WASH Officer-Climate Proof Water4Food Project

The Organisation

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We believe in the power and potential of every child but know this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it is girls who are most affected.

Working together with children, young people, supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges girls and vulnerable children face. We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood and we enable children to prepare for and respond to crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.

For over 85 years, we have rallied other determined optimists to transform the lives of all children in more than 80 countries.

We won’t stop until we are all equal.

The Opportunity 

The WASH Officer provides technical leadership in climate-resilient water supply systems, flood and drought risk management, and WASH governance. S/he is responsible for the design, supervision, and quality assurance of solar-powered water supply systems, flood control and water conservation structures, as well as the rehabilitation and solarization of non-functional water schemes.

The post holder will report to the Project Manager (based in the GPA) and serve as the technical lead for the delivery of climate-resilient, gender-transformative, and sustainable WASH infrastructure and services under the project. Work closely with engineers, contractors, government institutions, and target communities to ensure coordinated design, implementation, and quality assurance of WASH interventions. Contribute to and influence project-wide sustainability and climate adaptation outcomes through high-quality technical leadership.

Lead and oversee water supply studies, system design, construction supervision, and WASH governance, including the humanitarian WASH component of the integrated Climate Proof Water4Food Project in Gambella Region. Ensure delivery of results in line with approved project plans, targets, and objectives, overseeing implementation across all stages of the project cycle.

Strengthen collaboration with government sector offices by fostering partnerships, supporting capacity development, and facilitating the achievement of project results. Lead the implementation of multi-purpose water supply systems for domestic and productive use, ensuring sustainable access to safe water for drinking, sanitation, hygiene, and agriculture, thereby improving livelihoods and resilience of target communities.

Other tasks may be assigned to the incumbent as deemed necessary

Safeguarding Children and Program Participants (Safeguarding) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI)

• Understands and puts into practice the responsibilities under Safeguarding and GEI policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), ensuring that concerns are reported and managed per the appropriate procedures.
• Ensures that all staff in the unit/function/department are properly inducted on and understand their role in upholding Plan International’s safeguarding and GEI policies;
• Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Program Participants and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in day-to-day work.
• Ensures that Plan Ethiopia contributes to Plan International’s global efforts to ensure safeguarding and GEI, including making sure that relevant reporting and data are submitted.

The Individual

Qualifications/ Experience/Skills Essential:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Water Resources Engineering, Civil or Hydraulic Engineering, Environmental Health, Sanitary Engineering, Public Health, or a related field (Master’s degree is an added advantage).
• Minimum of 3+ years of relevant experience WASH programming, preferably in fragile and climate-affected contexts.
• Proven experience in the study, design, and supervision of multi-use, solar-powered rural water supply systems for both domestic and productive (agricultural/irrigation) use.
• Strong understanding of community-based WASH governance models, with practical experience in hygiene promotion and behavior change approaches.
• Experience in integrating WASH with food security and livelihoods (e.g., multi-use water systems) is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in preparing BoQs, technical specifications, bidding documents, evaluations, contract management, and negotiation.
• Good knowledge of national standards (MoWE/MoA) and international standards, including Sphere, UNHCR, UNICEF, and WASH Cluster guidelines.
• Proficiency in engineering and design software (e.g., AutoCAD, Water CAD or similar tools) is an added advantage.

Knowledge Specific to the Position

• Strong understanding of water supply, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector principles and practices.
• Solid knowledge of project cycle management and child-centered community development approaches.
• Awareness of key development challenges, climate risks, and opportunities relevant to WASH programming.
• Familiarity with participatory Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEAL) systems and processes.
• Experience in solar-based water system implementation is an added advantage.
• Demonstrated commitment to gender equality, inclusion, and child-centered development principles.

Skills 

• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the capacity to build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including report writing, documentation, and professional presentations.
• Proficiency in computer applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and other relevant project management tools.

Languages required:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Amharic

Location: Gambella 

Type of Role: six months, with the possibility of  extension  based on performance and project needs

Reports to: Project Manager 

Closing Date: June 07, 2026

Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for.

We want Plan International to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Plan International is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.

We foster an organisational culture that embraces our commitment to racial justice, gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. This means that we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with and we must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.

A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International's Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan International also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme we will request information from applicants previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Please note that Plan International will never send unsolicited emails requesting payment from candidates.