WASH Officer (Construction)

Job Description

Since 2015, NRC Nigeria has been working to help displacement-affected communities meet their basic needs, improve their livelihoods, access essential services, and enhance their resilience to future shocks through our six core competencies: Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), Shelter, Education, Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA), Livelihoods and Food Security (LFS), Camp Management, and Protection. NRC provides immediate assistance during the onset of emergencies through the Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM). In 2021, NRC reached out to over 269,000 people with assistance. 

The crisis in Nigeria is marked by brutal violence against civilians, causing acute humanitarian needs and displacement. In the northeast, the 13-year conflict has shattered lives, infrastructure, essential services, and social fabric. 

Two million people are internally displaced across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states. Approximately half of these live within local communities, increasing pressure on scarce resources. Access to food is limited, particularly in Borno State, where most families are already facing crisis-levels of food insecurity. Civilians, including aid workers, continue to be the target of deadly attacks by non-state armed groups, and transport corridors are persistently insecure. 

In the northwest and north-central regions, violence and displacement are rooted in disputes over land and resources, which have been worsened by climate change. Criminality is on the rise. Livelihood opportunities are scarce, and children face an uncertain future, unable to access quality education. Many families have lost their identity papers while fleeing or never obtained them, which hinders their access to essential services. 

We are looking for people who are passionate about helping refugees and people forced to flee. 

If you are those people, the Norwegian Refugee Council in Nigeria is looking for an enthusiastic and passionate Wash Officer (Construction) Northeast Nigeria Maiduguri to join our team. The Wash officer (Construction) will ensures the daily implementation of education school constructions and wash facilities through technical oversight, quality control, and community engagement, targeting IDPs, Returnees and host communities in complex humanitarian settings. 

Responsibilities

Generic responsibilities

• Provide technical support for education activities, including construction, rehabilitation, and behavioural change programs like hygiene promotion and sanitation.
• Monitor and document project progress, ensuring alignment with proposals and donor requirements.
• Conduct quality checks of infrastructure (e.g., shelters, latrines, water systems) and WASH facilities.
• Build the capacity of school staff and community members through training and mentoring.
• Represent NRC in community coordination forums, providing technical feedback. 

Specific responsibilities

• Supervise the construction/rehabilitation of classrooms/TLS and WASH infrastructure (e.g., water points, Overhead water tank, sanitation facilities), ensuring adherence to designs and standards.
• Adapt technical tools (checklists, BoQs, data collection forms) for field use.
• Conduct regular field visits to inspect materials, workmanship, and safety compliance.
• Contribute to the technical specifications of construction materials based on locally acceptable and available materials and monitor material deliveries (Quantity & Quality).
• Lead hygiene promotion campaigns and behavioural change activities, adapting NRC methodologies to local contexts.
• Train community members and school staff on WASH practices and infrastructure maintenance.
• Submit weekly activity reports, including challenges and recommendations.
• In collaboration with the supervisor, actively participate in the preparation of ToRs for the selection of team members e.g. Local masons and carpenters as appropriate.
• Develop the necessary construction tools for the integrated CC’s according to the supervisor’s instructions (drawing, specifications, technical specifications, service contract, supply, and use of construction materials, etc.).
• Participate in the implementation of the monitoring plan of activities delegated by the supervisor, 
• Ensures the archiving of all project documents – project photos, BoQ’s and technical drawings, including minutes of meetings.
• Maintain a system of reasonable control over the materials and tools used, while mentioning the quality of the material obtained, and ensure that all construction works are in line with national and local guidelines.
• Ensure that 10% retention on construction activities achieves their objectives within the set timeframe;
• Ensure that activities promote accountability to beneficiaries, gender and protection sensitivity, and effective inclusion in programming
• Provide regular reports at the required frequency and in the required manner, document the results, and keep detailed records.

Qualifications

Generic Professional Competencies: 

• Hold a university degree in EHA, hydraulics, hydrology, civil engineering, public works, architecture, or its equivalent.
• Higher education certificates shall be considered as an added advantage. 
• Minimum 3 years of experience working as a Project Officer in a humanitarian/recovery context
• Solid knowledge of the principles of WASH in a conflicting environment
• Previous experience working in complex and volatile contexts
• Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities
• Good knowledge of English of both verbal and written communication. 

Context/ Specific Skills, Knowledge, and Experience: 

• Proven knowledge in construction works, borehole construction/rehabilitation, irrigation infrastructure, water points, and latrine construction/rehabilitation. 
• Proven knowledge in soft WASH components, including community sensitization, construction works
• Project design skills.
• Good capacity for planning and monitoring of activities
• Have good knowledge/experience in conducting qualitative/quantitative assessments and in responding adequately to identified gaps
• Ability to work in a team and in a heterogeneous environment.
• Have a good knowledge of the local cultures and languages of the areas of intervention 
• Have a good command of computers (Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, CAD software);

What’s in it for you? 

Join a work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility: 

At NRC we think creatively. We encourage ideas and give responsibility to all employees at all levels, to help solve the complex issues that we face. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative. 

Learn on the job: NRC’s collaborative working style favours the exchange of good practice and lessons learnt. At NRC, employees learn on the job and are encouraged to look for opportunities to develop new competencies. NRC managers prioritise the quality work and the competency development of their staff. This entails giving newcomers a good start, following up, training and mentoring employees to allow them to perform well in their current job, and offering learning and development programmes. 

Additional Information: 

 Duty Stations: Yola Adamawa. Nigeria 

Duration of contract: 12 Months (Renewable).

Grade Level: Grade 5 in NRC’s grading structure. 

Reporting line: WASH Coordinator (Construction)

Travel: 80%

NRC is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to diversity without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability.         

We think outside the box, encourage ideas, and give responsibility to all employees at all levels.       

You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative.         

This position is open to Nigeria Nationals only. We invite applications from all qualified and interested candidates. Candidates are encouraged to apply early, as applications may be screened prior to the vacancy deadline. Female candidates are strongly advised to apply. 

Watch this short video to see NRC in action. 

Job Info

• Job Identification: 18901
• Job Category: Education
• Posting Date: 08/19/2025, 01:04 PM
• Apply Before: 08/27/2025, 01:59 AM
• Degree Level: Bachelor’s Degree
• Job Schedule: Full time
• Locations: Yola