Job Description

NORCAP works to improve aid to better protect and empower people affected by crisis and climate change. We do this by providing expertise and solutions to humanitarian, development and peacebuilding partners, because we believe working together is the best way to reduce needs, risks and vulnerability over time. We seek and promote more effective ways of working at the global level and in the field. NORCAP’s aim is not only to reduce needs, but also to create choice and opportunity for vulnerable people. NORCAP works with and through our partners to improve aid in two complementary ways:

• We provide targeted expertise to strengthen our partners’ response.
• We collaborate with partners to develop solutions to un‑met gaps and challenges.

In line with our strategy, NORCAP is developing an Emergency Response Roster consisting of highly experienced, field-oriented specialists who can deploy rapidly to complex emergencies and provide operational surge support, normally for 3–6 months.

The roster is designed to provide timely humanitarian surge support to UN agencies responding to sudden onset crises and humanitarian emergencies. Specialists in the roster will provide complementary, sequenced, support at country and field level in crises, based on identified operational needs.

Key characteristics of the specialists in the Emergency Response  Roster:

• Ready to deploy within ≤14 days
• General good health and able to operate in complex and high-risk environments
• Have extensive experience from UN or inter-agency operations
• Contribute to operational impact at country and field level.
• Be flexible and agile

The WASH specialist will be expected to provide operational WASH expertise in sudden-onset and complex emergencies to support the rapid assessment, planning, implementation and monitoring of safe, appropriate and effective water, sanitation and hygiene interventions. Strengthen partner and response capacity to address priority WASH needs, reduce public health risks and support effective field-level response.

Disclaimer:

Please note that inclusion in the emergency response unit core pool of experts does not guarantee assignments with NORCAP and is not a permanent position. Being a part of the pool indicates a higher level of readiness and suitability for rapid emergency response assignments.

The WASH Specialist support partners to rapidly identify and address critical water, sanitation and hygiene needs during humanitarian emergencies. They provide operational and technical expertise at country and field level, working with partner teams, national and local authorities, humanitarian organisations, service providers and affected communities.

A core function of the role is to ensure that WASH interventions are technically appropriate, context-specific and responsive to the needs of crisis-affected populations, including public health and protection risks. The specialist works closely with relevant sectors and functions, including Health, Nutrition, Protection, Shelter and site management, to support an integrated emergency response.

General Responsibilities (The specific responsibilities will be different for each assignment, based on the needs and the context of the response)

Emergency WASH response

• Conduct and support rapid WASH needs assessments and identify critical service gaps, public health risks and priority populations and locations.
• Support the prioritisation, planning and delivery of emergency water supply, sanitation and hygiene interventions based on identified humanitarian needs.
• Provide technical guidance on emergency water supply, water quality, sanitation, hygiene promotion and other relevant WASH interventions.
• Support the establishment, rehabilitation or scale-up of WASH services and infrastructure appropriate to the emergency context.
• Support WASH interventions related to disease outbreaks and public health emergencies, including infection prevention and control (IPC) where relevant.
• Identify operational and technical challenges and bottlenecks and support practical solutions and adaptation of the response.

Technical quality and response monitoring

• Support technical quality assurance of WASH interventions in line with relevant humanitarian and technical standards.
• Support monitoring of WASH needs, service coverage, quality and response gaps and adapt operational priorities as the emergency evolves.
• Promote safe, accessible and inclusive WASH programming, taking into account protection, gender, age, disability and other relevant considerations.
• Coordination and field engagement
• Engage directly with operational actors and affected communities to ensure field realities inform WASH priorities and response decisions.
• Work with national and local authorities, UN agencies, national and international NGOs and other relevant actors to support coordinated WASH response.
• Support WASH Cluster, sector and sub-national coordination mechanisms where relevant to the assignment.
• Participate in joint assessments, field missions and inter-sectoral response planning.
• Coordinate and collaborate with Health, Nutrition, Protection, Shelter, site management and other relevant sectors to address cross-sectoral needs and public health risks.

Preparedness and capacity strengthening

• Strengthen existing partner, national and local WASH response capacity and avoid establishing parallel systems where feasible.
• Promote transfer of technical knowledge, systems and responsibilities throughout the deployment.
• Support transition from surge to sustained WASH response capacity, with transition and handover planning initiated from the outset of the assignment.

Find more details about the core pool, and WASH roles and responsibilities here

Minimum required Experience: 

• Minimum 7 years of international humanitarian experience 
• Minimum 3 international humanitarian missions working in complex emergency settings, high-risk and hardship environments at coordination/ management level 
• Recent operational emergency experience, preferably within the last five years 
• Prior UN or inter-agency experience. Experience with multiple UN agencies will be an added value. 

Language Requirements:

• Mandatory Full professional proficiency in English, and at least one of French, Arabic, Portuguese or Spanish

Other Requirements:

• Demonstrated experience in emergency WASH programming and operational response in sudden-onset and/or complex humanitarian emergencies.
• Strong technical knowledge and practical experience in emergency water supply, water treatment and water quality management, sanitation and hygiene interventions.
• Demonstrated experience conducting and using rapid WASH needs assessments, gap analysis and response monitoring to inform operational priorities and decision-making.
• Demonstrated experience in planning, designing, implementing and adapting WASH interventions in emergency and field settings.
• Knowledge and practical application of relevant humanitarian and WASH technical standards, including Sphere standards.
• Experience identifying and addressing WASH-related public health risks, including outbreak preparedness and response.
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical guidance and quality assurance for emergency WASH interventions.
• Experience working within humanitarian coordination systems, including WASH Cluster, sector or equivalent coordination mechanisms.
• Ability to work effectively across relevant sectors, including Health, Nutrition, Protection, Shelter and site management, to support integrated emergency response.
• Knowledge and practical application of protection mainstreaming and inclusive WASH approaches.
• Experience engaging and working with national and local authorities, partners and affected communities in humanitarian WASH response.
• Demonstrated experience in capacity strengthening, technical coaching and knowledge transfer to partner and/or national staff.

What We Offer

• In recognition of your expertise and contributions, we provide the following benefits and opportunities:
• Rewarding work for a renowned global organisation
• Access to a network of humanitarian, peace, and development professionals
• A dedicated Staff Care Unit
• Salary and benefits in accordance with NORCAP´s framework for international assignments

Our Values & Commitment

NORCAP is part of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).

All NRC employees are expected to act in accordance with the organisation's values. Being dedicated, innovative, inclusive, and accountable are behaviours and beliefs that guide how we work and how we build relationships. We are committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, empowered, supported, and a genuine sense of belonging.

NORCAP values diversity, equity, and inclusion and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. We believe that a diverse workforce strengthens our ability to respond effectively to the needs of people affected by crisis.

NRC has a zero-tolerance stance toward any form of exploitation or abuse, including sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH), and we do not tolerate inaction when concerns arise.

All offers are subject to reference and background checks conducted in line with our safeguarding standards, and NORCAP reserves the right to conduct a full background check on shortlisted candidates.

How to Apply

• Based on what you have read so far, do you think you could be a good fit? If so, please follow these steps and apply!
• When submitting your application, kindly register in English your full employment history and education. Please include your full name as written in your passport. Uploaded CVs alone will not be reviewed.
• NORCAP reserves the right to conduct a full background check on shortlisted candidates.
• An approved Health Certificate will be required prior to contract commencement and assignment.
• Feedback will be given to all applicants within four weeks after the closing of this advertisement.
• Apply before 23rd September 2026, 11:59PM Central European Time

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a global humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee.

Join us in assisting millions of people in areas where others cannot, tackling some of the world's most dangerous and difficult crises. Bring your skills and dedication to an organisation recognised for providing high quality aid and for defending the rights of refugees and internally displaced people.

At NRC, we give responsibility to employees at all levels and foster professional growth and innovative teams. You can expect a supportive culture and an open dialogue with management. We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Together, we save lives and rebuild futures.

Safeguarding is central to NRC’s work. We expect all employees to:

• treat everyone with respect and dignity
• contribute to building a safe environment for all
• never engage in any form of exploitation, harassment and specifically sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment (SEAH)
• always report. NRC has a zero-tolerance approach to inaction against exploitation, abuse and SEAH