WASH Officer Role in Engineering

Role Purpose

The WASH Officer will be responsible for the planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) interventions in Northeast Nigeria. The role requires deep knowledge of humanitarian WASH approaches, familiarity with UN and donor frameworks, and proven experience in emergency and protracted crisis contexts. The position is central to ensuring the delivery of safe water, improved sanitation, and hygiene promotion services in compliance with humanitarian standards (SPHERE, Core Humanitarian Standards) and donor regulations.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Implementation


Support the design and execution of WASH activities, including water supply systems, latrine construction, waste management, and hygiene promotion campaigns.
Ensure all interventions are culturally appropriate, gender-sensitive, and inclusive of vulnerable groups (IDPs, women, children, and persons with disabilities).
Conduct field assessments and feasibility studies for WASH infrastructure in crisis-affected communities.
Ensure adherence to technical quality standards and Sphere guidelines.


Budgeting & Grants Management


Contribute to WASH budget preparation and monitoring in alignment with donor (UNICEF, UNHCR, WFP, OCHA) and humanitarian funding frameworks.
Track budget utilization and support the preparation of financial and programmatic reports.
Work closely with the Finance and Logistics units to ensure timely procurement and accountability for WASH-related supplies.


Coordination & Representation


Represent WASSI in WASH Cluster meetings and inter-agency coordination platforms at state and field levels.
Build strong working relationships with UN agencies, INGOs, government stakeholders, and local communities.
Contribute to needs assessments, Humanitarian Response Plans (HRPs), and WASH sector reporting.


Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL)


Monitor project activities, ensuring quality implementation and compliance with donor requirements.
Conduct regular field visits to track progress, identify challenges, and recommend corrective actions.
Support in establishing beneficiary feedback and accountability mechanisms in line with CHS (Core Humanitarian Standards).


Capacity Building & Community Engagement


Train community-based volunteers and local staff on WASH practices, including hygiene promotion and community-led total sanitation (CLTS).
Promote behavioral change communication (BCC) strategies for improved hygiene practices.
Strengthen community ownership and sustainability of WASH facilities.


Qualifications & Experience


Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Water Resources, or related field (Master’s degree an added advantage).
Minimum 4–5 years of experience in WASH programming within humanitarian organizations, NGOs, or UN agencies.
Experience working in Northeast Nigeria with IDP populations and host communities.
Demonstrated knowledge of humanitarian WASH approaches, including Sphere standards, CHS, and UN frameworks (HACT, CERF, NHF).
Proven experience with WASH assessments, infrastructure design, hygiene promotion, and emergency response.
Strong familiarity with donor compliance requirements (UNICEF, UNHCR, WFP, ECHO, USAID, DFID, etc.).
Proficiency in MS Office, GIS, AutoCAD, or WASH-related data management tools is an asset.


Core Competencies


Strong commitment to humanitarian principles and ethical conduct.
Excellent communication, training, and community mobilization skills.
Ability to work under pressure and in insecure environments.
Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
Team player with the ability to coordinate across diverse teams and stakeholders.