WASH Officer (Emergency) at SOS Children Villages

Job Summary

• The WASH Officer is responsible for facilitating and ensuring the timely delivery of WASH activities in collaboration with project staff, WASH Coordinators, and in alignment with the Project Operation Standard Procedure (SOP).
• The role includes implementing WASH activities at the response level, liaising with local government and field office teams, and assessing humanitarian WASH needs and gaps.

This includes overseeing:

• Water trucking operations
• Distribution of WASH Non-Food Items (NFI)
• Water treatment chemical usage
• Rehabilitation and maintenance of WASH facilities
• Leading the preparation of integrated WASH response plans
• Providing technical support on hygiene and sanitation promotion

Responsibilities
Emergency Response:

• Rapid Needs Assessment: Conduct quick assessments to identify WASH needs in emergency-affected areas (water access, sanitation, hygiene practices)
• WASH Planning and Implementation: Develop and implement WASH plans, covering water supply, sanitation infrastructure, and hygiene promotion
• Coordination: Collaborate with local authorities, NGOs, and stakeholders for effective WASH interventions
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Track impact and evaluate effectiveness of WASH interventions to ensure responsiveness to community needs

Technical Expertise:

• Water Quality and Safety: Ensure the safety and quality of water sources and distribution systems
• Sanitation and Hygiene: Promote sanitation and hygiene practices (e.g., handwashing, menstrual hygiene, waste disposal)
• Infrastructure: Supervise construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of WASH infrastructure such as water points, latrines, and handwashing stations
• Hygiene Promotion: Lead hygiene awareness campaigns and training sessions for communities

Logistics and Supply Chain:

• Procurement: Oversee timely procurement and distribution of WASH materials and equipment
• Logistics: Manage transport, storage, and distribution processes for WASH-related supplies

Capacity Building:

• Community Mobilization: Engage and mobilize communities in WASH-related activities
• Training: Deliver training for local staff and community members on WASH best practices

Data Confidentiality & Safeguarding:

• Understand and enforce principles of data confidentiality
• Ensure all tasks are aligned with the organization’s Safeguarding Policy Implementation

Requirements
Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Environmental Science, Engineering, Psychology, Social Work, Community Development, or a related field
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is an added advantage

Experience:

• Proven experience in WASH programming, particularly in emergency settings
• Understanding of child development and child protection (including relevant local/national laws and regulations)

Skills:

• Strong technical knowledge in water, sanitation, and hygiene
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work under pressure and in challenging environments
• Experience in community mobilization and capacity building

Languages:

• Fluency in English (essential)
• Knowledge of local languages in the area of operation (an asset)