Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) Advisor

Starting Date / Initial Contract Details

December 2026. Full-time, 12-24 months

Role Summary

The role provides technical advice, support and training to management and project staff ensuring quality programming. This involves developing, leading, monitoring and evaluating technical aspects of WASH projects, coordinating with authorities, clusters, and NGOs. The advisor champions best practices, contributes to overall programme management, and advises on assessment and survey design.

Project Overview

Due to the war in Ukraine, Medair responds to vast WASH needs particularly in eastern Ukraine. Medair responds to these needs through rural and sub-urban water systems repairs in close collaboration with Vodokanals, Emergency WASH programming, WASH-FIT activities in clinics and winterisation support including the rehabilitation of district heating systems. Works include a diverse range of activities from large scale drilling and pipeline distribution networks to rural small handpump systems and solar powered systems. Medair Ukraine is currently implementing integrated multi-sectoral programming in Health, MHPSS, Shelter, NFI, and WASH.

Workplace & Conditions

Field based position in Kharkiv, Ukraine, with regular travel to field locations.

Responsibilities:

• Programme Quality: Maintain an overview of the WASH programme, ensuring compliance with standards, providing technical support, and conducting evaluations. Implement policies, conduct regular visits, supervise data management systems, review reporting
• Monitoring: Monitor project quality outcomes and make necessary recommendations including corrective action where needed, work with Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning (MEAL) teams in programme MEAL activities.
• Programme Development: contribute to WASH strategy in programme, in coordination with Global Support Office WASH Advisor, and develop new project designs inputting to proposals.
• Staff Technical Capacity: Participate in staff recruitment, ensure all WASH staff are adequately trained and coached in technical areas, identifying areas for capacity strengthening and opportunities for development of WASH team.
• Representation: Develop and maintain relationships with Sector Cluster coordination, NGOs, donors, and other stakeholders to support coordination, communication and highlight needs. Represent Medair at meetings, participate in networks, accompany donors on field trips, and facilitate synergies in the WASH sector.

Qualifications, Experience & Technical Competencies:

• BSc / MSc in Water / Environmental Engineering or Management or Civil Engineering or Hydrology / Geology or relevant WASH degree.
• Language skills: Good English (spoken and written)
• 5 years overseas experience in relief work with an NGO managing and coordinating WASH projects, preferably in an emergency context

Financial management, project management, report and proposal writing experience

Behavioural Skills:

• Strong team player driven by technical programming excellence and with a positive enabling approach.
• Excellent negotiation/networking skills within varying cultural and professional contexts, in particular regarding clusters, government, donors, private sector and local organisations.
• Commitment to best practice
• Advanced planning, assessment, and analytical skills
• Problem solving ability, time management and an ability to meet goals.

English - full working competency

Ukrainian - nice-to-have

Russian - nice-to-have