WASH Specialist

1. Background

Health, Disability and Development Organization (HDDO) is non-Profit, non-governmental and non-political National Organization established in January 2020 under Reg: No:4886 with Ministry of Economic, HDDO is also registered with MoPH by the registration number of 662. HDDO is register with the Ministry of Refuges HDDO is member of the Ministry of Public Health Disability and Rehabilitation working group and the member of Community Based Rehabilitation network. HDDO provided quality services so far in 9 provinces as a professional Organization and as agent of change for Victims of war/ conflicts and Person with Disabilities. HDDO is active member of the Health cluster and reproductive health working group as well.

HDDO implements humanitarian and development interventions in areas including primary healthcare, nutrition, physical rehabilitation, disability inclusion, psychosocial support, WASH, community engagement and emergency response.

HDDO is seeking a qualified and experienced WASH Specialist to provide technical leadership and support for the planning, implementation, monitoring and quality assurance of WASH interventions. The WASH Specialist will ensure that all WASH activities are implemented in accordance with approved project plans, relevant national standards, humanitarian principles, donor requirements and recognized WASH technical standards.

A. WASH Technical Leadership

• Provide technical leadership and guidance for the planning and implementation of WASH activities.
• Ensure WASH interventions comply with relevant national standards, humanitarian standards, donor requirements and HDDO policies.
• Develop and/or review WASH technical guidelines, SOPs, checklists and implementation tools.
• Provide technical advice to project management and field teams on WASH-related issues.
• Ensure WASH interventions are needs-based, technically sound, cost-effective and appropriate to the local context.
• Identify technical challenges and recommend appropriate corrective measures.
• Promote inclusive, gender-sensitive and disability-inclusive WASH programming.

B. Water Supply

• Conduct and/or support assessments of existing water sources and water supply systems.
• Provide technical guidance on the design, rehabilitation and improvement of water supply facilities.
• Support the identification and selection of appropriate water sources for targeted communities.
• Monitor the functionality, accessibility and sustainability of water supply systems.
• Support water quality monitoring and testing in accordance with applicable standards.
• Provide technical recommendations regarding water treatment, storage and safe water handling.
• Ensure communities are provided with appropriate information on safe collection, transportation, storage and use of drinking water.
• Monitor water availability and accessibility for vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, women, children and older persons.

C. Sanitation

• Conduct sanitation needs assessments and provide technical recommendations.
• Support the planning, design, construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of latrines and other sanitation facilities.
• Ensure sanitation facilities meet appropriate technical, safety, privacy and accessibility standards.
• Promote safe disposal and management of human waste.
• Ensure sanitation facilities are appropriately located and accessible to women, children and persons with disabilities.
• Monitor the condition, functionality and utilization of sanitation facilities.
• Provide technical guidance to communities on proper sanitation and waste management practices.

D. Hygiene Promotion

• Develop and support implementation of hygiene promotion strategies and activities.
• Design appropriate hygiene awareness messages based on identified community needs and risks.
• Support hygiene promotion sessions at household and community levels.
• Promote key hygiene practices, including:
• Handwashing with soap at critical times.
• Safe drinking water handling and storage.
• Safe food and household hygiene practices.
• Proper use and maintenance of sanitation facilities.
• Safe disposal of solid and household waste.
• Menstrual hygiene management and appropriate hygiene practices for women and girls.
• Support the development and distribution of appropriate hygiene promotion materials.
• Ensure hygiene promotion activities are culturally appropriate, inclusive and understandable to targeted communities.
• Monitor changes in hygiene knowledge and practices among beneficiaries.

E. WASH Infrastructure and Facilities

• Provide technical input into the design, construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of WASH infrastructure.
• Review technical designs, bills of quantities, specifications and other relevant technical documents where required.
• Conduct regular site visits to monitor construction and rehabilitation works.
• Ensure WASH infrastructure is constructed according to approved designs and technical specifications.
• Identify construction quality issues and recommend corrective actions.
• Ensure appropriate operation and maintenance mechanisms are established for WASH facilities.
• Promote the use of durable, locally appropriate and sustainable WASH solutions.

F. WASH Assessments and Needs Identification

• Participate in rapid needs assessments, baseline assessments, post-distribution monitoring and other WASH-related assessments.
• Collect, analyze and interpret WASH-related information to identify priority needs.
• Assess community access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene facilities.
• Identify specific WASH needs of vulnerable groups, including women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities.
• Prepare technical recommendations based on assessment findings.
• Support the development of WASH project proposals, concept notes, budgets, log frames and work plans.

G. Monitoring and Quality Assurance

• Conduct regular field visits to monitor WASH activities and facilities.
• Develop and use WASH monitoring and quality assurance tools.
• Monitor project outputs, outcomes and technical indicators.
• Verify the quality, quantity and functionality of WASH facilities and materials.
• Work closely with the MEAL team to ensure accurate collection and reporting of WASH data.
• Identify implementation gaps and ensure timely follow-up and corrective action.
• Document lessons learned, best practices, challenges and recommendations.
• Contribute to internal, donor and government reporting.

5. Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Water and Sanitation Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Health, Public Health, Water Resources Management, or another relevant field.
• A master's degree or relevant postgraduate qualification in WASH, Water Resources, Environmental Health, Public Health or a related field is an advantage.

Professional Experience

• Minimum 3–5 years of relevant professional experience in WASH programming.
• Demonstrated experience in humanitarian and/or development WASH projects.
• Practical experience in water supply, sanitation and hygiene promotion.
• Experience in WASH assessments, technical design, implementation and monitoring.
• Experience in supervising WASH infrastructure construction or rehabilitation is highly desirable.
• Experience working with NGOs, INGOs, UN agencies or humanitarian organizations is an advantage.
• Experience working in Afghanistan or similar humanitarian contexts is preferred.

6. Technical Skills and Knowledge

The candidate should have:

• Strong technical knowledge of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene programming.
• Good knowledge of water supply systems, sanitation facilities and hygiene promotion.
• Understanding of water quality monitoring and treatment.
• Knowledge of WASH infrastructure design and construction supervision.
• Knowledge of WASH assessment and data collection methodologies.
• Knowledge of relevant national WASH standards and humanitarian guidelines.
• Good understanding of Sphere Standards and other relevant humanitarian standards.
• Strong monitoring, assessment and reporting skills.
• Ability to develop technical documents, specifications, BoQs and reports.
• Good knowledge of MS Office, particularly Word and Excel.
• Knowledge of AutoCAD or other technical design software is an advantage, particularly for infrastructure-focused WASH positions.

7. Language Requirements

• Fluency in Dari and/or Pashto is required.
• Good working knowledge of English, particularly written English, is highly desirable.