Wash Officer

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT@ 

FEED THE CHILDREN 

POSITION: WASH OFFICER 

Location: Lilongwe

JOB SUMMARY 

The WASH Officer is responsible for the strategic management of the water purifier supply chain, the promotion of market-based sanitation (MBS) approaches, the integration of essential hygiene actions into care groups, and the technical oversight of borehole projects. Based in Lilongwe with extensive field travel, the WASH Officer will provide technical leadership, build the capacity of field staff and community volunteers, and serve as a key liaison with government partners to ensure all activities align with national standards and contribute to sustainable WASH outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

1. Water Purifier Program and Hygiene Integration

Develop and manage an end-to-end supply chain system for water purifiers, from central warehouse storage to last-mile distribution, ensuring full traceability and documentation.

Coordinate with District Health Offices and Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs) to align distribution with government health initiatives.

Develop behavior change and training modules on essential hygiene actions (EHAs) for integration into care group curricula and activities.

Liaise with logistics and procurement teams to forecast needs, plan distributions, and ensure the timely availability of purifier sachets.

Implement monitoring systems to track purifier usage rates and the adoption of promoted hygiene practices.

2. Market-Based Sanitation (MBS) Implementation

Conduct market assessments to map local private sector actors and develop strategies to recruit, train, and support local entrepreneurs in sanitation-related businesses.

Promote Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) to enhance household financial capacity to invest in sanitation facilities, using methodologies proven to build financial assets and skills among vulnerable groups.

Design and implement smart subsidy frameworks targeted to the most vulnerable households to ensure equitable access to basic sanitation products and services, while avoiding market distortion.

Facilitate business development services for local entrepreneurs, including marketing, customer service, and financial management training, to build sustainable sanitation businesses.

Collaborate with District Environmental Health Officers to ensure program strategies align with national policies.

Design and implement social marketing campaigns to stimulate household demand for certified sanitation products that meet all national standards.

Create systems, such as referrals or vouchers, to connect households with trained local entrepreneurs.

3. Borehole Rehabilitation and Drilling (subject to funding)

Provide technical oversight for rehabilitation and drilling projects, including hydrogeological surveys, site selection, and permitting.

Work closely with District Water Development Officers on project planning and execution.

Train Water Point Committees and local mechanics on the operation and maintenance of water points.

Document all project activities and facilitate the formal handover of completed boreholes to communities.

4. Government Coordination and Institutional Partnerships

Serve as the primary liaison with the Ministry of Water and Sanitation and other relevant institutions.

Actively participate in government-led WASH coordination forums.

Support and co-facilitate joint monitoring visits with government partners.

5. Monitoring, Evaluation & Capacity Building

Develop monitoring frameworks and analyze field data to track progress across all WASH components, identify bottlenecks, and adapt program strategies.

Conduct regular field visits to mentor staff and build the capacity of field teams and Care Group Volunteers in purifier distribution, MBS facilitation, and hygiene promotion.

Document and disseminate lessons learned to improve program impact across all operational districts.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health, Public Health, Water Resource Management, Rural Development, or a closely related field

Experience: Minimum of 3 years of experience supporting WASH programs in rural contexts, preferably with an NGO

Essential: Experience in providing technical support for water purifier distribution, MBS, CLTS, and hygiene promotion programs

Essential: Technical knowledge of water point rehabilitation, borehole drilling, and maintenance programs

Highly Desirable: Experience in mentoring field staff and supporting WASH program implementation across multiple locations

Technical Skills: Proficiency in data analysis and reporting; familiarity with digital data collection tools; knowledge of hydrogeological assessments and WASH infrastructure management

Safeguarding Policy

FEED strives to provide an environment free from sexual exploitation and abuse and harassment in all places where relief and development programs are implemented. FEED holds a zero-tolerance policy against sexual exploitation and abuse and harassment. FEED expects its employees to maintain high ethical standards, protect organizational integrity and reputation, and ensure that FEED work is carried out in honest and fair methods, in alignment with the FEED Heartbeat and safeguarding and associated policies. Violations of the stated policies will be subject to corrective action up to and including termination of employment.

How to apply

Please send your CV, and cover letter, highlighting your suitability for the role to email address: hr-malawi@feedthechildren.org by 30 April 2026. Please include the position you are applying for in the subject line of the email. Note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.