Job Description

1. 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

 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

Experiences and Qualifications

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.

Skills Required

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