WASH Officer

About Action Against Hunger

Action Against Hunger is a global organization combating hunger through innovative solutions and advocacy, impacting 24 million people yearly across 50 countries. Our 8,300 staff members collaborate with communities to address hunger’s root causes, including emergencies, climate change, conflict, and inequities, with the goal of a hunger-free world.

Action Against Hunger USA operates independently within the international network, managing projects in eight countries including Zambia. With over $100 million in programs and 1,800 permanent staff across multiple offices, we continue to expand our mission.

Role Overview

The WASH Officer plays a vital role in improving water, sanitation, hygiene, infection control, and environmental safeguards in healthcare and community settings. This includes managing infrastructure rehabilitation, ensuring water quality, promoting hygiene behaviors, coordinating with health authorities, and supporting capacity building.

Key Responsibilities

• Rehabilitate and enhance water supply systems in health facilities, ensuring continuous water availability in critical areas like OPD, maternity, pediatric wards, laboratories, and immunization points.
• Champion solar-powered water system initiatives and extend pipe networks.
• Supervise installation of water storage tanks and regularly conduct water quality testing with proper treatment.
• Form and support water point management committees, providing tools and training for ongoing maintenance and sustainability.
• Construct gender-segregated and disability-accessible latrines and improve sanitation infrastructure in health centers and households while tackling open defecation through community engagement.
• Maintain functional handwashing stations, supply soap and alcohol-based rubs, strengthen infection prevention and control (IPC) compliance, and integrate WASH best practices into clinical environments.
• Establish healthcare waste management frameworks including segregation, storage, transport, disposal, construction of safety facilities like incinerators and sharps pits, and provide PPE and color-coded bins with corresponding SOPs.
• Conduct knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) surveys; design and disseminate IEC materials; train community volunteers and health workers; and carry out hygiene promotion activities encouraging handwashing, water treatment, and sanitation.
• Build capacity of health staff through training, mentorship, and supportive supervision to ensure robust maintenance and sustainability of WASH systems.
• Implement community-level WASH activities promoting safe water handling, hygiene behavior change, and supporting risk communication efforts while fortifying community engagement structures.
• Apply environmental screening tools to uphold environmental compliance, reduce public health risks, and integrate safeguards in operations.
• Coordinate with Ministry of Health and various partners, ensuring seamless integration of WASH with health and nutrition initiatives and contributing to multisectoral planning.
• Oversee supply chain components related to WASH by ensuring availability, procurement, distribution, and usage monitoring of essential materials.

Candidate Requirements

• Possession of at least a bachelor's degree in Water Resource Engineering, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Public Health, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, Social Sciences, or a related field.
• Minimum of three years continuous experience managing humanitarian WASH projects.
• A postgraduate diploma in project management, monitoring and evaluation, or equivalent qualifications is advantageous.
• Demonstrable experience in water supply construction and community mobilization for health and sanitation in humanitarian contexts.
• Strong analytical, assessment, and planning skills with the ability to prepare concise and timely reports outlining challenges and solutions.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including oral and written proficiency, and the ability to work diplomatically with diverse stakeholders, including governmental and managerial levels.
• Capacity to work under pressure, prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and maintain cultural sensitivity working in various environments.
• Commitment to humanitarian principles, equal opportunity, and incorporating gender and diversity considerations into programs.
• Proficiency in computer applications such as PowerPoint, Excel, MS Word and practical knowledge of engineering software like GIS, AutoCAD, EPANET, Water GEMS.
• Ability to exercise independent sound judgment and decision-making skills.
• Team-oriented with flexibility and resilience in high-stress situations.
• Knowledge of local languages is a plus.
• Motorcycle riding ability and possession of a valid riding permit are required.

Benefits and Equal Opportunity

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package. We uphold a strict non-discrimination policy regarding race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected characteristics. This commitment reflects our dedication to equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates.