Job Vacancy @ GOAL Sierra Leone – Compost Research Supervisor

Job Description

GOAL SIERRA LEONE – 

Position: Compost Research Supervisor 

Location:   Freetown, Sierra Leone

Reporting to: Assistant WASH Coordinator 

Contract Duration :   6Months

General Description of Programme:

GOAL has been present in Sierra Leone since 1999, GOAL’s Sierra Leone Programme contributes to poverty and vulnerability reduction through the implementation of multi-sectorial, integrated programmes which specifically focus on water, sanitation & hygiene, health (including non-communicable diseases and gender mainstreaming) and children’s, empowerment & protection (CEP) interventions.

In Freetown, GOAL has been operational in the WASH sector since 2008, with a strategic focus on Faecal Sludge Management (FSM). The current program is researching and innovating to test sustainable models for the safe collection, transport, and disposal of faecal sludge in Freetown. The Programme, implemented jointly with Freetown City Council, uses a public-private sector approach by strengthening them with the provision of FSM services, creating demand for those services and stimulating Freetown City Council to regulate the sector; to decrease the amount of untreated FS being released uncontrollably into residential areas of Freetown. GOAL want to use continued implementation activities in Health and WASH programs through Social Behaviour Change Communication.

In 2021 GOAL, with the funding from FCDO, completed Sierra Leone’s first-ever treatment plant. Using geobag technology to treat the 11% of liquid waste discharged. The construction was completed in April 2021 and the site was commissioned in May 2021, while the optimization is ongoing – Managed by GOAL with the funding from Irish Aid. Prior to the completion of the plant, there was no formal disposal area nor treatment for faecal
waste and this resulted in random disposal of faecal waste and gross contamination of the existing stream which flows along the southern boundary of the site, resulting in raw faecal sludge being emptied back into the environment.

The plant is currently processing on average 7 trucks per day, treating 60,000 litres/day of raw faecal sludge from septic tanks and pit latrines.
Although it is still early days, the performance of the plant is exceeding expectations with approximately 90% of all solids being retained in the bags. This means that more than 29 tons of dewatered solid are being generated every month. Prior to the treatment plant opening, available records show that an average of just 1-2 trucks per day were received into the solid waste site for discharging

The Kingtom faecal sludge treatment plant uses innovative Geobag technology (Tencate Geotube Industrial Fabrics). The bags are used for mining wastes and tailing pond wastes and have been used in basic sewage sludge dewatering. Bags are repeatedly filled until the bag is near full, then are left to further consolidate and for de-watering. At that point, the bag is cut down and the sludge manually removed to mature (either by composting or storage before it can be safely used to promote crop growth (fertilizer & soil conditioner).

Summary of the Role:

The Project is Aimed at Producing the pilot compost from the sludge products from the treatment of sludge as a means of value addition to the product. The main process will involve a co-composting approach with the use of other organic solid wastes as bulking agents and enhancement of the bacterial action in the composting process. Windrows shall be used to facilitate the composting process.

Supervision Key responsibilities:

• Develop Composting Process protocol for the end-use products from the faecal sludge treatment plant.
• Documenting the composting process with all set parameters to be monitored
• Responsible for the general Composting Process and labour involved
• Collaborate with support from the Assistant WASH Co with line ministries.
• Produce routine weekly updates on the progress of composting process, identify and report challenges and suggest solutions to the challenges.

• Document Learnings from the day-to-day operations of the composting process
• Write Monthly Reports on the Project progress
• Collaborate with the labs for testing the compost. All Compost-related Lab tests as per standards available and recommendation from MAF.
• Establish a vegetation test garden at the Kingtom site to test the effectiveness of compost produced in improving soil nutrients. Test Vegetables for safety and fitness to consume
• Do Soil tests on test gardens and document the suitability of the Compost to the various test garden soil conditions in Sierra Leone.
• Any other duties, as and when required

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• A demonstrated interest and skills in urban agriculture, permaculture, and/or organic gardening.
• Technical and practical experience working with composting
• Ability to work with a high degree of independence and autonomy
• Knowledge of compost planning and system implementation
• Ability to create and maintain a high-performance workplace culture
• Knowledge of organic waste management practices within a farm system
• Understanding of compost equipment, technologies, and limitations and their effect on safety, quality, and productivity
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Farming experience and crop production is considered an asset

(in order of priority)

• An appropriate degree or related qualification in Agriculture or Environmental Science from a recognized university/institution.
• At least 1 year of previous experience working in the agriculture sector or related fields i.e., composting, organic manure
• Able to work independently and act on own initiative.
• Knowledge of modern productive agricultural methods and appropriate technologies
• Data collection, entry & analysis
• People Management Skills

Desirable requirements:

• Can demonstrate relationships and experience in working with key government and civil society organizations and educational institutions.
• Good communication, facilitation, and negotiation skills
• Good computer skills with the ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Experience in humanitarian and development organizations is desirable

The holder of the position will be working in partnership with the SBCC Manager, FS treatment plant site manager and engineer, site laborers, Enforcement and Regulation Manager and the Financial Inclusion Facilitator

If you have these skills and are interested in joining our committed and dynamic  team, please send your cover letter and up-to-date CV to [email protected]. on or before 5:30 pm – Tuesday  21st  June, 2022

PLEASE NOTE THAT A COPY OF THE APPLICATION LETTER (written or typed) MUST BE SENT TO THE NGO DESK OFFICER, MINISTRY OF LABOUR, NEW ENGLAND OR EMAILED TO Email: [email protected]

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interview.

A commitment to GOAL values and GOAL’s integrity framework is critical to working with GOAL. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to the following key areas of accountability: 1) Comply with GOAL’s policies and procedures with respect to safeguarding, code of conduct, health and safety, confidentiality, do no harm principles and unacceptable behaviour protocols; 2) Report any concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult or any wrongdoings within our programming area; 3) Report any concerns about inappropriate behaviour of a GOAL staff or partner.

Children and vulnerable adults who come into contact with GOAL as a result of our activities must be safeguarded to the maximum possible extent from deliberate or inadvertent actions and failings that place them at risk of abuse, sexual exploitation, injury and any other harm. One of the ways that GOAL shows this on-going commitment to safeguarding is to include rigorous background and reference checks in the selection process for all candidates.

GOAL provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex, colour, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability.

“FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY”