Program WASH Specialist (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene)

The Mid-Level Program Specialist (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene – WASH) will provide technical and program planning, implementation, and oversight to the USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) Missions. The primary responsibilities of the Specialist are to identify, develop, describe, and implement programs/activities in the area of clean drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene in affected regions. The Specialist will work with client’s field operations team staff and Washington-based staff to ensure that activities are consistent with regional strategy or plan.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Education/ Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree with minimum of eight (8) years’ experience in related field OR Master’s degree with minimum of six (6) years’ experience in a related field.
• Minimum four years’ of progressively responsible, professional-level experience in program design, program planning, and program implementation work in humanitarian WASH-related work, such as public health, engineering, domestic or international disaster management, or experience and accrued skills that could apply to BHA’s mission.

Skills:

• Ability to plan, organize, manage, and evaluate program activities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, tact and diplomacy in order establish and develop sustainable working relationships on a high level of trust.
• Ability to prepare ad hoc reports, project documentation, and briefing papers
• Ability to review engineering documents for technical soundness and cost effectiveness
• Good analytical ability needed to interpret public policies.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
• Good computer skills, including working knowledge of MS Office Suite.
• Ability to work in high-pressure environments and manage multiple projects under tight deadlines.
• Potential to acquire such knowledge of USG legislation, policy, and practice related to development assistant, of USAID programming policies, regulations, procedures, and documentation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Serve as a WASH focal point in reviewing project proposals, monitoring field-level program progress and effectiveness, responding to WASH-related queries from the client non-technical staff, and any other WASH-related public health issues which may arise;
• Contribute to the formulation and articulation of appropriate WASH strategies and policies for the client in disaster and humanitarian-related situations;
• Provide technical expertise and recommendations in line with existing guidance to ensure that responses, specifically those dealing with WASH issues, are robust, rapid and appropriate, and take into account best practices in the WASH sector;
• Liaise with other members of the office to promote integrated program strategies and approaches, through country-level engagement, regional strategies, or global guidance as appropriate;
• Work collaboratively with WASH Advisors to identify and address global WASH sector needs and emerging developments, as well as provide consistent emergency WASH guidance
• Facilitates the development of work plans and prepares portfolio reviews; and participates in the review of annual, semi-annual, and quarterly reports.
• Assists senior U.S. Government, Mission, Non-Governmental Organizations, and other national and international groups in order to develop effective and sustainable strategies to ensure public health impacts in humanitarian programming.
• Collaborates with other office members in the preparation and presentation of deliverables and assists in monitoring activities, reporting, and trends analysis, working in close collaboration with the other Specialists
• Coordinates with other stakeholders engaged in water and sanitation activities and provide technical guidance to leadership at the national level.
• Keeps abreast of trends, policies, and other donor agencies in the WASH sector.
• Advises the client field team and partners in implementation of WASH best practices for response, early recovery, risk reduction, and resilience programming.
• Supports ongoing and constantly improving relations with U.S. Government agencies, external organizations, and counterparts.
• Participates in budgeting and financial analysis with other office staff, and with other offices, in funded activities to ensure proper use of program funds.

This position is remote, some travel could be required.

The ability to obtain a United States government-issued Secret-level security clearance is required for this position.