Overview
The WASH and Environmental Health Officer will lead the implementation of Water, Sanitation, Hygiene (WASH) and environmental health interventions under Plan International Nigeria's Cholera Response Project in Borno State. The post holder will ensure the timely delivery of quality WASH services aimed at reducing cholera transmission and improving access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene in targeted communities.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan, implement and monitor emergency WASH interventions in targeted communities and health facilities.
- Supervise rehabilitation and maintenance of water supply systems, including boreholes and hand pumps.
- Oversee construction and rehabilitation of emergency sanitation facilities where required.
- Coordinate distribution of WASH and hygiene kits to vulnerable households.
- Ensure timely implementation of environmental sanitation activities in high-risk cholera hotspot communities.
- Support installation and maintenance of handwashing facilities in public places and health facilities.
- Conduct regular water quality testing and ensure appropriate water treatment interventions.
- Lead environmental sanitation campaigns to reduce cholera transmission risks.
- Promote proper solid waste management and safe disposal of human waste.
- Support community-led environmental clean-up activities.
- Monitor environmental health risks and recommend appropriate mitigation measures.
- Ensure implementation of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures at supported health facilities.
- Supervise WASH assistants, hygiene promoters, artisans and contractors.
- Ensure construction and rehabilitation activities meet approved technical standards.
- Conduct routine field monitoring and quality assurance visits.
- Verify completed works prior to certification and payment.
- Coordinate closely with relevant government ministries, departments and agencies responsible for WASH and public health.
- Participate in WASH Cluster, Health Cluster and technical coordination meetings as required.
- Collaborate with community leaders and local structures to ensure sustainability of interventions.
- Coordinate closely with RCCE and Health teams to ensure integrated cholera response programming.
- Develop activity work plans and implementation schedules.
- Monitor project indicators and maintain accurate programme records.
- Prepare weekly, monthly and donor reports.
- Document lessons learned, case studies and best practices.
- Support WASH assessments, surveys and post-distribution monitoring.
- Train community volunteers, Water Management Committees and local artisans on operation and maintenance of WASH facilities.
- Build the capacity of community structures on environmental sanitation and hygiene promotion.
- Support government counterparts through on-the-job mentoring where appropriate.
Required Experience
- Minimum of 3 years' professional experience implementing WASH programmes in humanitarian or development settings.
- Previous experience in cholera or other disease outbreak responses is highly desirable.
- Experience working in North-East Nigeria is an added advantage.
- Experience working with INGOs, UN agencies or government institutions on emergency WASH programming.
- Experience in water supply systems, sanitation facility construction and rehabilitation.
- Experience supervising contractors and community-based workers.
- Familiarity with Kobo Collect or other digital data collection platforms.
- Experience with donor-funded emergency response projects.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Nursing, Water Resources Engineering, Environmental Health, Public Health, Environmental Engineering or a related field.
- Certification or training in WASH in Emergencies or Environmental Health.
