Wash & Shelter Assistant

Islamic Relief
Hargeisa, Somalia
Health/wash

Job Description

Islamic Relief is currently seeking a qualified Wash & Shelter Assistant to join their team in Hargeisa. Candidates should bring 3 - 4 years of hands-on experience, preferably in the Health/wash sector. Interested applicants should submit their applications before Sep, 06.

Job title: Wash & Shelter Assistant

Department: Program Quality & Innovation

Location: Hargeisa

Nature of contract: Fixed term contract Contract period: 3 months

Report to: Wash & Shelter

Coordinator

Line Management: Hygiene promoters

Job Summary

The position will technically report to the Wash & Shelter Coordinator who will provide technical guidance,

oversight and quality assurance, while hierarchically reporting to the Program Coordinator/Manager in

Somalialand for overall line management and administrative supervision. The position will contribute to the full

programme management cycle for Wash, Shelter and infrastructure interventions including project design,

technical assessment, planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting in accordance with Islamic Relief

policies and procedures and relevant standards including the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS), SPHERE

Standards, national WASH and Shelter guidelines and applicable building codes and technical standards.

Key responsibilities

will include supporting project implementation and preparing technical designs, drawings,

specifications, Bills of Quantities (BoQs) and cost estimates for Wash, Shelter and other infrastructure activities.

The position will oversee and provide technical support for the construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of

water infrastructure, including boreholes, shallow wells, Berkads, earth dams and springs as well as sanitation

facilities such as latrines, waste disposal/garbage pits and handwashing facilities. The role will also support the

construction and rehabilitation of market shades, offices, classrooms, irrigation structures, health facilities, and

other community infrastructure ensuring that works meet approved designs, specifications, quality standards,

safety requirements, and agreed timelines.

In addition, the position will contribute to the implementation of the soft components of Wash, including

hygiene promotion, community mobilisation and the distribution of hygiene items and Shelter Non-Food Items

(NFIs). The role will work closely with programme teams, communities, contractors, local authorities and other

relevant stakeholders to ensure effective and accountable delivery of activities. The position will also be

responsible for the timely preparation and submission of technical assessments, designs, BoQs, progress

updates, completion reports and other required project documentation.

Scope of Role

  • The Wash Assistant will support the technical implementation of WASH, Shelter, and livelihood-related

infrastructure activities under the guidance and supervision of the WASH and Shelter Coordinator and

the Program Coordinator/Manager.

  • Support community mobilisation, Water Management Committee (WMC) capacity building and hygiene

promotion activities.

  • Work closely with Programme, Logistics, Finance and other relevant teams as well as senior

management at both country and field levels to support effective programme delivery.

  • Perform all duties in accordance with Islamic Relief's faith-based principles, policies, procedures and

relevant humanitarian standards including the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) and SPHERE

Standards.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Page 2 of 3

  • Support the Wash technical team in conducting Wash, Shelter, and infrastructure needs assessments,

including field data collection, community consultations, and site assessments.

  • Assist in planning Wash and infrastructure activities, including the construction, rehabilitation, and

repair of water supply systems, sanitation facilities, shelters, and livelihood-related infrastructure.

  • Support the preparation and updating of activity implementation plans, field schedules, beneficiary

information, technical documentation, and project records.

  • Support the field implementation of water infrastructure activities, including boreholes, shallow wells,

berkads, water tanks, water kiosks, pipelines, earth dams, springs and associated water supply systems.

  • Support the monitoring of sanitation and hygiene infrastructure, including latrines, handwashing

facilities, waste-disposal facilities, and other Wash facilities.

  • Conduct routine field monitoring and assist in verifying that construction works are implemented in

accordance with approved drawings, BoQs, specifications, contracts, and technical guidance.

  • Support the supervision of contractors and promptly report construction defects, quality concerns, delays

or deviations to the responsible Wash Officer/Engineer.

  • Maintain accurate and well-organised physical and electronic records of WASH, Shelter, and

infrastructure activities.

  • Support the preparation of weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual activity updates and reports by

providing accurate field information and supporting evidence.

  • Support community mobilisation, beneficiary engagement, and community consultations throughout

project implementation.

  • Assist in the establishment, training, and follow-up of Water Management Committees (WMCs) to

strengthen the operation, maintenance, governance, accountability and sustainability of water facilities.

  • Work with hygiene promoters, volunteers, and community representatives to support hygiene promotion

campaigns and awareness activities.

  • Support the transparent and equitable distribution of Wash supplies, hygiene materials, sanitation items,

and Shelter NFIs during emergencies.

  • Participate in collecting and documenting community feedback, success stories, lessons learned,

beneficiary feedback, and project achievements.

  • Provide information required for Wash & Shelter Cluster reporting including activity data and 4W

information, under the guidance of the responsible technical staff.

  • Undertake any other duties or assignments reasonably required by the supervisor or management,

consistent with the responsibilities of the position and organisational needs.

About Hargeisa

Hargeisa is the capital and largest city of Somaliland, serving as the region's main economic and administrative hub. The city is home to a growing number of international organizations, NGOs, and private sector companies, making it a key employment center in the Horn of Africa. Professionals relocating to Hargeisa will find a dynamic and rapidly developing urban environment.

Ereyada Soomaaliga (Somali Keywords): Biyaha & Nadaafadda • Shaqo Cusub • Caafimaad • Caafimaad & Nadaafadda • Shaqo Buuxda • Shaqo Hargeysa

Qualifications & Requirements

Experience

  • Minimum 2 years of relevant professional experience in WASH, Shelter, civil works, public health, or

related humanitarian/development programmes, preferably with local or international NGOs.

  • At least 2 years of practical experience in WASH programming, including community-based water

supply, sanitation, hygiene promotion, or related infrastructure activities.

  • Experience supporting water infrastructure activities, including boreholes, shallow/hand-dug wells, water

supply systems, water tanks, pipelines, reservoirs, and associated civil works.

  • Experience in project implementation, field monitoring, reporting, documentation, community

engagement, and coordination with relevant stakeholders.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Civil Engineering, Water Engineering, Public Health, Environmental

Health, Wash Sanitation Engineering or a related field.

  • Relevant professional training or certification in WASH, humanitarian programming, construction

supervision, or public health will be an added advantage.

Knowledge

  • Good understanding of humanitarian Wash programming, community-based approaches and basic

WASH infrastructure.

  • Knowledge of relevant humanitarian standards and guidelines, including SPHERE Standards, Core

Humanitarian Standard (CHS), and National WASH Cluster guidelines.

  • Basic understanding of water supply, sanitation, hygiene promotion, and construction quality standards.

Technical and Other Skills

  • Good communication, interpersonal, teamwork, presentation, and coordination skills.
  • Good analytical, problem-solving, reporting, and documentation skills.
  • Good written and spoken English, with the ability to prepare clear field reports and communicate

technical information.

  • Ability to work effectively under pressure and in challenging and remote field environments.
  • Basic working knowledge of AutoCAD, WaterCAD, ArchiCAD or similar engineering/design software

is an advantage.

  • Good computer skills, particularly Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Desirable Experience and Skills

  • Experience in conducting community-based Wash needs assessments, activity planning, implementation,

monitoring and evaluation.

  • Ability to collect, analyse, and interpret field and contextual information and use findings to support

practical and informed programme recommendations.

  • Experience working with communities, local authorities, and other stakeholders in the design and delivery

of WASH interventions.

  • Ability to identify implementation challenges, propose appropriate solutions, and contribute to improving

programme quality and effectiveness.

How to Apply

Child Safeguarding:

The position will interact with different society groups included child women and other community members and

hence requires utmost compliance when dealing with such community and respect to

each member at its stage specifically safeguarding with children.

Application Process

Islamic Relief Somalia Programme invites applications from qualified and motivated candidates.

If you are interested, please submit your updated CV and cover letter as a single PDF document (maximum

three pages) to

hr.mogadishu@islamic-relief.so" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">hr.mogadishu@islamic-relief.so

on or before 06 September 2026.

Note: - Please indicate the subject line of your email as "Wash & Shelter Assistant – Hargeisa"

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacte

Apply on

hr.mogadishu@islamic-relief.so" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">hr.mogadishu@islamic-relief.so

Job Details

Posted: August 23, 2026
Organization: Islamic Relief
Location: Hargeisa, Somalia
Sector: Health/wash