The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, working in over 40 countries to provide appropriate assistance and protection to refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, returnees, people on the move, and vulnerable local populations/host communities. DRC is currently seeking a highly qualified WASH Officer based in Santa Bárbara del Zulia.
About the job:
DRC is managing its operations in Venezuela, under the direction of the country office in Caracas and three field offices located in the states of Sucre, Apure, and Zulia. DRC Venezuela is implementing activities such as protection monitoring, legal assistance, individual protection assistance for people with disabilities, information sessions for proof of identity (PoC), prevention of human trafficking, rehabilitation of health infrastructure, and food security.
Job objective :
Under the supervision of the Base Manager, and with technical support from a WASI specialist (based in Caracas), the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Officer will be directly involved in and responsible for the daily implementation of water, sanitation, and hygiene activities, especially in the intervention areas. They will also be responsible for evaluating, planning, and facilitating WASI activities through the direct participation of partner agencies and authorities, as well as developing information and communication materials related to hygiene/sanitation and awareness-raising for people with disabilities, internally displaced persons, and host communities in the selected areas, in accordance with the culture and practices of the population.
Responsibilities:
- Lead the needs assessments related to water, sanitation and hygiene in host communities, institutions and other sites of interest in the South of Lake Maracaibo, based in Santa Bárbara del Zulia and other surrounding areas, according to the instructions of the Base Manager and under the technical management of the WASI specialist.
- Assist in the identification and selection of communities, beneficiaries or intervention centers with the help of local authorities and in conjunction with protection teams, RecEc and DP.
- Prepare the work plan and information, education and communication (IEC) materials for hygiene promotion activities in consultation with the Base Manager and the WASI Specialist.
- To effectively manage the physical and financial execution of WASH projects using the appropriate tools to ensure that they are delivered on time, within budget, and meeting the expected quality and other technical requirements.
- Ensure that vulnerable and/or at-risk communities and groups, including women, participate in each stage of the water, sanitation and hygiene project cycle.
- Facilitate all training/campaigns on water, sanitation and hygiene in the field through the use of a participatory and behavior change-oriented approach.
- Plan and coordinate the execution of sanitation campaigns and waste management in communities, ensuring the participation and support of related local authorities and entities, local partners, communities, other teams within DRC and other interested parties, ensuring sustainability strategies for the actions.
- Plan in conjunction with DRC’s local partners the implementation of water, sanitation and hygiene program activities, ensuring capacity building and capacity transfer to partners, with guidance from the Base Manager and the WASI Specialist, following the guidelines of each project.
- Document the results and lessons learned from the implementation of the water, sanitation and hygiene program, considering feedback from communities and other DRC technical teams and stakeholders.
- To serve as a liaison with other relevant actors/NGOs and representatives of stakeholders and community leaders for collaborative efforts, including participation in local coordination meetings of thematic groups on water, sanitation and hygiene.
- Carry out the procedures to obtain the necessary permits from the authorities and entities required for the execution of works, campaigns and sanitation services in the intervention sites, in conjunction with the Base Manager and with the technical support of the WASI Specialist.
- Participate in coordination spaces within DRC with teams from other programmatic sectors such as Economic Recovery (food security and livelihoods), Protection and Disaster Preparedness, to ensure integrated implementation with adequate planning of activities.
- Ensure that all relevant stakeholders have information about the background, program, objectives, areas of work, program duration, and activities in the field of the organization.
- Complete the appropriate WASH sector forms and documentation for intervention projects, such as: needs assessment, project proposals, quantity take-offs, schedules, plans, schematic designs, GPS coordinate management, mapping of project activities/areas, specifications and design of WASH kit contents, among others.
- Make requests for the purchase of goods and the contracting of services for water, sanitation, and hygiene activities in a timely manner, and ensure that they have agreements and contracts with suppliers for the start of activities.
- To properly monitor and inspect water and sanitation works on site, as well as to monitor physical and financial execution and the procedures for payment to service and works companies.
- Ensure the collection of beneficiary data, document success stories and other information required for reporting on the activities and indicators of each project, and provide input for progress or final reports that are sent to donors or other stakeholders.
- Contribute to contingency planning for preparedness and a possible emergency response in the area of water, sanitation and hygiene, if necessary.
- Ensure the correct presentation of the organization and professional ethics in the control of movements and guarantee the security of all documents.
- Monitor and prepare weekly, monthly, and quarterly all purchase plans for goods and services needed for the water, sanitation, and hygiene program.
- In the absence of the Base Manager, support the WASH project with the close coordination of the Program Manager and the WASI Specialist.
- Perform any other relevant tasks as requested by line managers and the water, sanitation, and hygiene team.
Experience and technical skills:
- 2 years of experience in the field of WASH and in the implementation of humanitarian projects.
- Solid understanding of basic training in water, sanitation and hygiene programming, participatory promotion methods, community mobilization and network building.
- Good handling of rules, standards and practices on construction and/or rehabilitation works of essential basic water, sanitation and hygiene systems in institutions or communities, including water systems, excreta disposal systems, waste management, among others.
- Knowledge of proper waste management and sanitation practices, household water treatment methods, and other hygiene practices to avoid public health risks.
- Experience in implementing training activities, promoting hygiene and forming committees on issues related to water, sanitation and hygiene.
- Degree in Public Health Engineering/Civil Engineering/Mechanical Engineering/Architecture or other equivalent professional with experience in WASH.
- Computer skills and statistical data management.
- Effective and timely implementation of all interventions described in the product and any other programmatic activity related to water, sanitation and hygiene.
- Work experience and knowledge of the local destination.
- Capacidad de adaptarse a situaciones cambiantes según sea necesario.
- Capacidad de trabajar bien bajo presión y en condiciones adversas.
- Maestría o especialización en Ingeniería de Salud Pública, Ingeniería Hidráulica, Ingeniería Ambiental, Ingeniería Civil, Ingeniería Mecánica, Arquitectura o campo directamente relacionado;
- Carácter tranquilo y diplomático;
- Con conocimientos de aspectos de protección;
- Capacidad para gestionar las prioridades en competencia y cumplir con los plazos;
- Capacidad de crear buen ambiente de equipo y trabajo con socios locales implementadores;
- Manejo del inglés;
- Conocimiento de marco legal venezolano y derecho internacional.
Educación:
- Título en Ingeniería en Salud Pública/Ingeniería Civil/Ingeniería Mecánica/Arquitectura u otro profesional equivalente con experiencia en WASH.
Idiomas:
- Fluidez en español; manejo del inglés es una ventaja.
Ofrecemos:
- La oportunidad de pertenecer a una de las mejores ONG’s a nivel mundial.
- Acceso a más de 1,000 capacitaciones y certificados en línea gratuita
- Duración del contrato: 6 meses (Renovable sujeto a fondos y desempeño)
- Categoría del Empleo: Banda H
- Seguro HCM únicamente para el trabajador.
Todas las funciones de DRC requieren que el titular domine las competencias básicas de DRC:
- Lograr la excelencia: enfocado en alcanzar resultados y al mismo tiempo garantizar procesos eficientes.
- Colaboración: involucrar a las personas relevantes y alentar retroalimentación.
- Tomar la iniciativa: en relación con la búsqueda de soluciones.
- Comunicar: escuchar y hablar con eficacia y honestidad.
- Demostrar integridad: actuar de acuerdo con la visión y los valores de DRC.
Proceso de solicitud: Todos los solicitantes deben cargar una carta de presentación (máx. 1 página) y un CV actualizado (máx. 2 páginas, sin soportes) en español, en la plataforma de empleo de DRC. Las solicitudes enviadas por correo electrónico no serán consideradas.
Fecha de cierre de solicitudes: Domingo 17 de Mayo a las 11:59 pm Hora Local. Tenga en cuenta que las solicitudes se revisarán continuamente y las entrevistas se planificarán tan pronto como se identifique a un candidat@ adecuado. DRC se reserva el derecho a cerrar la vacante antes de la fecha límite una vez se identifique a un candidato idóneo.
Nota: Esta vacante está sujeta a la aprobación de fondos.
Fecha aproximada de inicio: Junio 2026
How to apply
Link to Application Form
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