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
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 climateresilient 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
