WASH Specialist

The WASH Specialist will contribute to GSD’s field level capacity strengthening and response implementation. This role will be responsible for delivering GSD’s WASH Strategy, including setting up new response programs and delivering training with priority partners.

Position Title: WASH Specialist 

Supervisor’s Title: WASH Program Manager 

Exemption Status: Exempt 

Positions Supervised: None

Location: Remote with travel to Charlotte, NC, and other U.S. and international locations as needed

Term: 12 months 

BACKGROUND: 

Global Support and Development (GSD) is a humanitarian organization whose mission is to work with regional, national, and local communities across the Caribbean, Central America and South Pacific for resilience to crisis through rapid response, disaster preparedness, and climate adaptation. 

GSD began as an impromptu response to Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu in 2015. Since our founding, we have worked with a number of regional, national and local communities and supported various international and United States domestic disaster response and preparedness efforts.  Our first response defined the core of GSD’s DNA as an organization – to work with communities – led by their needs, filling the gaps they have identified, while leveraging unique approaches and capabilities with an innovation mindset. By integrating our team’s diverse skill sets and resources into local responses, we provide rapid response assistance to affected communities in coordination with regional, national, and local community partners. We work to support and strengthen local capacity through disaster preparedness initiatives, including innovation and climate adaptation, to reduce the impact disasters and the climate crisis have on communities.

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The WASH Specialist will contribute to GSD’s field level capacity strengthening and response implementation. This role will be responsible for delivering GSD’s WASH Strategy, including setting up new response programs and delivering training with priority partners. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Execute plans, processes, and projects in support of departmental strategy, maximizing efficient use of resources and ensuring shared vision;
2. Plan field-level implementation of WASH responses in collaboration with local partners and other stakeholders;
3. Ensure adherence to international WASH standards and other best practices;
4. Develop monitoring and evaluation systems to track project impact;
5. Support critical decision-making processes, to include identifying issues and driving problem-solving, especially in resource-constrained and time-sensitive contexts;
6. Lead training sessions on partner prioritized topics;
7. Develop relationships with priority partners, ensuring understanding of their WASH needs by which GSD can support;
8. Stay knowledgeable and aware of the latest research, innovations and developments within the WASH sector;
9. As requested, provide training and mentorship to other GSD colleagues in key aspects of WASH programming; 
10. Consider the integration of vulnerable populations as well as the environment when developing and executing WASH programs;
11. Prompt and action GSD’s core values of accountability, humility, and integrity in all work we conduct;
12. Promote good stewardship of financial and other resources to achieve maximum benefit to those impacted by disaster or at risk of impact; and
13. Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

Required Experience:

• Three (3) or more years of relevant work experience in WASH within the humanitarian sector;

• Two (2) or more years of experience in emergency operations with proven experience in designing, implementing, and managing WASH projects, ideally within an international context.

Required Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Public Health, Civil Engineering, or Environmental Science preferred or relevant training and experience required; 
• Master’s degree in a relevant field is a plus.

Knowledge/Skills:

• Strong knowledge of international humanitarian standards and guidelines as they relate to WASH;
• Excellent training and capacity strengthening skills;
• Programmatic support including the development of policy, procedure, and guidelines;
• Ability to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously under pressure;
• Effective written and verbal communication, to include presentation ability;
• Cultural awareness and the ability to work collaboratively with a wide array of stakeholders to build relationships;
• Experience working and / or traveling domestically and internationally; and
• Proficiency in English and Spanish is required; French is strongly preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Routine domestic and international travel up to 50% is required.

This job description is a summary rather than a detailed list of the duties performed.  The essential functions, knowledge, skills, and working conditions may change along with business needs.  This job description does not constitute a contract between employer and employee as employment is at will.  Global Support and Development provides reasonable accommodations to assist qualified individuals in order to perform the essential functions their job requires.

GSD is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and embraces all candidates regardless of race, color, sex (including pregnancy), nation of origin, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military/veteran status or any other basis prohibited by law. GSD promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in all candidate selections