WASI Team Leader (Caracas – National Staff) At Danish Refugee Council

Leave a Comment / Venezuela / By

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 Team Leader 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 an Emergency Water, Sanitation, Hygiene, Shelter, and Infrastructure (WASI) Team Leader who will be responsible for operationally leading the emergency response and early recovery in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), Emergency Shelter, and Infrastructure sectors.

General objective of the position

Under the supervision of the Emergency Coordinator and/or Base Manager and with technical guidance from the National WASI Specialist, the Emergency Water, Sanitation, Hygiene, Shelter, and Infrastructure (WASI) Team Leader will be responsible for operationally leading the emergency response and early recovery in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), Emergency Shelter, and Infrastructure sectors. This includes ensuring the rapid assessment of damage and needs, prioritization of interventions, efficient resource mobilization, and technical oversight of activities implemented by the WASI team to restore essential services and support the disaster-affected population. Furthermore, the team leader will guarantee compliance with applicable humanitarian standards, the integration of protection, AAP, and PSEA approaches, appropriate coordination with authorities, communities, and other humanitarian actors, and the efficient management of the team and resources allocated to achieve DRC’s programmatic objectives in emergency contexts.

Responsibilities:

Management

  • Direct and manage the WASI field team, planning their activities.
  • Ensure proper operational planning and quality execution of WASI response activities in the field.
  • Supervise and provide technical support to WASI Officers and other personnel involved in the implementation of sectoral activities.
  • Ensure daily monitoring of WASI interventions, promptly identifying risks, limitations, and opportunities for improvement.
  • Promote the mainstreaming of protection, gender, inclusion, accountability to affected populations (AAP) and protection against sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) approaches in all activities.
  • Ensure that staff know, understand, and comply with DRC’s policies, procedures, and regulations.
  • Report incidents, misconduct or non-compliance by staff and participate in the corresponding disciplinary processes when required.

Programs and operations

  • Lead the operational planning and prioritization of rapid response actions during the first hours, days and weeks after the disaster, ensuring an efficient mobilization of human, material and financial resources.
  • To ensure the efficient and effective execution of WASI projects in emergencies, in compliance with the established objectives, schedules, budgets and quality standards.
  • Coordinate the implementation of rapid needs assessments in emergency contexts to guide response planning.
  • Consolidate and analyze information from assessments, monitoring, and field reports to support strategic decision-making and response prioritization.
  • Identify and escalate critical needs, assistance gaps, emerging risks, and operational limitations that require additional decisions or resources in a timely manner.
  • Oversee the planning and implementation of risk communication and community awareness activities in hygiene, distribution of WASH kits, accommodation kits and non-food items (NFI).
  • Coordinate with the Support team the accelerated acquisition of materials, equipment, services and works necessary for the response.
  • Participate in the preparation of internal reports, donor reports, technical proposals, and programmatic contributions related to the sector.
  • Lead the team in the implementation of project monitoring and tracking activities, including on-site verifications, post-distribution monitoring, and accountability actions.
  • Lead the transition from immediate response activities to early recovery interventions aimed at the progressive and resilient restoration of basic services and infrastructure.

WASH Works, Shelter and Infrastructure

  • Monitor the rapid assessment of damage and functional conditions of affected infrastructure to guide the prioritization of emergency interventions and early recovery.
  • Ensure the prioritization and monitoring of interventions aimed at the timely restoration of essential water, sanitation and infrastructure services in affected communities, health centers, schools, collective shelters and other critical facilities.
  • Lead the planning and supervision of WASH system interventions, emergency accommodation, collective shelters and temporary housing solutions in accordance with humanitarian standards.
  • Prioritize, together with the WASI Specialist and the Emergency Coordinator, the rehabilitation and early recovery interventions of essential infrastructure.
  • Supervise the suitability and technical management of collective shelters and temporary accommodation spaces, guaranteeing minimum conditions of safety, dignity, accessibility and protection for the affected population.
  • Oversee the preparation of technical specifications, scope of work, reference budgets and contracting requirements for emergency interventions and early recovery.
  • Oversee the execution of rehabilitations and infrastructure improvements related to water, sanitation, drainage, waste management, accommodation and community spaces that provide essential services.
  • Supervise the technical quality of emergency and early recovery works carried out by contractors.
  • Ensure that all WASH, infrastructure and accommodation works incorporate safety, accessibility, protection, environmental management and risk reduction criteria.

Coordination and representation

  • Coordinate with internal and external technical specialists on matters related to the WASH and Shelter sectors.
  • Maintain ongoing communication with local authorities, community leaders, service providers, and implementing partners to facilitate the execution of activities.
  • Represent DRC in humanitarian coordination mechanisms, including WASH Sector Groups/Clusters, Shelter and other relevant spaces, ensuring the timely exchange of information on needs, progress, gaps and operational priorities.
  • Ensure the coordination and integration of activities with other DRC programmatic sectors, especially Protection, Economic Recovery and Disaster Preparedness.

Project monitoring

  • Supervise the technical execution of projects, ensuring compliance with Sphere standards and other applicable humanitarian standards.
  • Ensure the timely collection, validation, and analysis of information related to indicators, beneficiary records, sector evaluations, and implemented activities.
  • Supervise the quality and completeness of the means of verification, technical documentation, photographic reports, minutes, attendance lists and other support required by the projects.
  • Coordinate the development and monitoring of work plans, implementation schedules, and operational priorities for the team.
  • Ensure the application of community feedback and accountability mechanisms during the implementation of activities.

Logistics and Finance

  • Support the monitoring of financial commitments and expenditures of WASI projects in relation to approved budgets.
  • Coordinate the logistical planning of field activities and the movement of the team to the different intervention areas.
  • Initiate and monitor the acquisition processes related to materials, equipment, services and works required for sectoral activities.
  • Coordinate with the Support teams the planning of distributions and emergency intervention activities.
  • Supervise the receipt, temporary storage, quality control and distribution of WASH and Shelter materials and supplies.
  • Ensure the application of protection measures, safety and proper risk management during distributions and field interventions.
  • Ensure that field activities are carried out in accordance with the organization’s safety, humanitarian access and risk management procedures, promptly reporting incidents, restrictions and changes in the operational context.

Experience and skills:

  • Minimum 3 years of experience in coordination or technical supervision positions for teams in humanitarian contexts.
  • Minimum 3 years of experience in the implementation of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Shelter, community infrastructure or emergency response projects.
  • Proven experience in supervising emergency works and early recovery, rehabilitation of basic infrastructure, contractor management and monitoring of accommodation and temporary housing interventions.
  • Solid knowledge of Sphere humanitarian standards applicable to WASH and Shelter.
  • Experience in coordinating with local authorities, humanitarian organizations, community leaders and sectoral coordination mechanisms.
  • Proven skills in leadership, supervision and management of multidisciplinary teams.
  • Experience in budget tracking, operational planning, and monitoring of project indicators.
  • Commitment to learning and applying the organization’s policies and procedures.
  • Excellent knowledge of MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
  • Experience in digital tools for data collection and management (Kobo Toolbox or similar).
  • Proven experience in field work and availability for frequent travel.
  • Professional proficiency in English (B2 level desirable).

Desirable

  • 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 (B2 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: Band G.
  • HCM insurance fully covered by the organization.
  • National contracting.

DRC Core 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.

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

Use the link below if you need a link that will not display the advertisement. Candidates will be brought directly to the application form.

[**https://candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationInit.aspx?cid=1036&ProjectId=176365&DepartmentId=19129&SkipAdvertisement=true**](https://candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationInit.aspx?cid=1036&ProjectId=176365&DepartmentId=19129&SkipAdvertisement=true**](https://candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationInit.aspx?cid=1036&ProjectId=176365&DepartmentId=19129&SkipAdvertisement=true))