Job title: Wash & Shelter Assistant
Department: Program Quality & Innovation Location: Hargeisa
Nature of contract: Fixed term contract Contract period: 3 months
Report to: Wash & Shelter
Coordinator
Line Management: Hygiene promoters
Job Summary
The position will technically report to the Wash & Shelter Coordinator who will provide technical guidance,
oversight and quality assurance, while hierarchically reporting to the Program Coordinator/Manager in
Somalialand for overall line management and administrative supervision. The position will contribute to the full
programme management cycle for Wash, Shelter and infrastructure interventions including project design,
technical assessment, planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting in accordance with Islamic Relief
policies and procedures and relevant standards including the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS), SPHERE
Standards, national WASH and Shelter guidelines and applicable building codes and technical standards.
Key responsibilities will include supporting project implementation and preparing technical designs, drawings,
specifications, Bills of Quantities (BoQs) and cost estimates for Wash, Shelter and other infrastructure activities.
The position will oversee and provide technical support for the construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of
water infrastructure, including boreholes, shallow wells, Berkads, earth dams and springs as well as sanitation
facilities such as latrines, waste disposal/garbage pits and handwashing facilities. The role will also support the
construction and rehabilitation of market shades, offices, classrooms, irrigation structures, health facilities, and
other community infrastructure ensuring that works meet approved designs, specifications, quality standards,
safety requirements, and agreed timelines.
In addition, the position will contribute to the implementation of the soft components of Wash, including
hygiene promotion, community mobilisation and the distribution of hygiene items and Shelter Non-Food Items
(NFIs). The role will work closely with programme teams, communities, contractors, local authorities and other
relevant stakeholders to ensure effective and accountable delivery of activities. The position will also be
responsible for the timely preparation and submission of technical assessments, designs, BoQs, progress
updates, completion reports and other required project documentation.
Scope of Role
• The Wash Assistant will support the technical implementation of WASH, Shelter, and livelihood-related
infrastructure activities under the guidance and supervision of the WASH and Shelter Coordinator and
the Program Coordinator/Manager.
• Support community mobilisation, Water Management Committee (WMC) capacity building and hygiene
promotion activities.
• Work closely with Programme, Logistics, Finance and other relevant teams as well as senior
management at both country and field levels to support effective programme delivery.
• Perform all duties in accordance with Islamic Relief's faith-based principles, policies, procedures and
relevant humanitarian standards including the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) and SPHERE
Standards.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
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• Support the Wash technical team in conducting Wash, Shelter, and infrastructure needs assessments,
including field data collection, community consultations, and site assessments.
• Assist in planning Wash and infrastructure activities, including the construction, rehabilitation, and
repair of water supply systems, sanitation facilities, shelters, and livelihood-related infrastructure.
• Support the preparation and updating of activity implementation plans, field schedules, beneficiary
information, technical documentation, and project records.
• Support the field implementation of water infrastructure activities, including boreholes, shallow wells,
berkads, water tanks, water kiosks, pipelines, earth dams, springs and associated water supply systems.
• Support the monitoring of sanitation and hygiene infrastructure, including latrines, handwashing
facilities, waste-disposal facilities, and other Wash facilities.
• Conduct routine field monitoring and assist in verifying that construction works are implemented in
accordance with approved drawings, BoQs, specifications, contracts, and technical guidance.
• Support the supervision of contractors and promptly report construction defects, quality concerns, delays
or deviations to the responsible Wash Officer/Engineer.
• Maintain accurate and well-organised physical and electronic records of WASH, Shelter, and
infrastructure activities.
• Support the preparation of weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual activity updates and reports by
providing accurate field information and supporting evidence.
• Support community mobilisation, beneficiary engagement, and community consultations throughout
project implementation.
• Assist in the establishment, training, and follow-up of Water Management Committees (WMCs) to
strengthen the operation, maintenance, governance, accountability and sustainability of water facilities.
• Work with hygiene promoters, volunteers, and community representatives to support hygiene promotion
campaigns and awareness activities.
• Support the transparent and equitable distribution of Wash supplies, hygiene materials, sanitation items,
and Shelter NFIs during emergencies.
• Participate in collecting and documenting community feedback, success stories, lessons learned,
beneficiary feedback, and project achievements.
• Provide information required for Wash & Shelter Cluster reporting including activity data and 4W
information, under the guidance of the responsible technical staff.
• Undertake any other duties or assignments reasonably required by the supervisor or management,
consistent with the responsibilities of the position and organisational needs.

Experience
• Minimum 2 years of relevant professional experience in WASH, Shelter, civil works, public health, or
related humanitarian/development programmes, preferably with local or international NGOs.
• At least 2 years of practical experience in WASH programming, including community-based water
supply, sanitation, hygiene promotion, or related infrastructure activities.
• Experience supporting water infrastructure activities, including boreholes, shallow/hand-dug wells, water
supply systems, water tanks, pipelines, reservoirs, and associated civil works.
• Experience in project implementation, field monitoring, reporting, documentation, community
engagement, and coordination with relevant stakeholders.
Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Civil Engineering, Water Engineering, Public Health, Environmental
Health, Wash Sanitation Engineering or a related field.

• Relevant professional training or certification in WASH, humanitarian programming, construction
supervision, or public health will be an added advantage.
Knowledge
• Good understanding of humanitarian Wash programming, community-based approaches and basic
WASH infrastructure.
• Knowledge of relevant humanitarian standards and guidelines, including SPHERE Standards, Core
Humanitarian Standard (CHS), and National WASH Cluster guidelines.
• Basic understanding of water supply, sanitation, hygiene promotion, and construction quality standards.
Technical and Other Skills
• Good communication, interpersonal, teamwork, presentation, and coordination skills.
• Good analytical, problem-solving, reporting, and documentation skills.
• Good written and spoken English, with the ability to prepare clear field reports and communicate
technical information.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and in challenging and remote field environments.
• Basic working knowledge of AutoCAD, WaterCAD, ArchiCAD or similar engineering/design software
is an advantage.
• Good computer skills, particularly Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Desirable Experience and Skills
• Experience in conducting community-based Wash needs assessments, activity planning, implementation,
monitoring and evaluation.
• Ability to collect, analyse, and interpret field and contextual information and use findings to support
practical and informed programme recommendations.
• Experience working with communities, local authorities, and other stakeholders in the design and delivery
of WASH interventions.
• Ability to identify implementation challenges, propose appropriate solutions, and contribute to improving
programme quality and effectiveness.

Child Safeguarding:
The position will interact with different society groups included child women and other community members and
hence requires utmost compliance when dealing with such community and respect to
each member at its stage specifically safeguarding with children.
Application Process
Islamic Relief Somalia Programme invites applications from qualified and motivated candidates.
If you are interested, please submit your updated CV and cover letter as a single PDF document (maximum
three pages) to [email protected] on or before 06 September 2026.
Note: - Please indicate the subject line of your email as "Wash & Shelter Assistant – Hargeisa"
 Only shortlisted candidates will be contacte