Program Manager WASH

Job Title: Program Manager WASH

Reports to: Area Program Coordinator

Location: Kakuma, Turkana County

Classification: Fulltime

Starting Date: As soon as possible

Duration: Upto Dec 2026

BACKGROUND

IsraAID is an international non-governmental organization headquartered in Israel that was founded in 2001 and works in emergency and long-term development settings in over 55 countries. IsraAID’s mission is to support people affected by humanitarian crises by partnering with local communities around the world to provide urgent aid, assist recovery, and reduce the risk of future disasters.

JOB PURPOSE

The primary function of the Programmes Manager WASH (PMW) is to support the organisation in supervising the implementation of programs and provide technical oversight to all WASH projects. As part of the senior leadership team, the PMW also plays an active role in planning, designing, implementation, development and administration of IsraAID Kenya programs and strategy under the leadership of the Area Program Coordinator and Country Director.

The Programmes Manager WASH will oversee the strategic development and positioning of the organisation in Kenya in the field of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene while overseeing the IsraAID WASH programs in Kenya combining management and oversight with department development. In line with IsraAID’s global strategy the PMW will guide the development and implementation of sectoral programs. In this capacity, they will lead the designing of concrete implementation plans for each project, provide budget oversight and ensure donor reports are of excellent quality and prepared in a timely manner. They will identify needs for specialised expertise and work under the supervision of the Area Coordinator to fill those gaps. They will utilize and adapt existing program management and MEAL tools under supervision of Area Program Coordinator and the Country Director and with technical guidance from the Global WASH Coordinator (from HQ).

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Management & Technical Oversight.

• Reporting to the Area Program Coordinator, proactively oversee all WASH projects in country through all components of the project management cycle providing ongoing managerial support to coordinators
• Lead the design, planning and implementation of WASH projects to ensure interventions are high-quality, contextually relevant and deliver measurable impact.
• Provide specialized technical guidance in water supply systems, sanitation infrastructure, hygiene promotion, and sustainable WASH solutions.
• Develop technical designs, Bill of Quantities and quality assurance frameworks to ensure all WASH infrastructure meets professional standards and donor requirements.
• Ensure that all WASH programs, projects and activities have clear and realistic objectives, identifiable direct/indirect beneficiaries, have a concrete, realistic and impact-oriented implementation plans
• In collaboration with the MEAL Officer, ensure effective monitoring and evaluation processes and procedures are followed for each WASH program for the effective and ethical implementation of programs including the development of strategies and the collection of
• Effectively monitor budget implementation against programmatic targets, with support from Area Program Coordinator and/or relevant team members
• In collaboration with all relevant staff, oversee timely reporting for all WASH programs according to internal IsraAID and donor requirements, ensuring strict compliance with donor contract requirements and reporting deadlines, and that the verification of submission shared with the Country
• Lead in organizing project meetings, covering all aspects of project planning and implementation
• Ensure that all WASH programs, projects and activities are designed and implemented according to IsraAID’s and international programmatic protocols, guidelines and standards, and that program planning and implementation are conducted in accordance with core ethics of

Staff management and Professional Technical Support to Staff

• Manage and support WASH programs team, directly supervise programme officers and ensure reporting lines are observed
• Manage staffing for WASH programs: design staffing plans for each WASH program in coordination with the Country Director
• Work closely with relevant HQ sector leads and any specialised technical staff in Kenya to provide technical guidance and ensure adherence to WASH global best practices.
• Determine training needs for program staff and facilitate the participation of these staffs in necessary trainings in order to build capacity
• Ensure learning from the WASH programme contributes to knowledge building and sharing within the country office and IsraAID

Strategy and Planning

• Ensure effective implementation of the yearly strategic planning for all WASH programs (using existing protocols and guidelines, and updating them when necessary)
• Support IsraAID’s national and local partners in the design and implementation of quality realistic WASH programmatic intervention, taking into account the needs on the ground, IsraAID’s mandate and capacity of the partner, as well as donors’ requirements
• Identify and collect of best practices to contribute to program experience and design

Administrative and financial management:

• Work closely with the Country Director and Project Manager(s)/Area Program Coordinator to secure strategic funding opportunities and develop proposals based on identified gaps and needs
• In coordination with the DEVCOM Department, produce quality reports to ensure accurate, coherent and timely reporting
• In collaboration with the Area Program Coordinator, ensure all budgeting, administrative and procurement requirements, related to the programs are met in a timely and effective fashion
• Coordinate procurement and logistics of resources and equipment for WASH programmatic activities

Human Resources and Staff Development

• Provide technical support on the recruitment and management of WASH staff, including developing Terms of Reference (ToRs), staffing plan, participating in recruitment processes, and performance evaluations where
• Support the professional development of WASH
• Facilitate capacity building for team members and partners to develop WASH expertise including coaching, capacity building, mentoring, and supervision

Coordination with external partners

• Foster a spirit of collaboration and empowerment with IsraAid local
• Ensure that all program decisions are taken in coordination with partners, donors, relevant government structures and community
• Ensure non-duplication of programs with other partners operating in same locations and in similar sectors of activity
• Represent IsraAID at all WASH coordination meetings, technical working groups, other relevant meetings with authorities, donors and other stakeholders
• Identify advocacy, funding, and research opportunities for
• Strengthening relationships with government departments, INGOs, CBOs, private sectors actors and communities .

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

1. At least a Bachelor Degree in relevant field (e.g. Civil/Environmental/Soil and Water Engineering, Water Resources Management, Public Health or related field. etc.). A Masters degree is an added advantage.
2. Over 5 years of progressive responsible experience in program management, leadership and design with at least two years at senior management level in conflict or post-conflict settings;
3. Experience in stakeholder management, partnership building and networking with government, INGOs and CBOs;
4. Experience in successful proposal development
5. Experience in program management, program design, budgeting and budget management including writing Log Frames and budgets
6. Sound experience in people management, negotiation and planning.
7. Experience in financial management and interpretation of financial reports.
8. Good understanding and management of logistics and procurement management functions and contracts.

Skills

• Excellent organizational and coordination skills.
• Excellent communication (English and Kiswahili)
• Strong analytical skills (including thorough understanding of MEAL)
• Conflict Management and resolution
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Responsive, pro-active, and able to multi-task

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT AND DEMANDS:

The office is located in Turkana Country with frequent field visits and requires a highly resilient individual.

Level of Contact with Children:

Medium contact: Frequent interaction with children with regular visits to the field to support program implementation

LANGUAGES

English and Kiswahili

ETHICAL STANDARDS

IsraAID has zero tolerance towards any acts of misconduct and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse. The recruitment process will include all candidates’ declarations and reference checks focused on misconduct and SEA.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

IsraAID is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability status.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.