Emergency Wash Officer

Terre des hommes - Lausanne is seeking a qualified Emergency Wash Officer for its current Emergency Project in the South - Saida Area:

Job Purpose / Main Functions:

In war situations, access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene services becomes critical to prevent disease outbreaks and maintain the health of displaced populations and communities affected by war. The Emergency WASH Officer is responsible for the planning, implementation, and supervision of WASH interventions inSouth Lebanon, ensuring the immediate needs of affected communities are met in alignment with the WASH sector strategy.

Job Duties & Responsibilities:

Assessment and Planning:

• Conduct rapid WASH needs assessments in conflict-affected areas, including shelters for internally displaced persons (IDPs), urban populations, and remote communities.

• Develop WASH response plans in collaboration with humanitarian stakeholders, local authorities, and the community.

• Ensure gender, protection, and cultural considerations are integrated into WASH assessments and programming.

Implementation:

• Work closely with WASH project manager to ensure the quality implementation of the activities.

• Implement emergency water distribution where needed, and develop strategies to ensure the sustainability of water sources.

• Coordinate the distribution of hygiene kits and promote hygiene practices through behavior change communication.

• Support sector control activities, reducing the risk of waterborne diseases.

• Plan and organize the distribution of critical hygiene items among adolescent girls and women in collaboration with local entities (local partners, PHCs, community volunteers in shelters, community centers...).

• Develop/customize the content of the WASH awareness sessions and the information education and communication (IEC) materials in close collaboration with Tdh technical and communication staff.

• Implement WASH Hygiene awareness sessions following the methodologies set by the project and the WASH sector.

• In close coordination with the CM department, to ensure collaboration with the CP/SGBV components to receive cases in need for critical hygiene items.

• Follow up with the targeted families and refer suspected CP/GBV cases.

• Respecting the administrative, logistical and communication procedures during implementation.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Monitor the quality of sanitation, and hygiene services provided, ensuring compliance with humanitarian standards.

• Regularly report on progress, challenges, and recommendations for improvement to the project manager.

• Provide lessons learnt from the field and suggest improvements regarding the activities’ implementation.Collect feedback from beneficiaries to improve service delivery and adapt to changing needs.

• Collaborate with the M&E department and facilitate data collection and validation through different M&E tools (database, focus group discussion, surveys and other).

• Maintain the archiving system up to date (both in hardcopies and electronically).

Coordination & Representation:

• Collaborate with local government agencies, community leaders, and WASH sector partners to ensure coordinated and comprehensive WASH responses.

• Collaborate with local authorities (municipalities and South Lebanese Water Establishment) for data collection, release of needed permit, support with administrative procedures, etc.

• Represent the organization at cluster and coordination meetings, ensuring information sharing and joint planning.

• Liaise with logistics, finance, and procurement teams to ensure timely delivery of WASH materials and service

Capacity Building:

• Train and support local staff, volunteers, and community health workers on WASH principles, and maintenance practices for WASH facilities.

• Strengthen community participation in WASH program design and implementation, promoting local ownership and sustainability.

Risk Management and Security:

• Ensure adherence to safety protocols and the organization's security guidelines in conflict zones.

• Conduct risk assessments and propose mitigation strategies to ensure the safety of staff and beneficiaries.

• Adapt interventions in response to security threats or access constraints, maintaining flexibility and responsiveness in volatile environments.

Organisationnel Policies:

• Respects the Tdh Child Safeguarding Policy (CSP) and its principles of child protection, ensuring the policy’s implementation and prompt notification of the CSP Focal Point with any information regarding potential breaches of the policy;

• Is aware of, abides by and promotes the practices and values set out in all other Tdh policies and procedures such as the Internal Regulations, Standard Operating Procedures and other policies.

Job Requirements:

• Academic Background:

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Science, Public Health, or a related field. A master’s degree is preferred.

• Experience:

At least 2-3 years of experience in WASH programming, with a minimum of 1 year in conflict-affected or emergency settings.

• Other Requirements:

o Proven experience in emergency WASH interventions, including water supply systems, sanitation infrastructure, and hygiene promotion.

o Knowledge of humanitarian standards (SPHERE, WHO, UNICEF WASH guidelines).

o Ability to work in challenging and insecure environments, with experience in field-based operations in conflict zones.

o Strong organizational and project management skills.

o Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with experience in cross-cultural team management.

o Fluency in English and Arabic (written and spoken languages).

o Ability to travel frequently to field locations and work under pressure.