WASH Officer – Sanitation and Hygiene

he International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

Job Purpose/Objective

The position holder is responsible for the technical oversight, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of hygiene and sanitation initiatives. This includes regular consultation with project stakeholders and management of relevant consultants, supplies on hygiene and promotion interventions. Ensure complementarity with other sectorial interventions, i.e. Health, Nutrition, DRR and livelihood as well as proper coordination, consultation and information sharing with partners and other stakeholders.

Main Responsibilities

The WASH Hygiene officer shall be responsible for the technical aspects of hygiene and sanitation promotion and adherence to IRC values. S/he shall be responsible for planning, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of high quality, innovative Hygiene and Promotion interventions. She/he will ensure that an engagement approach to working with communities, the local authorities, partners other stakeholders is employed, and all activities are carried out in a way that is sensitive to community needs and promotes the full and equal participation of women, men, children, youth, people with disabilities, and special interest groups.

Primary responsibilities include:

Project planning and design

• Support in the planning for and Design of the project hygiene and sanitation initiatives and methodology.
• Support in the project assessments and proposal development for potential sanitation and hygiene promotions.
• Design and develop relevant specifications for hygiene and sanitation including standard operating procedures (SOPs), design reports, technical specifications.

Project implementation

• Ensure that the hygiene and sanitation promotion activities of the project are implemented according to the approved SOPS, donor guidelines and humanitarian standards.
• In collaboration with the WATSAN officer, ensure that hygiene and sanitation promotion activities accompany the water supply and sanitation interventions.
• Working with the WATSAN Officer facilitate training WMCs, other Community structures (SMCs, CHWs, CHEWs, Youth Groups) and local authorities on improved hygiene/sanitation practices and management.

Project monitoring and evaluation

• Ensure timely delivery of projects activities.
• Ensure that up to date project documents are in place including approved work plans, log frame, detailed project implementation plan and financial forecasts.
• Documentation of lessons learnt and good practices.
• In consultation with MEAL, design and conduct all quantitative and qualitative assessments, KAP surveys, and follow-up assessments with concrete feedback findings.
• Ensure laid down SOPs, technical, health and safety standards are adhered to in all projects.

Fundraising and networking

• Support in the development of technically sound proposals.
• Uphold good relations of project stakeholders including the contractors, suppliers, site committees and clients.
• Engage actively in relevant clusters and networks.

Coordination and Collaboration

• Co-ordinate and network with the relevant County Government ministries and departments, Community based organizations, Faith based organizations and NGOs and other relevant departments in providing technical support and assistance to WASH activities.
• Liaise directly with communities, and community structures on hygiene and sanitation issues as well as other agencies (particularly those carrying out similar activities) regularly to ensure coordination and effective implementation of activities through guidance of the Supervisor/FC.
• Under the guidance of the supervisor (or head of field office) contributes towards strengthening of integration of WASH programming with the other key IRC program Sectors.

Reporting

• Develop and delivery in a timely manner monthly, quarterly, semi- annual and end of projects reports in accordance with donors’ and IRC Kenya requirements.
• Support development, monitoring and evaluation WASH project indicators and standards.
• Provide regular update reports on hygiene and sanitation activities and program progress against work plan as maybe required.
• Maintain an up to-date activity tracking tool (soft copies and hard copies) of all hygiene and sanitation initiatives.
• Actively participate in inter-sectoral activities
• Support WASH department in other tasks, roles and, responsibilities as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications:

Degree in environmental health science, community development, social development public health, or related field.  A minimum of Three years’ experience working/programming in WASH, humanitarian work or development.

Required Experience & Competencies:

• Minimum of 3 years relevant work experience in WASH, Public health, community development
• Strong skills in PHAST, CLTS, sanitation marketing, design for behavior change models essential.
• Experience in community engagement approaches, participatory approaches, and community negotiation
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with a team.
• Ability to conduct community WASH needs assessment, program planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of WASH activities.
• Good understanding of SPHERE and other humanitarian standards
• Good computer application skills (MS-Office, application software to engineering designs).

Important Notice: Recruitment for these positions is contingent upon the successful proposal approval and availability of funding.

Professional Standards: All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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Why Choose the IRC?

Work that has meaning: Every day at the IRC is a chance to make a difference through a purpose-driven career. Whether you're working directly with communities or providing support behind the scenes, you will be part of a dynamic team that is always innovating, scaling, and testing new and better solutions to ensure the best possible outcomes for the people we serve.

Global scale, dynamic workplace: At the IRC, we believe that the dynamic, global make-up of our team is our strength. When you join us, you're not just starting a job—you will be part of a global organization positively impacting millions of lives in over 40 get to work with colleagues from all around the world—working across time zones and regularly exchanging different ideas, perspectives and insights. You’ll join a team that is dedicated to fostering a supportive environment to create a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and heard.  

Challenging work, innovative solutions: We’re committed to excellence and innovation, and pride ourselves in setting industry-leading standards while practicing evidence and data-lead strategies. Come challenge norms, shatter conventions, and pioneer change while working on real, nuanced and complex issues we face in the world today.  

Community centered: We’re an empathetic community that truly cares for one another. Our comprehensive safety and security initiatives ensure a safe work environment, while our continuous learning and development programs provide ongoing opportunities for personal and career advancement.

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Our Typical Recruitment Process

The interview process typically includes three rounds, though the number may vary depending on the role and level of seniority. It usually begins with a conversation with our recruiting team to learn more about you and your goals. This is followed by an interview with a hiring manager or business stakeholder to explore your background and provide more insight into the role. The final round focuses on assessing your role-specific expertise and may be conducted as a panel interview to evaluate your cross-functional strengths. Before extending an offer, we generally conduct reference checks, and after an offer is made, a standard background check is completed. While we strive for consistency, the process may differ based on the role, business unit, location, job type, legal requirements, and other factors.

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