One WASH National Program Sanitation and Hygiene Specialist at Ministry of Health- Ethiopia

Background

The One WASH National Program (OWNP) is Ethiopia’s key initiative to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) access in alignment with GTP II and SDG goals. It promotes coordinated, efficient WASH service delivery across rural, urban, pastoral areas, and institutions. OWNP is mainly funded through Channel 1B and the Consolidated WASH Account (CWA). OWNP Phase-II builds on Phase I’s lessons, focusing on improved strategies, sector reform, and meeting SDG targets by 2030. It emphasizes better alignment, integration, and partnerships between the Government of Ethiopia and development partners. CWA Phase-II (2019–2024) which further extended by 2 years, addresses gaps from Phase I, supports all five OWNP components—including Climate Resilient WASH (CR-WASH)—and is jointly funded by multiple international donors and the Ethiopian government. A revised Program Operations Manual (POM) guides implementation, endorsed by all funding partners.

2. Objective of the Assignment

The Sanitation and Hygiene Specialist is responsible for providing comprehensive technical support and guidance for the effective implementation of the One WASH National Program (OWNP) at the regional level. This role involves coordinating with regional stakeholders, building the capacity of implementing partners, and ensuring that sanitation and hygiene interventions are aligned with national standards and program strategies. The Specialist will contribute directly to achieving the program’s goals and objectives by supporting the planning, execution, monitoring, and evaluation of sanitation and hygiene activities, with a strong focus on equity, sustainability, and impact.

3. Specific Tasks /Activities /

To support the successful implementation of the OWNP-CWA program and contribute to the achievement of its objectives, the Sanitation and Hygiene Specialist will undertake the following tasks:

• Plan and facilitate capacity-building activities for Regional Health Bureau (RHB) One WASH experts to strengthen their technical skills and improve the quality and consistency of OWNP-CWA program implementation.
• Monitor the implementation of key program components, ensuring balanced progress across all areas, while identifying performance gaps and recommending timely corrective actions.
• Promote and ensure the construction of improved household sanitation facilities in program woredas, supported by robust and context-appropriate behavior change communication (BCC) activities.
• Support the establishment of TSEDU (Total Sanitation to end open defecation and urination) woredas in line with national TSEDU standards and guidelines.
• Provide ongoing technical assistance and expert advice to Regional Health Bureau staff by assessing the strengths and challenges of the One WASH National Program throughout its implementation lifecycle.
• Support the creation of model health facilities by facilitating the adoption and expansion of proven approaches such as CASH (Clean and Safe Health Facilities) and WASH FIT (Water and Sanitation for Health Facility Improvement Tool).
• Offer technical guidance to RHB staff and contractors to ensure the proper design, construction, and management of public and communal sanitation facilities under OWNP-CWA protocols and standards.
• Ensure the integration and implementation of climate-resilient WASH (CR-WASH) interventions in selected OWNP-CWA woredas, promoting sustainability and adaptation to environmental challenges.
• Facilitate the distribution and proper use of national working documents, including manuals, guidelines, and training tools, across all CWA-implementing woredas.
• Actively participate in technical meetings, workshops, and field missions, and prepare and share comprehensive reports with the Community Engagement and Primary Health Care Service Lead Executive Office, Ministry of Health (MoH), and other stakeholders.
• Ensure that environmental and social safeguard measures are applied to all OWNP-CWA activities, in compliance with both national policies and World Bank safeguard frameworks.
• Support the recruitment process for OWNP-CWA experts in Regional Health Bureaus where technical positions are vacant, ensuring timely onboarding of qualified professionals.
• Organize and deliver training sessions on cross-cutting themes, especially on environmental and social safeguard practices, to strengthen institutional capacity.
• Conduct regular field monitoring and follow-up visits to ensure planned activities are being implemented on schedule and in line with program standards.
• Support and promote the achievement of open defecation-free (ODF) status in target kebeles, contributing to the TSEDU and OWNP-CWA woreda-level sanitation goals.
• Lead and participate in supportive supervision missions, and facilitate joint evaluation visits with donors and implementing sector partners to review progress and performance in program woredas.
• Undertake any additional tasks as assigned by the Community Engagement and Primary Health Care Service Lead Executive Office or the WASH and Environmental Health Desk, in alignment with program objectives.

4. Methodology

The Sanitation and Hygiene Specialist will work closely with the Community Engagement and Primary Health Care Lead Executive Office as well as the WASH and Environmental Health Desk to ensure effective coordination and integration of activities. The Specialist will play a key role in designing strategic initiatives, planning interventions, and implementing program objectives in alignment with the goals of the One WASH National Program (OWNP). This includes supporting evidence-based decision-making, promoting community-centered approaches, and ensuring that sanitation and hygiene interventions are well-integrated within broader health and development frameworks.

5. Deliverables

The main deliverables required from the Sanitation and hygiene Specialist include, among others:

1. A concise one WASH national program work plan
2. A succinct regular supportive supervision report and feedback given to regional Health bureaus
3. Prepared Water, sanitation and hygiene promotion materials
4. Capacity building activities done including training provided
5. Periodic environmental safeguard and social safe guard performance monitoring report of the program; and
6. Draft mission agendas, discussion notes, presentations.

6. Reporting

• The Sanitation and hygiene Specialist report to WASH and Environmental Desk of MOH Community engagement and Primary Health Care Service Lead Executive Office.
• The expert will base in Addis Ababa (MOH) and will travel to regions when it is necessary.

Qualification and Experience

The main qualifications, competencies and experience required by the Sanitation and hygiene Specialist are summarized below.

• BSC degree in environmental Health with Masters in Public health or Environmental Health
• Minimum of 10 years proven experience in WASH and Environmental Health activities for master’s degree or Minimum of 12 years proven experience in WASH and Environmental Health activities for bachelor’s degree.
• Should be Familiar with one WASH National Program
• Should have at least 5 years of experience on One WASH National program at Federal level
• Have experience in guidelines and manuals preparation at national level
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team; organize and prioritize work to meet deadlines
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with internal/external partners in a multicultural environment.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills and the ability to communicate at all levels of management
• Ability to think critically and creatively