Are you committed to improving access to clean water and sanitation in vulnerable communities? Do you have extensive experience in WASH programming, particularly in emergency and fragile settings? Are you skilled at integrating WASH interventions with other sectors, such as Shelter and Infrastructure, and ensuring holistic solutions for affected populations?
Who are we?
The Programme and Policy Division is the main ‘engine room’ for programmatic policy and development for the global organisation. It houses DRC’s overall Response Framework, which guides how we programme worldwide, our Core Sectors, as well as HQ units related to cross-cutting work on emergency response, localization, and climate & environment.
About the job
The Global WASH Advisor (GWA) is a full-time position based in DRC’s Programme and Policy Division in Copenhagen, working within the WASH, Shelter & Infrastructure sector. The GWA provides technical strategic direction and advisory to country office teams, regional sector coordinators, and supports fundraising & advocacy efforts for the WASH sector. The GWA will lead and oversee the integration of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in programming alongside other core sectors, with a particular focus on close collaboration with Shelter, Economic Recovery, and Climate & Environment teams. This role is key in ensuring that WASH solutions are not only effective on their own but are also harmonized with other sector priorities.
The responsibilities of the GWA are three-fold focusing on: 1) Strategic leadership & Integration, 2) Technical guidance and capacity strengthening, and 3) Program Quality & Monitoring, among others:
Strategic Leadership & Integration: Lead the development and implementation of integrated WASH sector strategies, aligning them with broader organizational priorities such as Shelter, Economic Recovery, and Climate & Environment, in relation to greening of infrastructures in settlements, community engagement in WASH-related livelihoods and water resource management, as well as water management related to climate resilience.
Technical guidance, capacity strengthening & learning: enhance WASH capacities of country and regional level staff, partners, and other stakeholders as well as facilitate cross-country learning through training, workshops, knowledge sharing, and development/maintenance of resource materials and tools.
Program Quality & Monitoring: provide technical support, assess program quality, and ensure the alignment of implementation of WASH activities according to global standards and DRC strategic priorities. This includes gathering effective data collection, analysis, reporting, and documentation for all WASH-related activities, including lessons learned and providing actionable recommendations to inform for future programming, advocacy, and decision-making.
About you
To be successful in this role we expect you to have a minimum of 7 years of professional experience in the WASH sector, with at least 5 years in senior roles focusing on integrated programming in humanitarian or development settings. This should include overseeing or delivering technical support and training to support complex, multisector adaptation initiatives, including in fragile and conflict-affected locations.
You should enjoy bringing innovative ideas to colleagues and helping them develop their capacity. You need to be driven and self-organized, able to work independently as well as cooperating closely with a broad range of staff at all levels of the organization.
Required:
Master's degree in environmental engineering, Public Health, Water Resources Management, or a related field. Demonstrated professional expertise in WASH programming at country level Strong understanding of climate resilience, sustainable water management, and the socio-economic impact of WASH interventions. Experience in designing and implementing large-scale, multi-sectoral projects with an emphasis on cross-sector integration. Strong ability to lead cross-functional teams and provide technical assistance in a collaborative and dynamic environment. Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including donors, governments, and partner organizations. Experience in resource mobilization, including developing successful proposals and concept notes for WASH and cross-sector programs. Fluent in English (additional languages, such as French, Spanish, or Arabic, are highly desirable). Proven experience with impactfully engaging with stakeholders. Experience working in emergency response with INGOs, preferably in a humanitarian contextDesired
Additional certifications in WASH, project management, or disaster management are highly desirable. Knowledge of regional WASH challenges and solutions, particularly in Africa, Asia, or Latin America. Experience in designing WASH solutions that address both immediate and long-term needs in emergency and development contexts. Familiarity with digital tools for monitoring and reporting in WASH programming, including GIS, mobile data collection, and other software. Familiarity with the Sphere Standards, WASH cluster coordination, and other relevant humanitarian frameworks and guidelines.We offer
Contract length: 1 year with possibility of extension, subject to confirmed funding.
Workplace: Preferably in DRC’s HQ, Borgergade 10, 1300 Copenhagen. Danish Refugee Council’s headquarters in Copenhagen will move to Lyngbyvej 100, 2100 Østerbro, just by Ryparken station, in the fall of 2025.
Other DRC offices may be considered but will be subject to further discussions.
Start date: 1st April or as soon as possible thereafter
The position is temporary as it has currently been funded for 1 year.
Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the agreement between DRC and AC (if the position is in Denmark). This is a national position for which local terms and conditions apply.
Application process
All applicants must upload a cover letter, an updated CV in English as well as a degree certificate.
Closing date for applications: 12 February 2025. We expect to conduct interviews during February 2025.
Further information
For questions regarding the vacancy please contact Chiara Jasna Vaccaro, Global Shelter & Settlements Sector Lead, chiara.vaccaro@drc.ngo, or Head of Sectors and Thematic Areas Fie Lauritzen fie.lauritzen@drc.ngo. For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.