About Action Against Hunger
Action Against Hunger-USA is part of the Action Against Hunger International network, which provides humanitarian relief in over 40 countries worldwide in the sectors of nutrition, health, water/sanitation, and food security. Action Against Hunger-USA, an independent NGO, currently manages operations in 8 countries: Kenya, South Sudan, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Haiti and Somalia. Action Against Hunger-USA has approximately 2000 staff based in the various country offices, Head Quarter in New York City and Operational Centre in Nairobi. Additional growth is anticipated.
About the Country Program in South Sudan
Action Against Hunger has been operational in South Sudan since 1985, addressing both chronic and acute needs through a comprehensive multi-sectoral approach. Our programs integrate Nutrition, Food Security & Livelihoods, Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH), Protection, and Gender interventions to strengthen resilience and improve community well-being. To implement these programs effectively, Action Against Hunger engages both national and international staff, with a dedicated country team of approximately 100 professionals operating across regional and satellite offices. Action Against Hunger currently operates in four regions: Warrap, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Pibor and Jonglei states with a robust portfolio of $15 million per year, covering emergency response, resilience-building, research, and innovation programs to drive sustainable impact. In 2024/2025, the key donors include ECHO, UNICEF, AICS, GFFO, SIDA, EHF, WFP, and other partners committed to supporting humanitarian and development efforts in the country.
I.ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Summary of position
The WASH Specialist will contribute to the development of Action Against Hunger - South Sudan mission strategy and the WASH country strategy in line with the global and national technical policies and guidelines, ย Support WASH program development, and resource mobilization, provide technical support to the WASH teams for implementation of quality WASH program, timely reportingย ; represent Action Against Hunger in relevant coordination and technical forums.
Purpose
The WaSH Specialist will be responsible for the WASH strategic Positioning, and the technical implementation of the WASH Program in South Sudan with quality and in conformity with international standards and national policies.
Engagement
WASH team in the field: close collaboration \u2010 technical support \u2010 exchange of information Field Coordinators: technical support \u2010 exchange of information Technical Specialists: collaboration, integration \u2013 exchange of information Finance, Logistic and HR team: exchange of information and collaboration on financial, logistics and recruitment matters MEARL: exchange of information and close collaboration on reporting and proposal writing Program Development and Quality Director: hierarchical relationship (report to) - technical support - exchange of information and close collaboration on reporting and proposal writing CD: exchange of information, departmental reports Technical Advisors/Specialists at HEARO & HQ level: solicit technical advice \u2010 exchange of information Sectorial governmental and non\u2010governmental stakeholders: partnership, technical exchange or experience sharing, coordination, training, participation in meetings Cluster and other coordination forums: participation in meetings, exchange of information, coordination, influence on choice of technical options, positioning of Action Against Hunger on these forums Donors: on technical matters or as representative of Program Development and Quality/Country Director as and when requiredDelivery
To provide technical support to the WASH team for effective delivery of the services, timely reporting, technical contribution to proposal development and strong representation of Action Against Hunger on different platforms/ forums.
II.ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Essential job functions
Key Result Area 1: Contribute to define the country strategy as well as the positioning ย ย of the WASH technical department (10%)
Understanding of the humanitarian situation regarding WASH and the context of intervention by the field teams, including continuous, systematic and thorough monitoring Analysis of the humanitarian situation regarding sectors that are intrinsically linked to WASH such as Nutrition, Food Security, Care Practices and displacement tracking. Dissemination of information gathered and analyzed both internally and externally, including headquarters. Propose and develop a WASH sector-based and Integration strategy in accordance with Action Against Hunger policies and priorities for the mission. Developing WASH program Proposals, as integrated with Nutrition, Health and FSL program interventions Updating of the mission sectoral strategy document in line with ACF international and national frameworks as required, to ensure contextual quality and relevance. Contributing to the mission strategy and the global ACF sectoral strategy (if requested) Accounting for DRM in WASH strategy and projects, including participation in drafting the Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPRP) Integrating WASH with the other technical sectors (Nutrition, Health, FSL etc.) Monitoring the implementation, revision, and accountability of the WASH mission strategy Contributing to the technical and operational advocacy strategies of the mission, the region, and headquarters (in line with the advocacy objectives defined in ACF reference documentation)Key Result Area 2: Coordinate needs identification and the formulation of project proposals (30%)ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย
Coordinating the identification of WASH needs, and trends in the donor landscape to maintain strategic focus and balanced programming. Defining, coordinating and carrying thorough assessments of WASH needs in projects and closely related areas Leading and supporting the development of WASH program Proposals, as integrated with Nutrition, Health and FSL program interventions.ย ย ย ย Formulating and implementing feasibility studies and programme investigation of WASH projects (e.g. public health, technical, socio-economic, cultural and environmental aspects) Involvement of support departments (e.g. logistics and Finance/HR) as well as the Grants and MEARL in the design/review of WASH and/or multi-sectoral projects. Contributing to identification of donors and/or available funds for his/her sector, holding related technical and strategic discussions with these donors as required Participating in donor visits whenever requested by the Country Director/Program Director or the Field Coordinator. Leading the discussion with WASH field teams, Field coordinators and Technical Specialists to design WASH sections of proposals and concept notes in line with sectoral and mission strategy, and in accordance with donor formats and deadlines. Integrating gender, age, disability, etc. into WaSH proposalsKey Result Area 3: Oversee the programs\u2019 implementation and reporting and maintain the quality and accountability of projects (30%)ย
Validation of the key stages and methodologies of the projects being undertaken (timetable, systematic baseline and endline surveys, technical studies, calls for tender, specifications, community approach, external evaluations...) Providing technical support (on-field and remote) to the WASH team and sharing information with the Field Coordinator/Program Director Ensuring that monitoring and evaluation systems are in place and that their results are integrated for project improvement and impactย maximization, in consultation with the MEARL department. Supporting the Field Coordinator in APR monitoring (quantitative and narrative), providing feedback on technical matters and flag gaps, and validating the APRs as per the APR flowchart. Timely validation of the WASH parts of reports, as well as project amendments, with programme and project management team participation and contribution. Regular field and base visits to projects and functional interaction with field teams, systematic visit reports with recommendations disseminated Participatory planning of the training schedule for the WASH team(s), in support of the Field Coordinators and in consultation with HR. Design and delivery of technical and programme management training in-house whenever possible, and/or seek external options to improve the quality of programmes, in consultation with the MEARL and Grants departments and the Field Coordinators. Proposing action plans and solutions to ensure the smooth implementation of programs in line with international rules, guidelines and standards, and the Action Against Hunger framework documents and technical works Alerting the Program Director and the Technical Specialist at HEARO about major challenges encountered in applying recommendations and/or necessary adaptations for further guidance Promotion of transparency and ethical standards in projects by highlighting complaints & feedback mechanisms, particularly in respect to the beneficiary population, in consultation with the MEARL department. Promotion of safety measures for both staff and the wider population in the implementation of WASH projects (work sites), in collaboration with the WASH team and the support Department Integrating gender, age, disability, protection etc. into WASH project implementation and reporting Providing surge support to WASH field teams for strategic missions or activities to support in ready implementationKey Result Area 4: Ensure the active participation of Action Against Hunger in national sectoral coordination and technical forums and develop sectoral partnerships (20%)
Key Result Area 5: Team management
Functional management of WASH team Evaluation of the technical performance of WASH team Develop WASH competencies throughout the mission Participatory planning of the training schedule for the WASH team(s), in support of the Field Coordinators and in consultation with HR. Design and delivery of technical and programme management training in-house whenever possible, and/or seek external options to improve the quality of programmes, in consultation with the MEARL and Grants department and the Field Coordinators.Key Result Area 6: Promote capitalization, technical development and research within the WASH Department (10%)
Consolidation and transmission of mission level WASH project learning and evaluation reports or documents to HEARO and HQ with guidance from Program Director and HEARO WASH Specialist (e.g. pilot projects, innovative approaches, successes and failures, contextual analyses etc.) Encouraging the WASH teams to work on \u201ccapitalization\u201d documents \u2013 including cost/benefit, impact or process evaluations, and other learning documentation of completed or ongoing projects; brainstorm on potential technical innovation opportunities. Supervising and Approving capitalization documents, finalizing them and submitting them to Headquarters/ Regional office (HEARO) Sharing experience with actors in the WASH sector at country and regional levels Applying and testing new approaches proposed by Headquarters at mission level and suggesting new approaches for consideration by HQ to support. Reporting to Headquarters and Program Director on technical development and research requirements and on the implementation of projects (notably in response to calls for internal and external research projects) Exploring the possibilities of scientific and technical partnerships (laboratories, universities, private sector) especially within South SudanIII.ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Gender Equality commitments
Foster an environment that supports values of women and men, and equal access to information. Provide a work environment where women and men must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance Respect beneficiaries\u2019 women, men, boys and girls regardless of gender, sex orientation, disability, religion, race, color, ancestry, national origin, age or marital status, Value and respect in all cultures. Promote and uphold the PSEA policy and procedures.IV.ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Physical demands
To travel to the field, the employee must attest to a level of physical fitness capable of enduring physically difficult, highly stressful situations, which may include the necessity to walk long distances, to eat a limited diet and/or to reside in potentially uncomfortable housing or tents. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
V.ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Working Conditions, Travel and Environment
The duties of the job require regular job attendance at least five days per week but must be available to work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as required. Must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business purposes. While performing the duties of this job in the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well as infectious diseases.Requirements
I.ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Required Qualifications
Master\u2019s degree in environmental science or civil engineering, Water Engineering, Environmental Health, Public Health, Hydrology, Geology, or related field.
Essential Required Skills & Experience
At least 5 years of project management experience in the WASH programing in humanitarian and development context, preferably with international organizations. Strong technical skills and coordination experience in dealing with institutional donors such EU, ECHO, GAC, SDC, SIDA and working in inter-agency coordination forums (Clusters, working groups) Experience of WASH programming in South Sudan or fragile contexts would be an added advantage Previous experience drafting or writing WASH proposals strongly preferred Knowledge of water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure rehabilitation Strong knowledge of hygiene and water management promotion and soft interventions Advanced skills in at least one of the key WASH areas: Hydro-geology \u2013 Hydrology \u2013 Civil engineering and sizing of basic WASH structures (wells, reservoirs, latrines) \u2013 Hydraulics \u2013 water quality \u2013 Health promotion \u2013 Community mobilization \u2013 Sanitization Strong knowledge of project cycle management Knowledge of WASH in emergency situations and of humanitarian action and programs in rural and urban settings Knowledge of water, GIS, Kobo and other statistical software is a plus Fluent in both written and spoken English with good communication skillsBenefits
I.ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Commitment Anti-Discrimination and PSEA
We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees & qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. The incumbent is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the Action Against Hunger Safeguarding policies (PSEA, Child safeguarding and Code of Conduct).ย Action Against Hunger-USA complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.
Application Process.
Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking on the apply button. All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated resume and both must be in the same language as this vacancy note.ย Closing date for applications: Friday 30 May 2025 at 5.00 p.m. The applications will be assessed on a rolling basis.
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