Hygiene Promoter | WASH Programme

Location: Kemashi, Ethiopia

Organization: Imagine1day International Organization

Deadline: November 21, 2026

Job Description

Job title: Hygiene Promoter
Department / Unit: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
Employment category: Full-time
Location: Zayi Woreda, Kemashi Zone, Benishangul-Gumuz Region, Ethiopia
Reports to: WASH Officer
Job grade: Grade 3
Direct reports: None
Salary: As per Imagine1day salary scale
Duration: 6 months, with possibility of extension

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Hygiene Promoter supports the day-to-day implementation of hygiene promotion activities in project target communities of Zayi Woreda, Kemashi Zone, Benishangul-Gumuz. The post holder mobilises and engages community members, volunteers, representatives and elders to improve household and community hygiene and sanitation practices.

Through awareness sessions, household visits, demonstrations and community campaigns, the role promotes safe water handling, handwashing, proper latrine use and cleaning, and environmental sanitation, and follows up on the adoption of these practices to help prevent cholera and other waterborne diseases. The Hygiene Promoter works closely with the WASH team, relevant government offices and community structures, ensuring all activities comply with Imagine1day policies, Sphere standards, the needs of affected communities and donor requirements.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Hygiene promotion and community mobilisation

• Conduct regular hygiene promotion and awareness-raising sessions for households and communities, using participatory and culturally appropriate approaches.
• Train, coach and provide refresher support to community volunteers, representatives and elders on key hygiene messages and effective promotion methods.
• Promote handwashing with soap at critical times; safe water collection, transport, storage and handling; household water treatment where appropriate; personal and food hygiene; and correct use of sanitation facilities.
• Mobilise communities for regular latrine cleaning, household compound cleaning, solid waste management and other environmental sanitation activities.
• Conduct household visits and give practical advice on improving hygiene, sanitation and safe water practices.
• Organise community campaigns, demonstrations and discussions that encourage positive, sustained hygiene behaviour change.
• Promote practices that prevent cholera and other waterborne and hygiene-related diseases, in coordination with health and WASH actors.
• Ensure women, men, girls, boys, older people and persons with disabilities are meaningfully included in all hygiene promotion activities.

2. Planning, implementation and follow-up

• Support baseline data collection on household and community hygiene and sanitation practices, and identify key gaps and needs in assigned kebeles.
• Prepare and implement regular hygiene promotion activity plans with the WASH Officer and Project Coordinator.
• Conduct regular field visits to ensure activities are timely, effective and aligned with the approved work plan and project targets.
• Monitor the use and cleanliness of latrines, handwashing facilities and household water storage containers, and provide targeted messages and follow-up support.
• Support hygiene-related activities during distribution of Emergency Shelter and Non-Food Items (ES/NFIs) and other WASH supplies, including guidance on their correct use and care.
• Identify implementation challenges, community concerns and gaps in hygiene practices, and report them promptly to the supervisor for action.
• Support community-level training and capacity-strengthening on hygiene promotion and sanitation.

3. Coordination, networking and learning

• Work closely with WASH committees (WASHCOs), community volunteers, kebele leaders, health extension workers, the Woreda Health Office, the Water and Energy Office and other government and community partners.
• Maintain regular two-way communication with community representatives and affected people to build trust, encourage participation and strengthen accountability.
• Participate in coordination meetings, community discussions, trainings and review sessions as assigned.
• Stay current on hygiene promotion approaches and good practice, and contribute to continuous learning.
• Document and share lessons learned, promising practices and community feedback with the WASH team.

4. Reporting and documentation

• Maintain accurate records of sessions, household visits, community meetings, trainings and participants, disaggregated by sex, age and disability where feasible.
• Prepare and submit timely weekly, monthly, quarterly and ad hoc reports as requested by the WASH Officer or Project Coordinator.
• Provide regular updates on progress, achievements, challenges, community concerns and follow-up actions.
• Document activities and results through attendance sheets, field notes, photographs and approved formats, obtaining informed consent before taking photographs or collecting personal information.
• Support collection of monitoring data to track changes in hygiene knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP).

GENDER EQUALITY AND INCLUSION

• Foster a working environment that values women and men equally and ensures equal access to information.
• Promote the meaningful participation of women and men in hygiene promotion activities and community decision-making.
• Treat all community members with respect, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, race, colour, ancestry, national origin, age or marital status.
• Respect and value all cultures.

SAFEGUARDING COMMITMENT

Imagine1day has zero tolerance for violations of Child and Adult Safeguarding, Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, and its Code of Conduct. During recruitment, selection and appointment, Imagine1day applies procedures that may include criminal background checks, international vetting and/or certificates of good conduct to ensure children and vulnerable adults are protected. The post holder must comply with all safeguarding policies and report any concerns through established channels.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education

• Diploma or BSc in Environmental Health, Public Health, Health Education, Sociology, Social Work, Nursing or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
Experience and technical competencies
• 3–5 years of relevant experience in hygiene promotion, community mobilisation, health education or WASH; experience with an international NGO or similar organisation is an advantage.
• Proven experience in community-level hygiene promotion, sanitation and behaviour change communication, including training and mobilising volunteers and community representatives.
• Experience planning, implementing, monitoring and reporting on community-based activities.
• Sound knowledge of key hygiene messages and approaches for preventing cholera and other waterborne diseases.

Desirable

• Experience in emergency WASH or humanitarian response, including engagement with WASH Cluster partners.
• Training in Humanitarian Accountability principles, Sphere standards, PSEA, Accountability to Affected People (AAP) and community engagement.
• Experience working with local government structures and community institutions.
• Familiarity with mobile data collection tools (e.g. KoboToolbox or ODK).

Skills and attributes

• Strong facilitation, interpersonal communication, problem-solving and report-writing skills.
• Basic computer skills, including MS Word and Excel.
• Willingness to work in the field, travel regularly to project communities and work effectively with diverse groups.

Languages

• Good written and spoken English.
• Knowledge of the local language(s) and cultural context of Kemashi Zone.

KEY STAKEHOLDERS

• Internal: Imagine1day WASH, programme and support staff.
• External: Woreda Health Office, Water and Energy Office, Women and Social Affairs Office, WASHCOs, community structures and other partners.

Imagine1day has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory references and signing of our Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Policy, with particular focus on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and Child Safeguarding. This position is subject to robust reference and background screening checks.

Imagine1day provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, marital status or status as a veteran, and complies with all applicable laws governing non-discrimination in employment.