WASH Advisor

Role & Responsibilities

The WASH Advisor works as an important member of a diverse team who are committed to serve the world’s most vulnerable with practical and compassionate care.  The WASH Advisor has a vital role to play in improving the overall water, sanitation and hygiene situation of the target population. This involves providing technical advice and support to the field management and the WASH staff, as well as developing, leading, monitoring and evaluating the WASH aspects of the country programme. Important parts of the role include: Coordinate and network at a senior level with national and regional WASH authorities and other NGOs; lead on all WASH elements of proposals and reports, providing capacity building for national and international staff; promote best practice in the WASH programming and contribute to the overall management of the country programme.

Project Overview

Medair has been present in Sudan since February 2020, building on Medair’s previous work in the country from the 2010s. Medair currently has WASH programming in the Khartoum, Darfur and Blue Nile.  

Workplace & Conditions

Medair field-based position in Khartoum Sudan, with regular trips to project locations.

Starting Date / Initial Contract Details

July 2026. Full time, one year.

Key Activity Areas

• Sector Technical Oversight.  Provide programme support and technical advice. Carry out regular monitoring visits and ensure quality of data collection/ reporting. Define policies, guidelines and protocols for WASH quality aspects of Medair’s work in country. Perform final WASH field review of donor proposals and reports.

• Programme Development. Work with the Country Leadership Team to design WASH strategy, identify new funding opportunities and contribute to quality funding proposals. Work with the Projects Coordinator and relevant field project managers and GSO staff to review and advise on WASH budgets. Support PMs to regularly review spending and advise on under/over-spending as needed.

• Quality Management. Ensure WASH projects are implemented in line with donor proposals and requirements and in accordance with Medair, donor, country, and international standards. Regularly assess and provide feedback/ recommendations to GSO Advisors and field staff on the quality of WASH programmes and interventions.

• External Representation: Represent Medair at national Clusters, WASH working groups and relevant donor meetings. Accompany donor field visits as requested. Develop and maintain relationships with relevant Line Ministry, UN, NGOs, donors, partners, etc, with the aim of raising public awareness of Medair and ensuring good coordination and partnerships.

• Staff Management. Participate in the recruitment of WASH staff for the country programme, providing advice on technical skills and experience as requested.  Ensure that all WASH staff are adequately trained and create possibilities for capacity building, mentoring/ coaching, within budget constraints. Plan and develop WASH training material as required. Act as matrix manager of WASH Project Managers.

This job description covers the main tasks that are anticipated. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary.

Qualifications, Experience & Technical Competencies:

• University degree in Engineering or WASH related area.

• At least 3 years’ experience managing WASH in developing countries, with at least 2 years’ experience managing and coordinating acute and chronic complex emergency responses Experience in the design, monitoring of implementation and evaluation of public health programmes in humanitarian contexts.

• Good report and proposal writing skills, negotiation, problem solving, communication as well as advanced planning and analytical skills.

• Good working knowledge of English (speaking and writing). Ability to speak, or learn, local language (Arabic) desired.

Behavioral Skills

• Strong servant leadership skills with a consultative management style

• Creative, open-minded, flexible, self-learner, with good understanding of cross-cultural issues

• Capacity to work under pressure and manage personal stress levels, self-motivated, proactive

• Able to oversee multiple tasks, prioritizing, delegating, and seeking advice as required  

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, team player 

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Team Spiritual Life

Reflect the values of Medair with team members, local staff, people we serve, and external contacts. Work, live, and pray together in our Christian faith-based teams. Fully contribute to a rich spiritual team life, including team devotion, prayer, and words of encouragement.

Before you apply

Please ensure you are fully aware of the:

1. Medair organisational values.

2. Medair is committed to safeguarding the protection of beneficiaries, volunteers, staff and partners, and particularly children. Therefore, we do not employ staff whose background we understand to be unsuitable for working with children. Medair staff are required to give the utmost respect to, and comply with, Medair’s accountability policies and best practices.

3. Medair Relief & Recovery Orientation Course (ROC) (which forms part of the recruitment selection process for field positions).

Application Process

To apply, go to this vacancy on our Medair page. Please do not make multiple applications. We will not review email applications. Only English-language applications / CVs will be reviewed. Advertised on JobUpfree.

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