Programme Manager – Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH)

About the role

The Programme Manager (WASH) will provide strategic leadership, technical oversight and operational management of a UNICEF‑funded total WASH programme serving floating and lakeshore communities around Inle Lake. The role ensures high‑quality, inclusive, climate‑resilient and sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene interventions.

Key responsibilities

• Lead programme planning, start‑up, implementation, monitoring, adaptation and close‑out in line with approved proposals and budgets.
• Oversee water supply systems, sanitation infrastructure, faecal sludge management, water quality monitoring and hygiene behaviour change activities.
• Manage grant and budget administration, donor compliance, risk management and partnership development.
• Integrate MEAL, safeguarding, gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) across the programme cycle.
• Provide technical and managerial supervision to engineers, public health promotion staff, MEAL and finance coordinators, and partner organisations.
• Coordinate closely with UNICEF, government authorities, local communities and the programme’s steering committee.

Required profile

• National applicant with proven experience managing large‑scale WASH programmes in humanitarian or development settings.
• Strong knowledge of climate‑resilient water and sanitation solutions and community‑based approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, grants and donor reporting.
• Experience integrating MEAL, safeguarding and GEDSI principles.
• Excellent coordination skills with multiple stakeholders, including donors and government bodies.

Required skills

• Water supply system management
• Sanitation infrastructure design
• Faecal sludge management
• Water quality monitoring
• Hygiene promotion programming
• Community engagement and capacity strengthening
• Grant and budget management
• Donor compliance reporting
• MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Learning) implementation
• Safeguarding and GEDSI integration