Project Assistant- Laboratory (WASH)

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Bangladesh, through its WASH Unit, works to enhance the living conditions of Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar by ensuring access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene services. These interventions are designed to be sustainable, socially inclusive, and environmentally responsible.

Currently, IOM WASH manages seven camps in Ukhiya, focusing on the operation and maintenance of water and sanitation systems, provision of WASH -NFIs, and quality monitoring of interventions in line with WASH Sector standards and mechanisms.

To ensure the safety and quality of water supplied to the refugee population as well as the effluent released to the ground from DEWATS, IOM operates a drinking water and wastewater laboratory in Ukhiya for regular testing and analysis. The Project Assistant- Laboratory (WASH) will play a key role in managing laboratory operations, involving the drinking water quality testing, wastewater effluent testing, and appropriate technical follow-up to ensure the safety of water and environment for the targeted communities.

Under the overall supervision of the WASH Programme Manager and the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Associate – WASH, the Project Assistant-Laboratory, WASH) will be responsible for supporting the WASH Unit in conducting high-quality testing, monitoring and management of laboratory operations, and related technical tasks in the camps with both IOM and implementing partner staff.

Responsibilities

1. Conduct routine and simple biological, chemical, and physical tests on water from selected tube well, boreholes, and household samples routinely, and keep records.
2. Conduct tests on recommended parameters of wastewater samples from DEWATS to monitor pathogen, biochemical components reduction and effluent quality.
3. Participate in the development of a clear workplan in coordination with implementing partners (IP) and camp focal persons. Share water and effluent quality monitoring reports on weekly basis that include test results, narrative reports, and recommendations.
4. Comply with and adhere to quality control / quality assurance (QC/QA), providing suggestions to improve the operating procedures.
5. Facilitate refresher training on sample collection and corrective measures for implementing partners (IPs) staff.
6. Coordinate and communicate with IPs and IOM colleagues. Identify and share challenges with the direct supervisor.
7. Support the coordination with lab consultants to promote good laboratory practices, timely sample collection and analysis
8. Analyse and interpret the faecal sludge (FS) effluent tests results highlighting incoherence and act accordingly.
9. Demonstrate critical analysis, take initiative, and suggest solutions to improve the quality of testing, especially regarding the faecal sludge (FS) effluent parameters.
10. Operates, calibrates, maintains and troubleshoots key lab equipment (such as incubators, autoclaves, spectrophotometers, turbidity meters) to ensure accuracy and compliance with quality assurance protocols. Ensure sufficient stock of reagents and other resources required for the operation of the testing laboratory and share this report with the supervisor once a month.
11. Forecast the need of reagents and consumables and submit the procurement request in advance ensuring the lab operations without interruption.
12. Keep close contact with WASH camp focal person to update and to get updated information about complaints from beneficiaries and initiate prompt action to timely address the issues.
13. Manage any IOM laboratory resources and equipment properly ensuring proper accountability.
14. Ensure that water and effluent quality monitoring materials/ reagents procured are in properly stored before use and safely disposed afterwards.
15. Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor and head-of-unit.

Qualifications

EDUCATION
• University degree in Biotechnology, Microbiology/Biochemistry with three years of working experience in the relevant field.
• High School Diploma with five years of practical experience.
• Sound knowledge of the use of laboratory equipment, water/wastewater quality sampling techniques, and laboratory analysis.

EXPERIENCE
• Work experience with international humanitarian organizations and non-government organizations in a multi-cultural setting is an advantage.
• Team-work oriented, capacity to work independently and with minimum supervision; commitment, efficiency, flexibility, experience in working effectively and harmoniously with colleagues from varied cultures and professional backgrounds at all levels.
• Demonstrated ability to work well under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Strong coordination, monitoring, liaison, and periodic reporting is critical.

SKILLS
• Competence in analyzing lab results, conducting QA/QC checks, identifying trends and risks, applying SOPs, maintaining calibration logs, and running blanks/duplicates.
• Water and effluent quality testing and analysis
• Microbiological sampling and culture techniques
• Laboratory equipment operation and maintenance
• Laboratory quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC)
• Sample collection, preservation and chain of custody procedures

LANGUAGES
For this position, fluency in English and Bangla is required (oral and written).
Chittagonian language an added advantage.

COMPETENCIES
The incumbent is expected to demonstrate the following values and competencies:

VALUES - All IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

CORE COMPETENCIES - Behavioural indicators – Level 1

Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

MANAGERIAL COMPETENCIES - Behavioural indicators – N/A

Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.