Water Supply & Infrastructure Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
Action Against Hunger is a leading global organization dedicated to ending hunger. Established with the mission to innovate solutions and advocate for change, the organization reaches approximately 24 million people each year through its proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. With a workforce of around 8,300 dedicated staff members, Action Against Hunger operates in 50 countries, addressing the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. Action Against Hunger USA is part of the international network and manages operations in eight countries, including Kenya, South Sudan, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zambia, and Haiti. The organization has a significant operational budget exceeding $100 million and employs approximately 1,800 permanent staff across various locations, including New York City, Washington D.C., and Nairobi, with ongoing growth anticipated.

Job Overview:
The Water Supply & Infrastructure Specialist will play a crucial role in rehabilitating and upgrading water supply systems in health facilities, ensuring the continuous availability of running water in critical areas such as outpatient departments, maternity wards, pediatric wards, laboratories, and immunization areas. The specialist will support the solarization of water systems and the expansion of pipe networks, oversee the installation of water storage reservoirs, and conduct water quality testing and treatment. Additionally, the role involves establishing and supporting water point management committees and providing maintenance tools and capacity building for sustainability. The specialist will also be responsible for constructing gender-segregated and disability-inclusive latrine facilities, improving sanitation facilities in health centers, and promoting safe latrine use at the household level. The position requires a strong focus on infection prevention and control, ensuring functional handwashing stations, providing soap and alcohol-based hand rubs, and strengthening compliance in stabilization centers and health facilities. Furthermore, the specialist will establish healthcare waste management systems, ensure proper waste segregation, storage, transport, and disposal, and construct necessary facilities such as incinerators and sharps pits. The role also includes conducting hygiene promotion sessions, training community volunteers and health workers, and implementing WASH activities in communities while promoting safe water handling and hygiene behavior change.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Rehabilitate and upgrade water supply systems in health facilities to ensure continuous running water in outpatient departments, maternity, pediatric wards, laboratories, and immunization areas.
• Support the solarization of water systems and the expansion of pipe networks.
• Oversee the installation of water storage reservoirs and conduct water quality testing and treatment.
• Establish and support water point management committees, providing maintenance tools and capacity building for sustainability.
• Construct gender-segregated and disability-inclusive latrine facilities and improve sanitation facilities in health centers.
• Promote safe latrine use at the household level and address open defecation through community interventions.
• Ensure functional handwashing stations in all supported facilities and support the provision of soap and alcohol-based hand rubs.
• Strengthen infection prevention and control compliance in stabilization centers and health facilities, integrating WASH into clinical service delivery environments.
• Establish healthcare waste management systems, ensuring waste segregation, storage, transport, and disposal. 1
• Construct incinerators, sharps pits, and waste storage facilities, providing PPE and color-coded bins. 1
• Develop standard operating procedures for waste management. 1
• Conduct knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) surveys and develop information, education, and communication (IEC) materials. 1
• Train community volunteers and health workers, delivering hygiene promotion sessions and promoting handwashing, water treatment, and sanitation practices. 1
• Train health staff on WASH, IPC, and waste management, providing mentorship and supportive supervision. 1
• Implement WASH activities in communities, promoting safe water handling and hygiene behavior change, and strengthening community engagement structures. 1
• Apply environmental screening tools to ensure environmental compliance and mitigate public health risks. 1
• Coordinate with the Ministry of Health and partners, integrating WASH with health and nutrition programs and participating in multisectoral planning. 1
• Ensure the availability of WASH supplies, supporting procurement and distribution, and monitoring usage and replenishment.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in water resource engineering, civil and environmental engineering, public health, natural resources management, environmental science, social sciences, or a related field. Candidates should have at least three years of continuous experience implementing humanitarian WASH programs. A postgraduate diploma in project management, management, monitoring, and evaluation (M&E), or an equivalent qualification will be considered an added advantage. Proven practical experience in water supply construction and community mobilization, as well as experience in community health and sanitation programs in a humanitarian context, is essential. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to present concise reports, sometimes at short notice, reflecting problems and possible solutions. Flexibility and ease in working with local communities, along with diplomacy, tact, and administrative skills to engage with managerial and government levels, are crucial. Strong assessment, analytical, and planning skills are required, along with developed interpersonal and team skills, and the ability to be flexible in demanding situations. Excellent reporting skills, good oral and written communication skills, and sensitivity to cultural differences are necessary. A commitment to humanitarian principles and action, equal opportunity, and gender policies is essential, along with demonstrated experience in integrating gender and diversity issues into programs. Candidates should possess the ability to work under pressure, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines. Strong presentation skills, proficiency in PowerPoint, Excel, MS Word, and other computer applications, as well as practical knowledge of engineering software such as GIS, AutoCAD, EPANET, and Water GEMS, are required. The ability to exercise sound judgment and make independent decisions is essential, along with being a team player who is extremely flexible and capable of coping with stressful situations. Knowledge of local languages is an added advantage, and the ability to ride a motorcycle and possession of a valid riding permit is also required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in relevant fields such as water resource engineering, civil and environmental engineering, public health, natural resources management, environmental science, or social sciences. A postgraduate diploma in project management, management, monitoring, and evaluation (M&E), or an equivalent qualification is preferred and will enhance the candidate's profile.

Experience:
The position requires at least three years of continuous experience in implementing humanitarian WASH programs. Candidates should have proven practical experience in water supply construction and community mobilization, as well as experience in community health and sanitation programs within a humanitarian context. The ability to present concise reports and work effectively with local communities is essential.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, and knowledge of local languages is considered an added advantage. Strong oral and written communication skills are essential for effective reporting and community engagement.

Additional Notes:
Action Against Hunger – USA offers an attractive salary and benefits package to all staff. The organization is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or veteran status. Action Against Hunger – USA complies with applicable laws governing non-discrimination in employment.