WASH Officer

About Action Against Hunger

Action Against Hunger is a global organization committed to ending hunger by addressing root causes such as climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. Operating in over 50 countries, the organization reaches 24 million people annually with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. The U.S. branch manages activities across eight countries, including Zambia, and employs approximately 1,800 staff worldwide.

Role Overview and Responsibilities

• Rehabilitate and enhance water supply infrastructure within health facilities to ensure uninterrupted water availability in outpatient departments, maternity wards, pediatric units, laboratories, and immunization sections.
• Drive initiatives like solarizing water systems and expanding pipe networks.
• Supervise the setup of water storage reservoirs and regularly conduct water quality testing and treatment activities.
• Establish and support management committees responsible for water points, providing maintenance tools and training to ensure long-term sustainability.
• Develop sanitation infrastructure by constructing gender-sensitive and disability-inclusive latrines, improving existing sanitation facilities in health centers, and promoting safe latrine practices at the household level, along with community interventions to eradicate open defecation.
• Ensure effective infection prevention and control (IPC) by maintaining functioning handwashing stations with soap and alcohol-based rubs, enhancing compliance in stabilized centers and healthcare facilities, and integrating WASH into clinical care settings.
• Set up healthcare waste management mechanisms, including segregation, secure storage, transportation, and environmentally sound disposal, constructing incinerators and waste pits, providing necessary PPE, and establishing standard operating procedures.
• Lead hygiene promotion efforts by conducting knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) surveys, developing educational materials, training volunteers and health workers, and promoting essential hygiene behaviors like handwashing and water treatment.
• Build capacity by training healthcare personnel on WASH, IPC, and waste management, offering mentorship and supportive supervision, and reinforcing local maintenance capabilities.
• Engage communities directly through WASH-related activities, fostering safe water and hygiene behavior, strengthening community participation, and supporting health risk communication.
• Ensure environmental safeguards through the application of screening tools, environmental compliance, and mitigation of public health hazards.
• Collaborate closely with the Ministry of Health and partner organizations, integrating WASH efforts with health and nutrition programs, and contributing actively to multisectoral planning.
• Manage WASH-related logistics, including ensuring adequate supplies availability, facilitating procurement and distribution, and monitoring stock usage and replenishment.

Candidate Requirements and Skills

• A minimum of a bachelor's degree in water resource engineering, civil or environmental engineering, public health, natural resource management, environmental science, social sciences, or a closely related discipline, complemented by at least three years of continuous experience in humanitarian WASH program implementation.
• Postgraduate qualifications in project management, monitoring and evaluation, or similar fields are advantageous.
• Demonstrable hands-on experience in water supply construction and community mobilization in humanitarian sanitation contexts.
• Capability to prepare concise, timely reports outlining challenges and recommending solutions.
• Strong interpersonal, diplomatic, and administrative skills to engage effectively with local communities, managerial staff, and government representatives.
• Competency in assessment, analysis, and planning.
• Excellent oral and written communication abilities along with proficient reporting skills.
• Cultural sensitivity and adaptability to diverse work environments.
• Commitment to humanitarian values, equal opportunity, gender equity, and integrating gender and diversity considerations.
• Proficiency in PowerPoint, Excel, MS Word, and other computer applications; knowledge of engineering software such as GIS, AutoCAD, EPANET, and Water GEMS.
• Ability to make sound independent decisions and work effectively under pressure with priority-setting capabilities.
• Team-oriented, highly flexible, and capable of managing stress.
• Knowledge of local languages and ability to ride a motorcycle with a valid license is a plus.

Benefits and Equal Opportunity

The organization offers an attractive salary and benefits package aligned with industry standards. It practices strict non-discrimination policies and provides equal employment opportunities regardless of race, gender, religion, disability, veteran status, or any other protected attribute.