Job vacancy: Watsan Manager
Organization: Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
Job title: Watsan Manager
Direct reports: Logistics Team Leader
Location: Liwale, Liwale District, Lindi Region
Date advertised: 18 August 2026
About Médecins Sans Frontières
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent medical humanitarian organization that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters and exclusion from healthcare.
MSF assists people based on need, irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation. The organization is guided by the principles of neutrality and impartiality, which apply to all MSF staff.
Main purpose
Plan, coordinate, implement and monitor all project logistics activities related to water, health and sanitation in accordance with MSF protocols and standards, ensuring the optimal running of the project.
Key accountabilities
- In collaboration with the Project Coordinator and Logistics Coordinator, plan, develop and review the annual budget for Watsan activities to identify and respond to the needs of the mission and targeted population.
- Monitor the day-to-day implementation of project Watsan activities, ensure compliance with MSF standards, protocols and procedures, and report to the Project Coordinator on the development of ongoing programs.
- Design, implement and manage all Watsan interventions in the project, including but not limited to:
- Water supply
- Excreta disposal
- Waste management
- Hygiene
- Infection control
- Conduct routine Watsan assessments with project medical teams to identify project-level needs and recommend response activities to the line manager, such as the Project or Field Coordinator, Watsan Coordinator, Referent or Focal Point.
- Ensure Watsan contributes to the development and planning of emergency-response strategies and resources in collaboration with the medical and logistics teams.
- Ensure the availability, proper purchasing and appropriate technical specifications of required materials and equipment by planning, organizing and overseeing the Watsan stock inventory.
- In collaboration with the Project Coordinator, Logistics Coordinator and HR Coordinator, participate in HR processes for staff under the role’s responsibility, including:
- Recruitment
- Training
- Briefing and debriefing
- Evaluation
- Identification of potential
- Professional development
- Communication
- Ensure appropriate staffing levels and the knowledge required to perform all logistics activities within the area of responsibility.
- Provide technical support to the medical team in identifying possible risk factors, including behavioral practices, environmental sources of infection and transmission routes, and propose appropriate infection-control solutions.
- Actively contribute to integrating Watsan activities into the medical intervention through project proposals and work plans.
- Ensure proper collection and monitoring of Watsan data, multidisciplinary data availability, data analysis and regular reporting of results as requested by line management.
MSF section- and context-specific accountabilities
Leadership transition and 2027 strategic planning
- PoA 2027 development: Lead the technical design, budgeting and WaSH inputs for the Liwale project’s 2027 Plan of Action, ensuring that infrastructure gains made in 2026 are sustained and expanded.
- Handover integration: Complete a high-intensity onboarding period and take over direct supervision of all remaining WaSH works.
- Staff mentorship: Assume full hierarchical responsibility for the Watsan Supervisor and Technicians, focusing on their professional development so the team can independently maintain high-tech systems.
- MoH co-management and governance: Maintain regular technical coordination with the District Environmental Health Office, integrate joint priorities and cost-sharing proposals into annual plans, and keep clear records of agreed actions and follow-up.
Advanced operations, maintenance and technical sustainability
- RO and specialized systems operations and maintenance: Lead Reverse Osmosis refresher training and establish a strict preventive-maintenance schedule for all commissioned RO systems and Dosatron units.
- Water-quality assurance and local chlorine production: Oversee routine free residual chlorine and bacteriology monitoring, as well as local chlorine production, to keep all facilities within MSF water-quality red lines.
- Monitoring: Ensure high-quality data entry and analysis and promptly escalate any red-line breach.
- Groundwater management: Use borehole-performance data to guide the procurement and installation of backup submersible pumps and other resilience measures.
- Vector-control coordination: Plan and monitor indoor residual spraying rounds and other vector-control measures, ensuring supplies and competencies are available for current and future campaigns.
Operational continuity and emergency preparedness
- Emergency preparedness and pre-positioning: Lead WaSH emergency-preparedness planning and stock pre-positioning so WaSH services remain functional during seasonal or outbreak-related disruptions.
- Waste-management quality: Strengthen healthcare waste-management practices through periodic refresher training and close supervision of waste-zone operations.
- Planetary health and environmental compliance: Promote waste reduction, energy efficiency and environmentally sound construction, ensuring that WaSH activities meet MSF and national standards.
- Monitoring and reporting: Provide concise, data-driven monthly updates highlighting progress, risks and resource needs.
- Documentation and audit readiness: Maintain complete technical files—including designs, operations and maintenance manuals, inspection records and supplier contacts—to support audits and eventual handover to the Ministry of Health.
Candidate profile
Minimum educational qualifications
- A higher degree in civil, environmental or water engineering, or public health; a diploma; or equivalent relevant training.
- An engineering license or certificate would be an advantage.
- An academic background in engineering.
- Watsan in Emergencies training within MSF is strongly recommended.
Experience
- Previous experience in the technical aspects of water and sanitation works.
- At least six months of hands-on field emergency WaSH professional experience in a humanitarian or international development setting.
- Experience implementing or promoting at least two of the following activities is desirable:
- Water supply
- Excreta disposal
- Waste and wastewater management
- Vector control
- Dead-body management
- The above experience should preferably have been gained in at least two different contexts, such as conflicts, natural disasters, or refugee or internally displaced persons camps.
- A public health background or public health experience is desirable.
Languages
Good spoken and written English and Kiswahili are essential.
Knowledge
Essential computer literacy, including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and internet use.
Competencies
- People management and development
- Commitment to MSF principles
- Behavioral flexibility
- Results and quality orientation
- Teamwork and cooperation
Important information for applicants
- Residents of Liwale will be given priority for consideration.
- MSF will not provide support for accommodation or transportation.
- Women and members of minority groups are encouraged to apply.
- MSF is dedicated to fostering a safe work environment with zero tolerance for any form of abuse.
Application details
Application deadline: Monday, August 31, 2026 at 5:00 PM.
Documents to submit
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Motivation Letter
-
Updated CV
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Copy of National ID
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Copies of relevant professional certificates
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Academic Certificates (mandatory)
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Practicing Licenses (If applicable)
-
Applications missing any of the above documents will be automatically disqualified.
How to apply
By email: Send your application to MSFCH-Tanzania-Recruitment@geneva.msf.org.
Use “WATSAN MANAGER” as the email subject line.
In person—Dar es Salaam: Submit your application to the MSF office at:
Uporoto Street, Plot No. 74, House No. 22
Ursino Estate, Victoria
Dar es Salaam
The envelope should be marked “WATSAN MANAGER.”
In person—Liwale: Applications may also be submitted to the MSF office in Liwale, Lindi.
The envelope should be marked “WATSAN MANAGER.”
Selection process
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
- If you receive no contact within six weeks, you may consider that you have not been pre-selected.
- All selected candidates will undergo reference checks.
Data protection
The protection of applicants’ personal data is important to MSF. By submitting an application, applicants consent to MSF using their data only for the recruitment process. This includes obtaining the information and documents necessary to review and validate applications and select the most suitable candidate.
Applicant data will be treated confidentially and will be accessible only to people involved in the recruitment process. MSF does not sell applicant data under any circumstances.
Questions or requests concerning personal data may be sent to MSFCH-Tanzania-Recruitment@geneva.msf.org.
Inclusion, safeguarding and equal opportunity
MSF is committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of its staff members. The organization strives to create workplaces where people with diverse backgrounds, characteristics, perspectives, ideas and experiences work together in support of MSF’s social mission and better outcomes for patients and the communities it serves.
Applications are welcome from individuals of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, ethnicities, backgrounds, religions, beliefs, ability statuses and all other diversity characteristics.
MSF does not tolerate sexual exploitation or abuse, discrimination or harassment, including sexual harassment.
Applying to MSF is free of charge. MSF does not charge applicants to consider their applications.
