WASH Technical Coordinator

It’s hard to believe that today 771 million people do not have clean water and 1.7 billion do not have a decent toilet – around 1 in 5 of the world’s population. Every two minutes a child under five dies from diarrheal diseases caused by poor water and sanitation.

Join WaterAid as our to change normal for millions of people so they can unlock their potential, break free from poverty and change their lives for good. On top of that you'll be joining a 2020 Great Place to Work® award-winning organisation.

Contract: Fixed Term

Employment type: Full time.

Working hours per week: 39.50

Location: Tamale

Reporting to the Head of Programmes, the WASH Technical Coordinator leads the engineering and construction components of WaterAid Ghana’s three core programmes: WASH for Public Health, WASH and Climate Change, and Sustainable & Universal WASH Access. The WASH Technical Coordinator is responsible for designing and implementing innovative, sustainable service delivery models that align with Country Programme objectives and meet the diverse needs of communities. This includes prioritizing technologies that mitigate environmental and climate risks, ensuring robust safety measures during construction, and maintaining ecosystem and water resource protection. The coordinator will oversee feasibility assessments, risk analysis (including security, health, and environmental risks), and user consultations to design context-appropriate and inclusive WASH solutions.

As a technical leader, you will provide expert advisory support, ensuring high-quality design, supervision, and delivery of engineering projects. You will also monitor contractor performance, ensure compliance with national and WA QPS, and guarantee that services are safe, sustainable, and accessible to all, including marginalized groups. Through effective collaboration with stakeholders, this role advances WaterAid’s mission and contributes to the national WASH agenda.

How to Apply

If you are interested in the position and have the right skills and attributes, Click Apply now to download the job description where you will find full details on how to apply.

Please note: to apply for this role you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in Ghana.

Only candidates shortlisted for interviewing will be contacted within two weeks of the closing date for applications.

Accountabilities:

Design and Innovation for Sustainable WASH Solutions

1. Lead the design of technical solutions for WASH projects, including drafting and costing technical components of proposals and present WAG’s technical capabilities and WASH models to donors, partners, and stakeholders.

2. Integrate safety, security, and environmental risk assessments into project designs, periodically updating them as contexts evolve.

3. Prioritize the use of sustainable, low-carbon technologies to mitigate environmental and climate risks while protecting natural ecosystems.

4. Conduct feasibility assessments for WASH service delivery, emphasizing sustainability, environmental protection, and community acceptance.

5. Ensure user-centered design by consulting diverse community members and considering the needs of traditionally excluded groups, including people with disabilities.

Technical and Operational Leadership

6. Prepare Bills of Quantities (BOQ) and conduct technical assessments, including cost estimates, material specifications, and resource needs, to ensure efficient, sustainable project delivery in line with WaterAid’s Quality Standards and national regulations.

7. Oversee WASH infrastructure projects, monitor progress, and allocate resources to ensure timely and high-quality delivery. Leverage tools such as mWater and GIS for real-time tracking, reporting, and decision-making.

8. Supervise contractors to ensure the use of high-quality materials and workmanship while guaranteeing compliance with national construction standards, WaterAid’s Programme Quality Standards, and government regulations.

9. Identify and address risks, including safeguarding, health, and safety concerns, while integrating safety, security, and environmental risk assessments into project designs and regularly updating these assessments as contexts evolve.

10. Strengthen technical capacity within district and partner teams through training, mentorship, and hands-on support to uphold high standards in WASH project design, construction, and management.

11. Provide timely updates on project progress, identify challenges, and propose practical solutions to achieve programme objectives efficiently. Contribute to case studies and reports that highlight promising practices and project outcomes.

12. Support project evaluations through data collection and analysis to inform programme improvements.

Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination

13. Develop strong working relationships with local and national government authorities, contractors, and communities.

14. Represent WaterAid Ghana at sectoral and technical forums, building relationships with key stakeholders, donors, and government representatives to support WASH Programme delivery and advocacy.

Financial and Budget Management

15. Take responsibility for managing and tracking the technical budgets for WASH infrastructure projects. Track and monitor construction milestones to ensure timely, budget-compliant completion.

To be successful, you’ll need to be

• A University degree in Civil Engineering, Building and Construction, Construction Management, Water Resources or relevant degrees.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in project support. Experience in the field of WASH infrastructure design and inspection and for an NGO would be a plus.
• Strong knowledge of water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure design, construction, and management, including low-carbon and sustainable technologies.
• Proficiency in developing technical designs, BOQs, and feasibility assessments, with a focus on quality, safety, and environmental standards.
• Expertise in identifying and addressing risks related to safety, security, safeguarding, and environmental factors during project implementation.
• Computer literate – proficient in Microsoft Office Suite with expertise on AutoCAD, mWater, GIS and other related engineering software.
• Familiarity with national construction standards, WaterAid Programme Quality Standards, and relevant government policies.
• Fully committed to WaterAid’s vision, mission and values and a way of working that demonstrates this, with the ability to communicate this enthusiasm to others.

Desirable skills

• Demonstrated depth and breadth in participatory methods to engage local communities in needs assessments, design and implementation of local, culturally acceptable water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions.
• Experience at technical level representation and in developing and negotiating successful partnerships with donors.
• Proven ability to train, mentor, and build the technical skills of partner and field teams.
• Possession of a valid license to ride a motorcycle
• Knowledge of local language – of the 3 Northern Regions would be a plus.
• Skills in community consultation, organising discussions with diverse groups of people, field observation and conducting interviews.

We’re looking for people who share a commitment to our vision. We’re looking for people with an appreciation and respect for different people and ideas, and the energy and expertise to help tackle the most important challenges.

In return, you can expect to get inspiration from the change you help make happen, a sense of belonging and the feeling of being part of a global community. You will also experience stimulation and fulfilment, the chance to grow, and space to be yourself at your best. This is our pledge to you.

WaterAid is committed to ensuring that wherever we work in the world there is no tolerance for abuse (of power, privilege or trust), inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, harassment, bullying or exploitation of any kind. The safeguarding of the communities in which we work, staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf, is our top priority and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously.

We celebrate the diversity of our staff, partners and everyone with whom we work to create a culture where everyone feels respected, included and can be their best.

WaterAid is an equal opportunity and is committed to achieving the highest standards of diversity, inclusion and fairness. We welcome applications from all. 

No recruitment agencies please.