Hygiene Promoter (Couple)

People in Need (PIN) is a Czech organization established in 1992, currently working in around 40 countries on human rights and humanitarian aid. Globally, PIN is recognized as a leading actor in Education in Emergencies and actively contributes to international coordination mechanisms and humanitarian clusters, including education, food security, nutrition, shelter, and WASH. In Afghanistan, PIN has been operating since 2001, delivering humanitarian and development assistance to communities affected by conflict, economic crisis, and natural disasters. Over the years, PIN has established itself as a trusted and experienced actor, with strong acceptance among local communities, authorities, and stakeholders, enabling access to some of the most vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations. Throughout its presence in the country, PIN has supported over 850,000 people across multiple regions. The Organization has remained operational through periods of significant political and social change, continuing to provide life-saving and resilience-building assistance to more than 250,000 individuals in recent years. It works in key sectors including food security and livelihoods, education in emergencies, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and protection.

The Hygiene Promoter is responsible for delivering inclusive, gender sensitive, and culturally appropriate hygiene promotion activities to male and female beneficiaries and community members. The position focuses on improving hygiene knowledge and practices related to personal hygiene, handwashing, safe water handling, sanitation, menstrual hygiene, environmental cleanliness, disease prevention, and emergency preparedness. The Hygiene Promoter will conduct awareness sessions, practical demonstrations, community mobilization, hygiene kit distributions, and follow up visits in accordance with approved project plans, relevant WASH standards, Sphere standards, and organizational procedures.

RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Hygiene Promotion and Community Awareness

·        Conduct regular hygiene promotion sessions for male and female beneficiaries using culturally appropriate and participatory approaches.

·        Promote personal hygiene, household hygiene, community cleanliness, environmental hygiene, and safe sanitation practices.

·        Deliver awareness sessions on critical handwashing moments and demonstrate correct handwashing techniques using soap and safe water.

·        Promote safe water collection, transportation, storage, treatment, and household handling practices to prevent contamination.

·        Raise awareness about menstrual hygiene management and women's and girls' hygiene needs in a respectful, confidential, and culturally sensitive manner.

·        Promote safe disposal of solid waste, proper use and maintenance of latrines, and prevention of open defecation where relevant.

·        Adapt hygiene messages to the needs of children, older people, persons with disabilities, women, men, and other at-risk groups.

·        Use visual aids, posters, demonstrations, group discussions, and other appropriate communication methods to improve understanding and encourage positive behaviour change.

B. Practical Demonstrations and Hygiene Training

·        Organize practical demonstrations on handwashing, household water treatment, safe water storage, cleaning of water containers, and sanitation practices.

·        Demonstrate appropriate household water treatment methods, including boiling, filtration, or approved disinfection methods, according to local guidance and available supplies.

·        Explain the correct use, dosage, contact time, and safety precautions for approved water-treatment products, where applicable.

·        Demonstrate the safe cleaning and maintenance of household water containers, water collection points, and relevant WASH facilities.

·        Facilitate practical sessions on household and community waste management, environmental cleanliness, and hygienic food handling where relevant to the project.

·        Conduct follow-up visits to assess whether beneficiaries understand and apply the hygiene practices demonstrated during sessions.

·        Identify knowledge gaps and adapt hygiene messages and demonstrations based on community feedback and observed practices.

C. Disease Prevention and Emergency Hygiene Promotion

·        Promote hygiene practices that help prevent diarrhoeal diseases, including cholera and other waterborne diseases, in coordination with relevant health actors.

·        Raise awareness about the prevention of diarrhoea, vomiting-related dehydration risks, and other communicable diseases through safe water, handwashing, sanitation, and environmental hygiene.

·        Share approved public health messages on hygiene practices during disease outbreaks, pandemics, and other public health emergencies.

·        Promote safe hygiene practices during floods, droughts, earthquakes, displacement, and other disasters that disrupt water and sanitation services.

·        Educate communities on safe water use and conservation during water shortages and on alternative safe water practices when normal supplies are disrupted.

·        Communicate clear, approved messages on when and where to seek medical assistance for diarrhoea, persistent vomiting, dehydration, or other danger signs, without providing diagnosis or treatment beyond the role.

·        Coordinate with health workers and relevant authorities when suspected disease outbreaks, unsafe water conditions, or urgent public health concerns are identified.

·        Report urgent hygiene and public health risks promptly to the line manager and follow organizational referral and escalation procedures.

D. Hygiene Kit Distribution and Follow-Up

·        Support the planning and organization of hygiene kit distributions in accordance with approved distribution plans, beneficiary lists, and organizational procedures.

·        Explain the purpose, correct use, and maintenance of hygiene kit items to male and female beneficiaries before, during, or after distribution.

·        Demonstrate the use of relevant hygiene items, including soap, water containers, menstrual hygiene materials, and water-treatment products, where included in the approved kit.

·        Promote equitable and safe access to distributions, considering the needs of women, persons with disabilities, older people, and other vulnerable beneficiaries.

·        Monitor beneficiary understanding, satisfaction, and appropriate use of distributed hygiene items through follow-up visits and feedback.

·        Report shortages, damaged items, distribution challenges, complaints, and other issues to the responsible project staff.

·        Maintain accurate distribution records and supporting documentation in accordance with project procedures and data-protection requirements.

E. Safe Water, Water Quality, and WASH Facility Hygiene

·        Educate households on safe water collection, treatment, storage, and handling to reduce the risk of contamination.

·        Promote the use of clean, covered, and appropriate water-storage containers and safe water-drawing practices.

·        Explain basic measures for keeping household water points, communal water facilities, latrines, bathing areas, and handwashing stations clean and safe.

·        Identify and report visible signs of water contamination, damaged water facilities, poor drainage, standing water, and other environmental health risks.

·        Support community awareness on protecting water sources from contamination by waste, animals, chemicals, and unsafe sanitation practices.

·        Assist the WASH Engineer or designated technical staff with community mobilization and beneficiary awareness during water-quality testing or water-safety activities.

·        Communicate water-quality findings and treatment recommendations to communities only when provided or validated by authorized technical staff.

·        Refer water-quality testing, interpretation of results, and technical decisions on water safety to qualified personnel.

F. Community Mobilization and Engagement

·        Mobilize communities to participate in hygiene promotion activities and adopt improved hygiene and sanitation practices.

·        Engage community leaders, elders, teachers, religious leaders, women's groups, and other relevant stakeholders to support hygiene awareness.

·        Facilitate separate or targeted hygiene sessions for women and men when appropriate to ensure safe, meaningful, and culturally acceptable participation.

·        Support the establishment or strengthening of community-based hygiene initiatives and WASH committees, as assigned.

·        Encourage community ownership of hygiene facilities, household sanitation, waste management, and the maintenance of shared WASH infrastructure.

·        Collect community feedback on hygiene needs, barriers to behaviour change, accessibility, and the suitability of hygiene messages.

·        Identify and report community tensions, access barriers, protection concerns, or other issues that may affect participation in WASH activities.

G. Monitoring, Reporting, and Documentation

·        Implement hygiene promotion activities according to approved work plans, activity schedules, project targets, and donor requirements.

·        Maintain accurate records of sessions conducted, participants reached, practical demonstrations delivered, distributions supported, and follow-up visits completed.

·        Collect sex-, age-, and disability-disaggregated participation data where required and feasible, while respecting confidentiality and data-protection procedures.

·        Use approved monitoring tools, attendance sheets, checklists, and digital data-collection platforms, including KoboToolbox where applicable.

·        Assess beneficiary understanding and reported adoption of key hygiene practices through observations, discussions, and approved monitoring tools.

·        Prepare regular activity reports highlighting achievements, challenges, community feedback, lessons learned, and recommended follow-up actions.

·        Share field observations and emerging hygiene risks with the Project Manager, WASH Engineer, and relevant field staff.

·        Maintain organized records of awareness materials, training sessions, distribution activities, and other assigned documentation.

H. Protection, Inclusion, Safeguarding, and Accountability

·        Ensure hygiene promotion activities are inclusive, accessible, respectful, and responsive to the needs of women, children, persons with disabilities, and other at-risk groups.

·        Apply organizational safeguarding, prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), child safeguarding, and staff conduct requirements during all activities.

·        Promote dignity, privacy, and confidentiality when discussing menstrual hygiene and other sensitive hygiene topics.

·        Ensure that beneficiary participation is voluntary and that hygiene activities do not expose participants to avoidable protection risks.

·        Inform beneficiaries about available feedback and complaint channels and support safe access to community feedback and response mechanisms.

·        Receive and refer complaints or safeguarding concerns through approved procedures without making promises of confidentiality beyond organizational policy or investigating allegations independently.

·        Maintain confidentiality and handle personal and sensitive beneficiary information in accordance with organizational data-protection procedures.

·        I. Coordination and Other Duties

·        Coordinate daily activities with the Project Manager, WASH Engineer, Senior Field Officer, Field Officer, other Hygiene Promoters, and relevant project staff.

·        Coordinate with community representatives, local authorities, and relevant service providers as authorized by the organization.

·        Participate in project meetings, field planning sessions, trainings, and review meetings as required.

·        Ensure hygiene promotion messages are technically consistent with approved project materials and guidance from the WASH team.

·        Identify the need for additional hygiene materials, visual aids, training support, and community awareness activities and communicate these needs to the line manager.

·        Perform other relevant duties related to hygiene promotion and WASH activities as assigned by the line manager.

PIN COMPETENCY MODEL

PIN Competency Model is a framework used to define, assess, and develop the behaviours, skills, and attitudes expected from staff. It focuses on how people perform their work, not only on their technical knowledge.

Hygiene Promoter will be recruited, and subsequently evaluated, following the PIN competency areas here below, where the staff is expected to at least meet the expectations as outlined below:

1.      Personal integrity and values:

Demonstrates honesty, accountability, and consistency in actions and communication. Adheres to PIN’s values, policies, and ethical standards, addresses inappropriate conduct, and continuously reflects on and improves personal performance.

2.      Universal competencies

o   Communication: Communicates clearly and effectively, adapting messages to different audiences. Shares information in a timely manner, listens actively, encourages dialogue, and uses evidence to support decisions and recommendations.

o   Cooperation: Builds positive and inclusive working relationships, values diverse perspectives, and promotes teamwork. Shares knowledge, supports collaboration, and addresses conflicts constructively.

o   Resilience/coping with stress: Maintains composure and effectiveness under pressure. Manages stress constructively, remains solution-oriented, and adapts well to challenges and changing circumstances.

3.      Specific competencies

o   Problems and tasks solving approach: Analyses issues, identifies root causes, and makes informed decisions. Proactively solves problems, collaborates with others, and seeks practical improvements and innovative solutions.

o   Result Orientation: Takes ownership of objectives, delivers high-quality results, and continuously seeks opportunities to improve performance and outcomes.

• Bachelor's degree in public health, environmental health, sanitation, community development, social sciences, or another relevant field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered according to organizational policy.
• Minimum of 3 years of demonstrated experience implementing humanitarian responses in the country.

• Practical understanding of personal hygiene, handwashing, safe water handling, household water treatment, sanitation, environmental cleanliness, and disease prevention.

  ·        Ability to facilitate awareness sessions and practical demonstrations for male and female community members.

  ·        Ability to communicate sensitive hygiene topics, including menstrual hygiene, respectfully and appropriately.

  ·        Understanding of Sphere humanitarian standards and relevant WASH guidance, including the Sphere Handbook's WASH chapter and applicable national or organizational protocols.

  ·        Knowledge of community engagement, accountability to affected populations, protection mainstreaming, gender equality, disability inclusion, and safeguarding.

  ·        Ability to collect and maintain accurate activity data, prepare field reports, and use basic monitoring tools.

  ·        Working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel; experience with KoboToolbox or similar digital data collection tools is an advantage.

  ·        Fluency in the local languages required for the project, particularly Pashto and/or Dari, according to the target communities.

  ·        Ability to travel regularly to project locations and work respectfully with diverse communities.

  ·        Strong communication, facilitation, teamwork, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.

  Technical Skills

  ·        Strong understanding of hygiene promotion, WASH principles, and relevant Sphere standards and humanitarian guidelines.

  ·        Ability to deliver hygiene awareness sessions and practical demonstrations for male and female beneficiaries using participatory and culturally appropriate approaches.

  ·        Knowledge of personal hygiene, handwashing, menstrual hygiene management, household hygiene, community cleanliness, environmental hygiene, and safe sanitation practices.

  ·        Understanding of safe water collection, household water treatment, water storage, handling, and prevention of water contamination.

  ·        Ability to demonstrate approved household water-treatment methods and explain the safe use of water-treatment products in accordance with technical guidance.

  ·        Knowledge of hygiene practices for preventing diarrhoeal diseases, cholera, and other waterborne and communicable diseases, including during outbreaks, pandemics, and emergencies.

  ·        Ability to promote appropriate hygiene practices during disasters, displacement, drought, flooding, water shortages, and disruptions to sanitation services.

  ·        Ability to organize and support hygiene kit distributions, explain the correct use of distributed items, and conduct post-distribution follow-up.

  ·        Skills in community mobilization, stakeholder engagement, behaviour-change communication, and promoting community participation in WASH activities.

  ·        Understanding of gender equality, menstrual hygiene needs, disability inclusion, protection mainstreaming, safeguarding, and culturally sensitive communication.

  ·        Ability to identify and report hygiene-related risks, unsafe water practices, sanitation concerns, and environmental health hazards.

  ·        Ability to collect activity data, maintain attendance and distribution records, use monitoring checklists, and prepare timely field reports.

  ·        Working knowledge of accountability to affected populations (AAP), community feedback and response mechanisms (CFRM), and safe referral of complaints and protection concerns.

  ·        Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Word and Excel; experience with KoboToolbox or similar digital data-collection tools is an advantage.

  ·        Ability to communicate hygiene messages clearly in Pashto and Dari, with additional language skills considered an advantage.

  ·        Ability to work effectively with communities, local authorities, project staff, and relevant health and WASH personnel, and to travel regularly to project locations.

  Languages

  ·        Written and spoken English required.

  ·        Fluency in Pashto and Dari required.

  ·        Knowledge of Pashto preferred.

If you are interested in this position, send us your CV and short cover letter via our application form.
Please note only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Local candidates are encouraged to apply. 

People in Need is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct and committed to promoting the welfare of children and adults with whom People in Need involves. People in Need expects all staff to perform job duties and responsibilities in accordance with People in Need code of conduct and key policies (available at: https://www.peopleinneed.net/key-policies-4142gp). People in Need Staff will undertake the appropriate level of training.
All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks.
We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organization and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Important Note: 

Female Candidate: Please mention your couple Name/Father Name in your CVs, and Couple should also apply and upload their CVs. 

To apply for Arghandab District, please use this link: https://career.peopleinneed.net/?pos=1218

To apply for Mezan District, please use this link: https://career.peopleinneed.net/?pos=1217

To apply for Tarnak Jaldak District, please use this link: https://career.peopleinneed.net/?pos=1216