1. Background
The Sudanese American Physicians Association (SAPA) is an international humanitarian and development organization committed to improving the health and well-being of vulnerable communities across Sudan through integrated health, nutrition, WASH, emergency response, and capacity-strengthening programs.
SAPA is implementing WASH interventions in Northern State to improve access to safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, hygiene practices, and emergency WASH services for conflict-affected populations, internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and vulnerable host communities.
The WASH Officer will lead the planning, implementation, supervision, monitoring, and reporting of WASH activities in Northern State while ensuring compliance with donor requirements, national standards, and international humanitarian principles.
2. Job Purpose
The WASH Officer is responsible for the effective implementation and technical oversight of all WASH activities within Northern State. The position ensures quality programming, timely implementation, sound engineering practices, community engagement, and effective coordination with government authorities, humanitarian partners, and local communities.
3. Key Responsibilities
A. Programme Planning and Implementation
- Conduct WASH needs assessments and technical site assessments.
- Develop project implementation plans and activity schedules.
- Prepare Bills of Quantities (BoQs), technical specifications, and cost estimates.
- Prepare procurement requests and technical documentation.
- Ensure timely implementation of approved work plans.
- Monitor project progress against targets and timelines.
- Ensure compliance with donor regulations and SAPA policies.
B. Water Supply Interventions
Lead and supervise:
- Rehabilitation of boreholes.
- Construction of new water points.
- Installation of solar-powered water systems.
- Water storage facilities.
- Water distribution networks.
- Hand pump installation and rehabilitation.
- Emergency water trucking (when required).
Ensure:
- Water quality testing.
- Chlorination procedures.
- Routine operation and maintenance.
- Functionality monitoring of water systems.
C. Sanitation Activities
Coordinate the construction and rehabilitation of:
- Household latrines.
- Institutional latrines.
- Emergency sanitation facilities.
- Handwashing stations.
- Bathing shelters.
- Drainage systems.
- Solid waste management facilities.
Ensure compliance with:
- Sphere Humanitarian Standards.
- National environmental regulations.
- Public health and safety standards.
D. Hygiene Promotion
Support community-based hygiene promotion activities by:
- Organizing hygiene awareness campaigns.
- Promoting handwashing and safe water handling practices.
- Supporting cholera prevention and response interventions.
- Promoting Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM).
- Coordinating hygiene kit distributions.
- Supporting Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) initiatives where appropriate.
E. Construction Supervision
- Supervise contractors and skilled laborers.
- Monitor construction quality and progress.
- Verify completed works before certification.
- Ensure adherence to engineering specifications.
- Monitor contractor performance and compliance.
- Ensure occupational health and safety measures are implemented.
F. Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL)
- Conduct regular field monitoring visits.
- Verify activity implementation.
- Collect technical and programmatic data.
- Support baseline and end-line assessments.
- Track project indicators.
- Prepare weekly, monthly, and quarterly progress reports.
- Maintain complete technical documentation.
- Support donor monitoring visits.
G. Community Engagement
- Establish and strengthen Water Management Committees.
- Facilitate community participation throughout project implementation.
- Build the capacity of local water committees.
- Promote community ownership and sustainability of WASH facilities.
- Address community feedback and complaints through SAPA's accountability mechanisms.
H. Coordination and Representation
Represent SAPA in:
- State WASH Cluster meetings.
- Technical Working Groups.
- Coordination meetings with government authorities.
- Humanitarian coordination forums.
Coordinate closely with:
- State Ministry of Health.
- State Water Corporation.
- Humanitarian partners.
- Local authorities.
- Community leaders.
I. Emergency Response
Participate in rapid emergency responses including:
- Disease outbreaks.
- Flood emergencies.
- Population displacement.
- Rapid needs assessments.
- Emergency water supply interventions.
- Cholera preparedness and response.
Remain available for deployment during humanitarian emergencies.
J. Procurement and Asset Management
- Prepare procurement requests and technical specifications.
- Inspect materials delivered to project sites.
- Verify contractor invoices and completed works.
- Maintain accurate inventory records for WASH equipment and supplies.
- Ensure proper use and maintenance of project assets.
K. Capacity Building
Train and mentor:
- WASH Assistants.
- Hygiene Promoters.
- Community Volunteers.
- Water Management Committees.
- Local technicians.
- Government counterparts.
Develop and deliver technical training sessions to improve local capacity and sustainability.
4. Cross-Cutting Responsibilities
Ensure integration of:
- Protection mainstreaming.
- Gender equality and women's participation.
- Disability inclusion.
- Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP).
- Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA).
- Child Safeguarding.
- Environmental sustainability.
- Conflict-sensitive programming.
- Do No Harm principles.
5. Qualifications
Education
Bachelor's degree in one of the following fields:
- Civil Engineering
- Water Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Public Health Engineering
- Environmental Health
- Water Resources Engineering
- Environmental Science
- Or another relevant discipline.
A Master's degree is an added advantage.
6. Experience
Essential:
- Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in humanitarian WASH programming.
- Experience implementing WASH projects with INGOs, UN agencies, or national NGOs.
- Experience supervising construction and infrastructure works.
- Experience preparing BoQs and technical specifications.
- Experience working with contractors and community structures.
Desirable:
- Experience in emergency response programming.
- Previous experience in Northern State or similar humanitarian contexts.
- Familiarity with donor-funded projects (UNICEF, UNHCR, BHA, ECHO, OCHA, or similar).
7. Technical Skills
- Knowledge of Sphere Standards and humanitarian principles.
- Experience with water quality monitoring and chlorination.
- Construction supervision and quality assurance.
- Strong report writing and documentation skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
- Experience using Kobo Collect or ODK for data collection.
- AutoCAD and GIS knowledge is an advantage.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
8. Core Competencies
- Technical expertise in WASH programming.
- Planning and organizational skills.
- Communication and interpersonal skills.
- Teamwork and collaboration.
- Accountability and integrity.
- Results orientation.
- Decision-making and problem-solving.
- Cultural sensitivity and adaptability.
- Ability to work under pressure and in remote locations.
9. Languages
Essential:
- Fluency in Arabic.
- Good written and spoken English.
10. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Performance will be measured against:
- Timely implementation of project activities.
- Achievement of WASH project targets.
- Quality and sustainability of completed WASH infrastructure.
- Compliance with donor and SAPA standards.
- Timeliness and quality of technical reports.
- Effective budget utilization.
- Community participation and satisfaction.
- Functionality rate of completed water systems.
- Number of community members and staff trained.
- Compliance with safeguarding, PSEA, and accountability standards.
11. Working Conditions
- Based in Northern State with frequent travel to field locations.
- Ability to work in remote, challenging, and emergency settings.
- Willingness to work outside normal office hours during emergency responses.
- Compliance with SAPA security policies and procedures.
12. Code of Conduct
The WASH Officer is expected to comply with all SAPA policies and procedures, including:
- SAPA Code of Conduct.
- Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Policy.
- Child Safeguarding Policy.
- Anti-Fraud and Anti-Corruption Policy.
- Protection from Harassment, Bullying, and Discrimination Policy.
- Data Protection and Confidentiality Policy.
- Security and Safety Procedures.
- Humanitarian Principles and Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS)
