Programme Officer - WASH, Marsabit County

Role Overview

The WASH Officer coordinates water, sanitation and hygiene activities across an assigned programme area, supporting Concern and partner teams to deliver project commitments safely, to agreed standards and within approved plans and budgets. The role combines field-level technical guidance, community engagement, construction and activity monitoring, and reporting, while linking WASH work with Health and Nutrition services and promoting accountability to the communities taking part.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate WASH activities against project plans, budgets, schedules, donor requirements and applicable technical standards; support delivery of hygiene promotion and the distribution of water transport and storage items.
• Prepare implementation schedules, bills of quantities, procurement plans and material requests, and track the timely delivery and specification of supplies to activity sites.
• Organise community mobilisation and consultation, and establish and train water and sanitation committees responsible for managing relevant facilities.
• Monitor contractor-led works at key stages, inspect construction quality and provide practical technical supervision during field implementation.
• Conduct or coordinate assessments of water and sanitation facility operation and maintenance; work with communities and local authorities to identify improvements and sustainable, context-appropriate solutions.
• Visit hygiene promotion activities to check that messages are delivered consistently with the agreed approach, and take part in joint monitoring with partners and other stakeholders.
• Coordinate WASH activities with Health and Nutrition teams, incorporate relevant cross-cutting considerations, and document effective practices, results and lessons for future programming.
• Prepare monthly progress reports, work plans and cash projections; maintain complete field records and contribute to local, regional and national WASH coordination, advocacy and public awareness events.
• Promote meaningful community participation throughout the project cycle and help ensure that feedback and complaints channels, safeguarding information and expected staff conduct are understood and accessible.
• Uphold Concern’s Code of Conduct and related policies, and contribute to emergency response when required.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Degree in Public Health Engineering, Civil Engineering, Water Engineering, Hydrogeology or Building Construction Engineering.
• At least three years of project implementation experience, preferably in WASH or public health programming with an international NGO.
• Understanding of WASH programming in rural and urban settings, including appropriate technology options for arid and semi-arid areas and informal urban settlements.
• Working knowledge of Project Cycle Management and practical familiarity with CLTS, PHAST, sanitation marketing and engineering design.
• Experience working with NGOs in insecure locations and collaborating with government systems.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Outlook.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, careful attention to detail, and the ability to plan, analyse information and meet deadlines under pressure.
• Resourceful, adaptable and proactive, with sound judgement and a practical approach to problem-solving. Construction experience and interest in low-cost methods and locally available materials are an advantage.
• Commitment to humanitarian principles, community accountability and safe, respectful conduct. Able to share information openly, work constructively with others, deliver agreed objectives and identify practical improvements.