WASH Coordinator

Programme & Policy

Overview

Lead and coordinate WASH programs in Abyei, ensuring effective implementation and community engagement.

You have:

• Must be a South Sudanese national
• Previous experience with NGOs in the field of WASH Project Coordination, WASH Emergency Response, WASH construction, CLTS, Water supply and Water Quality Monitoring
• Educational Qualification Diploma/BSC in, Project Management, Public Health, Sociology, Community Development or Water and Sanitation engineering
• High level and ability and understanding of key concepts of Water Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion, community and stakeholder engagement
• Good knowledge of WASH Minimum standards, Sphere and WHO standards and Core humanitarian Principles
• Knowledge in Cluster coordination and representation
• Previous experience in emergency response (flooding, public health diseases outbreak, displacement, conflict)
• Ability to assess and understand community WASH needs
• Computer literate: especially proficient in; ArchiCAD, Microsoft Office, Microsoft project, AutoCAD, AutoCAD Civil 3D, Epanet, Atlantis, Google Earth, Ravit, Orion, forms, etc.

TITLE: WASH Coordinator TEAM/PROGRAMME: Integrated WASH Programme

LOCATION: Abyei

GRADE: 3

Gross salary: TBD

CONTRACT LENGTH: 6 months with possibility of extension.

CHILD SAFEGUARDING:

The role holder will have contact with children and/or young people, or access to personal data about children or young people, as part of their work; therefore, a police check will be mandatory unless the content or location of the role changes, in which case the Child Safeguarding level will be reviewed.

South Sudan lags behind the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa in access to drinking water supply and sanitation services. Low levels of access to water supply, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) severely undermine health and nutrition outcomes in South Sudan. WASH-related neglected tropical diseases are widespread across the country, and the persistence of the underlying factors that intensified successive cholera outbreaks in South Sudan between 2014 and 2025 puts the country at high risk for a resurgence of the disease. In addition, lower respiratory tract infections and diarrheal disease are the second- and third-largest causes of death in South Sudan, with poor WASH being the second leading risk factor for all death and disability combined. Conflict dynamics, population movement, and climate change all influence the emergence and dispersal of many infectious disease pathogens, and the risks are exacerbated by lack of access to water supply and sanitation services, and poor-quality health services.

The WASH needs in South Sudan is deteriorating because of the economic crisis, climatic shocks - primarily widespread flooding - conflict and insecurity, coupled with public health issues (including waterborne diseases e.g. Cholera, Mpox, HEV, etc.) has been an underlying driver of WASH conditions in almost all states, limiting the ability of service providers to deliver WASH services while also restricting people’s access to existing WASH infrastructure. The inflow of returnees and refugees fleeing the conflict in Sudan is exacerbating the situation, putting additional pressure on an already fragile country. The Nov.2024 IPC report revealed that between September and November 2024, an estimated 6.3 million people (47 percent of the population analysed) are classified in IPC Phase 3 or above (Crisis or worse). Of this total, 1.71 million people are facing critical levels of acute food insecurity – classified as IPC Phase 4 (Emergency) – and a further 41,000 people are facing catastrophic levels of acute food insecurity – classified as IPC Phase 5 (Catastrophe). The population in IPC Phase 5 (Catastrophe) includes an estimated 31,000 South Sudanese returnees who have fled Sudan because of the ongoing conflict. Compared to the same period last year, this indicates an increase of approximately 500,000 people in Phase 3 or above. The nutrition situation has also deteriorated, with an estimated 2.1 million children aged 6-59 months suffering or expected to suffer elevated levels of acute malnutrition between July 2024 and June 2025, out of which 650,000 are cases of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM). About 1.11 million pregnant or breastfeeding women (PBW) are also suffering or expected to suffer elevated levels of acute malnutrition in the same period. An estimated 67 percent of the acute malnutrition burden is concentrated in the five states of Jonglei, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Upper Nile, Unity and Warrap.

According to WASH cluster, 2,251,568 people will be in dare need of WASH services in 2025 and as of 1st January 2025, a total number of cholera cases reported is now 14,832, with 235 deaths across 29 counties and 7 states. 1,585 cases including 28 deaths were reported in Juba which is the highest. The 2,251,568 people will be affected by WASH-sector challenges including limited access to safe/clean drinking water, inadequate sanitation facilities, poor hygiene practices, and congestion to access water and sanitation resulting in disputes and GBV cases (especially affecting women and girls). Flooding will worsen these challenges. In addition to being sources of unclean water, most areas of South Sudan have also been known to be places where flooding, abduction of children and women and killing of people have occurred in the past. In dry seasons, households relying on surface water sources such as swamps for their domestic water are usually affected due to drying up of open swamps. Women and girls are forced to trek long distances in search of water. This further exposes the women and girls to GBV and abduction risks.

Therefore, SC proposes to continue provision of software water, sanitation and hygiene across the targeted counties.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Project Manager

Number of direct reports:WASH Officers and Hygiene Promoters

Work with: Construction officer, WASH Officers and WASH Roving Coordinator, Hygiene and Sanitation Assistants, etc.

Under the general direction and guidance of the National WASH Specialist, work to strengthen WASH Infrastructure and software intervention including water, sanitation and hygiene, foster and strengthen WASH integration with other thematic sectors, provides overall WASH coordination of activity implementation in SCI target location in collaboration with the project managers, Construction Manager/ Officers, and ensure all WASH programming is well monitored and is of excellent technical quality, attracts significant donor funding and contributes significantly to national/global learning, advocacy and programme development.

The WASH Coordinator is to provide technical and managerial support to the WASH team for all WASH projects in the country. Specifically, he/she will ensure the implementation, monitoring and evaluation and reporting of current projects for all WASH integrated programme, contribute to writing of quality proposals for new projects, work in close collaboration with the National WASH Specialist and project managers of UNICEF, BHA, ECHO, EU DRA, WHO, P&G, and PDQ Technical Advisors ( education, Child protection, FSL, Health and Nutrition, Provide high quality inputs into various donor reports and contribute in the definition of the country WASH strategy by offering a clear vision of WASH activities in South Sudan .

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

• Lead and oversee the implementation of the programs in the specific areas assigned.
• Input sectoral strategic plan of the sector.
• Represent the organization at County and State level.
• Lead the dissemination of policies and strategies at State and County level.
• Establish sectoral representation at the State and Area levels, ensuring the prominent visibility and respect of Save the Children's presence. Take the lead in Cluster/Sector coordination where applicable.
• Provide ongoing expert advice on sector needs, taking charge of leading assessments and prioritizing locations and activities accordingly.
• Foster robust relationships with State Government authorities and Local Government bodies, solidifying Save the Children's influence and presence within the respective regions.
• Contribute to the development of innovative programming, both through the creation of new projects and the adoption of novel approaches to program implementation.
• Mobilize and engage stakeholders at state and County level.
• Input Technical design of Concept Notes and proposals.
• Lead the recruitments of their sectors based on approved plans and organogram.
• Oversee partner implementing programs in their respective locations. Participate as appropriate in partner assessments (as required by the partnership team).
• Participate and contribute in design workshops.
• Ensure that Common Approaches are implemented to a high quality.
• Ensure delivery of safe programming through implementation of guidance tools and staff training.
• Lead on report writing and share with technical lead for technical review in a timely manner.
• Manage partners and resources in the field sites.
• Ensure implementation of innovation and digital/T4D in the programs.
• Ensure adherence of safer programming through the implementation of guidance on safer programming.
• Provide advice, technical support and leadership to the WASH team in South Sudan in line with international best WASH practices and SCI policy and guidelines.
• With the support of the National WASH Specialist, develop the key technical tools of the program. Revise and adapt technical material for training.
• Develop / adapt existing SCI technical training material, as needed, to support the introduction and rolling out of new WASH programming approaches (e.g. WashEM, mWater etc
• Being a roving role, the post holder will ensure frequent field visits to provide technical support to the field teams and propose reinforcement plans resulting from discussions with field staff.
• Work closely with various project manager where Integrated WASH programmes are being implemented to monitor that project implementation occurs on time and according to the budget, and with good technical quality.
• Maintain a close relationship and continuous dialogue with the Sub National and National Level water authorities in South Sudan as part of the implementation of our projects, including during emergency interventions.
• Ensure mainstreaming of gender, disability inclusion, child protection in all levels of WASH project design, implementation and monitoring
• Work with PDQ TA’s to Identify opportunities for WASH programme program expansion; implement action plans for the extension of services taking into account the scale of needs and gaps, as well as the internal WASH capacity
• Work with WASH officers to document best sanitation and Behaviour Change practices for learning purposes and replication in other areas
• Be creative and innovative in proposing WASH activities that meet the needs of vulnerable affected population including IDP’s, returnees, refugees and host communities
• Work with the MEAL team to conduct WASH Needs and Gap analysis at Health and Nutrition Centres, Learning institution, Child Friendly spaces and work with with the National WASH specialist to prioritize identified gaps in coordination with PDQ TA’s
• Participate in the development of the Strategy Action Plan (SAP) for the country program
• Lead proposals (both narrative and budget) in the event of new projects, in line with the Country strategy Plan ( CSP).
• Ensure spending is appropriate and on time for grants to meet program objectives by developing and maintaining Work Plans, Spending Plans and Procurement Plans.
• Work closely and coordinate with Project managers, Field Managers, Supply Chain, finance and and AWARDS team to ensure program activities and expenses are on schedule and ensure that the WASH department analyzes and provides monthly feedback to finance upon receipt of the BVA
• Supervise the WASH team to ensure effective planning, quality implementation and regular monitoring of all activities, as well as their in-depth understanding of the expected results of the program
• In collaboration with the MEAL Manager/ Officer, strengthen the WASH Meal framework, IPPT’s and facilitate the analysis of data for the indicators.

• Ensure timely submission of 5 W to the WASH cluster and ensure active participation ion in WASH cluster meetings and ensure the participation of SCI South Sudan in Country/ State WASH and Health Coordination meetings

  BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
• widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

• builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
• values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• Willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

• honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

  QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Must be a South Sudanese national
• Previous experience with NGOs in the field of WASH Project Coordination, WASH Emergency Response, WASH construction, CLTS, Water supply and Water Quality Monitoring
• Educational Qualification Diploma/BSC in, Project Management, Public Health, Sociology, Community Development or Water and Sanitation engineering,
• Previous experience as a WASH Coordinator or Officer for over 5 years
• High level and ability and understanding of key concepts of Water Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion, community and stakeholder engagement,
• Good knowledge of WASH Minimum standards, Sphere and WHO standards and Core humanitarian Principles
• Knowledge in Cluster coordination and representation
• Previous experience in emergency response (flooding, public health diseases outbreak, displacement, conflict)
• Enthusiastic, willing to work for community and has or can easily gain support of community.
• Ability to understand the cultural and traditional practices of the communities in the area
• Ability to assess and understand community WASH needs
• Able to engage communities in finding problems and, with the support of WASH Officers, WAS Assistants, Hygiene promoters and Community Health Volunteers (CHV’S) to help the community find solutions to their health problems
• Carry out any other responsibility as may be requested by his or her immediate supervisor
• Previous experience within a humanitarian aid organisation is a plus
• Experience and knowledge of working in Public Health in Complex emergencies
• Previous experience working within the regions of focus in South Sudan
• Knowledge of locally spoken languages will be an added advantage
• Ability to remain calm and to be diplomatic, both with the local authorities and with the community as well as fellow staff
• Educational Qualification Diploma/BSC in Public Health, Environmental health, Civil engineering, Water Engineering, sanitation engineering, water hydraulics, Construction Engineering.
• Computer literate: especially proficient in; ArchiCAD, Microsoft Office, Microsoft project, AutoCAD, AutoCAD Civil 3D, Epanet, Atlantis, Google Earth, Ravit, Orion, forms, etc.

Desirable

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Potential interview questions

Added 1 day ago - Updated 4 hours ago - Source: savethechildren.net