Watsan Mobile Support Specialist (MSS)

Role Overview

As the Med-Ops Cell’s Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Vector Control (Watsan) specialist, you will provide technical guidance to MSF Ubuntu country programmes, both remotely and in the field. You will help teams shape and deliver safe, effective Watsan interventions, while connecting operational decisions across the portfolio to medical priorities and MSF Ubuntu’s Logistics & Watsan Strategy for 2026–2028.

The role combines programme review, technical assessment, staff development and strategic advice. By helping country teams improve systems and build their skills, you will support reliable working conditions and strengthen the quality and impact of MSF Ubuntu’s operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the Cell’s technical reference for Watsan, providing timely, context-sensitive support to country programme teams and reviewing proposals, designs and operational plans.
• Track Watsan activities across portfolio countries and report on strategy implementation, policy application and key performance indicators to support operational and strategic decisions.
• Advise country teams on Watsan priorities and strategy, ensuring plans reflect medical needs, MSF Ubuntu’s Strategic Plan, the 2026–2028 Logistics & Watsan Strategy and the “Logistics/Watsan Basics” minimum standard.
• Assess Watsan systems, infrastructure, equipment, procedures and staffing; evaluate suppliers and contractors; and turn findings into practical improvement plans.
• Guide the design, installation and supervision of technical systems, and advise teams on standards, protocols and corrective solutions when problems arise.
• Identify staff development needs, contribute to training materials, deliver team and on-the-job training, and support recruitment, briefings and debriefings for technical personnel.
• Visit programme locations as required, documenting findings, action points and lessons learned; contribute to developing and testing tools, guidance, procedures and technical innovations.
• Coordinate with medical colleagues, including the IPC MIO advisor, and participate in Health Programme Support Team discussions to align logistics and medical priorities. Support WASH emergency and outbreak responses within the Cell, with wider support when requested or activated.
• Promote facilities and services that are safe, accessible, private and appropriate for different genders, and engage relevant public, community and private WASH actors where this can support programme delivery.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Degree in civil engineering, environmental sciences, environmental health, public health engineering or a closely related technical field.
• At least two years of NGO field experience in Watsan, including work in community settings and healthcare facilities.
• Practical knowledge of Sphere Watsan standards, water treatment and quality testing, excreta and wastewater management, healthcare waste management, community Watsan approaches and vector control.
• Experience supporting outbreak response and facilitating adult learning or technical training.
• Ability to work effectively with teams in remote and insecure environments.
• Fluent written and spoken English.
• Postgraduate study in water and sanitation, public health or humanitarian studies is an asset.
• Familiarity with MSF Watsan tools and protocols, GIS or EPANET is desirable.
• Experience in southern or eastern Africa, and in Watsan infrastructure or interventions in climate-affected contexts, is an advantage.
• French language skills are desirable.