WASH officer

Positive Action for Development (PAD) is one of the most vibrant, rapidly expanding, and results-driven civil society organizations in Ethiopia. PAD is currently scaling up its interventions across the humanitarian, NEXUS, and development spectrum—expanding operations throughout the country, including in Addis Ababa, Amhara, Oromia, Harari, Afar, Somali, Tigray, Benishangul-Gumuz, and Ethiopia’s southern regional states. As PAD broadens its reach, it remains firmly committed to inclusive, equitable, and conflict-sensitive programming—respecting the diverse realities of communities while fostering peaceful coexistence and sustainable development.

Vision: PAD strives to see a community of hope, humanity, and social justice.

Mission: PAD brings people together to work in partnerships; promotes hope, humanity, and social justice for every human life in all its fullness; and improves the livelihoods of disadvantaged groups for social and inclusive economic growth by actively engaging in positive actions, promoting responsive care and support, and addressing the root causes of poverty in Ethiopia.

As part of its ongoing efforts, PAD is seeking to hire a qualified WASH officer for the EHF project at Sasiga Woreda, with the project titled “Integrated time-bound humanitarian assistance to returnees in Sasiga Woreda, East Wollega zone, Oromia region, with project code CBPF-ETH-25-R-NGO-37896”. The Officer will be primarily responsible for managing the WASH officer, designing, implementing, and monitoring both WASH hardware and software interventions to ensure quality.

Job Summary:

The WASH Officer will be primarily responsible for managing, designing, implementing, and monitoring both WASH hardware and software interventions. This role aims to ensure the quality, sustainability, and timely delivery of project outcomes, assisting the target community. Additionally, the WASH Officer will oversee the effective and timely implementation of the project, also to contribute to the sub-national and zonal WASH Cluster on behalf of PAD and ensuring fair access to safe and adequate water. This includes promoting health, security, privacy, and dignity through the provision of essential household items and water facilities. The WASH Officer will work to improve protection and living conditions for both returnees and host communities.

Overall Responsibilities:

• Develop project Detailed Implementation Plans (DIP) and procurement plans, ensuring alignment with project timelines and donor requirements.
• Plan, design, and implement all WASH activities in the assigned intervention areas, ensuring quality and timely execution.
• Conduct rapid needs assessments, detailed technical assessments, and feasibility studies for WASH interventions in the target project areas.
• Prepare Bills of Quantities (BOQs), cost estimates, and technical designs for water supply systems, sanitation facilities, and other WASH-related civil works.
• Design and execute pipeline extensions, water point construction/rehabilitation, spring development, and hand-dug well construction/rehabilitation.
• Prepare technical specifications, tender documents, and procurement requests for WASH infrastructure and related materials.
• Lead the tendering process, conduct technical and financial bid evaluations, manage construction contracts, and prepare payment certificates.
• Conduct regular construction supervision to ensure adherence to technical standards, safety requirements, and cross-cutting WASH principles.
• Design and supervise solar-powered water supply schemes and lead electromechanical operations, including preventive and corrective maintenance.
• Facilitate and coordinate hygiene and sanitation promotion activities with health worker, develop IEC materials, and coordinate community environmental cleaning campaigns.
• Lead and facilitate capacity-building trainings for community structures, WASH committees, and operators in coordination with woreda and zonal water offices.
• Lead and participate in beneficiary identification, registration, and verification processes in the target areas.
• Maintain close coordination with zonal and woreda WASH sector offices and other humanitarian partners to ensure harmonized implementation.
• Represent the organization in WASH Cluster meetings at regional and zonal levels and provide regular project updates.
• Prepare and submit daily, weekly, and monthly progress reports, ensuring accurate documentation of achievements, challenges, and lessons learned.
• Conduct and analyze staff capacity building needs assessment and facilitate training.
• Provide input and update information related to project outcomes.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned by the project coordinator.

Qualification:

BSc/MSc Degree in Water Supply, Hydraulic Engineering, Water and Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, or other related water fields. A Master’s degree is an asset.

Work Experience:

• Minimum of 3-5 years of proven work experience, including at least three (3) years in INGOs/NNGOs within the WASH sector.
• Proven experience in planning, designing, and implementing new water supply construction/rehabilitation, sanitation infrastructure, and hygiene promotion activities, particularly in emergency and crisis-affected settings.
• Working knowledge of the Sphere Standards and the Humanitarian Charter, particularly as they relate to WASH.
• Familiarity with the Sub-National and National WASH Cluster system and its tools, and experience in effective coordination with clusters, government authorities, and other stakeholders.

Skills & Competencies:

• Excellent project management and organizational skills, with the ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and liaison skills to work effectively with communities, local authorities, and teams.
• Proficiency in standard office software (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and data collection tools (e.g., KoBo Toolbox, ODK).
• Proficient in WaterCAD or WaterGEMS.
• Strong skills in AutoCAD design.
• Good working experience with QGIS/ArcGIS.
• Previous experience working in complex and volatile contexts.
• Innovation, flexibility, and a solution-oriented approach
• Fluency in English (written and spoken) is required. Proficiency in the local language(s) of the operational area is a significant advantage.
• Understanding of and commitment to integrating Gender, Child Protection, and Donor Compliance principles into project activities.
• Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization (NGO).

Other Considerations:

• Willingness to travel frequently to field locations, including remote areas.
• Commitment to upholding humanitarian values and the organization’s mission.

Competencies

• Action facilitations
• Communications
• Ethics & Values
• Teamwork
• Behavioral Flexibility
• Client Orientation
• Initiative
• Interpersonal Relations
• Reasonable Judgment

Number required: 1 (One)

Duty Station: Oromia Region East Wollega Zone, Sasiga Woreda,

Salary: As per the organization’s Salary Scale

Female applicants are highly encouraged to apply

Equal Employment Opportunity

• Positive Action for Development (PAD) promotes fairness, equity, and diversity in the workplace. We welcome applications from qualified individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of gender, age, disability, ethnicity, religion, or other personal status. Hiring decisions are made based on skills, experience, and suitability for the role.
• We are committed to creating a respectful and inclusive environment where all staff can thrive, contribute meaningfully, and grow professionally.

Zero Tolerance for Misconduct

• PAD has zero tolerance for any form of abuse, harassment, exploitation, or misuse of power. We take safeguarding seriously and expect all staff, volunteers, and partners to follow our policies and uphold our values at all times. All successful candidates will go through background checks and be required to follow PAD’s code of conduct and safeguarding principles.

Recruitment Flexibility

• PAD reserves the right to recruit more than one candidate from this announcement or keep qualified applicants in our database for future similar roles.

Important Notice on Recruitment Fraud

• PAD does not request any payment at any stage of the recruitment process. If you receive any suspicious messages claiming to be from PAD, please report them to our office through official contact channels. www.padethiopia.org.