DRC: Environmental Health/WASH Coordinator

Aug 31, 2026 (Deadline: 2026-09-28) | International Rescue Committee
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On 15 May 2026, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) declared its seventeenth Ebola outbreak after cases were confirmed in Ituri Province. The outbreak has since spread to North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé, and Tshopo. As of 12 August 2026, 4,566 confirmed cases and 2,128 deaths had been recorded across 53 of 140 health zones. The response is unfolding amid conflict, displacement, and weak health systems, with persistent gaps in infection prevention, WASH infrastructure, and essential supplies that heighten the risk of healthcare-associated transmission.

IRC has launched an integrated response with the Ministry of Health and partners, spanning Health, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), WASH, Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE), Protection, and MHPSS. To support this, IRC is recruiting an Environmental Health / Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (EH/WASH) Coordinator for a 12-month assignment to lead WASH programming, embed protection and safeguarding principles across the response, and strengthen community access to safe, dignified WASH services.

Scope of Work

The EH/WASH Coordinator is responsible for the technical oversight and delivery of environmental health and WASH programming for the Ebola response, in collaboration with other sectors. The role may require working within Ebola isolation units established at supported health facilities. Staff safety is an absolute priority: strict adherence to infection control procedures is required at all times, and personal protective equipment must be worn within isolation units without exception.

Reporting lines: The EH/WASH Coordinator reports to the Ebola Deputy Director of Programs, working in close coordination with country program counterparts, particularly the Health Coordinator. The role directly supervises the WASH Managers (Ituri and North Kivu) and holds technical oversight of WASH Officers and WASH Assistants across the response.

Main Responsibilities

Strategy and Technical Leadership

  • Lead ongoing implementation of IRC's EH/WASH strategy for the Ebola response, including scale-up plans, staffing, resource requirements, and geographic prioritization.
  • Ensure WASH programming aligns with IRC's Emergency Response Framework, national response priorities, and global technical standards.
  • Contribute to business development through proposal development, technical design, and donor engagement.
  • Build safeguarding risk analysis and relevant risk mitigation measures into project design and implementation.
  • Champion a culture of effective and respectful partnerships. Promote partner-led programming in line with IRC’s “why not partner?” and “partner as equals” approach.
  • Ensure partnership considerations are embedded throughout the emergency response plan, with local partners actively engaged in response design and delivery, so that each program's approach reflects how IRC can best support, reinforce, and complement local actors.

Program Management and Quality

  • Manage staffing and capacity-building of the WASH team, ensuring adequate field coverage and succession planning for key positions, as well as to appropriate manage partnerships.
  • Ensure WASH interventions follow core emergency approaches and standards, appropriately contextualized for a complex outbreak and insecurity.
  • Oversee program management: work plans, procurement, expense tracking, MEAL (emergency indicators), and reporting.
  • Coordinate with the wider DRC country program to align Ebola response WASH activities with the country's longer-term WASH strategy.
  • Support the EVD Response Program Team Lead on program strategy updates and business development, including technical input for proposals.
  • Actively contribute to the relevant sections of Partner Capacity Analysis (PCA) and the subsequent development of partner support plans.
  • Review and provide feedback on partner technical tools, reports, and data as required. Collaborate with partners on recommended adaptations or process improvements.

People Management

  • Directly manage, coach, and support the professional development of WASH Managers, Officers, Assistants, and Hygienists, ensuring clear work plans and regular performance management.
  • Lead recruitment, onboarding, and capacity-building of national WASH staff, including design and delivery of induction and technical training.
  • Foster a collaborative, safe, and accountable culture across a dispersed, multi-site team.
  • Maintain professional relationships that support strong team spirit and enable staff to perform effectively.

Technical Support

  • Work with the Health Coordinator to ensure IRC's EVD response activities are delivered on time and to a high technical standard, in line with IRC approaches and best practice.
  • Promote inclusive delivery, aligned to IMPACT standards.
  • Ensure new triage/isolation structures are constructed on time and to technical standards.
  • Ensure correct handling, storage, and use of chlorine (HTH) at supported facilities.
  • Ensure WASH rehabilitation and upgrades are completed on time and in line with grant agreements.
  • Update and develop program protocols based on current guidance and evidence.
  • Act as WASH lead on the IRC IPC Rapid Response Team.
  • Oversee strict infection prevention, control, and waste management protocols at all supported facilities.
  • Monitor implementation of EH/WASH programs against work plans, performance targets, and budgets.
  • Represent IRC at key coordination forums at national and zonal levels as required.
  • Proactively monitor and assess team safety and security, promptly reporting concerns or incidents.
  • Undertake other duties as assigned by the supervisor to support IRC programs.

Note: This position may require entering the red zone/high-risk area of an isolation unit.

Stakeholder Coordination

  • Represent IRC and coordinate with focal points to ensure active engagement in key response coordination fora, including WASH and IPC working groups.
  • Maintain working relationships with UN and NGO partners on WASH activities to strengthen coordination, information sharing, and referrals.
  • Support internal coordination and information sharing across IRC's response, including with Health, Protection, RCCE, and Safeguarding focal points.

Requirements

The ideal candidate has an environmental health background and experience with water and sanitation in health facilities such as cholera treatment centers and disease-specific treatment units. Highly desired: prior work in an isolation center, highly contagious area, or Biosafety Level 4 area; experience with viral hemorrhagic fevers (Ebola, Lassa, Marburg, etc.); and knowledge of infection prevention and control.

Additional details:

  • Postgraduate qualification in Civil Engineering, Water Engineering, Environmental Sciences, or Public Health; relevant experience may substitute for formal qualification.
  • 5-8 years of experience leading/managing WASH programs with INGOs in emergency and outbreak contexts.
  • Experience with institutional donors, including ECHO, US funding sources, SIDA, CDCS, FCDO, GAC, and GFFO.
  • Fluency in French and English.
  • Previous experience in Ebola outbreak contexts.
  • Strong understanding of EH issues in emergencies and knowledge of emergency standards (Sphere).
  • Strong leadership, management, planning, analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills.
  • Ability to live and work in stressful and insecure environments.
  • Strong initiative and ability to manage multiple tasks under pressure, with sound, timely decision-making.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) and relevant engineering CAD software.
  • Knowledge and/or experience in conflict management, protection, or a related field.
  • Strong professional approach and team-building skills.

Desirable

  • Experience in Ebola and cholera emergencies and emergency WASH programming in DRC.
  • Knowledge and practical experience of WASH IPC in DRC health care facilities, including coordination with relevant DRC line ministries.