Job Description

JOB TITLE: WASH COORDINATOR

TEAM/PROGRAMME: Program Operations, Country Office

LOCATION: Kitwe

GRADENAT3

Type of Contract: Fixed Term

Safeguarding:

Save the Children does not tolerate any form of exploitation, abuse, or harassment against any person. It is the responsibility of all employees and representatives to protect all people who come in contact with our organization. Save the Children commits to applying the same standards to all its employees and subject them to the same processes regardless of their position, influence, or reputation within or outside of the organization.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Save the Children International’s Diversity Policy, aims to promote equal opportunity in employment and to ban any kind of discrimination based on sex, age, social class, disability, HIV status, religion, race and ethnicity

Background

Save the Children (SC) is the world’s leading independent organisation for children. Our vision is a world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation. SC has been working in Zambia since 1983, implementing projects in the thematic areas of health and nutrition, education, child protection, Child rights governance, and social protection in collaboration with government line ministries, Civil society Organisations (CSO), and beneficiary communities.

SCI implemented two projects in Kitwe whose overall aim is to increase access to safe water in the selected schools within the District by upgrading water infrastructure and support Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) and capacity strengthening of the WASH committees to enhance WASH governance in the schools.

ROLE PURPOSE

The WASH Coordinator will work closely with the subnational structures of the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and the Local Government to support the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of WASH interventions in the schools in line with the approved project documents. He/she will represent the project at various district technical working groups and committees, ensure that program deliverables are achieved in a timely manner and consistent with the activity work plan, and best practices and key lessons learned are captured and documented. On a day-to-day basis, he/she will work under the direction of the Head of Programs & Operations and the Technical Specialists for the Education and Health thematic areas

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Head of Programs and Operations

Staff reporting to this post: None

Budget Responsibilities: Yes

Role Dimensions The WASH Coordinator provides technical and thought leadership for the WASH team and support in developing and review of engineering designs, hygiene promotion programmes, standard technical guidelines and proactively promote high quality WASH technical approaches within country office.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Project Management

• Work with Ministry of Education, Ministry of Local Government, and Ministry of Health to promote WASH by using the WASH in schools (WinS) strategy.
• Coordinate capacity building and capacity strengthening of the school WASH committees to plan, implement, monitor and improve quality WASH in the supported schools.
• Working closely with Programme Development Team to support fundraising for the WASH sector, including development of high-quality concept notes and proposals, and engagement with donors’ technical Advisers,
• Support the design, planning, implementation and follow-up of hygiene promotion activities in supported schools
• Support the setting up of WASH clubs in schools
• Plan, organize, supervise and evaluate the distribution of hygiene kits and reusable sanitary pads to vulnerable learners in the supported schools.
• Ensure budget planning and logistics for hygiene promotion activities, including the hygiene commemoration days
• Plan and coordinate donor engagement during visits to project sites.
• Coordinate project activities with other local actors (governmental and non-governmental

MEAL and Program Reporting

• Ensure that baseline and endline assessments are conducted timely.
• Ensure that the program adheres to and meets all quality benchmarks.
• Ensure functional project monitoring and evaluation systems are in place for the collection, consolidation and reporting of the standard project indicators.
• Ensure timely submission of high-quality bi-monthly program progress updates and reports to the donor in accordance with the program reporting schedule and format.

Budgeting and Financial Management

• Working with the Program Director ,Head of Program Operations, and other technical specialists, develop WASH sector response plans and master budgets and contribute to Save the Children’s overall response strategy
• Ensure that program implementation meets the monthly financial performance targets
• Ensure excellent financial management and accountability in line with SCI policy guidelines.

Representation & Advocacy & Organisational Learning

• Ensure that Save the Children's work is coordinated with efforts of other agencies and Government and participate in Interagency Coordination forums, such as the WASH cluster, ensuring the specific needs of children are being addressed. Take the lead in technical working groups at national or sub-national level where needed.
• Take steps to document lessons learned, from WASH programmes, for wider dissemination.
• In collaboration Advocacy and Campaigns Manager (ACCM), promote WASH advocacy activities that target decision-makers at all levels, to tackle WASH issues.
• In collaboration with SC WASH colleagues, feed in learning, experiences and evidence to relevant global advocacy objectives.
• Identify opportunities and material to contribute to WASH communications and media work

The post holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (SCI Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• Holds herself/himself accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values.
• Holds the partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• Willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

QUALIFICATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED

• Required: Degree in Public Health, Water Engineering/ Civil Engineering, or a related subject.
• Minimum of 3 -5 years of professional experience in implementing development programmes incorporating WASH interventions in schools or targeting adolescents, especially girls.
• Previous experience with donor funded programs supporting WASH and Menstrual Hygiene Management will be an added advantage.
• Familiarity with evidence-based WASH interventions and best practices that are the focus of this project.
• Excellent knowledge of the WASH programme in Zambia.
• Excellent organisational, coordination and planning skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work within a multi-faceted development program in collaboration with government ministries at provincial, district and community levels, and local partners.
• Ability to work in a complex environment with multiple tasks, short deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and with a diverse team of partners and counterparts.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral, written and presentation)
• Excellent computer skills and experience working with Microsoft Office applications.

English fluency (verbal and written) required

Additional job responsibilities

The job duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the Post holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

QUALIFIED APPLICANTS SHOULD ONLY ATTACH A COVER LETTER AND AN UPDATED CV.

The closing date for receipt of applications is Monday 11th May 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Save the Children reserves the right to re advertise if suitable applicants are not found.

Save the Children is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer that does not engage in any practices which discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, colour, religion, gender, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status and we will never ask that you pay for anything as part of the selection process or thereafter