About Tearfund

Tearfund is a Christian international relief and development agency working to tackle the root causes of poverty and disaster in over 50 countries. With decades of experience in Burundi, Tearfund partners with local churches, faith-based organizations, and community structures to deliver sustainable programs in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), food security, livelihoods, disaster resilience, and health. Our approach is deeply rooted in community mobilization, capacity building, and long-term transformation. In Burundi, Tearfund operates across multiple provinces, focusing on reaching the most vulnerable populations including displaced communities, rural households, and children affected by poverty and climate shocks.

Role Overview

We are seeking a dedicated WASH Officer to join our Burundi country team based in Bujumbura, with frequent field travel to intervention zones in rural and peri-urban areas. As WASH Officer, you will be responsible for the planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of WASH-related projects and programs. You will work closely with community leaders, local government authorities, health facilities, and partner organizations to ensure that communities have access to safe water, adequate sanitation facilities, and proper hygiene practices. This role requires a technically competent professional who can deliver high-quality WASH programming in line with national standards, donor requirements, and Tearfund’s global frameworks.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the design and implementation of WASH projects, including water point construction, rehabilitation, sanitation facility building, and hygiene promotion campaigns, ensuring activities are completed on time, within budget, and to quality standards.
Conduct WASH needs assessments, baseline surveys, and participatory rural appraisals (PRA) in target communities to identify gaps in water access, sanitation coverage, and hygiene behavior.
Develop technical specifications and bills of quantities (BoQs) for water supply systems including boreholes, gravity-fed schemes, rainwater harvesting systems, and piped water networks, ensuring compliance with Burundi Ministry of Water and international standards (Sphere, UNICEF guidelines).
Facilitate community-led total sanitation (CLTS) triggering processes, follow-up post-triggering activities, and support villages in achieving open defecation free (ODF) status verification and certification.
Design and deliver hygiene promotion sessions using participatory approaches such as CHAST (Children's Hygiene and Sanitation Training), PHAST (Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation), and SARAR methodologies, with special attention to menstrual hygiene management (MHM).
Establish and train Water Management Committees (WMCs) and local mechanics on operation and maintenance (O&M) of water points, spare parts supply chain management, and revenue collection for sustainable service delivery.
Prepare and submit high-quality monthly progress reports, case studies, success stories, and financial reconciliation documents for internal management and donor reporting in accordance with Tearfund’s reporting templates and schedules.
Coordinate with district water offices, DASBU (Direction de l'Assainissement et de la Santé de Base), and other government counterparts to ensure alignment with national WASH policies, strategies, and monitoring frameworks.
Manage WASH procurement processes including preparation of purchase orders, bid analysis, contract management, and quality assurance of materials and construction works in compliance with Tearfund and donor procurement guidelines.
Integrate cross-cutting themes including gender equality, disability inclusion, environmental safeguarding, disaster risk reduction (DRR), and conflict sensitivity into all WASH programming activities.
Represent Tearfund in WASH cluster meetings, inter-agency coordination forums, and sector working groups at provincial and national levels.

Work Environment & Culture

Tearfund operates a collaborative and faith-informed work culture that values integrity, servant leadership, and mutual respect. You will join a multidisciplinary team of Burundian and international staff who are passionate about community transformation. The role involves approximately 40–50% travel to field locations including Makamba, Rutana, Kirundo, and Cibitoke provinces. Tearfund supports flexible working arrangements where possible, encourages continuous professional development, and fosters a learning environment where innovation and local ownership are prioritized. Staff are supported through orientation programs, regular team devotions, and access to Tearfund’s global knowledge management resources.

Candidate Requirements

University degree in Civil Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, Environmental Science, Public Health, Hydrogeology, or a related technical discipline from a recognized institution.
Minimum of 3–5 years of progressive professional experience in WASH programming within an NGO, UN agency, or humanitarian/development context in Burundi or the Great Lakes region.
Proven technical expertise in water supply system design (boreholes, gravity-fed systems, piped networks), sanitation facility construction, and community-based hygiene promotion approaches.
Experience working with international donors including USAID, FCDO, EU, GAC, or SIDA, and familiarity with their compliance, reporting, and audit requirements.
Strong skills in participatory community engagement methodologies including CLTS, PHAST, CHAST, SARAR, and participatory rural appraisal techniques.
Demonstrated ability to prepare technical designs, BoQs, construction drawings, and supervise contractors and artisans during implementation.
Proficiency in data collection and analysis tools including KoBoToolbox, ODK, Excel, and WASH assessment software; familiarity with GIS tools (QGIS, ArcGIS) for water point mapping is an added advantage.
Excellent report writing skills with the ability to produce clear, concise, and evidence-based narrative reports for multiple audiences.
Full professional proficiency in both French and Kirundi is mandatory; working knowledge of English is highly desirable.
Valid driving license (Category B or equivalent) and willingness to travel regularly to remote and underserved areas.
Strong interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, and ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders including church leaders, local government officials, and community members.
Commitment to Tearfund’s Christian values, mission, and code of conduct.

Technical Skills & Tools

Water quality testing and treatment methods (physical, chemical, and biological parameters)
Hydrogeological assessments and borehole siting using resistivity surveys and geological data
AutoCAD or similar design software for water and sanitation infrastructure drawings
GPS/GIS tools for water point mapping and spatial analysis
KoBoToolbox / ODK / SurveyCTO for digital data collection
SPSS, Stata, or R for statistical analysis
Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams)
Project management tools including MS Project or similar platforms
Tearfund’s PEAT (Programme Effectiveness Assessment Tool) and RBM frameworks
Procurement and supply chain management procedures

What We Offer

A competitive salary package commensurate with qualifications and experience, in line with NGO sector benchmarks in Burundi.
Comprehensive medical insurance coverage for the employee and eligible dependents.
Pension scheme contributions in accordance with Burundian labor law.
Annual leave of 20 working days plus public holidays.
Professional development opportunities including access to Tearfund’s global Learning Hub, regional training workshops, and relevant certification courses.
Housing allowance or staff accommodation support for field-based deployments where applicable.
Daily subsistence allowance (DSA) for all authorized field travel.
A supportive, values-driven work environment that prioritizes staff well-being, spiritual growth, and work-life balance.
Meaningful opportunity to contribute to sustainable development and poverty reduction in Burundi.

Career Growth

Tearfund invests in the career development of its staff through structured performance management, mentoring programs, and internal mobility opportunities. As WASH Officer, you will have access to Tearfund’s regional technical advisors for WASH and the global WASH Community of Practice. With demonstrated performance, there is a clear pathway to senior roles including WASH Coordinator, Program Manager, or Country Director positions within Tearfund’s Burundi or regional operations. You will also gain exposure to multi-country programs, proposal design, and strategic leadership development.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their application through the online portal at https://lnkd.in/dMAMpUuF. Your application must include:

A detailed CV (maximum 4 pages) highlighting relevant WASH experience and technical skills.
A cover letter (maximum 1 page) explaining your motivation, suitability, and availability.
Contact details for three professional references, including at least one from a current or most recent supervisor.

Application deadline: 11 May 2026

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for a written assessment and panel interview. Tearfund is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and candidates from underrepresented communities. Tearfund has a zero-tolerance policy toward safeguarding violations and requires all staff to undergo background checks and sign the Safeguarding Policy.