The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, working in more than 40 countries to provide appropriate, rights-based assistance to refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, returnees, and migrants. DRC has been present in Colombia since 2011, but in 2018 it expanded its operations in response to the Venezuelan crisis. Currently, DRC Colombia is implementing a protection-focused humanitarian response for Venezuelan refugees and migrants, as well as returning Colombians, in Colombian cities such as Riohacha, Barranquilla, and Bogotá. It is also currently expanding its activities to Nariño and Norte de Santander.
Job Overview: The WASH and Infrastructure Team Leader, under the supervision of the Program Manager / Area Manager for Norte de Santander and BolÃvar, is responsible for all aspects of the implementation of the WASH and Infrastructure program. They identify the needs to be met to ensure the development of the program’s objectives with the required quality; together with their team, they develop infrastructure, planning, and training solutions in the intervention areas.
Builds strong relationships with stakeholders in the communities and maintains consistent and effective communication with the support team and national coordination. Additionally, is responsible for the supervision, performance evaluation, and development of their team.
Responsibilities:
Programmatic:
- Lead the implementation of WASH and Infrastructure activities, in accordance with the agreed objectives.
- Responsible for the management of construction work in productions and operations of WASH and Infrastructure projects.
- Ensure that the DRC’s objectives and work plans are met, guaranteeing that all implementation follows the organization’s policies and procedures.
- Lead the identification of needs, planning of activities and relationship building with the communities to be served
- Coordinate, plan and monitor the activities of the WASH and Infrastructure team in the field.
- Organize activities focused on strengthening skills and field teams.
- Organize capacity-building activities for the communities involved in the program to ensure its proper use and benefits, under the supervision of the NdS Program Manager and the Area Manager.
- Prepare a work plan for the team during the project implementation.
- Submit periodic reports on the progress and needs of the WASH and Infrastructure program.
- Monitor and periodically evaluate project performance and provide timely input, comments, and reports on the impact of WASH and Infrastructure program interventions.
- Ensure that DRC maintains appropriate relationships with key stakeholders, beneficiaries, and local authorities.
- Represent DRC at local meetings in coordination with and/or in the company of the Program Manager or Area Manager.
- Working hand in hand with the DRC protection area to report relevant community issues, facilitating a cross-cutting intervention with the protection of the human rights of persons of concern.
- Establish positive relationships with community and institutional leaders for the execution of program activities.
Logistics/Finance:
- Request from the purchasing and logistics area all the necessary requirements regarding materials and services for the proper implementation of the program.
- To ensure that the materials and services requested from the purchasing area are received by the WASH and Infrastructure team in a timely and appropriate manner.
- Plan weekly the movements of personnel in vehicles for the development of activities in the field.
- Implement local safety regulations in all movements and activities of the teams under your charge.
- Support the Program Manager and the Area Manager in the proper preparation of the budget allocated to the project, supervising the execution and supporting the timely budgetary provisions that allow the necessary resources to be available.
Personnel management:
- Direct supervision of the WASH team and infrastructure.
- Support coordination between program and support teams.
- Facilitate team meetings to receive feedback on the program’s progress and objectives.
- Determine the annual performance objectives of the team under your charge and evaluate their performance.
- Identify your team’s development needs and ensure their training.
- Attend to the requirements and needs of the teams under your supervision, with the support of the HR, SC and Finance areas.
Experience and technical skills:
- Minimum three (3) years of experience in WASH and Infrastructure projects, in an international NGO.
- Three (3) years of experience in people management and team supervision.
- Proficiency in database management, reports, and the use of MS Office.
- Experience in meeting internal audit and donor requirements.
- Problem-solving and organizational skills, managing delivery deadlines and prioritizing activities.
- Ability to properly manage assigned resources.
Education:
- University degree in Civil Engineering or any other similar degree.
Languages:
- Native Spanish speaker
- English – Desirable
All DRC roles require the holder to master basic DRC competencies:
- Achieving excellence : focusing on achieving results and ensuring efficient processes.
- Collaboration : involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
- Taking the initiative : taking ownership and initiative while seeking innovation.
- Communicate : listen and speak effectively and honestly.
- Demonstration of integrity : Act in accordance with DRC’s vision and values.
We offer:
- The opportunity to belong to one of the best NGOs worldwide.
- Access to over 1,000 free online training courses and certificates.
- Prepaid medical insurance, 100% coverage of the policy for the employee and a special price for beneficiaries.
- National contract for work or labor with all legal benefits.
- Salary starting at $5,560,000 depending on the candidate’s experience and skills.
- Start date: June 2026.
- Salary and conditions in accordance with the terms of employment in Colombia.
Application process
All applicants must upload only a cover letter (1 page) and an updated resume (not exceeding 3 pages). No other supporting documents will be accepted through this channel.
Applications submitted via email will not be considered!
Application closing date: May 16, 2026 at 11:59 am Local Time.
If you apply, it is understood that you have immediate availability to work and have the possibility of occasionally traveling to the organization’s intervention areas.
Please note that applications will be reviewed continuously and interviews will be scheduled as soon as a suitable candidate is identified. DRC reserves the right to close the position before the deadline once a suitable candidate is identified. If you are interested in this position, we recommend applying as soon as possible.
Please register through the website www.drc.ngo . Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Team Leader.
Note 1: DRC reserves the right to hire a candidate who fits the required profile before the deadline indicated above.
Note 2: Applicants to this call for applications authorize DRC to validate the personal information provided in their resume. Their identity will be checked against public and private databases for the sole purpose of verifying the information, in accordance with our anti-fraud, anti-money laundering, and counter-terrorism financing policies.
Note 3: Applicants who freely and voluntarily wish to participate in the selection process for the position in this call for applications must strictly adhere to the applicable regulations (suitability of the presented qualifications, personal and individual performance of tests, and truthfulness of information), adhering to DRC’s anti-fraud manuals and policies, under penalty of disqualification for any applicant who engages in any irregularity, as determined by the organization, even based on mere suspicion, and even for possible criminal conduct under Colombian law.