Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) is an international, non-profitable, non-governmental humanitarian relief organization with its head quarter in Birmingham, UK. It enjoys consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and is a signatory to the Code of Conduct for International Red Cross and red Crescent Moments and NGOs in Disaster Relief. Islamic Relief has been working in Afghanistan for more than 23 years, providing emergency relief and implementing life-changing development projects for some of the most vulnerable people in the country. Islamic Relief set up our first Afghanistan office in 1999. Since then, IRA continued providing assistances in emergency relief, food security, livelihood, education, health, nutrition, shelter, orphan sponsorship, Ramadan and Qurbani programmes.

The WASH Engineer will be responsible for the technical design, supervision, and quality assurance of WASH infrastructure and emergency response activities under the Returnees Response Project in Herat and Kandahar. The role ensures the timely, safe, and high-quality implementation of water supply, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure for returnee and host communities. The WASH Engineer will also represent IRW in WASH/DRR cluster meetings, coordinate with local authorities, and provide technical guidance to field teams and contractors.

• Lead technical planning and implementation of WASH activities (water supply systems, sanitation facilities, and hygiene promotion infrastructure) in returnee settlements.
• Identify suitable WASH intervention sites in consultation with communities, local authorities, WASH Cluster, and relevant stakeholders.
• Develop technical designs, drawings, specifications, BOQs, and cost estimates for WASH interventions.
• Supervise construction and rehabilitation of WASH facilities (gravity and pressure lines, distribution networks, wells, reservoirs, sanitation units, etc.) to ensure compliance with standards.
• Ensure all construction materials and works meet project specifications and Sphere/Cluster standards.
• Conduct regular site visits, inspections, and quality assurance audits.
• Provide technical training and guidance to project staff, contractors, and community WASH committees.
• Maintain effective coordination with community leaders, local authorities, and relevant stakeholders to ensure community participation and sustainability.
• Prepare and submit weekly and monthly technical progress reports.
• Actively participate in WASH/DRR cluster coordination meetings in Herat and Kandahar, ensuring representation of project activities and avoiding overlaps.
• Support monitoring and evaluation by providing accurate data on progress, challenges, and lessons learned.
• Organize information meetings with community members to develop their knowledge.
• Ensure all data from the field are provided on weekly and on monthly basis.
• Supervise the contractors to ensure all work is performed in accordance with the plans, specifications, and agreement.
• Monitor construction activities for safe work practices.
• Develop the project’s construction planning and reporting.
• Develop contacts and explain to stakeholders and to populations about the activities and the objectives of the programs.
• Involve and inform the communities in the implementation of the program.
• Work in collaboration with the stakeholders.
• Preparing weekly and monthly project status updates.
• Performing any other duties as job requires or is assigned by the Senior Project officer.

It is essential that the post holder shows a good understanding and sympathy with Islamic values and principles as well as commitment to Islamic Relief Worldwide's vision, mission and core values.

Essential:

Knowledge, Skills and Qualifications (Bullet Points)

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Water Supply Engineering, or related field.
• At least 3–5 years of experience in WASH infrastructure projects in humanitarian or development settings.
• Proven technical competence in water supply systems (gravity, solar pipe schemes, and sanitation facilities).
• Experience in emergency/humanitarian response projects, preferably with returnees, IDPs, or vulnerable populations.
• Familiarity with WASH Cluster standards, WHO water quality guidelines, and Sphere standards.
• Experience in preparing BOQs, designs, and construction supervision.
• Strong skills in AutoCAD, Water GEM, MS Office, and other engineering design software.
• Fluency in English, Dari, and Pashto.

Key Personal Qualities (Bullet Points)

• Have good communication skills, can effectively communicate with local communities.
• Can work in Stressed environment and have the ability to meet deadlines.
• Have time management skills.

Desirable:

• Relevant experience of working with humanitarian/development sector/INGOs
• Working knowledge of regional languages of Afghanistan.

Interested and qualified national candidates should submit a cover letter explaining their motivation and an updated CV to the following link:

https://jobs.af/jobs/wash-engineer--xjZ1u09V

The closing date for accepting applications is 18 October 2025.

Please note that applications received after the closing date will not be considered, and only short-listed candidates will be called for written test.