A WASH Assistant supports the implementation of Water, Sanitation,
and Hygiene (WASH) activities within communities, often working
closely with WASH Officers and other staff. The role involves fieldwork,
community engagement, and technical support to ensure access to
clean water, proper sanitation, and hygiene practices. Here’s a typical
job description:
Job Title: WASH Assistant
Key Responsibilities:
1. Support in WASH Program Implementation:
• Assist in the planning and execution of WASH activities, including
the construction and maintenance of water points, sanitation
facilities, and hygiene promotion campaigns.
• Help distribute hygiene kits and other materials related to water
and sanitation services.
• Participate in the identification of beneficiaries for WASH
interventions.
2. Community Engagement & Hygiene Promotion:
• Mobilize communities to adopt proper hygiene practices,
including handwashing, waste management, and safe water
storage.
• Conduct educational sessions on hygiene and sanitation to raise
awareness about disease prevention.
• Work with community health volunteers and local leaders to
support WASH projects.
3. Field Data Collection:
• Assist in conducting baseline surveys, needs assessments, and
monitoring visits to collect data on water and sanitation conditions
in the community.
• Collect and report data on water access, latrine use, and hygiene
practices for tracking the progress of WASH interventions.
• Support in the regular monitoring and evaluation of WASH
projects.
4. Technical Support:
• Assist in the maintenance and rehabilitation of water and
sanitation infrastructure, ensuring proper functioning of water
points, latrines, and handwashing facilities.
• Work under the supervision of engineers or WASH Officers to
conduct minor repairs on water and sanitation systems.
5. Coordination & Collaboration:
• Work closely with local authorities, community members, and
WASH committees to ensure successful project implementation.
• Collaborate with other departments (e.g., health, logistics) to
ensure smooth delivery of services to the community.
• Attend WASH coordination meetings as necessary.
6. Reporting:
• Prepare and submit regular activity reports to the WASH Officer
or Supervisor.
• Provide feedback from the community regarding the
effectiveness and challenges of WASH interventions.
Skills and Qualifications:
• Education: Diploma or relevant training in public health, water
and sanitation, or a related field (technical education is often
preferred but not always required).
• Experience: Experience in WASH activities, community
outreach, or humanitarian projects is advantageous.
• Skills:
• Basic technical knowledge of water and sanitation infrastructure.
• Strong communication and community mobilization skills.
• Ability to work in a team and in remote field environments.
• Good reporting and data collection skills.
• Languages: Proficiency in local languages and basic English
(depending on the region of work).
Work Environment:
• Primarily field-based, often in rural or remote areas.
• The job may involve physically demanding work, such as site
visits, facility inspections, and minor repair tasks.
• Travel within the project area is frequent, sometimes in
challenging environmental conditions.
The WASH Assistant is a critical support role in ensuring that
communities have access to clean water and sanitation services
while promoting hygiene practices to improve public health.
