WatHab WaSH Project Officer

What we do

Since 1863, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has worked to preserve human dignity and relieve suffering caused by war and armed violence.

In collaboration with our Red Cross and Red Crescent partners around the world, we do everything we can to deliver life-saving aid, reconnect families and locate missing people – helping those who need it most, regardless of who they are and what side of the front line they are on.

We engage with authorities and armed forces on all sides, often confidentially, pressing for access to detainees to improve their living conditions and urging compliance with international humanitarian law to protect non-combatants, including from digital threats.

Purpose

Responsible for small to medium-sized projects under Nekemte Urban Water Supply Project and ensures their successful delivery within the constraints of scope, quality, time and budget. With some guidance, prepares, designs, procures, implements and commissions projects. Manage relationships with the stakeholders involved. Manages project resources and ensures project reporting.

Relationships

Accountabilities & functional responsibilities

Functional Responsibilities:

Project Planning and Design

• Contributes to the study of the various projects under Nekemte Urban Water Supply project and understands the needs and challenges.
• Contributes to assessments, surveys, and data collection required for Nekemte Urban Water Supply project planning and implementation.
• Assists in identifying the needs and operational priorities for the Nekemte Urban Water Supply Project and analyzing needs through assessments and survey.
• Contributes to the collection of all the information and data necessary to prepare the projects. Prepares feasibility studies/project proposals, and technical designs (specifications, drawings, BoQs, cost estimates, etc).
• Contributes to the preparation and review of project documents for approval.

Procurement and Contract Management

• Supports procurement processes in accordance with ICRC procedures and regulations.
• Assists in the preparation of tender documents, Requests for Quotations (RFQs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Terms of Reference (ToRs), and contracts.
• Actively contributes to the launch of procurement and works contracts in accordance with delegation's rules and ensures follow-up.
• Follows up on procurement and contract implementation activities.
• Coordinates with Logistics and Finance departments to ensure timely processing of procurement and payments.

Accountabilities & functional responsibilities 2

Project Implementation and Supervision

• Organizes and supervises construction and rehabilitation works related to the project.
• Monitors contractors’ performance and ensures compliance with technical specifications, quality standards, and safety requirements.
• Supervise the work through continuous site visits and quality control inspections.
• Identifies implementation challenges and proposes corrective actions in a timely manner.
• Ensures that works are implemented according to approved plans, timelines, and budgets.
• On a systematic and regular manner, anticipates, identifies and escalates problems that may affect all or part of the project, and proposes/implements corrective actions.

Reporting and Documentation

• Prepares implementation updates, technical reports, field visit reports, and meeting minutes.
• Maintains accurate and updated project files, including technical, contractual, financial, and reporting documents.
• Ensures that project documentation is properly filed and shared according to WatHab procedures.
• Uses approved tools and platforms for project follow-up and reporting.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Contributes to the identification and collaboration with all stakeholders who may have an influence on the success of the projects.
• Maintains regular communication with local authorities, water utilities, consultants, contractors, and communities.
• Supports coordination meetings and technical discussions with project stakeholders.
• Contributes to maintaining positive working relationships with all parties involved in the project.

Commissioning and Handover

• Ensures the commissioning and handover of infrastructure and equipment to the relevant parties and necessary communication and training.
• Organizes or supports training sessions for end-users and operators to the "client" for the proper use of the facilities, equipment and services.
• Ensures that clients and stakeholders receive the necessary technical information for operation and maintenance.

STANDARD FUNCTION DESCRIPTION

• Draws up documents (drawings, bills of quantities, contracts, ToRs, RfQs / RfPs, projects follow-up files, etc.) for engineering projects using approved formats; monitors project implementation for compliance with project documents, ICRC standards, and the local building code/standards, ensuring corrective action is taken if necessary
• Supervises contractors and on-site work for all project types and conducts quality control during the design and construction of infrastructure installed by the ICRC.
• Prepares implementation/progress reports at intervals set by his/her Line Manager and/or consolidates reports.
• Creates project files in electronic databases (such as the PAM platform) and keeps them up to date and accurate.
• Ensures the documents of Wathab projects under his / her responsibility (technical, contracts, payments, handovers, reports etc) is prepared, filed, and shared on Team Space in a structured way and as per ICRC Wathab procedures.
• Manages tendering and project purchasing on labour and materials according to the delegation's logistical and financial rules.
• Networks with stakeholders, monitors security issues related to project sites and advises his/her Line Manager where necessary; provides regular information to supervisors on security, stakeholder issues and site progress.
• Carries out and analyses needs assessments and surveys, and shares analysis with his/her Line Manager
• Administers handover of infrastructure installed by the ICRC to end-users.
• Trains or organize training for end-users in the operation and maintenance of infrastructure installed by the ICRC.
• Maintains clear communication between internal support departments (logistics, finance, etc.) and closely follows up with them to ensure quality and timely implementation of projects.

1. SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES

Project Management

• Contribution to all necessary project establishment management processes, including tendering, contracting, planning, payments, reporting, Supply Requests confirmation and reconciliation, and closure of the projects under his / her responsibility with the supervision of the line manager and implement independently when requested.
• Engagement with the Consultants.
• Review the deliverables submitted by the Consultants and provide feedback.

Reporting and Documentation

• Prepare robust and defendable technical justification of designs and implementations.

2. OFFICE ACTIVITIES

A. Reporting

• Writes field trip reports based on guidelines
• Writes minutes of workshops and meetings
• Provides contributions to specific reports

B. Administration – Finance/logistics

• Ensures necessary administrative work is implemented on time
• Knows, applies, and complies with all the administrative procedures linked to his work (financial, time reporting, etc.)
• Keeps files up to date at all times
• Respects the administrative procedures of the ICRC in Ethiopia.
• Manages working advances while going to field missions.
• Follows the WatHab-Administration-logistics internal coordination process

C. Office - Team supervision

• Develops and maintains a pleasant working atmosphere with colleagues and superior.
• Participate in internal meetings.

D. Interpretation – Translation

• Interprets accurately from English to the National language and vice versa during field visits and otherwise, as required.
• Translates documents from English to the National language and vice versa as required.
• Adapts his/her behaviour to various interlocutors.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Follows up on all work-related messages and correspondence with the relevant contacts and departments
• Is aware of the delegation’s objectives and has a good knowledge of the Movement and other contacts relevant to the position
• Collects and shares information so as to improve the ICRC’s understanding of the environment and humanitarian trends and responses
• Represents the ICRC in an appropriate way during activities, in meetings and in the field, and avoids any activity that may reflect negatively on the ICRC’s image
• Takes responsibility for their own professional learning and development

Certifications / Education required

• ​University degree in Civil Engineering, Water Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Hydraulic Engineering, Construction Technology and Management, or related field.
• 5 years of relevant professional experience in WaSH, water supply, construction supervision, or infrastructure project management.
• Experience in contract management, procurement follow-up, and supervision of contractors is an asset.
• Good knowledge of water supply systems and construction standards.
• Computer and drawing software proficiency.
• Good command of Microsoft Office applications.
• Very good knowledge of AutoCAD or other engineering software.
• Fluency in written and spoken command of English and Afaan Oromo.
• Strong organizational, communication, and reporting skills.
• Ability to work independently and under pressure in a multicultural environment.

Professional experience required

• ​5 years of professional experience in WaSH project management.
• Experience in managing contractors.

Additional information

• Type of role: National / Resident (Opened to Ethiopian Nationals ONLY)
• Working rate: 100%
• Location: Nekempte sub delegation
• Hardship : H3
• Job level: B2
• Length of assignment: 1 year Fixed term contract with posssibility of extension  
• Application deadline: June 12, 2026

Scope & impact

• Manages construction projects and works on site related to Nekemte Urban Water Supply Project.
• Supervises project workers activities.

Our values

• At the ICRC, we value impact, collaboration, respect, and compassion. We seek candidates who demonstrate behaviors based on these shared values. For more information on the ICRC values, please visit this page.