WASH Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. Established on April 7, 1948, WHO's mission is to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. The organization operates in over 150 countries and has a workforce of more than 7,000 employees. WHO's Health Emergencies Programme aims to help countries prevent, prepare for, detect, respond to, and recover from health emergencies, including outbreaks and natural disasters.

Job Overview:
The WASH Officer position is critical within the WHO Country Office in Yemen, particularly in the context of the Health Emergencies Incident Management System. The incumbent will be responsible for providing technical expertise in planning, assessing, monitoring, evaluating, and coordinating health-based environmental health interventions. The focus will be on ensuring safe drinking water, sanitation, hygiene, environmental cleaning, disinfection, and health-care waste management in various settings, including health-care facilities, IDP sites, and emergency health activities. The role is essential in addressing the escalating operational pressures on health services due to the ongoing crisis in Yemen, requiring rapid identification and mitigation of WASH risks, especially in newly established IDP sites. The WASH Officer will work closely with health authorities and partners to strengthen the capacity for effective WASH interventions, ensuring that health services are delivered safely and effectively in a challenging environment.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The WASH Officer will conduct rapid assessments of WASH and environmental health conditions, analyzing findings to identify urgent public health risks and service gaps. They will contribute to action plans for priority facilities and emergency health activities, providing technical inputs for preparedness and contingency planning. The officer will offer technical support for the design, rehabilitation, and monitoring of WASH systems in health-care facilities and mobile clinics, ensuring compliance with WHO guidance. They will monitor the application of relevant standards, coordinate technical inputs with health authorities and partners, and maintain tracking of assessed facilities and implementation status. Additionally, the WASH Officer will prepare technical assessments, situation reports, and gap analyses, and conduct training and mentoring to strengthen local capacity.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of emergency WASH and environmental health, with the ability to solve technical problems in challenging circumstances. They should have knowledge of WASH in health-care facilities, water-quality monitoring, sanitation, and health-care waste management. Strong analytical, organizational, coordination, and technical writing skills are essential, along with the ability to assess risks and develop practical action plans. Familiarity with WHO, the United Nations system, or humanitarian emergency practices is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
The position requires at least a first university degree in environmental engineering, environmental science, environmental health, public health engineering, civil engineering with a WASH focus, or a related field. An advanced degree in public health, environmental health, or a related field is desirable. Additional training in WASH in health-care facilities, drinking-water quality, health-care waste management, or project design is also beneficial.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of five years of relevant experience at national and international levels in WASH assessment, design, implementation, or management, with a portion of this experience in emergency or humanitarian settings. Practical experience in supporting WASH in health-care facilities or health emergency operations is essential. Experience working with WHO, other UN entities, or humanitarian organizations is desirable, particularly in conflict-affected and access-constrained settings like Yemen.

Languages:
A strong command of English is essential for this position. Working knowledge of Arabic is desirable, as it will facilitate communication with local partners and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position may require travel within Yemen for assessments and coordination, subject to security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security-clearance" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security clearance and operational needs. The incumbent will work in a volatile environment and must comply with security requirements. The role may involve remote support where access is restricted. The contract duration and seniority level are not specified, but the position is likely to be full-time given the nature of the work.