The Water and Climate Officer will provide technical leadership and engineering support to strengthen the performance, resilience, and sustainability of rural water service providers within the North Mecha Universal WASH Programme, with a particular focus on ongoing projects including the From Tap to Policy Project.

The role will focus on improving the efficiency, professionalization, and climate resilience of rural water utilities through system strengthening infrastructure optimization, climate-resilient water safety planning, and enhanced water quality management.

The post holder will work closely with local government, service providers, and communities to enhance operational performance, management capacity, and long-term sustainability of water supply systems. In addition, the role will contribute to the generation of technical evidence and learning to inform programme improvement and policy engagement, in collaboration with the Advocacy and Research function.

Accountabilities

Technical 

• Provide technical assistance to rural water service providers to improve service efficiency, operational performance, and sustainability.

• Support the professionalization and strengthening of water utilities, including system management, asset maintenance, and service delivery models.

• Identify system gaps and recommend practical engineering and operational improvements.

Climate-Resilient Systems and Infrastructure

• Support the design and implementation of climate-resilient water supply systems, including infrastructure upgrading and adaptation measures.

• Conduct system assessments, including vulnerability and resilience analysis, to inform improvement plans.

• Promote integration of low-carbon technologies, diversified water sources, and resilient infrastructure solutions.

• Support watershed management and water resource protection approaches relevant to water system sustainability.

Water Safety and Quality Management

• Lead and support the development and implementation of climate-resilient Water Safety Plans (CR-WSPs).

• Strengthen water quality monitoring systems, including use of field-based testing and treatment solutions.

• Provide technical support for the establishment, upgrading, and operation of water treatment systems.

• Build capacity of service providers on water safety, risk management, and compliance with standards.

Capacity Building and Systems Strengthening

• Build technical and managerial capacity of water user associations, operators, and local government staff on: 
• Operation and maintenance (O&M)
• Climate-resilient water management
• Utility management and service delivery improvement
• Support planning, budgeting, and monitoring processes for sustainable WASH service delivery at woreda level.
• Promote sustainable and inclusive delivery service models.

Advocacy, Learning, and Knowledge Management

• Generate and document technical evidence on: 

  Performance and resilience of rural water systems

  Service delivery challenges and improvement models

• Contribute to learning, documentation, and knowledge sharing within the programme.

• Provide technical inputs to advocacy and policy engagement efforts, working closely with the Advocacy and Research Officer.

Networking and Coordination

• Collaborate with government institutions, service providers, and community structures to support effective implementation.
• Participate in relevant technical platforms and coordination mechanisms at local and sub-national levels.
• Support multi-stakeholder engagement around water system sustainability and climate resilience.

Cross-Cutting

• Ensuring integration of gender, equity, and social inclusion (GESI) in technical interventions.

• Promote environmentally sustainable and climate-sensitive approaches.

Safeguarding, Safety, and Security

• Comply with WaterAid’s safeguarding, child protection, and code of conduct policies.

• Follow safety and security procedures during fieldwork and operations.

• Report any incidents or risks in line with organizational procedures.

• Support the integration of safeguarding principles into project activities and assist in monitoring compliance

Other

• Perform any other duties as assigned by the line Manager.
• Participate in relevant internal processes, meetings, and task forces as required.