Programs - UGA - WASH Officer

Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 28 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across 52 countries, our 7,122 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

 

Action Against Hunger USA is part of the Action Against Hunger International network. As an independent NGO, Action Against Hunger USA currently manages operations in 8 countries: Kenya, South Sudan, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zambia and Haiti though its Regional Office (Horn and Eastern Regional Office) based in Nairobi, Kenya.

1. Job Summary

The Emergency WASH Officer is responsible for the assessment, planning, design, implementation, quality assurance, monitoring and documentation of emergency WASH interventions. The role ensures timely, technically sound and compliant delivery of WASH services while promoting cross-sector integration with Health and Nutrition, and mainstreaming Protection, Disability Inclusion and Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP). The Officer also supports stakeholder coordination, risk management, resource management and technical supervision to ensure WASH interventions are effective, safe, inclusive and responsive to the needs of affected populations.

 

Purpose: The Emergency WASH Officer will support the planning, implementation, monitoring and quality assurance of emergency WASH interventions for affected populations, including displaced persons, vulnerable households and communities affected by floods, disease outbreaks, drought and other emergencies. The position will ensure that WASH activities are implemented in accordance with relevant humanitarian standards, technical guidelines and organizational procedures, while integrating Protection, Gender, Disability Inclusion, Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) and public health considerations.

Engagement: District Local Governments and relevant Government authorities, including Disaster Management Committees (DMCs); Disaster Management and WASH coordination platforms; Health and Nutrition stakeholders; UN Agencies, humanitarian and development partners; internal program, technical and support teams; contractors, suppliers and service providers; and affected communities and community structures

 

Delivery:  

 

2. Essential Job Duties

(Define main functions/roles and then define the specific/key job duties in each of them).

 

1. Assessment, Planning and Design

1. Conduct rapid WASH assessments in emergency-affected communities, evacuation centers/refugee settlements/IDP camps, health facilities and other priority locations.
2. Identify WASH needs, gaps, vulnerabilities and public health risks and translate findings into appropriate response priorities.
3. Support the development of Concept Notes (CNs), proposals, budgets, activity plans, log frames and other program development documents for emergency WASH interventions
4. Support emergency WASH response planning, including preparedness, contingency planning and anticipatory action for selected hazards and emergencies.
5. Develop/review technical designs, BoQs, specifications, workplans and implementation approaches for water supply, sanitation, hygiene and WASH infrastructure interventions.
6. Ensure designs and plans are appropriate to the local context, technically feasible, cost-effective, environmentally responsible and inclusive.
7. Integrate Sphere Standards, WHO guidance, national WASH standards, Protection, Gender, Disability Inclusion and AAP into planning and design.

2.                    Implementation, Quality, Compliance and Management

 

1. Lead and manage the technical and non-technical implementation of emergency WASH activities in line with approved project plans, budgets, designs, BoQs, specifications and timelines.
2. Develop and regularly update detailed implementation workplans, procurement requirements and activity schedules.
3. Supervise WASH staff, contractors, suppliers, casual labourers, community structures and implementing partners involved in project delivery.
4. Provide technical guidance and ensure effective allocation and use of WASH resources, materials, equipment and budgets.
5. Conduct regular field and site supervision to ensure quality, timely completion and compliance with approved designs and technical specifications.
6. Ensure WASH infrastructure and services meet Sphere Standards, WHO guidance, national WASH standards and relevant organisational technical standards.
7. Review and verify technical documentation, measurements, quantities, completion certificates and contractor deliverables.
8. Identify implementation delays, technical deficiencies and resource gaps and take timely corrective action.
9. Ensure compliance with donor requirements, organizational policies and procedures, Government of Uganda requirements, environmental and social safeguards, and relevant procurement and financial procedures.
10. Promote value for money, cost efficiency and appropriate use of project resources while maintaining technical quality.
11. Ensure effective integration of WASH with Health, Nutrition, Protection, FSL and other relevant sectors, particularly where WASH conditions directly influence public health and nutrition outcomes.
12. Coordinate with Health and Nutrition teams to integrate WASH actions within health facilities, nutrition sites and community-level interventions, including safe water, sanitation, hand hygiene, IPC and hygiene promotion.
13. Ensure implementation incorporates gender, disability inclusion, protection and accountability to affected populations (AAP) requirements.
14. Support adaptive management of activities based on monitoring findings, community feedback, emerging needs and changes in the emergency context.

 

3.                   Monitoring, Evaluation and Documentation

1. Develop and implement WASH monitoring plans, indicators, tools and quality assurance mechanisms.
2. Monitor progress against activity plans, targets, budgets, technical standards and expected results.
3. Conduct water quality monitoring and monitor functionality, accessibility and utilisation of WASH facilities.
4. Support baseline, process monitoring, post-distribution monitoring, outcome monitoring and endline assessments.
5. Collect, verify, analyse and document WASH data and maintain accurate project records.
6. Prepare regular activity, technical and situation reports and contribute to donor reports.
7. Document lessons learned, good practices, challenges, case studies and recommendations for programme adaptation.
8. Ensure timely reporting of implementation gaps, quality concerns, safeguarding issues and emerging risks.

4.                   Coordination and Stakeholder Management

 

1. Coordinate closely with District Local Governments, Disaster management committees, OPM/NECOC, WASH coordination structures, health authorities, communities and humanitarian partners.
2. Participate in relevant WASH, Health, Protection and emergency coordination meetings and technical working groups.
3. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with local authorities, community structures, contractors, suppliers and implementing partners.
4. Promote integration and complementarity of WASH interventions with Health, Nutrition, Protection, Shelter, FSL and other sectors.
5. Support joint assessments, planning, monitoring and response activities with partners and Government stakeholders.
6. Represent the organization in technical meetings and coordination platforms as delegated.

 

5.                   Risk Management, Protection and AAP

1. Identify, assess and monitor operational, technical, environmental, security, financial and implementation risks affecting emergency WASH activities.
2. Implement appropriate mitigation measures and escalate critical risks in a timely manner.
3. Ensure WASH interventions minimize protection risks and promote safety, dignity, privacy and equitable access.
4. Integrate gender, age, disability and other vulnerability considerations into WASH assessments, designs and implementation.
5. Ensure facilities such as latrines, bathing shelters and water points are appropriately located, accessible, gender-sensitive and safe for persons with specific needs.
6. Establish and promote Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) through accessible feedback, complaints and response mechanisms.
7. Ensure community feedback is systematically documented, analyzed and used to improve program implementation.
8. Support prevention and mitigation of safeguarding, SEA/SH and other protection risks throughout the project cycle.

6.                   Other duties as required

1. Perform any other duties and responsibilities relevant to the position as assigned by the supervisor or WASH management.

 

3. Supervisory Responsibilities

 

1. Directly supervise and provide technical guidance to WASH Assistants, technicians, community-based WASH teams and other staff assigned to emergency WASH activities, as applicable.
2. Supervise contractors, suppliers, casual laborers and other service providers engaged in WASH works, in coordination with relevant management and procurement teams.
3. Support staff capacity building, coaching and on-the-job technical training.
4. Promote teamwork, collaboration, accountability and effective communication within the WASH team and across sectors.

4. Fiscal Responsibility

1. Support planning, management and monitoring of the WASH project budgets, including preparation of BoQs, procurement plans and expenditure projections, and ensure activities are implemented within approved budgets and donor requirements.
2. Promote cost-effectiveness and value for money by monitoring expenditure, verifying quantities, technical specifications, works and deliverables, and flagging budget variances and financial risks to the supervisor.
3. Ensure financial accountability and proper stewardship of project resources, including adequate supporting documentation, appropriate use and safeguarding of materials, equipment and assets, and compliance with organizational financial procedures and audit requirements.

 

V. Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, including typing, and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of a moderately noisy office with interruptions.
• To travel to the field, the employee must attest to a level of physical fitness capable of enduring physically difficult, highly stressful situations which may include the necessity to walk long distances, to eat a limited diet and/or to reside in potentially uncomfortable housing or tents.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

VI. Working Conditions, Travel and Environment

• The duties of the job require regular job attendance of at least five days per week. Must be available to work outside normal office hours or on weekends as required by contact with the missions, mission security, or other obligations.
• Must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business travel as well as to the missions if appropriate. While visiting the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well as infectious diseases.

 

VII.     Gender Equality Commitments

 

• Foster an environment that reinforces values of people of all genders equal access to information.
• Provide a work environment where people of all genders must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance.
• Value and respect all cultures.

 

8. Commitment to Safeguarding and Code of Conduct
   
   

Action Against Hunger is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with are treated with dignity, respect and in accordance with the principle of do no harm.

We have zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, child abuse, modern slavery/trafficking in persons, discrimination, harassment, or other forms of misconduct. All staff members are expected to uphold the organization's Safeguarding Commitments, Code of Conduct and relevant policies, and to conduct themselves professionally and ethically at all times. Candidates may be subjected to safeguarding screening and reference checks as part of the recruitment process. All staff members are required to complete mandatory safeguarding training and to promptly report any safeguarding concerns or suspected misconduct through established reporting channels.

 

 

VIII. Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Water Resources Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Public Health or a related field.
• Postgraduate Diploma in Project Planning and Management, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Humanitarian Action, or a related field is an added advantage.

IX. Required Skills & Experience

• Minimum 3 years of relevant professional experience, preferably with at least 2 years in humanitarian/emergency WASH programming within a reputable organization, preferably an NGO.
• Demonstrated technical experience in WASH assessment, planning, design, implementation and quality assurance, including emergency water supply and sanitation interventions.
• Knowledge of the disaster management cycle, including preparedness, anticipatory action, response, recovery and resilience building.
• Experience in field-level coordination, stakeholder engagement and management of WASH interventions.
• Strong proficiency in engineering and WASH-related software, including QGIS, Google Earth Pro, EPANET/WaterGEMS, AutoCAD or similar applications.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and relevant WASH/project management or data-management tools.
• Knowledge and practical application of Sphere Standards, WHO guidance and relevant national WASH standards.
• Demonstrated understanding of Health and Nutrition integration, Protection, Gender, Disability Inclusion and AAP.
• Strong monitoring, reporting, documentation and analytical skills.
• Experience in proposal and Concept Note development, budgeting, BoQs and technical documentation.
• Strong communication, coordination, analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work effectively in emergency and high-pressure environments.
• Fluency in English is required; knowledge of relevant local languages is an added advantage.