Environmental Health/WASH Coordinator
Organization: International Rescue Committee
Closing date: September 28, 2026
Background:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 US cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people worldwide for a better future.
On 15 May 2026, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) declared its seventeenth Ebola outbreak after cases were confirmed in Ituri Province. The outbreak has since spread to North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé, and Tshopo. As of 12 August 2026, 4,566 confirmed cases and 2,128 deaths had been recorded across 53 of 140 health zones. The response is unfolding amid conflict, displacement, and weak health systems, with persistent gaps in infection prevention, WASH infrastructure, and essential supplies that heighten the risk of healthcare-associated transmission.
IRC has launched an integrated response with the Ministry of Health and partners, spanning Health, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), WASH, Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE), Protection, and MHPSS. To support this, IRC is recruiting an Environmental Health / Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (EH/WASH) Coordinator for a 12-month assignment to lead WASH programming, embed protection and safeguarding principles across the response, and strengthen community access to safe, dignified WASH services.
Scope of Work
The EH/WASH Coordinator is responsible for the technical oversight and delivery of environmental health and WASH programming for the Ebola response, in collaboration with other sectors. The role may require working within Ebola isolation units established at supported health facilities. Staff safety is an absolute priority: strict adherence to infection control procedures is required at all times, and personal protective equipment must be worn within isolation units without exception.
Reporting lines: The EH/WASH Coordinator reports to the Ebola Deputy Director of Programs, working in close coordination with country program counterparts, particularly the Health Coordinator. The role directly supervises the WASH Managers (Ituri and North Kivu) and holds technical oversight of WASH Officers and WASH Assistants across the response.
Main Responsibilities
Strategy and Technical Leadership
Lead ongoing implementation of IRC's EH/WASH strategy for the Ebola response, including scale-up plans, staffing, resource requirements, and geographic prioritization.
Ensure WASH programming aligns with IRC's Emergency Response Framework, national response priorities, and global technical standards.
Contribute to business development through proposal development, technical design, and donor engagement.
Build safeguarding risk analysis and relevant risk mitigation measures into project design and implementation.
Champion a culture of effective and respectful partnerships. Promote partner-led programming in line with IRC’s “why not partner?” and “partner as equals” approach.
Ensure partnership considerations are embedded throughout the emergency response plan, with local partners actively engaged in response design and delivery, so that each program's approach reflects how IRC can best support, reinforce, and complement local actors.
Program Management and Quality
Manage staffing and capacity-building of the WASH team, ensuring adequate field coverage and succession planning for key positions, as well as to appropriate manage partnerships.
Ensure WASH interventions follow core emergency approaches and standards, appropriately contextualized for a complex outbreak and insecurity.
Oversee program management: work plans, procurement, expense tracking, MEAL (emergency indicators), and reporting.
Coordinate with the wider DRC country program to align Ebola response WASH activities with the country's longer-term WASH strategy.
Support the EVD Response Program Team Lead on program strategy updates and business development, including technical input for proposals.
Actively contributes to the relevant sections of Partner Capacity Analysis (PCA) and the subsequent development of partner support plans.
Review and provide feedback on partner technical tools, reports, and data as required. Collaborate with partners on recommended adaptations or process improvements.
People Management
Directly manage, coach, and support the professional development of WASH Managers, Officers, Assistants, and Hygienists, ensuring clear work plans and regular performance management.
Lead recruitment, onboarding, and capacity-building of national WASH staff, including design and delivery of induction and technical training.
Foster has a collaborative, safe, and accountable culture across a dispersed, multi-site team.
Maintain professional relationships that support strong team spirit and enable staff to perform effectively.
Technical Support
Work with the Health Coordinator to ensure IRC's EVD response activities are delivered on time and to a high technical standard, in line with IRC approaches and best practice.
Promote inclusive delivery, aligned to IMPACT standards.
Ensure new triage/isolation structures are constructed on time and to technical standards.
Ensure correct handling, storage, and use of chlorine (HTH) at supported facilities.
Ensure WASH rehabilitation and upgrades are completed on time and in line with grant agreements.
Update and develop program protocols based on current guidance and evidence.
Act as WASH lead on the IRC IPC Rapid Response Team.
Oversee strict infection prevention, control, and waste management protocols at all supported facilities.
Monitor implementation of EH/WASH programs against work plans, performance targets, and budgets.
Represent IRC at key coordination forums at national and zonal levels as required.
Proactively monitor and assess team safety and security, promptly reporting concerns or incidents.
Undertake other duties as assigned by the supervisor to support IRC programs.
Note: This position may require entering the red zone/high-risk area of an isolation unit.
Stakeholder Coordination
Represent IRC and coordinate with focal points to ensure active engagement in key response coordination forums, including WASH and IPC working groups.
Maintain working relationships with UN and NGO partners on WASH activities to strengthen coordination, information sharing, and referrals.
Support internal coordination and information sharing across IRC's response, including with Health, Protection, RCCE, and Safeguarding focal points.
Requirements
The ideal candidate has an environmental health background and experience with water and sanitation in health facilities such as cholera treatment centers and disease-specific treatment units. Highly desired: prior work in an isolation center, highly contagious area, or Biosafety Level 4 area; experience with viral hemorrhagic fevers (Ebola, Lassa, Marburg, etc.); and knowledge of infection prevention and control.
Additional details:
Postgraduate qualification in Civil Engineering, Water Engineering, Environmental Sciences, or Public Health; relevant experience may substitute for formal qualification.
5-8 years of experience leading/managing WASH programs with INGOs in emergency and outbreak contexts.
Experience with institutional donors, including ECHO, US funding sources, SIDA, CDCS, FCDO, GAC, and GFFO.
Fluency in French and English.
Previous experience in Ebola outbreak contexts.
Strong understanding of EH issues in emergencies and knowledge of emergency standards (Sphere).
Strong leadership, management, planning, analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills.
Ability to live and work in stressful and insecure environments.
Strong initiative and ability to manage multiple tasks under pressure, with sound, timely decision-making.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) and relevant engineering CAD software.
Knowledge and/or experience in conflict management, protection, or a related field.
Strong professional approach and team-building skills.
Desirable
Experience in Ebola and cholera emergencies and emergency WASH programming in DRC.
Knowledge and practical experience of WASH IPC in DRC health care facilities, including coordination with relevant DRC line ministries.
CONTEXT:
On May 15, 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) declared its seventeenth Ebola outbreak after cases were confirmed in Ituri province. The outbreak has since spread to North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé, and Tshopo. As of August 12, 2026, 4,566 confirmed cases and 2,128 deaths had been recorded in 53 of the 140 health zones. The response is taking place in a context of conflict, displacement, and fragile health systems, with persistent gaps in infection prevention, WASH infrastructure, and essential supplies, increasing the risk of healthcare-associated transmission.
The IRC has launched an integrated response with the Ministry of Health and its partners, covering Health, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE), Protection, and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS). To support this response, the IRC is recruiting an Environmental Health/Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (EH/WASH) Coordinator for a 12-month assignment. The coordinator will be responsible for leading WASH programming, integrating protection and safeguarding principles throughout the response, and strengthening community access to safe and dignified WASH services.
SCOPE OF WORK
The Ebola/WASH Coordinator is responsible for the technical supervision and implementation of environmental health and WASH programming for the Ebola response, in collaboration with other sectors. The position may require working within Ebola isolation units established in supported health facilities. Staff safety is a top priority: strict adherence to infection control procedures is required at all times, and the wearing of personal protective equipment is mandatory, without exception, within the isolation units.
Reporting lines: The WASH/Emergency Health Coordinator reports to the Deputy Director of Ebola Programs, in close coordination with country program counterparts, particularly the Health Coordinator. The position directly supervises the WASH Managers (Ituri and North Kivu) and provides technical supervision to WASH Agents and Assistants across the entire response.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategy and technical leadership
Lead the ongoing implementation of the IRC's SE/EAH strategy for the Ebola response, including ramp-up plans, staffing and resource requirements, and geographic prioritization.
Ensure that WASH programming aligns with the IRC Emergency Response Framework, national response priorities and global technical standards.
Contribute to business development through proposal development, technical design and investor engagement.
Integrate safeguard risk analysis and corresponding mitigation measures into the design and implementation of projects.
Promote a culture of effective and respectful partnerships. Foster partner-driven programming, in line with the IRC's "why not partner?" and "equal partners" approach.
Ensure that partnership considerations are integrated throughout the emergency response plan, with active engagement of local partners in the design and implementation of the response, so that each program's approach reflects how the IRC can best support, strengthen and complement local actors.
Program Management and Quality
Manage staffing and capacity building for the WASH team, ensuring adequate field coverage and succession planning for key positions, as well as appropriate partnership management.
Ensure that WASH interventions follow basic emergency approaches and standards, appropriately adapted to the context of a complex epidemic and insecurity.
Supervise program management: work plans, procurement, expenditure tracking, SREA (emergency indicators) and reports.
Coordinate with the entire DRC country program to align Ebola response WASH activities with the country's longer-term WASH strategy.
Support the EVD Response Programme Team Leader on programme strategy updates and business development, including technical contributions to proposals.
Actively contribute to the relevant sections of the Partner Capacity Analysis (PCA) and to the subsequent development of partner support plans.
Review and comment on technical tools, reports, and data from partners as needed. Collaborate with partners on recommended process adaptations or improvements.
Human Resources Management
Manage, supervise and directly support the professional development of EAH Managers, Agents, Assistants and Hygienists, ensuring clear work plans and regular performance management.
Lead the recruitment, integration and capacity building of national WASH staff, including the design and implementation of integration and technical training.
To foster a collaborative, safe and responsible culture within a team dispersed across multiple sites.
Maintaining professional relationships that foster a strong team spirit and allow staff to work effectively.
Technical support
Work with the Health Coordinator to ensure that IRC EVD response activities are completed on time and to high technical standards, in accordance with IRC approaches and best practices.
Promote inclusive implementation, in line with IMPACT standards.
Ensure that the new triage/isolation structures are built on time and according to technical standards.
Ensure proper handling, storage and use of chlorine (HTH) in supported structures.
Ensure that WASH rehabilitations and upgrades are completed on time and in accordance with grant agreements.
Update and develop program protocols based on current guidelines and evidence.
To act as the EAH (Emergency Hygiene and Hygiene) referent within the IRC's Rapid Intervention PCI Team.
Supervise strict infection prevention, control and waste management protocols in all supported facilities.
Monitor the implementation of SE/EAH programs in relation to work plans, performance objectives and budgets.
Represent the IRC in key coordination bodies at national and zonal levels, as needed.
Proactively monitor and assess team safety, promptly reporting any concerns or incidents.
Perform any other tasks assigned by the supervisor to support IRC programs.
Note: This position may require entry into the red zone/high-risk zone of an isolation unit .
Coordination with stakeholders
Represent the IRC and coordinate with focal points to ensure active engagement in key response coordination bodies, including WASH and IPC working groups.
Maintain working relationships with UN and NGO partners on WASH activities to strengthen coordination, information sharing and guidance.
Support internal coordination and information sharing within the IRC response, including with Health, Protection, CREC and Safeguarding focal points.
REQUIREMENTS
The ideal candidate has training in environmental health and experience in water and sanitation within healthcare settings such as cholera treatment centers and disease-specific treatment units. Highly desirable: prior experience in an isolation center, a high-risk area, or a biosafety level 4 area; experience with viral hemorrhagic fevers (Ebola, Lassa, Marburg, etc.); and knowledge of infection prevention and control.
Additional details:
Postgraduate degree in civil engineering, water engineering, environmental science or public health; relevant experience may substitute for formal qualification.
5 to 8 years of experience in leading/managing WASH programs with international NGOs in emergency and epidemic contexts.
Experience with institutional donors, including ECHO, US funding sources, SIDA, CDCS, FCDO, GAC and GFFO.
Fluent in French and English.
Prior experience in Ebola epidemic contexts.
Solid understanding of environmental health issues in emergency situations and knowledge of emergency standards (Sphere).
Strong skills in leadership, management, planning, analysis, interpersonal relations and communication.
Ability to live and work in stressful and unstable environments.
Strong initiative and ability to manage multiple tasks under pressure, with sound and rapid decision-making.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) and relevant CAD software.
Knowledge and/or experience in conflict management, protection or related field.
Strong professional approach and team-building skills.
Wish
Experience in Ebola and cholera emergencies and in emergency WASH programming in the DRC.
Knowledge and practical experience of IPC-EAH in healthcare structures in the DRC, including coordination with the relevant supervisory ministries.
Standards of Professional Conduct: All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct . Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding , Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to taking all necessary preventive measures and creating an environment where people feel safe, and to taking all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.
IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) - We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, or any other status.
How to apply
https://theirc.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/External_Careers/job/Bunia-Democratic-Republic-of-the-Congo/Environmental-Health-WASH-Coordinator_JR00004770