WASH Technical Advisornew

Duty station: Caracas or La Guaira, with regular travel to project locations

Contract type: Consultancy contract (100%)

Contract duration: 1.1.2027 – 31.12.2027

Reporting to: Project Manager

Eligibility: Open to Venezuelan nationals and other applicants who are legally authorised to work in Venezuela and are currently residing in the country (no relocation support)

Background

Solidar Suisse is a Swiss non-governmental organisation founded in 1936, formerly known as Swiss Labour Assistance. The organisation is committed to promoting social justice, decent work and equal opportunities and implements humanitarian and development programmes across Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe.

Following the earthquake that struck Venezuela in June 2026, Solidar Suisse launched an initial humanitarian response to support affected communities. Building on this first intervention, Solidar Suisse is now preparing a new humanitarian project focusing on WASH and Protection in Caracas and La Guaira.

In line with Solidar Suisse’s commitment to locally led humanitarian action, the project will be implemented in close partnership with two Venezuelan organisations with strong expertise in WASH and Protection respectively. Each partner will lead implementation in its core sector, while contributing complementary expertise to the overall response. Solidar Suisse will retain overall responsibility for the project and provide oversight, coordination and quality assurance through a lean in-country structure.

Position Purpose

Solidar Suisse is seeking an experienced and practical WASH Technical Advisor to support the implementation of its humanitarian project in Venezuela.

The position will provide technical guidance and oversight for all WASH-related activities implemented through local partner organisations. The successful candidate will work closely with partners to strengthen programme quality, support implementation, monitor progress, provide technical advice and contribute to effective coordination with relevant stakeholders.

The role requires a hands-on professional who is comfortable working in close collaboration with local organisations and who can support programme implementation through a combination of technical expertise, field engagement, partner accompaniment and practical problem-solving.

Main Responsibilities

Technical Leadership and Quality Assurance

• Provide technical guidance and oversight for all WASH-related project activities.
• Ensure that WASH interventions are technically sound, context-appropriate and responsive to identified needs.
• Support the design, planning and adaptation of WASH activities throughout project implementation.
• Review technical approaches, tools, methodologies and project documentation and provide recommendations for improvement.
• Ensure alignment with relevant humanitarian standards, sector guidance and recognised good practice.
• Support the integration of accountability, community participation, protection and safeguarding considerations within WASH programming.
• Identify technical challenges and develop practical recommendations together with project partners.

Partner Support and Accompaniment

• Work closely with local partner organisations responsible for WASH implementation.
• Provide ongoing technical guidance, mentoring and accompaniment to partner teams.
• Review implementation plans, methodologies, monitoring information and technical reports.
• Support partners in addressing implementation challenges and adapting activities where necessary.
• Identify capacity-strengthening needs and support the development of practical solutions.
• Promote learning, exchange and continuous improvement among project teams.
• Ensure that technical decisions remain aligned with project objectives and community needs.

Monitoring and Field Support

• Conduct regular field visits to monitor implementation progress and programme quality.
• Verify the quality and appropriateness of completed and ongoing WASH activities.
• Assess technical risks and implementation challenges and propose corrective actions where required.
• Support the collection and interpretation of monitoring data and technical information.
• Provide technical recommendations for improving effectiveness, quality and sustainability.
• Document lessons learned, challenges and good practices.

Coordination and Representation

• Support Solidar Suisse's engagement with relevant WASH stakeholders and coordination mechanisms.
• Participate in relevant WASH-related meetings, technical working groups and consultations.
• Maintain constructive relationships with local authorities, humanitarian actors, civil society organisations and technical counterparts.
• Monitor developments relevant to the WASH sector and provide updates to Solidar Suisse Headquarters.
• Contribute to broader humanitarian coordination efforts where relevant.

Risk Management, Safeguarding and Accountability

• Identify technical, operational and programme risks related to WASH implementation.
• Support the development and application of appropriate mitigation measures.
• Promote accountability to affected populations and the meaningful participation of communities.
• Ensure that WASH activities are implemented safely, inclusively and in accordance with safeguarding requirements.
• Escalate major concerns or risks through appropriate channels.

Other Responsibilities

• Contribute to organisational learning and continuous programme improvement.
• Support humanitarian assessments and response planning when required.
• Undertake other reasonable duties necessary for the successful implementation of Solidar Suisse's humanitarian programme in Venezuela.
• Respond flexibly to changing programme priorities and operational needs.

Candidate Profile

• University degree in water engineering, civil engineering, environmental engineering, public health, WASH, environmental sciences or another relevant field.
• At least five years of progressive professional experience in WASH programming within humanitarian and/or development settings.
• Demonstrated technical experience in the design, implementation or monitoring of WASH interventions.
• Experience working with national or local civil society organisations and implementing partners.
• Experience providing technical guidance, mentoring or capacity strengthening to programme teams.
• Good understanding of humanitarian principles, accountability commitments and community-centred programming approaches.
• Familiarity with humanitarian WASH standards and best practices.
• Experience participating in coordination mechanisms and working with multiple stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining close collaboration with partners and colleagues.
• Willingness and ability to undertake regular field travel.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Full professional proficiency in Spanish and English, both written and spoken.
• Good command of Microsoft Office applications.
• Good knowledge of the Venezuelan humanitarian and institutional context.