WASH Officer

Department/Program: WASH

Reports to: Area Office Lead – (with a dotted line reporting to WASH Engineer Lead)

Based in: Amhara region, Kombolcha and Guguftu

Duration of contract: Indefinite based on performance and availability of funds.

Remuneration: As per the organization pay scale plus other PSI/Ethiopia staff benefits

Who we are?

Population Services International (PSI) is the world’s leading non-profit social marketing organization. We are a diverse group of over 4,500 entrepreneurial development professionals located in over 35 countries committed to making it easier for all people to lead healthier lives and plan the families they desire. PSI uses its global presence and 50+ years of experience to help reimagine healthcare. We are working to shape market systems, shift policy and funding, and strengthen global capacity to better support consumer-empowered healthcare.

Join us!

There are over 9,000 “PSI’ers” around the world. It’s a diverse group of entrepreneurs and professionals with an unusually wide range of backgrounds – from the medical industry to the music business – all with unique skills we bring to the job.

PSI/Ethiopia wants to reimagine healthcare, put the consumer at the center, and whenever possible, bring quality care to the front door. We achieve health impact in Ethiopia by working with both government and private partners and harvesting technology innovation to bring quality care closer to communities, schools, and homes. We empower consumers by including them in the design of healthcare solutions, offering them more healthcare choices, and helping them to have a voice in influencing national priorities. We work with all market actors in the health system to understand their needs, designing and delivering solutions so that market systems can sustainably serve consumers for the long term, helping to support the Government of Ethiopia in achieving Universal Health Coverage.

We are looking for a highly skilled and motivated WASH Officer to support the Inline Chlorination (ILC) project under PSI/Ethiopia’s WASH program. The WASH Officer together with WASH Engineers Lead, SBCC Coordinator and M&E Coordinator will play a vital role in ensuring technical excellence, quality implementation, and sustainability of the ILC initiative. Key responsibilities include building the capacity of and collaborating with woreda-level WASH experts, WASH Committees (WASHCOs), and Water User Associations (WUAs) to strengthen local ownership and effective service delivery. The ideal candidate will possess strong technical support and communication skills, with proven experience in planning, executing, and monitoring the project interventions at woreda levels. Success in this role will require the ability to drive engagement, coordinate with diverse stakeholders, and deliver high-impact results across targeted woredas and intervention sites.

Sounds like you? Read on!

Key responsibilities:

In close collaboration with the WASH Engineers Lead, SBCC Coordinator, and M&E Coordinator, the WASH Officer will:

• Plan and implement inline chlorination systems at water sources and distribution points in partnership with woreda water offices and WUAs.
• Ensure adherence to proper chlorination procedures to uphold water safety standards.
• Support and follow up the routine monitoring of chlorine residual levels and address technical issues as they arise.
• Educate communities on the benefits of water treatment and safe storage practices.
• Design, plan, and implement Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) activities jointly with the SBCC Coordinator to promote improved WASH behaviours.
• Support the development and targeted dissemination of culturally appropriate IEC) materials.
• Lead and facilitate community engagement initiatives, including meetings, focus groups, and training sessions to foster behaviour change.
• Collaborate with community leaders, local organizations, and health professionals to extend SBC outreach efforts.
• Organize woreda-level training for community volunteers, health workers, and woreda staff on SBC strategies and inline chlorination in coordination with the SBCC Coordinator and woreda water offices.
• Work with the M&E Coordinator to maintain robust monitoring tools and track progress against program indicators.
• Conduct regular field visits to supervise activities, gather relevant data, and ensure implementation quality.
• Analyse SBC effectiveness and technical performance data in consultation with the M&E Advisor to inform decision-making.
• Prepare concise reports and presentations highlighting key achievements, challenges, and lessons learned for stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate documentation of activities, trainings, and monitoring results.
• Contribute to internal evaluations, donor reporting, and program reviews.
• Facilitate capacity-building efforts for WUAs in collaboration with relevant woreda offices.
• Coordinate and liaise with government entities, NGOs, and other WASH stakeholders at woreda level.
• Ensure seamless integration of SBC and inline chlorination activities across WASH interventions in target woredas.
• Represent the organization in community forums, stakeholder meetings, and coordination platforms.

• Bachelor’s degree in WASH Engineering, Public Health, Environmental Science, or a related field, with a minimum of 3 years’ relevant experience
• Have experience in water quality interventions, SBC, and/ or M&E
• Field experience in WASH project implementation
• Knowledge and experience of inline chlorination systems and water treatment processes
• Ability to engage communities and communicate effectively across diverse groups
• Skilled in collecting, analysing, and interpreting program data
• Experience working with government, water or health sectors at local levels
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including fluency in local languages
• Ability to work with minimal supervision, promote teamwork, and maintain high motivation
• Willingness and flexibility to travel frequently to field sites and operate in challenging environments
• Strong conflict resolution skills and capacity to navigate complex community dynamics
• Proficient in preparing reports and documenting project activities for various stakeholders
• It is mandatory to have the ability to drive a motorcycle along with a valid license