Major Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Technical Responsibilities:

• Lead technical design, implementation, monitoring and improvement of WASH interventions, applying assessed needs, approved objectives, Medair guidance, donor and national requirements, and relevant international standards.

• Oversee needs and feasibility assessments and approve site designs, specifications, BoQs and acceptance criteria before procurement or implementation, accounting for cost, sustainability and exit arrangements.

• Maintain a documented change log for each intervention, recording deviations from approved designs or BoQs, the technical rationale, cost and schedule implications, and the necessary internal, donor or authority approvals before implementation; update final drawings and as-built records accordingly.

• Visit sites and supervise staff and contractors at critical stages, checking work against approved specifications, documenting deficiencies and verifying corrective action.

• Set inspection and hold points before concealed works and acceptance; document required tests, defects and closure before recommending handover or final payment through the applicable approval process.

• Verify technical and safety requirements for each installation, including applicable water-quality, electrical and operational checks; document commissioning results and any outstanding risks, and escalate unresolved safety concerns before use or handover.

• Complete a documented handover for each site or system, including as-built records, test results, operating instructions, operator training, maintenance and consumables arrangements, warranties, responsible institution and outstanding actions.

• Work closely with Logistics and relevant WASH staff to develop clear technical specifications for WASH materials, equipment and services and support technical evaluation and quality control throughout procurement and delivery.

• Work with MEAL/IM to define WASH output, outcome and quality measures; review quantitative and qualitative findings, community feedback and monitoring results, and use them to adjust implementation.

• Consult the GSO WASH Advisor on complex designs, material changes, unresolved quality or safety issues and commissioning criteria; document advice and decisions while retaining delivery accountability.

2. Staff Management:

• Lead and line-manage WASH staff with clear reporting lines, decision rights and named owners for each site and deliverable; agree objectives, priorities and deadlines aligned with capacity and work plans.

• Delegate according to competence while retaining oversight; use regular check-ins to resolve blockers, verify deliverables and coach staff to take decisions within their authority.

• Provide timely feedback, conduct required performance reviews and address performance concerns through Medair procedures; ensure supervisors do the same for their teams.

• Plan staffing against programme priorities and workload, identify gaps early and work with HR on recruitment, onboarding and handover.

3. Project Delivery, Quality and Accountability:

• Translate grant commitments into agreed deliverables, quality criteria, site priorities and realistic implementation schedules, with clear owners and decision points.

• Maintain realistic work plans and a live site-level tracker of approved scope, milestones, owners, dependencies, expenditure, risks, decisions and outstanding actions; review these with staff and support teams and update forecasts as conditions change.

• Ensure implementation, procurement evidence, expenditure and reporting meet donor agreements and Medair procedures; coordinate with Logistics, Finance, MEAL/IM and security on dependencies, agreed actions and unresolved blockers.

• Review progress, expenditure, forecasts and resources against milestones and budget; document variances, causes and corrective actions, and flag constraints before they jeopardise delivery.

Keep an accessible, auditable file for each intervention, using standard assessment, change-control, inspection, commissioning and handover records; retain approvals, decisions, photographs, contractor correspondence, monitoring evidence and proof of corrective-action closure.

4. Communication and Coordination:

• Keep WASH staff and Medair departments informed of agreed priorities, responsibilities, decisions and changes that affect delivery.

• Maintain constructive relationships with communities, authorities, partners, donors and WASH actors; represent Medair in relevant coordination forums, avoid duplication and document agreements and follow-up.

• Communicate material changes to scope, timelines, risks or agreed responsibilities promptly to the Deputy Country Director and relevant stakeholders, distinguishing confirmed decisions from proposals.

Before confirming external commitments on scope, delivery dates, access or handover, check feasibility, capacity, supplier readiness and required approvals; document the authorised commitment.

5. Risk Management:

• Maintain a WASH risk and issue log covering safety, quality, access, procurement, budget, timelines, safeguarding and sustainability; assign owners, track mitigation and contingency actions, and reassess risks as conditions change.

• Escalate material or emerging risks promptly to the Deputy Country Director, presenting the evidence, options, recommendation and decision needed; seek specialist advice or formal authorisation where required.

• Support organisational risk management processes, internal reviews and audits, ensuring agreed actions relevant to the WASH programme are implemented and followed up.

6. Programme Development and Reporting:

• Identify relevant funding and partnership opportunities and lead WASH inputs to proposals and budgets, using needs evidence, feasible activities, realistic schedules, lifecycle costs, donor requirements and review by relevant support and technical teams.

• Provide accurate, evidenced and timely WASH inputs to donor and internal reports, reconciling activities, results, expenditure and explanations of material variances with Finance and MEAL/IM.

7. Security, Safeguarding and Fraud Prevention:

• Identify security and safeguarding risks affecting staff, affected people, activities and assets; raise them through designated focal points and implement agreed measures within delegated authority.

• Apply Medair safeguarding policies in WASH work, ensure staff and contractors know their obligations, and report concerns promptly through designated channels without conducting unauthorised investigations.

• Ensure appropriate controls and oversight are maintained within WASH activities, including work with contractors, suppliers and partners, to reduce risks of fraud, corruption and misuse of resources.

• Support relevant audits, reviews and investigations and ensure agreed actions related to the WASH programme are followed up.

Additional job responsibilities:

The duties and responsibilities set out above are not exhaustive, and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within the reasonable scope of their skills and experience.

Personal Specifications

Master’s degree in civil, Environmental, Water Engineering, or another relevant WASH-related field
Minimum 5 years of relevant experience.
Management experience in a WASH context and in developing country.
Experience in the NGO sector
Demonstrated experience managing projects through the full project cycle, including planning, implementation, monitoring, budgets, reporting and donor compliance
Proven experience leading and managing teams, including delegation, performance management, coaching and systematic follow-up
Demonstrated experience in the design, implementation and quality oversight of WASH interventions
Strong working knowledge of written and spoken Arabic. Strong working knowledge of English (written and spoken).
Master’s degree in civil, Environmental, Water Engineering, or another relevant WASH-related field.

Competencies (Soft skills)

Teamwork/Team building

Ability to work effectively with diverse teams, fostering collaboration and synergy among team members to achieve common goals
Skill in resolving conflicts and disagreements within the team constructively, promoting understanding and consensus.
Proficiency in building and maintaining high-performing teams, nurturing trust, mutual respect, and camaraderie among team members.

Self-Management

Skill in managing time effectively, prioritizing tasks, and meeting deadlines in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
Flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances and requirements, demonstrating agility and resilience in response to unforeseen challenges. Ability to manage stress and pressure effectively, maintaining composure and focus under demanding conditions.
Continuous learning.

Time management

Skill in managing time effectively, prioritizing tasks, and meeting deadlines in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
Develop schedules and allocate resources strategically.

Attitude and work ethics

Maintain a positive attitude and strong commitment to work.
Uphold ethical standards and organizational values in all interactions.
Demonstrate professionalism, empathy, and respect for diversity.

Motivation

Passionate about serving the most vulnerable.
Self-motivated, enthusiastic, and eager to learn.
Ability to inspire and motivate team members towards achieving shared goals, providing vision, direction, and support.
Skill in recognizing and rewarding the contributions and achievements of team members, fostering a culture of appreciation and motivation.
Capacity to set clear and challenging goals for the team, empowering them to strive for excellence and continuous improvement.

Adaptability

Remain flexible and resilient in changing environments.
Be creative, open-minded, and willing to learn.
Adapt communication strategies for different audiences and contexts.

Positive Work Environment & Communication and Coordination

Awareness of cultural differences and nuances, and ability to adapt.
Commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable work culture that values diversity, promotes belongingness, and ensures equal opportunities for all team members
Alignment with the organization's values, mission, and vision, and ability to promote and uphold these values within the project team.
Model positive and respectful behavior in all interactions.
Encourage open dialogue and constructive feedback.
Manage conflicts effectively and build trust across teams.
Promote a culture of learning and continuous improvement.

Other skills

Ability to take initiative
Ability to encourage others
Ability to work in challenging environments and manage conflict.
Work conditions
Medair’s work environment is often fast-paced and demanding. As an emergency responder, staff may sometimes be required to work long hours or with limited notice. Ours is a diverse team responding to needs in diverse communities. Daily travel can be 1-2 hours in some project locations, and emergency field work in challenging conditions.

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Project Manager