Terms of Reference (TOR)
Part-Time Environmental Engineer
Hands4Health – Transition to Scale
1. Position Information
Institution: Palestine Polytechnic University (PPU)
Unit: Center of Excellence in Water, Environment and Energy Research and Services
Position: Part-Time Environmental Engineer / Research Assistant - with 24 hours per week
Contract Duration: Six (6) months starting November 2026.
Duty Station: Hebron, Palestine, with fieldwork in participating schools
Supervision: Project Director and Center Management
2. Background
Palestine Polytechnic University is a partner in the Swiss-funded research project Hands4Health – Transition to Scale. The project focuses on scaling up sustainable Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) interventions in schools, particularly hand hygiene, drinking water quality, and sanitation. It aims to strengthen the implementation, monitoring, and long-term sustainability of affordable, resource-efficient WASH solutions.
The Center of Excellence in Water, Environment and Energy seeks a part-time Environmental Engineer to support the project’s research, technical, and coordination activities and related Center activities.
3. Duties and Responsibilities
1. Support research and field activities, particularly in participating schools.
2. Conduct water sampling, water quality testing, and chlorination testing and monitoring, including laboratory and field investigations.
3. Contribute to descriptive studies on chlorination levels, international standards, allowable chlorine concentrations, and public health implications.
4. Collect and analyze research data and contribute to technical reports, scientific papers, and other research outputs.
5. Support coordination and implementation of project and Center activities - (management and logistics).
6. Assist in preparing technical, administrative, management, and financial reports for the project and Center, as well as drafting a potential scientific paper.
7. Coordinate and participate in workshops, training sessions, meetings, and dissemination activities for the project and other Center initiatives.
8. Perform other relevant technical, research, and administrative duties assigned by the Project Director or Center Management.
9. Assist graduate and undergraduate students working on studies related to water quality and chlorination.
4. Required Qualifications and Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering, Water and Environmental Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Strong practical experience in water quality testing, sampling, and chlorination studies.
• Previous experience conducting water quality assessments and chlorination studies in schools.
• Knowledge of drinking water quality standards, chlorination requirements, and public health considerations.
• Experience in research, data analysis, and technical and scientific reporting.
• Good organizational, communication, and coordination skills, including project management support.
• Proficiency in English and relevant computer applications.
5. Expected Outputs
• Water quality and chlorination monitoring records and organized field/laboratory data.
• Technical draft studies, data and research files and reports, and draft scientific publication(s).
• Technical, administrative, and financial reporting
• Documentation of workshops, invitations, meetings, and related activities.
• Final summary and project report on activities, findings, and outputs.
6. Duration and Reporting
The assignment is part-time with 24 hours per week for a total period six (6) months, according to a schedule agreed with the Project Director. The engineer will report to the Hands4Health – Transition to Scale Project Director, in coordination with Center Management, and conduct experimental research work and field visits and investigation studies as required, in addition to participation in project activities.