WASH and Environmental Health Officer

Plan International seeks a WASH and Environmental Health Officer in Maiduguri, Nigeria, to lead Water, Sanitation, Hygiene (WASH) interventions under a Cholera Response Project. The role involves implementing WASH services, supervising water supply system maintenance, coordinating hygiene kit distribution, and promoting environmental health initiatives. The officer will work with local authorities and communities to enhance water safety and sanitation while ensuring compliance with national standards and community engagement.
The Organisation
Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We believe in the power and potential of every child but know this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it is girls who are most affected. Working together with children, young people, supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges girls and vulnerable children face. We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood and we enable children to prepare for and respond to crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge. For over 85 years, we have rallied other determined optimists to transform the lives of all children in more than 80 countries. We won’t stop until we are all equal.


The Opportunity
The WASH and Environmental Health Officer will lead the implementation of Water, Sanitation, Hygiene (WASH) and environmental health interventions under Plan International Nigeria's Cholera Response Project in Borno State. The post holder will ensure the timely delivery of quality WASH services aimed at reducing cholera transmission and improving access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene in targeted communities.


Working closely with government authorities, community structures, health facilities and project partners, the officer will oversee the rehabilitation and maintenance of water supply systems, construction and rehabilitation of sanitation facilities, environmental sanitation activities, hygiene promotion, water quality monitoring, and infection prevention and control (IPC) interventions. The role will ensure that all WASH activities are implemented in accordance with national standards, Sphere Standards and donor requirements while promoting community ownership, accountability and inclusion.


Key Responsibilities WASH Programme Implementation Plan, implement and monitor emergency WASH interventions in targeted communities and health facilities.


Supervise rehabilitation and maintenance of water supply systems, including boreholes and hand pumps.


Oversee construction and rehabilitation of emergency sanitation facilities where required.


Coordinate distribution of WASH and hygiene kits to vulnerable households.


Ensure timely implementation of environmental sanitation activities in high-risk cholera hotspot communities.


Support installation and maintenance of handwashing facilities in public places and health facilities.


Conduct regular water quality testing and ensure appropriate water treatment interventions.


Environmental Health
Lead environmental sanitation campaigns to reduce cholera transmission risks.


Promote proper solid waste management and safe disposal of human waste.


Support community-led environmental clean-up activities.


Monitor environmental health risks and recommend appropriate mitigation measures.


Ensure implementation of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures at supported health facilities.


Technical Supervision
Supervise WASH assistants, hygiene promoters, artisans and contractors.


Ensure construction and rehabilitation activities meet approved technical standards.


Conduct routine field monitoring and quality assurance visits.


Verify completed works prior to certification and payment.


Coordination
Coordinate closely with relevant government ministries, departments and agencies responsible for WASH and public health.


Participate in WASH Cluster, Health Cluster and technical coordination meetings as required.


Collaborate with community leaders and local structures to ensure sustainability of interventions.


Coordinate closely with RCCE and Health teams to ensure integrated cholera response programming. Monitoring, Reporting and Documentation Develop activity work plans and implementation schedules.


Monitor project indicators and maintain accurate programme records.


Prepare weekly, monthly and donor reports.


Document lessons learned, case studies and best practices.


Support WASH assessments, surveys and post-distribution monitoring.


Capacity Strengthening
Train community volunteers, Water Management Committees and local artisans on operation and maintenance of WASH facilities.


Build the capacity of community structures on environmental sanitation and hygiene promotion.


Support government counterparts through on-the-job mentoring where appropriate.


Safeguarding The WASH and Environmental Health Officer shall: Commit and contribute to an environment where children and programme participants feel respected, supported, safe and protected;


Never act or behave in a manner that resul