WASH Officer

Job Summary

The WASH Officer is a dual-role position responsible for the holistic delivery of RTV's WASH program in Rwanda, seamlessly integrating both hardware (infrastructure) and software (behavior change) components. Reporting directly to the Senior WASH Officer in Uganda, the incumbent will lead the technical design, procurement, and construction supervision of water and sanitation infrastructure while concurrently driving community-led hygiene behaviors. This position requires a unique blend of engineering expertise and social mobilization skills to ensure long-term community ownership and sustainable health outcomes.

Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Public Health, or a related field matching technical WASH frameworks.
• Preferred: Professional certification in Behavior Change Communication (BCC), Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS), or Project Management (e.g., PMP).

Experience

• Proven technical experience in groundwater development, rehabilitation, and the technical design/supervision of WASH infrastructure (boreholes, piped systems, sanitation facilities).
• Practical experience designing and executing community mobilization campaigns and behavior change strategies.
• Experience working with international NGOs within the Rwandan context.
• Familiarity with Rwanda's Integrated Development Program (IDP) model, the community Ubudehe classification system, and alignment with Rwanda's Gender Monitoring Office (GMO) guidelines for inclusive programming.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

Integrated WASH Program Leadership:

• Serve as the technical referent for both hardware and software methodologies, ensuring complete fidelity to the RTV WASH Implementation Framework.
• Lead the entire WASH project lifecycle, spanning needs assessments, technical design, procurement, community mobilization, infrastructure setup, and post-construction sustainability.
• Ensure seamless coordination between physical infrastructure teams and hygiene promotion initiatives to maximize regional health outcomes.

WASH Hardware (Infrastructure & Engineering):

• Conduct technical needs assessments and engineer site-specific designs for water supply networks and sanitation systems.
• Support procurement processes and oversee contract management for external vendors, technicians, and material suppliers.
• Provide strict on-site supervision of engineering construction to guarantee safety, quality compliance, and project timeline execution.
• Formulate and hand over robust sustainability structures, such as localized water user committees, to ensure permanent infrastructure maintenance.

WASH Software (Behavior Change & Mobilization):

• Deploy evidence-based methodology implementation to assess, monitor, and influence local sanitation practices.
• Formulate targeted Behavior Change Communication (BCC) strategies and materials custom-tailored to community-specific barriers.
• Deliver continuous training and capacity-building sessions for community health clubs, local leaders, and school sanitation groups.
• Drive active hygiene promotion activities, focusing on safe water handling, handwashing routines, and waste management.

Skills & Competencies

Technical:

• Structural design and engineering of water supply networks
• Contract management and infrastructure procurement oversight
• Behavior Change Communication (BCC) strategy formulation
• Knowledge of Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) protocols
• Data collection and site assessment analytics

Behavioural:

• Exceptional dual-capacity for technical execution and social mobilization
• Strong cross-cultural communication and relationship-building skills
• Collaborative mindset to align with internal data teams (VENN) and local government authorities
• Uncompromising dedication to sustainable community empowerment and inclusive development

Skills Required:

• Civil / Engineering / Cotm
• Hydraulics / Water / Engineering