WASH Specialist – Mozambique full-time NEW

Position Title – WASH Specialist

Duty Station – Pemba with travel to districts

Reports To – Programme Coordinator

Contract Type – Service Provider Consultancy Contract (approx one year)

Closing date of applications – 2 November 2026

The WASH Specialist leads the planning, design, implementation, monitoring and quality assurance of all Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) activities in Mozambique – in both communities and health facilities – ensuring that objectives are achieved on time and in line with technical standards and donor requirements.

Reporting to the Programme Coordinator, the WASH Specialist provides technical and leadership on WASH infrastructure, from design and technical specifications through to construction supervision and operation and maintenance, as well as on hygiene promotion and infection prevention and control.

The WASH Specialist works closely with local authorities, health institutions, communities, partners and contractors to improve access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene, and ensures WASH activities are well integrated with the other programme components.

Requirements for the role:

Degree in Civil Engineering, Water/Environmental Engineering, Public Health or a related field.
Proven technical expertise in WASH infrastructure design and supervision, including water supply systems, sanitation facilities, drainage, and healthcare waste management.
Demonstrated experience in WASH within Health Facilities and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), as well as community-level WASH and hygiene promotion activities.
Strong experience in construction supervision and contractor management, including technical specifications, Bills of Quantities (BoQs), site inspections, and ESHS (Environmental, Social, Health, and Safety) compliance.
Familiarity with emergency WASH interventions, climate-resilient designs, and inclusive/accessible infrastructure (gender and disability sensitivity).
Proven track record in M&E, budget management, procurement coordination, and donor reporting within international NGO environments.
Excellent representation and coordination skills for active engagement with the WASH Cluster, government health/water authorities, and local partners.
Experience working in conflict or emergency settings (Experience in Mozambique, particularly Cabo Delgado, is a strong advantage).
Fluent in Portuguese and English (both written and spoken, essential).
The main responsibilities of this post include the following:

1. Technical Coordination and Programme Management

Lead the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all WASH activities.
Develop annual, quarterly and monthly WASH work plans to ensure programme targets and objectives are achieved.
Ensure compliance with MENTOR policies, donor requirements, technical standards and national regulations.
Conduct assessments, technical surveys and programme reviews to identify needs and improve programme quality.
Support the development of proposals, budgets and donor reports.
Ensure integration of WASH activities with other programme components where appropriate.
2. Infrastructure Design and Construction Supervision

Prepare designs for water supply systems, sanitation facilities, handwashing stations and waste management infrastructure.
Ensure designs are climate-resilient, accessible and inclusive (gender, disability).
Draft technical specifications and bills of quantities; support bid evaluation and contractor mobilisation.
Conduct regular site inspections, verify the progress and quality of works, manage variation orders and follow up on defect rectification.
Monitor contractor compliance with Environmental, Social, Health and Safety (ESHS) requirements.
3. Community WASH Activities

Safe Water Supply

Oversee activities to improve access to safe and adequate water in targeted communities.
Supervise the rehabilitation, installation, operation and maintenance of water supply systems.
Ensure regular water quality monitoring and the implementation of water safety measures.
Coordinate emergency water supply interventions when required.
Promote sustainable community management of water infrastructure.
Sanitation

Supervise the rehabilitation, construction and improvement of sanitation facilities in communities.
Promote safe sanitation and environmental health practices.
Ensure facilities are accessible and inclusive for all users.
Hygiene Promotion

Lead the design and implementation of hygiene promotion and behaviour change activities.
Develop and adapt information, education and communication materials.
Ensure community participation throughout implementation.
WASH Kits and Supplies

Plan and oversee the distribution of hygiene kits, water treatment products and other WASH supplies.
Ensure transparent and accountable distribution processes, including post-distribution monitoring.
4. WASH in Health Facilities

Infrastructure

Conduct assessments of WASH conditions in health facilities.
Oversee the rehabilitation and upgrading of water systems, sanitation facilities, drainage, handwashing stations and healthcare waste management infrastructure.
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)

Support the implementation of WASH and IPC standards in health facilities, including healthcare waste management and environmental cleaning.
Organise training for health facility staff on WASH-related IPC practices.
Operation and Maintenance

Develop operation and maintenance plans for rehabilitated infrastructure.
Build the capacity of health facility staff to maintain WASH systems and monitor their functionality.
5. Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning

Develop and implement WASH monitoring tools, in coordination with the M&E team.
Conduct regular field monitoring visits and technical supervision.
Analyse programme data and prepare technical reports.
Document lessons learned and good practices.
Ensure timely and accurate internal and donor reporting.
6. Staff Supervision and Capacity Building

Supervise WASH staff and provide technical guidance.
Conduct regular performance reviews and support staff development.
Identify training needs and organise capacity building for staff, contractors, partners and community water and sanitation committees.
Promote teamwork and a positive working environment.
7. Budget and Resource Management

Prepare and monitor budgets for WASH activities.
Ensure efficient and accountable use of programme resources.
Coordinate closely with the logistics, finance, administration and procurement teams.
8. Representation and Coordination

Represent MENTOR in WASH Cluster meetings and technical working groups.
Maintain effective relationships with government water, sanitation and health authorities, donors and partners.
Contribute technical inputs to proposals, strategic plans and programme development.
9. Other

Uphold MENTOR’s values, policies, safeguarding principles and Code of Conduct.
Ensure all WASH activities are implemented in line with humanitarian principles and quality standards.
Undertake any other duties reasonably assigned by the Programme Coordinator.
The MENTOR Initiative is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in the organisation. We ensure constant non-discrimination throughout the recruitment process.

The MENTOR Initiative is committed to promoting diversity and gender equality and strongly encourages candidates from under-represented backgrounds to apply.

The MENTOR Initiative applies a zero-tolerance approach to sexual exploitation, abuse, mistreatment or harassment, and other types of unethical behaviour including fraud.

The MENTOR Initiative will contact previous employers of applicants to determine if they have any history of violating international standards and codes of conduct relating to such matters.

How to apply
Preferred application via LinkedIn here; https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-mentor-initiative/jobs/

If that is not possible, please email (in English) your CV, a letter of motivation and details of three referees (including your most recent employer) to recruitment.moz@mentor-initiative.net.