The WASH Officer plays a critical role in ensuring access to safe water, adequate sanitation, and improved hygiene for crisis-affected populations in Sudan, particularly among Refugees, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and host communities. The position combines technical and community-based approaches, contributing to life-saving interventions during emergencies and sustainable.

 He/she will be responsible for the planning, implementation, monitoring, and coordination of both hardware (infrastructure) and software (behaviour change) WASH interventions. The role involves working closely with field teams, partners, and stakeholders to ensure that WASH services meet Sphere and national standards, particularly in areas hosting refugees and IDPs. This position also ensures robust partnership engagement, budget compliance, emergency response readiness, and accountability to affected populations.

• WASH programme Planning and Implementation: Plan, supervise, and monitor the construction and rehabilitation of water supply systems (boreholes, water yards, pipelines, storage tanks) and sanitation facilities (latrines, waste disposal sites), especially in displacement sites. Lead hygiene promotion activities using CLTS, PHAST, CHAST, and other community-led approaches that target refugee and IDP communities. Ensure integration of community mobilization and hygiene education with technical infrastructure to enhance sustainability and behaviour change. Conduct comprehensive WASH needs assessments in camps and host communities, developing context-appropriate interventions aligned with Sphere standards.
• Partnership and Stakeholders coordination: Coordinate with WASH Cluster, local authorities, NGOs, UN agencies, National NGOs and CBOs for effective implementation, avoiding duplication and ensuring harmonization.  Support and build capacity of local partners through structured mentorship on humanitarian WASH standards, protection-sensitive programming, and inclusion. Represent the organization in interagency coordination platforms and technical working groups, advocating for the needs of vulnerable populations.
• Budget and Financial Monitoring: Support preparation and monitoring of WASH activity budgets in line with donor and organizational policies. Ensure budget adherence, timely forecasting, and financial accountability across WASH project activities. Work closely with procurement to ensure timely sourcing of quality materials and cost efficiency in implementation.
• Operational and Logistical support: Liaise with logistics and warehousing to facilitate timely delivery of WASH supplies, especially in remote or high-risk locations. Ensure proper storage, handling, and utilization of materials in accordance with safety and environmental regulations.  Maintain records of stock, usage, and distribution to support audit and transparency processes.
• Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEAL): Support development and application of M&E tools for tracking WASH activities and outputs, including PDM and KAP surveys. Regularly conduct field monitoring visits to assess project quality and ensure accountability to affected populations. Document and report key achievements, challenges, and lessons learned for inclusion in donor updates and internal reviews.
• Emergency Response and Preparedness: Participate in rapid WASH needs assessments during emergencies and contribute to emergency response planning. Lead the setup of emergency WASH facilities (e.g., water trucking, emergency latrines, hygiene kits) in refugee/IDP camps. Coordinate with humanitarian partners to ensure minimum WASH standards are met during rapid onset and protracted crises.

OTHER DUTIES / FUNCTIONS ASSIGNED TO THE POSTION 

Team Management and Capacity Building: Supervise, mentor, and support field-based WASH Assistants and Community Hygiene Promoters/Volunteers, fostering performance excellence, accountability, and continuous learning. Provide capacity-building support through training, mentoring, and technical assistance to enhance staff skills and Ensure staff wellbeing by supporting a safe and positive work environment.

Qualifications and Experience

• Education:
  Bachelor/University degree in Civil Engineering, Public Health, Environmental Engineering, Water Resource Management, or a related field

• Experience:
  • At least 2–5 years of relevant experience in WASH programming in humanitarian settings.
  • Proven experience working with refugee and IDP populations in emergency or post-conflict environments.
  • Familiarity with Sphere standards, Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS), and inter-agency WASH protocols.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage both infrastructure (hard) and hygiene promotion (soft) components of WASH.
  • Experience coordinating with humanitarian actors and local authorities in Sudan or similar contexts.
  • Proven experience working with international NGOs or UN agencies in humanitarian and development settings.
• Skills:
  • Strong technical skills in WASH infrastructure design and implementation.
  • Analytical skills to assess and improve WASH program design and implementation.
  • Community engagement and behaviour change facilitation using participatory methods.
  • Coordination, negotiation, and representation skills in multi-stakeholder settings.
  • Proficiency in WASH Engineering Software (e.g., AutoCAD, GIS for designing and BoQs) and/or WASH-focused tools like mWater, Kobo Toolbox, or EPANET.
  • Budget development, tracking, and reporting.
  • Advanced proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
  • Excellent spoken and written English; Arabic proficiency is highly desirable
• Knowledge:
  • Strong understanding of WASH sector standards and Cluster Coordination mechanisms.
  • Knowledge of international financial compliance requirements (e.g., NORAD, GAC, ACT, ECHO, GIZ).
  • Familiarity with MEAL frameworks and data collection tools (e.g., Kobo Toolbox, Power BI).
• Personality:
  • Proactive, solution-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic setting.
  • Resilient and able to perform effectively under pressure and in remote or challenging environments.
  • Knowledge of the humanitarian context in Sudan, especially regarding displacement and refugee issues.
  • Strong leadership, mentoring, and team-building skills.
  • Culturally sensitive and adaptable to diverse operational settings.
  • Collaborative mindset and committed to achieving impact for vulnerable communities.
  •  Commitment to inclusion, protection principles, gender equality, and safeguarding in WASH programming.

 Organizational Learning

• Support and engage in all learning activities such as project reviews, spot-checks, documentation of success stories and best practices, and reporting by implementing partners.
• Contribute to project implementation planning with NCA and partners by offering recommendations to strengthen planning processes.