Watsan Manager

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is seeking a qualified Watsan Manager to plan, coordinate, implement and monitor water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) activities within its project in Lindi. The position plays an important role in ensuring that water supply, sanitation, hygiene, infection prevention and waste-management systems operate effectively and meet MSF and national standards.

The successful candidate will lead technical WaSH interventions, supervise Watsan personnel, coordinate with medical and logistics teams, work closely with the Ministry of Health and District Environmental Health Office, and support emergency preparedness. The role also involves managing water-quality systems, healthcare waste management, vector-control activities, technical documentation and infrastructure planning.

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop and review the annual Watsan budget with the Project Coordinator and Logistics Coordinator.

• Monitor daily implementation of Watsan activities and ensure compliance with MSF standards and procedures.

  

• Design, implement and manage water and sanitation interventions.

• Manage water supply, excreta disposal, waste management, hygiene and infection-control activities.

  

• Conduct routine Watsan assessments with medical teams.

• Identify environmental and public-health needs and recommend appropriate interventions.

  

• Contribute to emergency-response planning and resource preparation.

• Plan procurement and ensure the availability of appropriate Watsan materials and equipment.

  

• Manage Watsan stock inventories and technical specifications.

• Participate in recruitment, training, briefing, evaluation and professional development of Watsan staff.

• Ensure appropriate staffing levels and technical capacity within the Watsan team.

• Provide technical advice to medical teams on environmental infection risks, behavioural practices and transmission routes.

• Propose appropriate infection-control and public-health solutions.

• Integrate Watsan activities into medical interventions, project proposals and work plans.

• Collect, monitor and analyse Watsan data.

• Ensure regular reporting of Watsan results to line management.

• Lead the technical design, budgeting and WaSH inputs for the Liwale project’s 2027 Plan of Action.

• Ensure infrastructure improvements made in 2026 are maintained and expanded.

• Complete onboarding and assume direct supervision of remaining WaSH works.

• Supervise Watsan Supervisors and Technicians and support their professional development.

• Coordinate technically with the District Environmental Health Office.

• Integrate joint priorities and cost-sharing proposals into annual plans.

• Maintain records of agreed actions and follow-up activities.

• Lead Reverse Osmosis refresher training.

• Establish preventive-maintenance schedules for RO systems and Dosatron units.

• Oversee free residual chlorine and bacteriological monitoring.

• Monitor local chlorine production and ensure facilities meet MSF water-quality requirements.

• Analyse water-quality data and immediately escalate any red-line breaches.

• Use borehole-performance data to support procurement and installation of backup submersible pumps.

• Plan and monitor indoor residual spraying and other vector-control measures.

• Ensure adequate supplies and staff competencies for vector-control campaigns.

• Lead WaSH emergency-preparedness planning and stock pre-positioning.

• Strengthen healthcare waste-management practices through refresher training and supervision.

• Promote waste reduction and energy efficiency.

• Ensure environmentally responsible construction practices.

• Ensure WaSH activities comply with MSF and national standards.

• Prepare concise, data-driven monthly reports covering progress, risks and resource requirements.

• Maintain complete technical files, including designs, operation and maintenance manuals, inspection records and supplier contacts.

• Support audits and eventual handover of infrastructure to the Ministry of Health.

Requirements

• Higher degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Water Engineering, Public Health or a related discipline; a diploma or equivalent relevant training may also be considered.

• Academic background in engineering.

• Engineering licence or certificate is an advantage.

• Watsan in Emergencies training within MSF is strongly recommended.

• Previous experience in technical water and sanitation works.

• At least six months of hands-on professional experience in emergency WaSH within a humanitarian or international development setting.

• Experience in water supply.

• Experience in excreta disposal.

• Experience in waste and wastewater management.

• Experience in vector control.

• Experience in dead-body management is desirable.

• Experience working in at least two different humanitarian contexts, such as conflicts, natural disasters or refugee/IDP camps, is desirable.

• Public health background or experience is desirable.

• Good spoken and written English.

• Good spoken and written Kiswahili.

• Computer literacy, including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and internet use.

• Strong people-management and development skills.

• Commitment to MSF principles.

• Behavioural flexibility.

• Strong results and quality orientation.

• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should submit their application by email to:

[email protected]

Use “WATSAN MANAGER” as the email subject line.

Applications may also be submitted in person at either of the following MSF offices:

MSF Dar es Salaam Office
Uporoto Street, Plot No. 74, House No. 22, Ursino Estate, Victoria, Dar es Salaam

Mark the envelope “WATSAN MANAGER.”

MSF Liwale Office
Liwale, Lindi

Mark the envelope “WATSAN MANAGER.”

Final Thought

The Watsan Manager position offers an opportunity for qualified WaSH, water engineering, environmental engineering and public-health professionals to contribute to essential humanitarian services in Lindi. Candidates with practical emergency WaSH experience, strong technical skills and the ability to manage teams and coordinate with health-sector stakeholders should consider applying before the deadline.