Watsan Mobile Support Specialist (MSS) at Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)

Rationale/Objective for Position

• The Watsan MSS is the technical focal point for Water Supply, Hygiene, Sanitation and Vector Control (WHS and VC) within the Med-Ops Cell. S/he provides 1st and 2nd line (remote and/or in person) technical support to MSF Ubuntu country programs within their Med-Ops Cell, covering both operational implementation of activities and the strategic definition of Watsan approaches and priorities across the portfolio, in line with the Logistics & Watsan Strategy.
• The role supports country programme staff in the design, planning, implementation and review of Watsan interventions, ensuring that programme proposals are technically sound, context-appropriate, and aligned with MSF protocols, standards and procedures, the MSF Ubuntu Strategic Plan, including Med-Ops programming priorities, and the Logistics & Watsan Strategy 2026–2028.
• The Watsan MSS contributes to capacity building of country programme staff through the application and transfer of technical know-how, to strengthen programme quality, support country programs in optimal working conditions and maximize the impact of MSF Ubuntu's projects.
• This position will be hierarchically accountable to the Cell Logistics & Supply Advisor and functionally accountable to the Watsan Technical Coordinator and Deputy Med-Ops Cell Manager (Med) – joint functional line.

Tasks & Responsibilities

• Following up the Watsan activities in her/his portfolio countries within the Med-Ops cell.
• Reporting systematically on progress in implementing the MSF Ubuntu Logistics & Watsan Strategy 2026–2028, the application of related policies and performance against Watsan KPIs, to inform strategic and operational decisions.
• Ensuring understanding and alignment of the Watsan interventions with MSF Ubuntu priorities and standards, as per MSF Ubuntu’s Strategic Plan, including the “Logistics/Watsan Basics” minimum standard.
• Supporting and guiding the definition and the revision of the Watsan strategy for the country programs, in line with the MSF Ubuntu Logistics & Watsan Strategy 2026–2028 and medical priorities and advising on current and future medical and logistics operations when pertinent.
• Carrying out a functional evaluation of the Watsan set-up, assessing the applicable technical installations, systems, structures, equipment and HR set-up, the compliance with procedures, policies and guidelines, within the framework of MSF standards to identify the main areas for improvement.
• Assessing and validating local suppliers and local (sub-)contractors for quality of materials, systems, installations, parts etc. to ensure compliance with MSF quality standards.
• Developing and initiating the implementation of the improvement plan based on the recommendations arising from the functional evaluation.
• Assisting the logistics team with the design and installation of new (complex) systems and/or with the implementation of (new) protocols, tools etc.
• Monitoring and supervising established and ongoing work, systems and installations in the field of expertise and providing technical advice and solutions when necessary.
• Assisting the logistics team in their HR tasks such as recruitment & selection of technical staff, briefing and debriefing of focal persons and logisticians.
• Identifying training needs and contributing to the definition of training content for WHS and VC.
• Facilitating team training and providing on-the-job training on technical basics related to area of specialization according to MSF standards to enable effective implementation of relevant methodologies, systems and tools and ensure best practice is delivered.
• Upon request of the Watsan Technical Coordinator and in coordination with the Cell Logistics & Supply Advisor and Deputy Med-Ops Cell Manager, develop new policies, tools, protocols and SOPs related to his/her area of expertise (with a local, regional or even global approach).
• Drafting reports and action plans following field visits to capture experiences and “lessons learnt”.
• Contributing to the research and development of programme tools, practices, guidelines and policies based on insights gained in the job.
• Proposing and testing/piloting innovative solutions to overcome recurrent problems and technical challenges.
• Developing and maintaining knowledge of practices and approaches within the area of expertise and sharing this knowledge with others to enhance operational effectiveness.
• Carrying out field visits to the portfolio countries as needed or requested by the programme teams.
• Close collaboration with the IPC MIO advisor in relevant areas related to WASH and IPC, in line with MSF policies and standards.
• Participating in the Med-Ops Cell Health Programme Support Team (HSTP) meetings on a regular basis, ensuring a strong link and collaboration between medical and logistics strategies and priorities.
• Supporting emergency/outbreak WASH response primarily within their Med-Ops Cell portfolio; extending support to other Cells only upon request from the Head of Logistics or activation of the MSF Ubuntu Emergency Response Strategy.
• Ensuring WASH facilities and services are designed for privacy, gender-appropriateness, accessibility and safe usage, and are aligned with MSF Ubuntu's safeguarding and community-accountability approach .
• Mapping and engaging local WASH actors — public, community-based and private — in the portfolio, and contributing to targeted WASH partnerships for operational delivery where these strengthen or complement existing local systems .
• Acting as the Med-Ops Cell focal point and technical reference for Watsan, ensuring coherent, timely and context-appropriate technical guidance to country programmes across the portfolio.
• Reviewing and advising on country programme proposals, intervention designs and operational plans related to Watsan, to ensure technical quality, feasibility, relevance and alignment with MSF Ubuntu priorities, standards and strategies.
• Contributing to strategic discussions and decision-making within the Med-Ops Cell on Watsan priorities, approaches and operational orientations for the portfolio countries.

Qualifications

Education

• Essential: Degree in civil engineering, environmental sciences, environmental health, public health engineering, or a closely related technical discipline.
• Desirable: Postgraduate qualification in water and sanitation, public health, or humanitarian studies.
• Essential: Sphere Watsan standards; water treatment and quality testing; excreta and wastewater management; healthcare waste management; community Watsan methodologies; vector control principles.
• Desirable: MSF Watsan protocols and tools; GIS and EPANET.

Experience

• Essential: Minimum 2 years of NGO Watsan field experience; community and HCF Watsan, outbreak response; adult training facilitation; ability to work in remote and insecure settings.
• Desirable: MSF Watsan experience; EASTEN and southern Africa Experience in Watsan interventions or infrastructure design in climate-vulnerable or climate-affected contexts.

Languages

• Essential: English (fluent written and spoken).
• Desirable: French.