WASH Programs Director

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.

Now, and for the future.

The Program/Department Summary

Mercy Corps is present in the DRC since August 2007 with a current workforce of more than 300 national and expatriate employees and operational presence in Goma and Beni (North Kivu Province), in Bunia (Ituri Province), and in Tshikapa, Kalonda West and Ndjoko Punda (Kasai Province). As a leading NGO in DRC working with more than 40 partners in 2024, Mercy Corps reached 2.12 million people in North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri and Kasai with integrated programs that ensured equitable access to improved water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services in humanitarian and development settings; supported a comprehensive, rapid response to ongoing humanitarian needs; promoted economic and livelihood development to strengthen food security and resilience; as well as institutional capacity strengthening and social cohesion to foster peace and good governance.

In October 2020, Mercy Corps started the five-year USAID’s Sustainable Water and Sanitation Systems Activity, with a budget of $51 million to be implemented in 5 locations across North and South Kivu. Building on the successes of Mercy Corps’ IMAGINE program, and those of other WASH actors in Eastern DRC, USAID’s Sustainable Water and Sanitation Systems Activity (SWASSA) has brought together a consortium of 3 international partners to focus on water and sanitation.

Early 2025, following USAID budget cuts, the SWASSA project was terminated. This abrupt stop left to the end of contract of the entire SWASSA team, the closure of field offices and unfinished infrastructures on site. In parallel, the armed group AFC/M23 took control of several cities in the east of the country, including Goma, Bukavu, and the peri-urban areas of Sake and Bweremana. The fighting led to the destruction of water infrastructure and the mass displacement of populations. Faced with this dual crisis, urgent and coordinated action is needed to restore, finalize, and sustain water supply systems, while strengthening local governance and community resilience.

In response to the end of US funding, the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo brought together UNICEF and Mercy Corps in April 2025, to explore the possibility of a partnership between both actors. Following this initial meeting, it has been decided that UNICEF will establish this partnership, allowing Mercy Corps to complete SWASSA suspended work in North Kivu through World Bank funding. The overall project is piloted by the the Unité de Gestion du Projet de Développement du Système de Santé (UG-PDSS), which is attached to the Ministry of Health and responsible to coordinate World Bank funded health projects.

This project allows to complete WASH infrastructures, strengthen local capacities (including in the private sector), and reinforce the governance. The budget is 5M USD, the team is about 25 people (based in Goma) and the project will start in September 2025. It has been called the “SWAP-PED” (Sustainable Water Project – Projet d’Eau Durable) project.

The Country Office plans to fundraise for additional projects that will complement SWAP-PED and strengthen MC WASH programming in DRC.

The Position

The WASH Programs Director provides strategic vision, overall leadership, technical oversight, team and partners management of the WASH programming in DRC. The overall objectives are:

1. To ensure that the program meets its targets and deliverables on-time, on scope, and within budget.
2. Additional funding is secured for WASH development programming within MC DRC.

   The WASH Programs Director will work closely with the Senior Team composed of the Deputy Program Director and the Water Systems Infrastructure and Performance Director. Together, they will be responsible for supervising program staff and ensuring accountability to Mercy Corps policies and donor rules and regulations.

   It must be noted that WASH programming in DRC includes the upcoming SWAP-PED funding, as well as any future related WASH projects.

   Key responsibilities

   PROGRAM LEADERSHIP

   • Drive a culture of collaboration, learning and adaptation throughout the team and prosecute continuous improvement.
   • Maintain focus and promote attention throughout the team of the overarching program goal, consistently ensuring alignment throughout all activities.
   • Lead overall cross team coordination efforts, bringing together different stakeholders to proactively find a collective and innovative solution for challenges.
   • Contribute to country wide team building efforts through collaboration with the Mercy Corps DRC team and influencing the development and strengthening of the organization.
   • Represent the program across the Mercy Corps global team and internally at Mercy Corps DRC, promoting best practice, sharing lessons learned and influencing the global strategy.

     TECHNICAL OVERSIGHT

     • Provide technical direction, leadership and oversight of all technical elements of WASH programing. This encompasses Markets System Delivery, Stakeholder Relations and Governance, Water Infrastructure, Sanitation, Research, Monitoring and Evaluation, Gender, Youth, and Communication.
     • Design and coordinate the feasibility studies, to ensure adapted and realistic programming.
     • Ensure the highest standard of service provision strategy and implementation across the program sites. Critically analyze and provide feedback on the proposed plans, ensuring integration and synergy with the other components.
     • Environment – ensure cross program strategy aligns with donor environmental regulations and best practice.
     • Resilience – ensure