Project Officer, WASH (OCHA Project)

Position: Project Officer, WASH (OCHA Project) - National Position

Reports to: Project Coordinator, WASH

Job location:  Kiryandongo, Palorinya & Rhino Camp (1 per location)

Starting date: November 2026  

Vacancy closing date: 6th October 2026

Duration position: 10 months contract 

Working hours: Fulltime (40 hours per week) 

Please note: The recruitment for this position is contingent upon confirmation of project funding. The position will only be filled subject to the availability and confirmation of the required funding.

About ZOA

We are here for people who have lost everything due to armed conflict or natural disaster.

ZOA, as an international NGO, supports people who have lost everything due to armed conflict or natural disaster. Together, we can come to their aid in emergencies and remain faithful to communities as they recover – providing new opportunities for them to help themselves again. The work of ZOA is coordinated from the Netherlands. We are active in multiple countries in Africa, South America, the Middle East Region, and Asia. We work with approximately 900 employees worldwide and with (local) partners. We invite you to join our team of committed colleagues.

Our work in Uganda

In Uganda, ZOA has offices in Kampala, West Nile (Arua), Acholi (Gulu), and Karamoja (Amudat). ZOA Uganda works both in relief and recovery on the themes of food security & livelihoods, education, and conflict management with a special focus on land Rights.

About the OCHA Project

From October 2026 to July 2027, ZOA will implement WASH activities as a consortium partner with other partners implementing Protection and Nutrition related activities. The funding from OCHA will be used to meet immediate life saving needs including:

• Extending water supply systems
• Rehabilitating reserve tanks and water system components
• Support operations of motorised water supply systems
• Rehabilitate water points
• Facecal desludging
• Support to household latrine construction
• Latrine block construction
• Emergency preparedness and response in flood prone areas

ZOA Uganda is looking for a Project Officer to be based in Kiryandongo, Palorinya & Rhino Camp Settlements Office.

Your challenge

The Project Officer WASH, with support from the Project Coordinator WASH is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of WASH activities under the OCHA funded humanitarian project in Kiryandongo, Palorinya or Rhino Camp refugee settlements. He/She will oversee implementation of activities in two Outcome areas:

• Improved access to safe, reliable and equitable water supply for vulnerable communities in Palorinya, Rhino Camp and Kiryandongo refugee settlements.
• Reduced risk of WASH-related disease outbreaks through emergency sanitation and hygiene support for vulnerable refugee and host-community communities in Palorinya, Rhino Camp and Kiryandongo refugee settlements.

ZOA is hiring three positions under this advert. A WASH Officer will be based in each target location.

Your main tasks and responsibilities

General 

• Implement project activities in the assigned refugee settlement, ensuring alignment with the approved workplan, budget, donor requirements and ZOA procedures.
• Carry out field assessments of water sources, sanitation facilities and WASH service gaps, and contribute to technical planning, activity design, procurement planning and implementation schedules.
• Monitor contractors, service providers, hand pump mechanics and community volunteers to ensure works are completed safely, on time and according to agreed technical standards and specifications.
• Support implementation of sanitation activities such as household latrine construction, latrine block construction, faecal desludging, waste management and handwashing facility installation.
• Plan and supervise hygiene promotion, community sensitisation, behaviour change campaigns and distribution of hygiene materials to reduce risks of WASH-related disease outbreaks.
• Establish, train and mentor water user committees, hygiene promoters, sanitation committees and hand pump mechanics to promote community ownership, sustainability and operation and maintenance.
• Work closely with OPM, UNHCR, district local government, settlement leadership, consortium partners, WASH partners and community structures to harmonise interventions and avoid duplication.
• Collect and verify WASH monitoring data, track progress against indicators, document lessons learned and success stories, and contribute to monthly, internal and donor reports.
• Ensure WASH activities are inclusive, safe and accessible for vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, women, children and older persons; support feedback and complaint mechanisms and uphold safeguarding standards.

Water Supply and Infrastructure

• Conduct technical assessments of water sources (boreholes, wells, piped systems) to determine functionality, repair needs, and rehabilitation feasibility.
• Support the design, planning and supervision of WASH infrastructure construction and rehabilitation works, including boreholes, piped schemes, and water storage systems.
• Monitor contractors, hand pump mechanics and community volunteers to ensure quality workmanship and adherence to technical standards.
• Maintain updated inventories and mapping of water sources within the implementation area.
• Closely work with the district water officials and other stakeholders during joint assessments and technical verification missions.

Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion.

• Support the design and implementation of sanitation improvements such as latrine construction, waste management, and hand washing station installation.
• Deliver hygiene promotion activities, including community sensitisations, behavioural change campaigns and distribution of hygiene kits.
• Collaborate with health department and partners to improve sanitation and infection prevention.

Community Engagement and Capacity Strengthening.

• Facilitate training and follow-up of water user committees to strengthen community based management of water points.
• Promote community contributions for operation and maintenance in line with local regulations and sustainability plans.
• Conduct community mobilisation during WASH campaigns, project launches and emergency response activities.

Coordination and Partnership Engagement

• Represent the organisation in district and subcounty WASH coordination meetings.
• Participate in project inception meetings, planning workshops, and joint monitoring missions.
• Provide technical feedback to partners and ensure alignment with national WASH Policy.

Reporting /Monitoring and Data Management.

• Provide inputs to implementation plans and activity/monthly reports; 
• Identify, document lessons learned and best practices; 
• Prepare and submit well written success stories;  
• Contribute to project reports or implementation plans as required by supervisor; 
• Collect monitoring data according to ZOA’s systems and activities in the project;  
• Representation and coordination with relevant partners in Kiryandongo context on issues around WASH
• Actively participate in the required and relevant technical working groups; 
• Participate in relevant coordination meetings concerning the project. 
• Regular coordination with local government actors and relevant district offices; OPM, UNHCR and other NGO partners. 
• Contact with other project specific actors, e.g. consultants or service providers. 

Accountability 

• Sensitise all stakeholders (beneficiaries, service providers, partners, government and other) on feedback and complaint mechanisms implemented by ZOA Uganda 
• Upon receipt of a complaint or feedback, ensure that it is documented following correct reporting procedures  

Identity

• The candidate is expected to fully support the vision, mission and Christian values 0f ZOA (see https://www.zoa-international.com/corporate-identity)

Knowledge & Experience:

• Minimum of a Diploma or degree in Hydraulic Engineering, Water Resource Engineering, environmental or public health or other related fields.
• 2 + years’ experience in WASH, preferably in a humanitarian setting (refugee camps, rural development, or emergency response).
• Experience in localisation approaches and working with local organizations
• A good command of English, including written reporting and activity reporting
• Experience of working with People with Disabilities is a plus
• Experience working in the refugee settlement context is advantageous
• Experience of working with OCHA or on emergency projects is desired

Skills:

• High level of networking capacities 
• Experience of Engineering Software (Watercad, Epanet and Auto CAD etc)
• Experience with WASH Software components (hygiene promotion, Menstrual hygiene management and community sanitation approaches)
• Knowledge of domestic water supply system hydraulic design
• Excellent communication and interpersonal
• Able to bridge differences and bring people together from different backgrounds
• Motivated to work independently / self-managing
• Good computer skills: Ms Excel and Ms Word;
• Self-motivator, able to take initiatives with limited supervision;
• Ability to drive a motorcycle with valid driving/riding license is a MUST.

Attitude/behaviour:

• High level of personal integrity;
• Flexibility and adaptability;
• Interpersonal and cross-cultural sensitivity;
• Able to work under pressures and meet deadlines;
• Able to work in a sometimes fluid and innovative environment

• Commitment to ZOA’s mission, vision and values (see https://www.zoa-international.com/corporate-identity)

Special conditions/circumstances

The Project Officer will be based at the ZOA  field  office in either Kiryandongo, Palorinya, or Rhino Camp refugee settlements.. 

Regular travel to field locations, sub counties and for meetings with project stakeholders is expected. The postholder is expected to regularly ride a motorcycle in rural conditions/on unmade roads. 

The role is 1.0 FTW (40 hrs./week). Working hours and benefits are outlined in the ZOA Uganda Employee Handbook. Some flexibility on working hours may be required, e.g. for travel at weekends, or during reporting times.

Our offer

• ZOA offers a challenging role in a dynamic context, and you will be part of an inspiring and motivated team.
• We offer good benefits and remuneration which suits the NGO sector.

Do you need more information?

For more information about ZOA, please visit our website www.zoa-international.com.

Interested and ready to apply?

All interested and qualified candidates please apply directly via the link, at the latest 6th October 2026.

CV’s of no more than 5 pages in length are appreciated. Please provide at least 3 references related to your previous employment listed in the application. References of previous positions held should not be older than five years.

Only selected candidates will be contacted and invited to participate in the process of Interviews. 

ZOA operates with an equal opportunities policy and is committed to diversity in the workplace.
Qualified women and men, people of all nationalities, and cultural backgrounds, and candidates with disabilities, women, Refugees are encouraged to apply.

Please note that, as part of its recruitment process, ZOA carries out background and reference checks (Including COTER - Counter Terrorism Check) for all candidates. As ZOA participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, all reference checks include a written questionnaire, the ‘Statement of Conduct’, which will be sent to past employers regarding misconduct (such as sexual exploitation, abuse or harassment).

Please note that ZOA does not solicit for funds during any recruitment process. To report any unethical conduct, please use; report.uganda@zoa.ngo or report@zoa.ngo or Call: 080-020-0121 Tollfree.