WASH Officer at Vision for Inclusive Solutions and Transparency Initiative (VISTA Initiative)

Vision for Inclusive Solutions and Transparency Initiative (VISTA Initiative) is a national non-governmental organization with a strong focus on women and girls, established in response to the humanitarian crisis in Nigeria. The organization prioritizes interventions in the Northeast, Northwest, and North Central regions, where communities face the impacts of armed conflict, natural disasters, climate-induced displacement, and deep socio-economic marginalization. VISTA Initiative delivers life-saving humanitarian assistance while advancing sustainable development, climate-resilient programming, and peacebuilding solutions for crisis-affected and underserved populations. The organization places particular emphasis on addressing the needs of women, children, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and the elderly, ensuring that disability inclusion is fully mainstreamed across all programs.

VISTA Initiative thematic areas of intervention include providing equitable access to Education, improving access to safe Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services, delivering essential Health care and Nutrition support, and ensuring protection for vulnerable populations. VISTA Initiative also strengthens Food Security, facilitates Early Recovery and Livelihoods, and provides critical support in Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM), Shelter, and Non-Food Items (NFI). The organization promotes Governance and Civic Engagement, fosters Peacebuilding and Social Cohesion, and integrates climate change adaptation and mitigation actions into all relevant sectors to strengthen community resilience against climate-induced risks.

VISTA Initiative is firmly guided by the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, operating without political or religious bias and upholding a strong commitment to equity, inclusion, and non-discrimination. The organization employs a community-driven, rights-based approach, ensuring programs are informed by local needs, promote inclusive participation, and address barriers faced by marginalized groups. Its work aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reflects the Humanitarian Development Peace Nexus (HDPN) by bridging emergency response with long-term recovery, governance reform, climate resilience, and social cohesion.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: WASH Officer

Location: Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria (with frequent travel to project locations across Northeast, Northwest, and North Central Borno.
Employment Type: Full-time

Purpose of the Position

• The WASH Officer will provide technical and operational support for the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of WASH programs.
• The officer ensures that all interventions are safe, sustainable, gender-responsive, inclusive, and aligned with humanitarian standards, national policies, and donor requirements.
• Additionally, the WASH Officer will support proposal and concept note development, donor engagement, and advocacy efforts to secure funding and strengthen partnerships for WASH programming.

Key Responsibilities
Technical Support and Implementation:

• Support the planning, implementation, and monitoring of WASH activities across project sites.
• Assist in the construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of water supply systems, sanitation facilities, and handwashing stations.
• Implement hygiene promotion campaigns and behavior change communication (BCC) targeting communities, schools, and health centers.
• Ensure WASH activities are gender-responsive, disability-inclusive, and climate-resilient.
• Support WASH infrastructure in Temporary Learning Spaces (TLS), health centers, and community facilities.

Monitoring, Reporting, and MEAL Support:

• Conduct regular field monitoring to ensure compliance with SPHERE standards, donor requirements, and organizational policies.
• Collect, compile, and report WASH program data to the WASH Manager.
• Document lessons learned, challenges, and best practices to inform program improvement.
• Support assessments, surveys, and evaluations of WASH interventions in collaboration with MEAL teams.

Capacity Building and Community Engagement:

• Train and mentor community volunteers, WASH committees, and local staff on technical WASH standards and hygiene promotion.
• Promote community participation and ownership of WASH facilities and services.
• Ensure women, girls, and persons with disabilities are actively engaged in WASH decision-making and maintenance.

Proposal Writing, Donor Engagement, and Advocacy:

• Support the development of concept notes, proposals, and funding applications for donors and strategic partners.
• Assist in donor engagement, reporting, and communications to maintain strong partnerships.
• Contribute to advocacy efforts to promote WASH programming at local, state, and national levels.
• Collaborate with the WASH Manager and Head of Programs to identify funding opportunities aligned with organizational priorities.
• Support advocacy for funding and partnership opportunities with donors, UN Agencies, INGOs, NNGOs, Philanthropies, and government agencies.

Coordination and Partnerships:

• Represent VISTA Initiative in local WASH coordination forums and technical working groups.
• Support collaboration with government agencies, NGOs, and community structures for effective WASH service delivery.
• Assist in establishing MOUs, partnership agreements, and joint initiatives related to WASH programming.

Risk Management and Safeguarding:

• Identify technical, operational, and protection risks related to WASH activities.
• Ensure adherence to VISTA Initiative’s safeguarding, child protection, and PSEA policies.
• Support audits, donor compliance checks, and internal program reviews.

Key Deliverables

• Timely and high-quality implementation of WASH interventions.
• Accurate monitoring reports, assessments, and field documentation.
• Strengthened community participation in WASH programs.
• Completed proposals, concept notes, and donor engagement reports to support funding opportunities.
• Compliance with humanitarian standards, donor requirements, and organizational policies.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Water Engineering, Environmental Health, Public Health, or related field.
• Minimum of 3-5 years’ experience in WASH programming, preferably in humanitarian or fragile contexts.
• Knowledge of SPHERE standards, WASH in Emergencies, and hygiene promotion techniques.
• Experience in community mobilization and participatory approaches.
• Strong computer skills (MS Office, AutoCAD and data collection tools) and basic GIS knowledge is an advantage.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Water Engineering, Environmental Health, Public Health, or related field.
• Minimum 3–5 years’ experience in WASH programming, preferably in humanitarian or fragile contexts.
• Knowledge of SPHERE standards, WASH in Emergencies, and hygiene promotion techniques.
• Experience in proposal development, donor engagement, and advocacy is required.
• Strong computer skills (MS Office, AutoCAD, data collection tools); basic GIS knowledge is an advantage.

Core Competencies and Skills:

• Strong technical knowledge of WASH programming.
• Good communication, coordination, reporting, and proposal writing skills.
• Ability to work independently and in a team in challenging field conditions.
• Commitment to accountability, safeguarding, and ethical conduct.
• Fluency in English; knowledge of Kanuri, Hausa, or Fulani is an advantage.

Safeguarding and Code of Conduct:

• The WASH Officer must adhere to VISTA Initiative Code of Conduct, Child Safeguarding Policy, and PSEA Policy.
• Any form of exploitation, abuse, or misconduct will not be tolerated.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

• VISTA Initiative is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and candidates from diverse backgrounds.

Application Closing Date
10th February, 2026 by 12:00 PM.