WASH Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
Action Against Hunger-USA is part of the Action Against Hunger International network, which provides humanitarian relief in over 40 countries worldwide in the sectors of nutrition, health, water/sanitation, and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. Established in 1985, Action Against Hunger-USA operates independently and currently manages operations in 8 countries: Kenya, South Sudan, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Haiti, and Somalia. The organization employs approximately 2000 staff across its various country offices, with its headquarters located in New York City and an operational center in Nairobi. The organization is committed to addressing hunger and malnutrition through innovative and sustainable solutions, and it anticipates further growth in its operations.

Job Overview:
The WASH Specialist will play a crucial role in developing the Action Against Hunger - South Sudan mission strategy and the WASH country strategy, ensuring alignment with global and national technical policies and guidelines. This position involves supporting the development of WASH programs, mobilizing resources, providing technical support to WASH teams for the implementation of quality programs, and ensuring timely reporting. The WASH Specialist will represent Action Against Hunger in relevant coordination and technical forums, contributing to the strategic positioning and technical implementation of the WASH Program in South Sudan, adhering to international standards and national policies. The role requires close collaboration with various stakeholders, including field coordinators, technical specialists, and governmental and non-governmental partners, to ensure effective delivery of services and strong representation of the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The WASH Specialist will be responsible for several key areas: 1) Contributing to the definition of the country strategy and the positioning of the WASH technical department, including understanding the humanitarian situation regarding WASH, proposing and developing WASH sector-based strategies, and integrating WASH with other technical sectors. 2) Coordinating needs identification and the formulation of project proposals, including leading assessments of WASH needs, developing integrated program proposals, and engaging with donors. 3) Overseeing program implementation and reporting, ensuring quality and accountability through validation of project methodologies, providing technical support to field teams, and ensuring effective monitoring and evaluation systems are in place. 4) Ensuring active participation in national sectoral coordination and technical forums, representing Action Against Hunger, and promoting partnerships. 5) Managing the WASH team, evaluating performance, and planning training schedules. 6) Promoting capitalization, technical development, and research within the WASH Department, consolidating learning and evaluation reports, and exploring scientific partnerships.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will possess a Master’s degree in environmental science, civil engineering, water engineering, environmental health, public health, hydrology, geology, or a related field. Essential skills include at least 5 years of project management experience in WASH programming within humanitarian and development contexts, preferably with international organizations. Strong technical skills and coordination experience with institutional donors such as EU, ECHO, GAC, SDC, and SIDA are required, along with experience in inter-agency coordination forums. Knowledge of WASH programming in South Sudan or fragile contexts is advantageous, as is previous experience in drafting WASH proposals. Candidates should have a strong understanding of water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure rehabilitation, hygiene promotion, and advanced skills in key WASH areas such as hydro-geology, hydraulics, and community mobilization. Knowledge of project cycle management and familiarity with GIS, Kobo, and statistical software is a plus. Fluency in written and spoken English with strong communication skills is mandatory.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as environmental science, civil engineering, water engineering, environmental health, public health, hydrology, geology, or a related discipline. This educational background is essential for understanding the technical aspects of WASH programming and ensuring compliance with international standards.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of project management experience specifically in WASH programming within humanitarian and development contexts. Experience working with international organizations and familiarity with the challenges of implementing WASH programs in fragile contexts, such as South Sudan, is highly desirable. Candidates should also have a proven track record of engaging with institutional donors and participating in inter-agency coordination forums.

Languages:
Fluency in both written and spoken English is mandatory for this position. Strong communication skills are essential for effective collaboration with various stakeholders, including governmental and non-governmental partners. While English is the primary language required, knowledge of additional languages relevant to the region may be considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and requires regular attendance at the office, with the expectation of working at least five days per week. The WASH Specialist must be available to work outside normal office hours or on weekends as needed and should be prepared for travel, both domestically and internationally, as required for the role. The working conditions may involve exposure to high-security risks and basic living conditions in the field, necessitating a level of physical fitness capable of enduring challenging situations. The organization is committed to equal employment opportunities and adheres to anti-discrimination policies.