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. Currently, as part of the emergency response to the earthquake, DRC is seeking a highly qualified WASI Officer based in Caracas, Venezuela.
About the job:
DRC manages its operations in Venezuela through its country office in Caracas and three field offices located in the states of Sucre, Apure, and Zulia. DRC Venezuela implements protection monitoring, legal assistance, individual protection assistance for persons with specific needs (PWSN), information sessions for persons of concern (PoC), prevention of human trafficking, and food security initiatives.
As part of the emergency response to the earthquake that occurred in June 2026, DRC is opening a new implementation office in Caracas, separate from the country office, to address the needs of the affected populations. To this end, it is seeking to hire an Emergency Water, Sanitation, Hygiene, Shelter, and Infrastructure (WASI) Officer who will be responsible for leading and implementing rapid response and early recovery actions in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), Emergency Shelter, and Infrastructure sectors.
General objective of the position
Under the supervision of the WASI Emergency Team Leader and with technical support from the National WASI Specialist, the Water, Sanitation, Hygiene, Shelter, and Infrastructure (WASI) Emergency Officer will be responsible for leading and implementing rapid response and early recovery actions in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), Emergency Shelter, and Infrastructure sectors. This includes ensuring safe and timely access to essential services and temporary shelter solutions for the affected population during the initial hours, weeks, and months following an emergency, in accordance with applicable humanitarian standards. The WASI Emergency Officer will ensure the timely and high-quality execution of humanitarian assistance activities, including needs assessments, distribution of supplies, hygiene promotion, improvements to WASH infrastructure, and interventions related to temporary shelter and the rehabilitation of community and institutional infrastructure affected by the emergency. They will also support coordination with authorities, community leaders, and other humanitarian actors to guarantee an integrated, protection-focused response aligned with applicable humanitarian standards.
Responsibilities:
Evaluations
- Conduct rapid multi-sectoral and sectoral assessments to identify needs for accommodation, infrastructure, water, sanitation and hygiene in emergency contexts.
- Monitor public health risks associated with disruptions in water and sanitation services, excreta management, solid waste, and overcrowding conditions.
- Conduct rapid damage and needs assessments (RDNA, MIRA or equivalent methodologies) related to water systems, sanitation, public infrastructure, health centers, schools, collective shelters and affected housing.
- Identify risks related to safety, living conditions and access to basic services in affected camps, settlements and communities.
- Support the identification and selection of priority communities, beneficiary households, settlements or camps for intervention, in coordination with the Economic Protection and Recovery (RecEc) teams.
- Identify, analyze, and escalate critical needs, emerging risks, assistance gaps, and operational challenges that require immediate decisions or additional resource mobilization.
Implementation
- Coordinate and execute rapid response actions during the first hours and weeks after the event, ensuring the timely provision of essential services such as water, sanitation, hygiene, accommodation and support for critical infrastructure.
- Adapt risk communication messages to the different phases of the emergency and to groups with specific needs.
- Implement risk communication, hygiene promotion and community awareness activities aimed at preventing diseases, reducing health risks and strengthening safe practices among the affected population.
- Plan, execute and document the distribution of WASH kit and supply deliveries at the intervention sites, ensuring the quality, traceability and accountability of the process.
- Plan, execute and document the distribution of non-food items (NFI) related to emergency shelter and protection from adverse weather conditions, ensuring the quality, traceability and accountability of the process.
- Plan and implement emergency accommodation assistance activities and temporary shelter solutions according to the identified needs.
- Support the installation, adaptation and monitoring of collective shelters and temporary accommodation spaces in accordance with humanitarian standards and protection criteria.
Interventions in essential infrastructure and WASH systems
- Support the design and implementation of early recovery actions aimed at the progressive and resilient restoration of basic services and infrastructure affected by the emergency.
- Coordinate the installation and commissioning of temporary solutions for water supply, emergency sanitation, waste management, drainage and temporary accommodation when existing infrastructure is affected.
- Identify urgent needs for goods, services and works, and prepare timely technical specifications and requirements for emergency acquisitions and contracts.
- Prepare technical specifications, quantity estimates, and work plans for WASH and Shelter infrastructure interventions.
- Oversee emergency interventions aimed at restoring safe access to water, sanitation, drainage, temporary housing and critical infrastructure affected by the disaster.
- Supervise rehabilitation, improvement or construction works of water, sanitation, drainage, housing and community spaces or that provide essential services during the post-disaster recovery stage.
- Monitor the technical quality of the works carried out by contractors.
- Monitor the physical progress of activities and verify compliance with technical, quality, safety, protection and environmental management standards, preparing the corresponding technical reports.
Records
- Continuously document operational results, challenges, gaps, and lessons learned to support rapid adaptation of response and early recovery planning.
- Ensure the correct collection, storage and protection of data of beneficiaries and other information required for reporting activities and indicators of projects.
Coordination and liaison
- Actively participate in humanitarian coordination mechanisms at the national, regional and local levels, including WASH Sector Groups/Clusters, Shelter, CCCM or other relevant spaces, sharing information on needs, gaps, progress and intervention priorities.
- Coordinate with competent authorities, humanitarian organizations and community actors to avoid duplication, promote complementarities and ensure a timely and integrated response.
- Participate in coordination spaces within DRC with teams from other programmatic sectors such as EcRec and Protection, to ensure integrated implementation with adequate planning of activities.
Cross-cutting
- Represent the organization professionally and ethically in all activities carried out, ensuring compliance with internal procedures, proper information management, and the security of project documentation.
- Perform any other relevant tasks as requested by line managers and the WASI specialist.
- Perform field activities in accordance with the organization’s safety, humanitarian access and risk management procedures, promptly reporting incidents, restrictions and changes in the operational context.
- Ensure that all activities incorporate the approaches of protection, inclusion, accountability to affected populations (AAP), prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), and community participation.
Experience and skills:
- Minimum two (2) years of experience in the implementation of humanitarian programs of WASH, Shelter and/or community infrastructure.
- Experience in the implementation of emergency shelter interventions, community infrastructure or rehabilitation of basic facilities.
- Knowledge of Sphere humanitarian standards applicable to WASH and Shelter.
- Experience in supervising works, contractors and construction or rehabilitation activities.
- 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.
- Solid understanding of basic training in water, sanitation and hygiene programming, participatory promotion methods, community mobilization and network building.
- Knowledge of proper hygiene practices, waste management and sanitation, household water treatment methods and other hygiene practices to avoid public health risks.
- University degree in Civil Engineering, Sanitary Engineering, Public Health Engineering, Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, or other related disciplines. Demonstrable experience in humanitarian programs such as WASH, Shelter, and Infrastructure will be valued.
- Proficiency in computer tools (Microsoft Office) and experience in data collection and management using digital platforms such as Kobo Toolbox or similar.
- Ability to coordinate with local authorities, humanitarian organizations and community leaders.
- Ability to work in remote areas and make frequent field visits.
- Commitment to humanitarian principles, accountability to affected populations (AAP) and the safeguarding/protection policy against sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA).
- Ability to adapt to changing situations as needed.
- Ability to work well under pressure and in adverse conditions.
- Calm and diplomatic character;
- Knowledge of protection principles and approaches in humanitarian action;
- Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines;
- Ability to foster a collaborative work environment and maintain effective relationships with implementing partners and local stakeholders;
- Knowledge of the applicable Venezuelan legal framework and the principles of international humanitarian law and human rights.
Education:
- Degree in Civil Engineering/Architecture or other equivalent professional, with experience in WASH and Shelter or Infrastructure.
Language:
- English (A2 Desirable)
- Spanish
We offer:
- The opportunity to belong to one of the best NGOs worldwide.
- Access to over 1,000 free online training courses and certificates.
- Contract duration: 6 months with possibility of extension depending on budget availability.
- Salary:Â Band H.
- HCM insurance fully covered by the organization.
- National contracting.
DRC Core Competencies:
- Achieving excellence : focusing on achieving results and ensuring efficient processes.
- Collaboration:Â involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
- Taking the initiative : taking ownership and initiative while seeking innovation.
- Communicate:Â listen and speak effectively and honestly.
- Demonstration of integrity : Act in accordance with DRC’s vision and values.
Application process: All applicants must upload a cover letter (max. 1 page) and an updated CV ( max. 2 pages, no supporting documents ) in Spanish to the DRC job platform. Applications submitted by email will not be considered.
Application deadline : Tuesday, July 21st at 11:59 pm Local Time. 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.
Start date: August 2026
Use:
- We reserve the right to close the vacancy before the indicated application closing date.
- The vacancy is subject to project approval and availability of funds.
- Due to an emergency hiring process, DRC is not obligated to send rejection notices to candidates who are not considered in the process.
How to apply
Link to Application Form
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