ROLE PURPOSE:

The Lab Officer is responsible for conducting laboratory-based water quality testing, sampling and ensuring the safe, accurate, and timely analysis of drinking water samples in targeted communities. The role includes routine field sampling, laboratory analysis, maintenance of testing equipment, documentation of test results, and reporting any abnormalities. The Lab Officer will support WASH programming by providing accurate data to guide decision-making, contributing to outbreak prevention, and assisting community-based interventions.

Laboratory testing will be conducted using approved fixed laboratory facilities, depending on program needs, in line with Save the Children SOPs.

In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and modify working hours as required.

CHILD SAFEGUARDING: 

Level 3:  the post holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g. once a week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work country programs; or are visiting country programs; or because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: WASH coordinator

Staff reporting to this post: Volunteers

Role Dimensions: Communication with municipalities, union of municipalities, public administrations, other NGOs and stakeholders who are partners in the implementation of common projects.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Laboratory Testing & Water Quality Monitoring:

• Monitor the quality of drinking water for refugee and host communities across all water points (boreholes, wells, tanks, taps, household storage, etc.).
• Conduct sampling of drinking water from source to point of consumption in line with testing protocols.
• Perform laboratory analyses including bacteriological, nitrate, and aesthetic water quality parameters.
• Maintain, operate, and troubleshoot water quality testing equipment, instruments, materials, and consumables.
• Regularly monitor free residual chlorine levels and document findings.
• Maintain an up‑to‑date database of all water quality results.
• Analyze laboratory results against national and organizational standards and immediately report any abnormalities to the WASH Coordinator
• Follow instructions from the WASH Coordinator regarding water treatment actions when test results indicate the need for intervention.
• Support Hygiene Promoters in evaluating the effectiveness of water treatment and hygiene-related interventions.
• Work with field teams to help trace potential sources of contamination or disease outbreaks.

Documentation & Reporting:

• Prepare accurate weekly and monthly laboratory reports and work plans.
• Document all test procedures, findings, and quality checks following required formats.
• Contribute to MEAL reporting through timely submission of verified laboratory data.
• Maintain proper filing, archiving, and referencing systems for laboratory records.

Coordination & Field Support:

• Work closely with hygiene promoters, WASH monitors, and field officers to ensure coordinated responses.
• Provide technical support during water system assessments and mapping, including borehole mapping.
• Participate in community mobilization efforts related to drinking water safety.
• Support distribution processes by performing quality checks on water treatment kits and consumables.

Quality Assurance & Compliance:

• Conduct quality assessments on incoming laboratory materials and equipment; report and document non‑compliance.
• Ensure laboratory operations adhere to Save the Children’s standards, protocols, and safety procedures.
• Contribute to development and review of SOPs related to water sampling, laboratory testing, and reporting.

Team Management & Capacity Building:

• Provide on‑the‑job coaching for a substitute lab volunteer or WASH assistant/Officer to conduct some tests whenever Lab officer is absent.
• Conduct trainings on sampling techniques, laboratory safety, and proper testing procedures.
• Ensure field and laboratory teams consistently demonstrate positive representation of Save the Children.

Partnerships, Representation & External Relations:

• Participate in coordination meetings with partners and stakeholders involved in water quality.
• Represent Save the Children professionally in interactions with municipalities, public institutions, and communities.
• Promote a positive image of Save the Children among beneficiaries and partners.

Adherence to Save the Children policies and procedures

• Comply with Save the Children policies and practice with respect to child protection, code of conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as agreed with the line manager.

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
• widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

• builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
• values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

• honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

Fraud Prevention:

• The role holder is expected to uphold high standards of integrity and transparency, and will have access to financial, operational, or programmatic resources that require strict compliance with SCI’s Anti-Fraud and Corruption Policy. This includes responsibility for preventing, identifying, and reporting any suspected fraud, corruption, or misuse of resources in the course of their work.

QUALIFICATIONS 

• University degree in Chemistry, Medical Laboratory Science, or a related scientific field
• Fluency in English and Arabic

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Essential:

• Professional experience of 2-4 years minimum, including in the field of Lab analysis and water testing and sampling
• Computer skills (especially Excel and PPT)
• Experience in field work and community mobilization
• Experience in conducting training and sensitization sessions for communities and beneficiaries
• Strength in interpersonal, communication and presentation skills 
• Flexibility and willingness to change work practices and hours, and capability to work in insecure environment 
• Available to travel within the country 

Desirable

• NGO experience 
• WASH experience in humanitarian context
• Familiarity with refugee communities in country of operation

Additional job responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

COMPETENCIES

Delivering results        

• Takes personal responsibility and holds others to account to deliver our ambitious goals for children, continually improving own performance or that of the team/ organization. 

Developing self and others      

• Invests time and energy to actively develop self and others to help realise their full potential, and to build the organisation’s capability for the future.

Applying technical and professional expertise

• Applies the required technical and professional expertise to the highest standards;
• Promotes and shares best practice within and outside the organization.

Working effectively with others 

• Works collaboratively to achieve shared goals and thrives on diversity of people and perspectives. 
• Knows when to lead and when to follow and how to ensure effective cross-boundary working

Equal Opportunities 

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.

Child Safeguarding:

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Safeguarding our Staff:

The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI anti-harassment policy

Health and Safety

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.