PACIDA invites internal applications for the position of Thematic Sector Lead – WASH. This senior technical role is responsible for the full leadership and coordination of the organisation’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector. The position supervises both hardware (infrastructure, engineering, water systems) and software (community mobilisation, hygiene behaviour change, WASH governance) components, ensuring integrated, inclusive, and sustainable WASH interventions across PACIDA’s operational areas.

The role requires deep contextual understanding of ASAL challenges, technical competence in WASH infrastructure, and strong capability in community-led approaches and public health promotion. The Thematic Sector Lead will work closely with field teams, engineers, MEAL, county authorities, and partners to drive programme quality, innovation, and impact.

The position can be based in any PACIDA field office with field deployments as required.

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Water Resources Management, or a related field
• At least 5 years of experience leading WASH interventions, with combined hardware and software components
• Demonstrated experience managing engineering works alongside hygiene promotion or governance interventions
• Excellent coordination, leadership, and reporting skills

Desirable

• Master’s degree Public Health, Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Water Resources Management, or a related field
• Experience working in ASAL counties and understanding of pastoralist education challenges
• Familiarity with donor-funded education programming and policy frameworks
• Commitment to PACIDA’s values of innovation, integrity, diligence, and service to the community

Program Design and Strategy

• Provide strategic leadership for PACIDA’s WASH sector, overseeing both physical infrastructure and software/behaviour change programming.
• Develop integrated WASH strategies and workplans that align with PACIDA’s strategic plan, SPHERE standards, SDG 6 targets, and ASAL realities.
• Lead needs assessments and technical feasibility studies for new interventions.

Implementation Oversight – Hardware and Software

• Oversee construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of WASH infrastructure (e.g. water supply systems, boreholes, rainwater harvesting, latrines).
• Supervise engineering teams, contractors, and technical service providers to ensure quality and safety standards are met.
• Lead the design and implementation of hygiene behaviour change campaigns, community training, WASH governance structures, and public health outreach.
• Ensure software and hardware components are well integrated and community-owned.

Monitoring, Quality Assurance and Reporting

• Collaborate with MEAL to develop WASH indicators and ensure strong monitoring and evaluation systems are in place for infrastructure and behaviour outcomes.
• Review technical drawings, BoQs, hygiene promotion tools, and activity reports.
• Lead documentation of lessons learned, innovations, and stories of change.

Capacity Building

• Build technical and facilitative capacity of WASH officers, CHVs, engineers, and partner staff across both hard and soft WASH components.
• Facilitate cross-learning among teams and contribute to sector-wide knowledge sharing.

Coordination, Representation and Partnerships

• Represent PACIDA in county and national WASH forums, WESCOORD meetings, and inter-agency coordination platforms.
• Maintain strong engagement with Ministry of Water, Ministry of Health, NDMA, and county WASH departments.
• Forge partnerships with research bodies, private sector actors, and donors for sustainable WASH innovation.

Emergency Preparedness and Response

• Lead rapid WASH assessments and emergency responses in drought, flood, or disease outbreak contexts.
• Ensure contingency planning, stock prepositioning, and hygiene kits distribution readiness.

Risk and Compliance

• Monitor risks related to infrastructure works (e.g. safety, land conflicts, water source sustainability) and software aspects (e.g. community resistance, misinformation).
• Ensure compliance with PACIDA’s procurement, engineering, and donor standards in all WASH activities.