Water Officer-W4R

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Water Officer-W4R

About the job

The Water Officer will support the implementation of the Water for Resilience (W4R) Programme in Somaliland, contributing to the strengthening of sustainable and climate-resilient water systems in rural and peri-urban areas through a Market Systems Development (MSD) approach.

The position requires a technically grounded water-sector professional who can apply Market Systems Development and private-sector engagement approaches to address the technical, operational, commercial, governance and institutional constraints affecting sustainable water-service delivery.

The role will support the identification, assessment, engagement, and capacity strengthening of Water Ecosystem Actors including Water Service Providers (WSPs), Water Companies (WCs), Community Water Management Committees (CWMCs), Operations & Maintenance (O&M) operators, private suppliers, SMEs, financial actors, and local authorities.

The Water Officer will facilitate interventions aimed at improving technical performance, governance, operational efficiency, financial sustainability, climate resilience, and investment readiness of water service actors. The role will also contribute to water infrastructure assessments, stakeholder coordination, governance strengthening, private sector engagement, climate adaptation interventions, and monitoring of programme result in alignment with W4R's Private Sector for Water (PS4W) and MSD approaches.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Programme Implementation and Water Systems Strengthening

• Support implementation of W4R activities across Wajaale corridor in accordance with approved work plans, budgets, and programme objectives.
• Conduct mapping, assessments, and diagnostics of water ecosystem actors and water systems.
• Support identification and onboarding of Water Service Providers, Water Companies, CWMCs, O&M operators, suppliers, and other ecosystem actors into the W4R support pipeline.
• Assist in baseline assessments, due diligence processes, and climate-water market systems assessments.
• Support preparation of technical assessments, infrastructure evaluations, and investment recommendations for water systems.
• Contribute to the design, rehabilitation, upgrading, and expansion of climate-resilient water systems and multi-use water infrastructure. 
• Support implementation of solarization, water efficiency, groundwater protection, and climate-resilient water infrastructure initiatives.

Market Systems Development and Private Sector Engagement

• Support implementation of Market Systems Development (MSD) interventions within the water sector.
• Facilitate engagement with private water service providers and local enterprises operating within the water ecosystem.
• Identify systemic constraints affecting water service delivery, investment, governance, and market performance.
• Support private sector engagement initiatives aimed at improving sustainability and affordability of water services.
• Assist in developing business improvement opportunities for water ecosystem actors.
• Support implementation of challenge funds, co-investment initiatives, and other catalytic financing mechanisms where applicable.

Capacity Strengthening and Governance

• Support capacity strengthening initiatives targeting WSPs, WCs, CWMCs, government authorities, and other water ecosystem actors.
• Facilitate training and mentoring water service management, governance, operations and maintenance, customer service, climate resilience, and financial management.
• Support development and strengthening of governance structures and accountability systems within water service institutions.
• Promote inclusive participation of women, youth, minority groups, and vulnerable communities in water governance structures.
• In collaboration with the MEAL team support establishment and strengthening of customer feedback and accountability mechanisms.

Stakeholder Coordination and Partnerships

• Maintain effective working relationships with government ministries, district authorities, water agencies, private sector actors, financial institutions, and community structures.
• Participate in coordination forums, technical working groups, and relevant water sector meetings in Somaliland.
• Support collaboration between DRC, Braintec, local authorities, financial institutions, and other programme stakeholders.
• Facilitate stakeholder consultations, dialogue sessions, and community engagement processes.
• Support partnership development with water ecosystem actors and local institutions.

Climate Resilience, Conflict Sensitivity and Inclusion

• Support integration of climate adaptation and resilience measures into water systems interventions.
• In Collaboration with W4R Anticipatory Action coordinator, contribute to anticipatory action and drought preparedness activities.
• Ensure conflict-sensitive and inclusive programming approaches are integrated throughout implementation.
• Support implementation of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) commitments under W4R.
• Ensure participation of women and youth in programme interventions and water governance structures.

Monitoring, Learning and Reporting

• Collect, verify, and analyse technical and programme performance data.
• Support tracking of programme indicators related to water service provision, governance, climate resilience, private sector engagement, and investment readiness.
• Contribute to the preparation of timely and quality periodic donor reports.
• Document success stories, lessons learned, innovations, and best practices.
• Support GPS mapping and maintenance of programme databases and records.
• Contribute to programme learning and adaptive management processes.

Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure programme activities comply with DRC policies, donor requirements, technical standards, and national regulations.
• Promote safeguarding, accountability, and protection mainstreaming in all programme activities.
• Identify implementation risks and propose mitigation measures.
• Ensure proper filing and documentation of project records and technical documentation

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have:

Required

• A University degree in Water Supply Engineering, Hydraulic Engineering, Water Resource or Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a directly related field.
• Minimum 4 years of experience in water resource management, water supply systems, water infrastructure, WASH, resilience, or market systems programming.
• Experience working with private sector actors, water service providers, utilities, community-managed water systems, or public-private partnerships.
• Experience in water systems assessments, planning, implementation, monitoring, and supervision.
• Understanding of Market Systems Development (MSD) and/or Private Sector Engagement (PSE) approaches.
• Familiarity with climate-resilient water systems and sustainable groundwater management.
• Experience engaging government institutions, communities, and private sector stakeholders.
• Knowledge of water governance, operations and maintenance models, and community water management approaches.
• Strong analytical, reporting, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience using GIS/GPS and digital data collection platforms is an asset.
• Able to adapt to changing situations as required.
• Able to work well under pressure and in adverse conditions.

 

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies: 

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process. 

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback. 

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation. 

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly. 

Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

 

We offer

Contract length: 12 months

Band: : None Management H2

Work location: Hargeisa with frequent travel to project locations.

Start date: September 2026

Reporting to: Project Manager/Corridor Manager – Wajaale

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for

employees on national contract.

Application process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered. Females are always encouraged to Apply

Closing date for applications: 10th August 2026

For more information about the Danish Refugee Council, please visit our website drc.ngo.

Danish Refugee Council is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment regardless of personal characteristics or attributes.

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