WASH Officer at Vision for Inclusive Solutions and Transparency Initiative (VISTA INITIATIVE)

Purpose of the Position

• The WASH Officer will provide technical and operational support for the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of WASH programs.
• The officer ensures that all interventions are safe, sustainable, gender-responsive, inclusive, and aligned with humanitarian standards, national policies, and donor requirements.
• Additionally, the WASH Officer will support proposal and concept note development, donor engagement, and advocacy efforts to secure funding and strengthen partnerships for WASH programming.

Key Responsibilities
Technical Support and Implementation:

• Support the planning, implementation, and monitoring of WASH activities across project sites.
• Assist in the construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of water supply systems, sanitation facilities, and handwashing stations.
• Implement hygiene promotion campaigns and behavior change communication (BCC) targeting communities, schools, and health centers.
• Ensure WASH activities are gender-responsive, disability-inclusive, and climate-resilient.
• Support WASH infrastructure in Temporary Learning Spaces (TLS), health centers, and community facilities.

Monitoring, Reporting, and MEAL Support:

• Conduct regular field monitoring to ensure compliance with SPHERE standards, donor requirements, and organizational policies.
• Collect, compile, and report WASH program data to the WASH Manager.
• Document lessons learned, challenges, and best practices to inform program improvement.
• Support assessments, surveys, and evaluations of WASH interventions in collaboration with MEAL teams.

Capacity Building and Community Engagement:

• Train and mentor community volunteers, WASH committees, and local staff on technical WASH standards and hygiene promotion.
• Promote community participation and ownership of WASH facilities and services.
• Ensure women, girls, and persons with disabilities are actively engaged in WASH decision-making and maintenance.

Proposal Writing, Donor Engagement, and Advocacy:

• Support the development of concept notes, proposals, and funding applications for donors and strategic partners.
• Assist in donor engagement, reporting, and communications to maintain strong partnerships.
• Contribute to advocacy efforts to promote WASH programming at local, state, and national levels.
• Collaborate with the WASH Manager and Head of Programs to identify funding opportunities aligned with organizational priorities.
• Support advocacy for funding and partnership opportunities with donors, UN Agencies, INGOs, NNGOs, Philanthropies, and government agencies.

Coordination and Partnerships:

• Represent VISTA Initiative in local WASH coordination forums and technical working groups.
• Support collaboration with government agencies, NGOs, and community structures for effective WASH service delivery.
• Assist in establishing MOUs, partnership agreements, and joint initiatives related to WASH programming.

Risk Management and Safeguarding:

• Identify technical, operational, and protection risks related to WASH activities.
• Ensure adherence to VISTA Initiative’s safeguarding, child protection, and PSEA policies.
• Support audits, donor compliance checks, and internal program reviews.

Key Deliverables

• Timely and high-quality implementation of WASH interventions.
• Accurate monitoring reports, assessments, and field documentation.
• Strengthened community participation in WASH programs.
• Completed proposals, concept notes, and donor engagement reports to support funding opportunities.
• Compliance with humanitarian standards, donor requirements, and organizational policies.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Water Engineering, Environmental Health, Public Health, or related field.
• Minimum of 3-5 years’ experience in WASH programming, preferably in humanitarian or fragile contexts.
• Knowledge of SPHERE standards, WASH in Emergencies, and hygiene promotion techniques.
• Experience in community mobilization and participatory approaches.
• Strong computer skills (MS Office, AutoCAD and data collection tools) and basic GIS knowledge is an advantage.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Water Engineering, Environmental Health, Public Health, or related field.
• Minimum 3–5 years’ experience in WASH programming, preferably in humanitarian or fragile contexts.
• Knowledge of SPHERE standards, WASH in Emergencies, and hygiene promotion techniques.
• Experience in proposal development, donor engagement, and advocacy is required.
• Strong computer skills (MS Office, AutoCAD, data collection tools); basic GIS knowledge is an advantage.

Core Competencies and Skills:

• Strong technical knowledge of WASH programming.
• Good communication, coordination, reporting, and proposal writing skills.
• Ability to work independently and in a team in challenging field conditions.
• Commitment to accountability, safeguarding, and ethical conduct.
• Fluency in English; knowledge of Kanuri, Hausa, or Fulani is an advantage.

Safeguarding and Code of Conduct:

• The WASH Officer must adhere to VISTA Initiative Code of Conduct, Child Safeguarding Policy, and PSEA Policy.
• Any form of exploitation, abuse, or misconduct will not be tolerated.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

• VISTA Initiative is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and candidates from diverse backgrounds.