WASH OFFICER PUBLIC HEALTH ENGINEERING

Oxfam in Algeria – Sahrawi Refugee Camps

Oxfam in Algeria has been active in the Saharawi refugee camps since 1975. Its humanitarian programme in the camps has been focusing on food security until 2016. The programme has transitioned from emergency aid to a combination of humanitarian (focusing on WASH and Food Security) and resilience interventions with policy and influencing work locally and globally.

Given the challenging funding environment, the costs and quality of services in the camps, particularly Water supply, overall programmatic approaches in the camp are going through key revisions. In this context, UNHCR commissioned Oxfam to develop a five-year strategy for extending the water-supply networks in the camps, with associated developments in the areas of systems operation, governance and capacity building, and community engagement. This strategy was completed in late 2019 and is meant to inform the overall water supply work over the coming 5 years.

Oxfam in Algeria has recently developed a series of projects contributing to the improvement of WaSH services and infrastructure for Sahrawi refugees living in the five camps of Tindouf, including the delivery of detailed design and bills of quantities for the improvement of water-supply infrastructure. Oxfam is also working on strengthening the capacity of the different actors in the WaSH sector through the development of a capacity strengthening strategy, implementation plan and the delivery of training. Additionally, Oxfam will be working on various projects contributing to improved water storage at household and production levels.

Oxfam in Algeria is seeking an experienced WASH Officer to support its programmes aiming at improving access to safe water and overall WASH services. The WASH Officer will be working as part of the response team in the Sahrawi camps and will be based in Rabouni with regular travels to the different camps in the governorate of Tindouf. S/He will act as technical focal point for Oxfam and work closely with the local and international WASH actors in the camps.

Job Purpose

Under the supervision of the WASH Programme Manager and technical guidance of the WASH Coordinator, the incumbent is responsible for implementing and supervising Oxfam’s Public Health Engineering (PHE) activities in the Sahrawi refugee camps. S/he ensures that all infrastructure and water-related interventions are carried out according to Oxfam’s standards, technical designs, and safety procedures, contributing to quality control and operational efficiency.

Job Responsibilities

Technical

• Support the preparation and implementation of technical assessments and surveys related to water supply, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure, including data collection and analysis Provide technical guidance and on-site coaching to WASH assistants and technicians during construction and maintenance works Organize with the logistics team materials, procurement documents and support needed for all activities related to infrastructure design, implementation and closure; closely coordinate with finance / accounting teams.

• Ensure inclusiveness of all activities and streamline a participatory approach, ensuring that key needs are addressed regardless of gender, age or status.

Provide technical feedback to the WASH Coordinator and Programme Manager on implementation progress and technical challenges

Coordination

• Coordinate field-level activities with local authorities, contractors, community committees, and other WASH actors to ensure complementarity and avoid duplication

• On needs basis, represent Oxfam in WASH technical coordination meetings.

• Coordinate with project technical teams and consultants in charge of WASH activities.

Program Approach and Development

• Contribute technical inputs to the implementation of Oxfam’s WASH and Water Governance strategy, ensuring that activities meet Oxfam’s humanitarian standards and are inclusive, participatory, and gender sensitive. Support documentation of lessons learned and good practices to inform future proposals.

• Support the WaSH PM in the development of new program design. Ensure that work aims to meet Minimum Standards and adheres to Oxfam’s emergency guidelines, policies and protocols and the government

• Contribute to an integrated approach to programme implementation between sectors of PHP (Public Health Promotion), PHE (Public Health Engineering), gender and protection

• Ensure that all work carried out is sensitive to community needs, promotes participation and empowerment of community members, and that a system is in place to get feedback on process and impact of the program

• Ensure that all programmes take gender issues fully into account. This includes the introduction of mechanisms to enable women to participate in decision-making around public health and livelihood issues

• To be familiar with and abide by the NGO/Red Cross Code of Conduct, the People in Aid Code, Oxfam International procedures and other regulatory codes (e.g. Inter-Action Field Co-operation Protocol)

Project Management and Reporting

Support the planning and daily management of WASH infrastructure activities, ensuring timely implementation, quality control, and adherence to safety standards.

• Provide inputs for the monitoring of expenditures related to field activities and materials, ensuring efficient use of resources.

• Contribute to day-to-day management, monitoring and reporting of the WASH activities

• Ensure compliance with donor contractual obligations

• Plan and manage the project's WASH component in consultation and coordination with the WaSH PM

• Make specific technical and strategic recommendations to the WaSH PM and teams on implementation.

• Technically support the selection, design and construction of water systems, including abstraction, storage, treatment and distribution for new systems or rehabilitation of existing systems

• Work with PHE team to select, design and implement the most appropriate form of WASH, in consultation with the beneficiaries and other stakeholders

• In close coordination with the PHP (Public Health Promotion) counterpart, support the PHE team to provide technical support to community groups on operation and management of WaSH facilities

• Support in developing monitoring frameworks to track progress of activities, and proactively problem solve

• Follow up, quality control and reporting of all construction (including WASH structures) and/or rehabilitation projects

• Provide regular verbal and written reports to the WaSH Program Manager, Grants Management and MEAL personnel.

• If required, manage recruitment for PHE team members

• Contribute to staff development including developing action plans, training plans, and input into performance objective setting and appraisals

• Support the assessment of capacity building needs assessment of the PHE teams and preparation of comprehensive capacity building action plans

• Keep a log of all 'Lessons Learned" during the project and actively participate in disseminating those during reflection sessions and exercises.

Other

• Work flexibly and take on additional tasks as may be delegated to meet programmatic objectives.

• Participate in team and internal coordination meetings and in workshops organized at country level.

• Take necessary actions to ensure that WASH activities adhere to Oxfam’s principles and values as well as the promotion of gender justice and women's rights.

• Ensure that WASH activities adhere to equity, diversity, gender, child safety and staff health and wellbeing principles.

Job Requirements

· University Degree in Hydrology, Environmental Science, Engineering, Public Health or other relevant

field(s).

· A minimum of 3 years of practical experience in implementation of WASH programming.

· Experience in information management, including assessments, KII, FGDs and data analysis

· Understanding of development and humanitarian work.

· Experience and ability to work in remote and isolated environments.

· Excellent written and spoken English and Arabic are essential.

· First recognised language Arabic, with strong emphasis on knowledge of Spanish, followed by French and English.Good computer skills and command of Microsoft Office software (Excel and Word).

· Previous working experience, particularly at field implementation level, with Oxfam, other INGO or

relevant agency is a plus.

· Experience in supervising construction works and coordinating small-scale contractors.

· Knowledge of AutoCAD, EPANET, or similar technical design tools is an asset

Key Attributes

• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to cultural differences and gender issues, as well as the commitment to equal opportunities.

• Ability to demonstrate an openness and willingness to learn about the application of gender/gender mainstreaming, women’s rights, and diversity for all aspects of development work.

• Commitment to Oxfam’s safeguarding policies to ensure all people who come into contact with Oxfam are as safe as possible.

• A proven ability to be a team player, and to provide technical leadership.

• Analytical skills and ability to think to think beyond the existing local frames.

• Diplomacy, tact and negotiating skills.

• Sensitivity to cultural differences, and the ability to work in a wide variety of cultural contexts.

• Ability to travel and work flexibly.

• Excellent communication skills.

• Ability to troubleshoot issues on site in a timely and effective manner

Organizational Values

· Accountability – Our purpose-driven, results-focused approach means we take responsibility for our actions and hold ourselves accountable. We believe that others should also be held accountable for their actions.

· Empowerment – Our approach means that everyone involved with Oxfam, from our staff and supporters to people living in poverty, should feel they can make change happen.

· Inclusiveness – We are open to everyone and embrace diversity. We believe everyone has a contribution to make, regardless of visible and invisible differences.

Oxfam strongly encourages applications from qualified Sahrawi candidates and women. We are committed to promoting gender equality, diversity, and the meaningful participation of refugee staff at all levels of our program.

How to apply

If you believe your qualifications meet the requirements, please send a CV and a covering letter explaining your suitability against the essential criteria in the job profile to Algeria.jobs@oxfam.org by the 10 December 2025.