WASH Officer

Job Summary

The WASH Officer is responsible for implementing and managing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) activities under the Safe Learning Project. The role focuses on improving access to safe water, sanitation facilities, and hygiene practices in schools and surrounding communities while ensuring a safe, healthy, inclusive, and child-friendly learning environment.

The position works closely with government offices, schools, communities, and project stakeholders to implement WASH interventions in line with project plans, donor requirements, safeguarding policies, and national standards.

About ChildFund

ChildFund is a child-focused international development organization that connects children with the people, resources, and institutions they need to grow up healthy, educated, skilled, and safe. The organization works directly in multiple countries and through global partnerships to support children and communities.

ChildFund promotes a culture where staff, volunteers, partners, and program participants feel safe, respected, and empowered to contribute to its mission of improving children's lives.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Planning and Implementation

• Lead the implementation of WASH activities according to project plans, donor requirements, and national standards.
• Coordinate the design, preparation of bid documents, construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of WASH infrastructure in schools and communities.
• Ensure WASH facilities are gender-sensitive, disability-inclusive, and child-friendly.
• Promote climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable WASH solutions.

Hygiene Promotion and Behavior Change

• Develop and facilitate hygiene promotion and behavior change campaigns for students, teachers, parents, and communities.
• Conduct awareness sessions on handwashing, sanitation, menstrual hygiene, water safety, and disease prevention.

Coordination and Partnership

• Collaborate with education and protection teams to ensure integrated project implementation.
• Coordinate with government offices, school administrations, and community structures.
• Participate in WASH coordination forums, platforms, and clusters.
• Build the capacity of teachers, school management committees, Parent-Teacher Associations, and community groups on WASH management.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Learning and Reporting

• Monitor project progress against indicators and work plans.
• Conduct regular field visits to ensure quality implementation and compliance with standards.
• Collect, analyze, and report WASH data using approved tools.
• Document lessons learned, success stories, case studies, and best practices.
• Contribute to baseline, midline, and end-line assessments.
• Prepare reports highlighting project achievements, challenges, and recommendations.

Safeguarding and Risk Management

• Ensure all activities comply with safeguarding, child protection, PSEA, and organizational policies.
• Identify WASH service delivery risks and recommend mitigation measures.
• Ensure safety standards are followed during construction and rehabilitation activities.
• Promote strong safeguarding practices and maintain compliance with ChildFund safeguarding policies.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Hydraulic Water Supply Engineering, Environmental Health, Environmental Engineering, Public Health, Sanitary Engineering, or related fields.
• Master’s degree is an added advantage.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in WASH programming, preferably in education or humanitarian settings.

Required Competencies

• Strong teamwork skills and ability to support team decisions and objectives.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to express ideas effectively through written, verbal, and visual communication.
• Strong results orientation with the ability to prioritize tasks and deliver objectives on time.
• Good decision-making skills and ability to analyze information from multiple sources.
• Ability to adapt to challenges and demonstrate resilience in changing environments.
• Basic digital literacy and ability to use technology for work activities.

Additional Required Skills and Experience

• Relevant experience in WASH programming, preferably in education or humanitarian/development settings.
• Knowledge of Education in Emergency (EiE) interventions, including school WASH rehabilitation and promotion.
• Experience working with NGOs, UN agencies, or humanitarian organizations.
• Familiarity with Education in Emergency standards and frameworks.
• Experience in school WASH, hygiene promotion, and infrastructure supervision.
• Knowledge of national WASH standards and humanitarian principles is an advantage.
• Fluency in English and Amharic; knowledge of local languages is an advantage.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Cultural sensitivity and understanding of community and refugee-related issues.

Skills Required:

• Civil / Engineering / Cotm
• Hydraulics / Water / Engineering