WHO ARE WE?

• The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home. The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956, and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All of our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

ABOUT THE JOB

• The overall purpose of the Shelter, WASH and Infrastructure (SWI) Specialist is to ensure strong technical quality and strategic coherence of Shelter, WASH, and Infrastructure programming across DRC Afghanistan. The SWI Specialist will support the design, standardization, integration, and quality assurance of sector interventions, with increased focus on climate-resilient and climate-adaptive approaches across all SWI programming.

Working closely with Area Office and Country Office teams, and under the technical supervision of the SWI Technical Coordinator, the Specialist contributes to sector strategy, technical tools, standards, and implementation methodologies. The role includes a strong focus on capacity building of technical staff and strengthening integrated programming approaches across sectors.

The SWI Specialist provides day-to-day technical guidance and support on Shelter, WASH, infrastructure related interventions, ensuring that designs and implementation approaches are climate-sensitive, environmentally sustainable, and aligned with resilience and adaptation principles. The role supports program integration across sectors and promotes quality assurance and technical harmonization nationwide.

Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the development and periodic revision of SWI sector strategy and priorities based on context analysis, climate risk considerations, and community needs.
• Integrate climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction (DRR) into Shelter, WASH, and Infrastructure program design and implementation.
• Support the development, harmonization, and rollout of SOPs, technical guidelines, tools, and standards.
• Provide regular and structured technical support and troubleshooting to field teams on Shelter, WASH, infrastructure.
• Ensure technical designs incorporate climate resilience, environmental safeguards, sustainable water resource management, and hazard-resistant construction practices.
• Ensure compliance of SWI interventions with Cluster standards, national guidelines, DRC procedures, and global strategies.
• Conduct regular field visits to provide technical oversight, verify quality of works, identify gaps, and recommend corrective measures.
• Review technical drawings, BOQs, specifications, and methodologies to ensure quality, cost-efficiency, and climate-adaptive standards.

Technical Line Management and Capacity-Building

• Support the development and harmonization of technical staff structures and job descriptions across Area Offices.
• Participate in recruitment and technical evaluation of SWI staff and consultants as needed and in coordination with the SWI Technical Coordinator.
• Identify technical capacity gaps among engineers and SWI staff and develop targeted capacity-building plans.
• Design and deliver trainings on climate-resilient shelter design, watershed infrastructure, sustainable WASH systems, and environmentally responsible construction practices.
• Provide on-the-job coaching and remote technical mentoring to field engineers and officers.
• Promote technical learning and documentation of best practices and innovations in climate-adaptive infrastructure.

Programme Development, Integration, and Oversight

• Support the design and technical development of Shelter, WASH, Infrastructure and climate adaptation components of proposals and projects.
• Ensure climate change adaptation and environmental sustainability are mainstreamed across SWI proposals and program designs.
• Promote integrated programming between SWI and DRC’s other sectors.
• Participate in program cycle meetings (Grant Opening, GRM meetings, and Close-Out Meetings) as needed in coordination with the SWI Technical Coordinator.
• Support the SWI Technical Coordinator in maintaining oversight of implementation progress, budgets, and indicators across Area Offices.
• Monitor sector-level spending and progress and recommend timely corrective actions and budget realignments where needed.
• Track SWI and related interventions nationwide and contribute to donor reports, case studies, and technical documentation.
• Support the development of integrated watershed and community infrastructure solutions linked to water security, flood mitigation, and climate resilience.

Quality Assurance

• Lead and strengthen technical quality assurance systems for Shelter, WASH, and Infrastructure programming.
• Develop and implement quality benchmarks and inspection protocols for SWI works.
• Work closely with MEAL teams to develop harmonized monitoring tools and technical quality checklists.
• Support technical audits, post-construction inspections, and performance evaluations of infrastructure and WASH systems.
• Ensure accountability mechanisms are integrated into SWI programming and technical feedback is incorporated into design improvements.
• Promote evidence-based technical improvements through lessons learned and field feedback

Coordination and Donor Engagement

• Actively participate in ESNFI Cluster, WASH Cluster, Durable Solutions, and relevant technical working groups at national level; support sub-national representation.
• Ensure SWI interventions are coordinated, aligned with cluster standards, and technically well represented.
• Provide technical inputs to sector coordination platforms and inter-agency technical discussions.
• Support donor engagement through technical briefings, concept notes, and presentations on SWI and climate-resilient programming approaches.
• Contribute to technical advocacy on climate-resilient shelter, sustainable WASH systems, and watershed infrastructure

Other

• Raise technical and compliance issues and support corrective actions aligned with DRC standards and procedures.
• Coordinate with Communications and Advocacy teams on technical success stories and knowledge products.

• Support innovation and piloting of climate-adaptive and environmentally sustainable infrastructure approaches.
• Perform any other duties as agreed with the SWI Technical Coordinator and/or Head of Programmes (HoP).

Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience)

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in Shelter, WASH, and Infrastructure programming. With At least 2 years of dedicated experience in climate change adaptation, climate-resilient infrastructure and DRR.
• Demonstrated experience integrating climate adaptation and environmental sustainability into WASH, shelter, or infrastructure projects.
• Strong technical experience in shelter, infrastructure, and WASH program design and implementation.
• Experience engaging with clusters and technical coordination mechanisms.
• Experience working in rapidly changing humanitarian and fragile contexts.
• Strong experience in technical capacity building and remote technical support.
• Proven experience in developing and rolling out SOPs and technical guidelines.
• Strong proposal development and technical report writing skills.
• Experience in program integration and multi-sectoral approaches is highly desirable.

Desirable

• Technical knowledge and understanding of water management systems with relevant qualifications associated with this area of work.

Education/ Qualification (include certificates, licenses etc.)

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, Structural Engineering, Water Engineering, or related field.

Languages: (indicate fluency level)

• English (Required)
• Pashto (full working proficiency)
• Dari (full working proficiency)

We Offer:

• Salary and conditions will be in accordance with DRC salary scale

Application process:

• Application process: Interested?
• Then apply for this position by clicking on the below link.
• All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages).
• Both must be in the same language.
• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.