Job Opportunity: WASH Team Leader position available at NRC (Norwegian Refugee Council) in Jigjiga (Awbare, Kebribayah), Somali. Water and Sanitation jobs in Ethiopia are in high demand. Apply now through GeezJobs - Ethiopia's leading job portal.

Role and responsibilities

The WASH Team Leader leads the management of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) programs within his/her respective camp, conducting needs assessments, designing and overseeing infrastructure projects (water systems, sanitation facilities), ensuring technical quality and compliance with SPHERE/UNHCR/NRC standards. The successful candidate is also expected to manage budgets and resources, preparing workplans and donor reports, and representing the organization in relevant coordination forums.

Responsibilities

Below are the general responsibilities of the position:

Program Management 

• Contribute to the development of the camp-wide WASH strategy, ensuring alignment with donor requirements, and transition/resilience frameworks/strategies.
• Conduct needs assessments by identifying the gaps, challenges (bottlenecks) and needs, and correspondingly design context-appropriate responses (hardware/software) 
• Oversee WASH activities’ planning, budgeting, procurement, and resource allocation to ensure timely and cost-effective project delivery.
• Manage project documentation, contracts, and tender processes for WASH infrastructure (e.g., water systems, sanitation facilities).
• Prepare and submit high-quality donor reports (e.g., UNHCR), and deliverables.
• Plan and lead the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of electrical and mechanical, piping, water treatment systems, and sanitation to ensure WASH infrastructure operating efficiency and sustainability.
• Ensure timely procurement of essential tools, spare parts, equipment, and chemicals by helping officers prepare bills of quantities and technical specifications (including part numbers, quantities).
• Develop design drawings, specifications, bills of quantities and other related technical documentations for WASH infrastructure developments/Rehabilitations.
• Ensure the proper and efficient use of the WASH inventories, tools and spare parts in his/her respective camp
• Audit fuel consumption, and equipment performance by developing tracking and monitory systems and mechanisms (Manuals, checklists, Excel sheets).
• Ensure all WASH activities meet SPHERE, UNHCR, and NRC technical standards, prioritizing sustainability.
• Implement robust Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) frameworks to track progress, manage risks, and adapt.
• Supervise construction of water/sanitation infrastructure (e.g., boreholes, water treatment systems) and hygiene promotion activities.
• Ensure systems for long-term operation/maintenance of WASH assets, including transfer of key skills capacities to local communities.
• Enforce compliance with donor regulations and internal controls.
• Prepare and submit donor reports (e.g., UNHCR), and deliverables.

Coordination and representation

• Serve as NRC’s primary WASH representative in cluster meetings (UNHCR, RRS), liaising with authorities, NGOs, and host communities.
• Foster partnerships with stakeholders (e.g., local government, UN agencies, INGOs) to ensure coordination, advocacy, and program coherence.
• Proactively sharing context updates, challenges, and opportunities with relevant internal and external bodies.

Financial and Resource Management 

• Oversee project budgets and ensure resource optimization.
• Ensure efficient procurement processes and accountable use of WASH assets and inventories.
• Identify funding gaps and contribute to proposal development for new opportunities.

Team Leadership and Capacity building 

• Line-manage WASH field staff, including performance management, objective setting, and conflict resolution.
• Conduct capacity needs assessments, and deliver tailored training and skill development

Promote a positive team environment, wellbeing, and professional development

1. Competencies 

1. Professional competencies:

• Bachelor’s/master’s degree in Hydraulic Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Hydrology, or related field.

• Minimum 5 years in humanitarian WASH programs, including 2+ years in leadership roles.

• Proven experience in WASH programs (hardware: water/sanitation infrastructure; software: hygiene promotion/behavior change).

• Expertise in SPHERE standards, donor compliance (e.g., UNHCR), and contract management.

• Experience in refugee settings and complex volatile environments.

• Fluency in English (written/verbal).

• Knowledge of local language (Somali).

• Experience in Dollo Ado contexts.

• Knowledge and experience water supply and treatment systems design and operation 

• Experience in Solar water pumping systems

• Skills in AutoCAD/WaterCAD, GIS, COMPASS

2. Behavioral competencies

The following NRC’s competencies are essential for this position:

• Managing resources and achieving results

• Handling insecure environments

• Communicating with impact and respect

• Working with people

• Coping with change

• Planning and delivering results.

• Managing performance and developing teams.

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving.

• Empowering others and building trust.

How To Apply

Application procedure

Interested candidates who meet the above criteria are invited to send in their application letters including updated curriculum vitae with day-time telephone number and contact details of three work-related referees only through WASH Team Leader Ethiopia - Jijiga  . Please attach photocopies of the most relevant educational certificates/testimonials and work experience documents. Applications should reach NRC latest by 26 May 2025 at 5:00pm. 

NB: only shortlisted candidates shall be contacted.

“Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply and on-the-job training will be provided!”