WASH Officer - Technical job at The Water Trust

THE ORGANIZATION

The Water Trust is a Ugandan organization empowering rural communities and institutions to access safe water, sanitation, and hygiene for a healthier, dignified life. Using a community-led and systems-strengthening approach, it delivers inclusive, climate-resilient, and sustainable WASH solutions. Since its establishment, The Water Trust has partnered with hundreds of communities across Western Uganda, improving WASH services for over 400,000 people. Combining technical excellence with community engagement and local government collaboration, it ensures long-term functionality and impact. The organization seeks an experienced WASH Officer – Technical to design, implement, and monitor safe, sustainable water and sanitation systems.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Water Trust is seeking a WASH Officer – Technical to design, supervise, and oversee the construction and rehabilitation of rural water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure. This role includes preventative maintenance, functionality monitoring, water quality testing, and shock chlorination. The ideal candidate will have a strong engineering background, 2–3 years of experience in WASH projects with an international NGO, and a proven track record in designing and supervising WASH infrastructure.

This is an excellent opportunity for early- to mid-career professionals with strong engineering skills, a passion for WASH, and a desire to contribute to a growing organization. Women are strongly encouraged to apply, as we work towards greater gender equality in engineering and WASH.

MAJOR FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the WASH Manager – Technical in designing and implementing technical standards and best practices for WASH infrastructure.
• Supervise the construction of boreholes, solar-powered piped water systems, and sanitation facilities.
• Develop technical specifications and bills of quantities (BoQs) for projects.
• Plan, implement, monitor, evaluate, and report on technical program activities within budget and standards, coordinating and supervising external contractors.
• Strengthen and support existing community structures (e.g., Water and Sanitation Committees, Self-Help Groups, Hand Pump Mechanics) to ensure sustainable management of WASH infrastructure.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with local and district authorities and community members for sustainable, community-managed WASH solutions.
• Prepare and submit timely construction supervision reports, including photos and GPS coordinates.
• Contribute to monthly technical and donor reports and update the organizational database on water point functionality and other WASH indicators.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Water Resources Engineering; a postgraduate qualification in Project Planning and Management is an added advantage.
• 2–3 years’ experience in community-based water and sanitation programs; NGO experience is desirable.
• Knowledge of water supply, hygiene, and sanitation requirements with supervisory experience in piped scheme design and construction.
• Team player with strong planning skills, ownership of results, and effective communication skills.
• Proficient in Word processing and spreadsheets.
• Ability to work under pressure and travel regularly for oversight and field supervision.
• Valid Class A or A1 riding permit.

DESIRABLE

• Advanced IT skills, including familiarity with mWater, AutoCAD, ArcGIS, EPANET, and Google Earth.

• Support the WASH Manager – Technical in designing and implementing technical standards and best practices for WASH infrastructure.
• Supervise the construction of boreholes, solar-powered piped water systems, and sanitation facilities.
• Develop technical specifications and bills of quantities (BoQs) for projects.
• Plan, implement, monitor, evaluate, and report on technical program activities within budget and standards, coordinating and supervising external contractors.
• Strengthen and support existing community structures (e.g., Water and Sanitation Committees, Self-Help Groups, Hand Pump Mechanics) to ensure sustainable management of WASH infrastructure.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with local and district authorities and community members for sustainable, community-managed WASH solutions.
• Prepare and submit timely construction supervision reports, including photos and GPS coordinates.
• Contribute to monthly technical and donor reports and update the organizational database on water point functionality and other WASH indicators.

• Strong engineering background
• Proven track record in designing and supervising WASH infrastructure
• Knowledge of water supply, hygiene, and sanitation requirements
• Supervisory experience in piped scheme design and construction
• Team player with strong planning skills
• Ownership of results
• Effective communication skills
• Proficient in Word processing and spreadsheets
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to travel regularly for oversight and field supervision
• Valid Class A or A1 riding permit
• Advanced IT skills, including familiarity with mWater, AutoCAD, ArcGIS, EPANET, and Google Earth (Desirable)

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Water Resources Engineering
• Postgraduate qualification in Project Planning and Management (added advantage)
• 2–3 years’ experience in community-based water and sanitation programs
• NGO experience (desirable)