Water & Climate Officer
Water & Climate Officer Job at WaterAid in Ethiopia
Location: Bahir Dar, Amhara, Ethiopia
Organization: WaterAid
Deadline: July 13, 2026
Job Description
Salary: Competitive with excellent benefits.
Change starts with water. Change starts with you.
Every day, millions of people live without clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid exists to change that – for everyone, everywhere. Join us, and your energy will help unlock people’s potential and create a fairer future.
About WaterAid
We’re a global federation driven by one vision: a world where everyone, everywhere has clean water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030. Powered by our values of Respect, Accountability, Courage, Collaboration, Integrity and Innovation, we work alongside communities, partners and supporters to make change happen.
About the team
You will be part of the North Mecha team within the Universal Access to WASH Program Office. This team operates as part of the broader organization dedicated to advancing WaterAid’s mission—to ensure that everyone, everywhere has access to clean water and safe sanitation.
About the role
The Water and Climate Officer will provide technical leadership and engineering support to strengthen the performance, resilience, and sustainability of rural water service providers within the North Mecha Universal WASH Programme, with a particular focus on ongoing projects including the From Tap to Policy Project.
The role will focus on improving the efficiency, professionalization, and climate resilience of rural water utilities through system strengthening infrastructure optimization, climate-resilient water safety planning, and enhanced water quality management.
The post holder will work closely with local government, service providers, and communities to enhance operational performance, management capacity, and long-term sustainability of water supply systems. In addition, the role will contribute to the generation of technical evidence and learning to inform programme improvement and policy engagement, in collaboration with the Advocacy and Research function.
Requirements
To be successful, you will need:
- BSc degree or higher in, Water Supply and Environmental Engineering, Hydraulic Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, Civil Engineering or other closely related disciplines.
- Minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience for MSc holders and 7 years for BSc holders, with strong experience in WASH programming, particularly in rural water supply systems, service delivery, and infrastructure development or rehabilitation within development or resilience-focused projects.
- Proven experience in providing technical and engineering support to water supply systems, including system design, upgrading, operation and maintenance (O&M), and sustainability of rural service providers (utilities/WUAs).
- Demonstrated experience in strengthening and professionalizing rural water service providers, including improving operational performance, asset management, and service delivery models.
- Strong understanding of climate-resilient WASH approaches, water safety planning (preferably CR-WSP), water quality management, and water resource sustainability.
- Good knowledge of project cycle management, system strengthening approaches, and integration of climate adaptation into water supply services.
- Hands-on experience in water quality monitoring and treatment systems, and familiarity with relevant national and international standards.
- Results-oriented, with strong analytical, problem-solving, teamwork, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Familiarity with WaterAid systems, policies, and Quality Programme Standards is an added advantage.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and Amharic.
View the full job description >> HERE
Closing date: Applications close 12:00 PM on July 13, 2026. Interviews are expected to take place on early August 2026.
How to Apply
Click >>HERE to Apply and upload your CV only and Cover Letter.
Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in my application?
At WaterAid, we strongly advise against using AI technology at any stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure a fair and transparent process that provides every applicant with an equal opportunity to succeed. We value hearing about your unique experiences and perspectives in your application, and, if shortlisted, during the interview as well.
Pre‑employment screening
To apply for this role, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the respective country. All pre-employment checks will be carried out according to local law and WaterAid’s Safer Recruitment policy. All UK based roles require a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Benefits
Our benefits
As a global organisation, WaterAid is committed to creating an environment where you can thrive and be yourself at your very best. Alongside our inspiring mission and meaningful work, we offer a range of benefits tailored to each country’s context and policies.
Our People Promise
We will work with passion and focus to make sure everyone everywhere has clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid is a place of purpose – where people have a real commitment and shared responsibility for the impact we have. We are a global community with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, motivated by inspiring, stimulating work. We are determined to be a place where people feel safe and able to contribute their voice and truly live our values.
Equal Opportunities
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, customs, traditions, ways of life and status. This includes, but is not limited to, race, ethnicity, caste, colour, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, disability status, neurodiversity, age, marital and family status, sexual orientation and gender identity, health status, place of residence, economic and social situation.
Safeguarding
We are committed to protecting everyone we come into contact with. We have a zero- tolerance approach to abuse of power, privilege or trust across our global work, and to any form of inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, abuse, bullying, harassment, or exploitation. Safeguarding the people and communities we work with, our staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks (which can include counterterrorism, safeguarding and criminal records checks).
Together, we’ll change the world through water.
Join us and be part of the change!
