in October 2010, including a 12 month field placement in Cambodia commencing in January 2011.

 

Phase 1: Pre-departure – October 2010

• Pre-departure preparation (medical clearances, training, administrative)
• Linking with the Australian based EWB project team if required for the project
• Linking with a local EWB chapter to enhance your resources and support networks and create opportunities for sharing your experience with members
• Identifying additional resources and support for the project
• Communicating with the Partner Organisation to discuss and clarify the project and role requirements

 

Phase 2: Field operations – January 2011

• Departure to host country and partner organisations
• Working alongside your counterpart within the partner organisation to meet your position objectives and build organisational and technical capacity
• Linking with EWB Field Officers to develop appropriate ‘Learning & Change’ materials to share with EWB members and partner organisations

 

Phase 3: Post field alumni – 2012

• Return to Australia to collaborate with the project team, knowledge hub (if relevant) and with an EWB chapter for a minimum period of 12 months  - this is on a casual volunteer basis – e.g. one evening a fortnight
• Participate in various EWB events including the National Conference and intake presentation evenings
• Participate in the development and dissemination of ‘Learning & Change’ materials within the EWB community
• Mentor future field volunteers preparing to work with the partner organisation

 

To fulfill this role, the volunteer will receive an allowance for living and basic accommodation, airfares to your host country at the commencement and completion of the placement, travel and emergency evacuation insurance, technical and personal support from EWB staff and chapters.

 

Applications

Please complete the volunteer application form and attach a statement addressing how you meet the essential and desirable selection criteria. We cannot assess applications that do not address the selection criteria.

 

Selection Criteria

We are looking for people who want to make a difference through a challenging cross-cultural experience, who are committed to having positive impact in overseas communities through all aspects of their placement, and who are willing to share their experiences with others to create change within the engineering sector in Australia

It is important that our volunteers understand that they will be working to build local capacity, rather than manage and deliver a project themselves, and this should always be their key focus.

For this particular role, it is essential that the candidate has:

• Relevant degree (Engineering – Environmental, Civil, Water / Environmental Science or similar);
• Experience in project management and working in multicultural teams;
• Creative, open-minded, ability to improvise. Flexibility to identify and capitalise on opportunities for L&L that may be outside the existing projects scope;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills especially in a cross-cultural environment;
• Self motivated and well organised.

 

The ideal candidate would also have meeting the following desirable criteria:

• Experience in water and sanitation, particularly in the developing environment
• Experience in small scale, low cost construction methods.
• Experience working with international aid organisations and/or government agencies.
• Willingness to travel to and spend time with rural communities in Cambodia.
• Knowledge of basic Khmer or willingness to learn.

 

Our field volunteers are expected to demonstrate the following personal attributes:

• Humility
• Cross-cultural communication skills
• Empathy and caring for others
• Enthusiasm and passion
• Creativity
• Willingness to learn
• Adaptability and ability to deal with ambiguity
• Good understanding of capacity development and current development issues
• Leadership skills and experience in a leadership role
• Ruggedness and ability to live in harsh conditions

 

Additional Information

Confirmation of secondment is subject to:

• Formal approval from EWB and the partner organisation.
• Procurement of visa and work permits.
• Satisfactory completion of a first aid certificate.
• Satisfactory participation in a pre-departure briefing run by EWB in November 2010.
• A satisfactory medical examination of the applicant.
• A satisfactory criminal record check of the applicant and accompanying adults by the Australian Police.

 

EWB adheres to statutory laws in Australia and foreign countries regarding child exploitation, child pornography and the abuse of children. We are committed to the protection of children from all forms of harm.

Applications close on Monday 6^th September.

Please complete and return applications to k.axworthy@ewb.org.au with “Live & Learn Cambodia” as the subject title.

Or post to the EWB Perth Office:

c/o The University of Western Australia
School of Environmental Systems Engineering
M015
Crawley 6009
WA

Please DO NOT attach CVs, references or any other documentation.

For more information contact Kim Axworthy – South East Asia Program Coordinator:

Email: k.axworthy@ewb.org.au
Ph: +618 6488 8039

 

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