Wash & Construction Specialist
Job Details
Position Summary:
The WASH & Construction Specialist provides critical technical leadership, support, quality assurance, and construction management expertise to ensure that all HFH Tanzania housing, WASH, and infrastructure projects are designed, built, implemented, supervised, monitored and maintained in line with Habitat for Humanity’s global WASH and construction quality & safety standards and Habitability guidelines, the Tanzania Building Standards and WHO Sanitation Guidelines. The Specialist also drives continuous innovation in materials, low-carbon building techniques, and water management systems, orienting project implementation with emerging climate-resilient technologies.
The WASH & Construction Specialist role is designed to ensure effective and efficient execution of Habitat for Humanity Tanzania’s (HFHT) programmatic activities, directly contributing to the attainment of the organization’s five-year strategy (FY2025-2029) and its core strategic priorities of BUILD MORE AND BETTER HOMES, TRANSFORM HOUSING SYSTEM AND INSPIRE ACTION FOR HOUSING with focus on the four thematic areas of Affordability, Habitability, Basic Services, and Security of Tenure by ensuring that homes and community infrastructure are safe, affordable, durable, environmentally sustainable, and resilient to climate risks. The WASH & Construction Specialist works closely with the Habitability-HDRR & Basic Services Managers, Project Coordinator (s), Project Officer(s), WASH/Construction Interns & Volunteers, LGAs technical Officials, contractors, private sector and implementing partners in WASH and construction sector to deliver high-quality construction interventions for vulnerable households, informal settlements, and disaster-affected communities.
Reporting:
- Reporting Administratively to the Program Director
- Technically reporting to:Manager Habitability and Housing Disaster Resilience and Recovery-Africa, Manager Basic Services-Africa
Supervise: Program Assistants, Volunteers and Interns (Technical)
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Technical Design and Construction Management
- Provide technical design, review, and oversight for all construction projects, including new housing, WASH facilities, community infrastructure, and post-disaster reconstruction.
- Develop and adapt architectural and engineering designs that reflect HFH habitability, climate resilience, disaster mitigation measures, environmentally friendly and affordability parameters.
- Ensure that all designs comply with Tanzania Building Codes and standards and international best practices on structural safety, accessibility, and energy efficiency.
- Develop and review Bills of Quantities (BoQs), construction schedules, technical drawings/designs, tender documents and work specifications for construction projects.
- Conduct field assessments to determine site suitability, soil conditions, and material availability prior to construction.
- Oversee construction site setup, supervision, and day-to-day progress monitoring to ensure adherence to design, safety, and environmental standards.
- Promote innovative, low-carbon construction technologies such as Stabilised Soil Blocks (SSB), Interlocking Stabilised Soil Blocks (ISSB), green bamboo building, passive cooling and heating rainwater harvesting systems, among others.
- Ensure all completed housing and infrastructure projects meet HFHT’s Pathways to Permanence and Core Humanitarian Standards.
- Construction Quality Assurance and Compliance
- Lead the enforcement of HFHT’s Construction Quality Assurance and ensure that every project follows Standard Operating Procedures.
- Collaborate with relevant LGAs eg. RUWASA, District Engineers etc to conduct periodic technical supervision, monitoring, inspections, and certifications of construction works at different stages (foundation, walling, roofing, finishing). Provide technical sign-off and final inspection approval before project handover to beneficiaries.
- Monitor material quality and ensure that all sourced materials meet specification standards for durability and sustainability.
- Implement construction safety and environmental protection measures at all sites. Ensure contractors and artisans’ compliance with occupational health and safety requirements and HFHT’s safeguarding policies.
- Maintain a quality tracking and documentation system for all projects, including progress reports, test results, and construction photographs.
- Resolve technical challenges, contractor conflicts, and logistical issues that arise during implementation. Ensure all contractors comply with contractual obligations and ethical standards.
- Project Planning, Budgeting, and Resource Mobilisation
- Contribute technical sections, detailed budgets, and scopes of work for new funding proposals and concept notes.
- Participate in the development of project implementation plans, providing input during the budgeting and procurement process for all construction projects.
- Support the Program and Finance teams in developing cost estimates, verifying invoices/claims submitted by contractors/partners.
- Track project expenditures and ensure adherence to approved budgets and timelines.
- Manage construction contracts, ensuring compliance with terms, timelines, and quality standards.
- Ensure efficient use of materials, equipment, and labour, minimising waste and maximising productivity.
- Maintain construction inventories (if any) and oversee logistical arrangements for tools, equipment, and materials.
- Identify and champion the testing and adoption of innovative, affordable, and sustainable building and WASH technologies.
- Ensure effective integration of WASH activities with housing and community development projects.
- Capacity Building and Technical Support
- Train and mentor HFHT staff, interns, volunteers, local artisans, masons, and builders on WASH quality and standards, safe construction techniques, green building technologies, and resilient design standards.
- Support communities and partner organizations in developing their technical capacity for self-help construction and maintenance.
- Develop training manuals and visual guides for construction teams and volunteers.
- Conduct on-site demonstrations and workshops on topics such as foundation stability, roof anchorage, moisture control, ventilation, and sanitation integration.
- Build the capacity of Project Officers and field staff to monitor technical quality during implementation.
- Work with the Program team to organise, coordinate, monitor and supervise build days for volunteers (students, corporate, community).
- Provide direct technical mentorship and support to Project Officers and WASH/Construction Interns.
- Partnership Coordination engagement & management
- Work closely with government departments (e.g. Ministry of Land, Housing, Human Settlement and Development, Ministry of Water etc) to ensure project compliance and knowledge sharing.
- Maintain strong technical working relationships with community leaders and LGAs officials (engineers, health, land, water departments) for community mobilisation, construction project approvals and sustainability.
- Coordinate the work of contractors, subcontractors, and artisans to ensure efficient and synchronised project execution.
- Support partnerships with technical institutions and vocational training centres to promote skill transfer in sustainable construction.
- Collaborate with the Program and MEAL team to integrate risk reduction and monitoring in all infrastructure interventions.
- Represent HFHT in relevant national and local WASH/Construction sector working groups and coordination forums.
- Monitoring, Evaluation Documentation, Reporting, and Learning
- Conduct technical assessments and data analysis of WASH services
- Maintain detailed construction documentation—drawings, inspection checklists and reports, material test results, and as-built records.
- Contribute monthly, quarterly, and annual technical reports with clear metrics on progress, costs, and quality performance.
- Document lessons learned, success stories, and technical innovations for dissemination within HFHT and the Habitat network.
- Participate in technical reviews and post-construction evaluations to identify improvements and promote continuous learning.
- Support Programs, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) team to conduct monitoring and evaluation of Construction and WASH projects.
- Conduct regular site inspections and document progress, quality, and technical challenges/risks and maintain up-to-date project risk and issue registers for WASH and construction activities.
- Implement risk mitigation measures immediately.
Minimum Required Qualifications:
- At least a bachelor’s degree in construction management, Civil Engineering, Water & Irrigation Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Architecture, Building Science, or a related field.
- A master’s degree in a related field is an added advantage.
- Professional registration or those who qualify for professional registration with a relevant professional body (i.e. Engineers Registration Board-ERB)
Technical Skills, knowledge and Experience:
- Over 7 years’ progressive working experience as WASH & Construction Engineer with at least 5 years working experience in a similar position as Specialist or Managerial level providing technical expertise, tendering process, managing and supervising construction projects, preferably- housing/buildings, WASH or community infrastructure, preferably in the INGO sector at National/Country level.
- Good understanding of Partners management and smart engagement with Local Government Authorities.
- Broader understanding of the Affordable and decent Housing in Tanzania Context, Critical WASH, Structural interventions, and Gender mainstreaming interventions.
- Demonstrated experience with green building technologies, low-cost housing design, and disaster-resilient construction.
- Familiarity with national and international construction standards, environmental management guidelines, and safety protocols.
- Experience working with donor-funded projects (e.g., BMZ, USAID, EU, KOICA, or UN agencies) is an added advantage.
- Strong background in project planning, risk management, budgeting, and construction contract management.
- Technical expertise in structural design, civil works, and materials testing.
- Proficiency in AutoCAD/Arch CAD/ EPANET/ ArcGIS, Revit, Lumion, SketchUp, Hydraulic Excel Calculations, Structural Design Calculations or other design and estimation software.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, including report writing and presentation skills.
- Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and coordinate multiple construction sites.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with communities, artisans, and government authorities.
- Commitment to HFHT’s Christian ethos, integrity, gender equity, and community empowerment.
- Computer skills in MS Word, Excel, email use and Power point presentations.
- Strong command of English and Swahili Languages
Personal attributes:
- A high degree of integrity and accountability.
- A proactive and results-oriented approach to work.
- Commitment to Habitat for Humanity’s mission and values.
- Ability to travel extensively to field locations.
Preferred Requirements (in addition to minimum):
- Excellent English language skills (written, reading and spoken).
- Must have problem-solving skills and time management skills.
- Be able to interpret program policies and procedures.
- Demonstrate ability to independently plan, organise and carry out work assignments.
- Show the ability to analyse and prepare fiscal, financial, and statistical records and reports.
- Must have the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Assisting in planning and overseeing significant events.
- Active support of HFHI Values:Humility – We are part of something bigger than ourselves.Courage – We do what’s right, even when it is difficult or unpopular.Accountability – We take personal responsibility for Habitat’s mission
Safeguarding:
HFHI requires that all employees take seriously their ethical responsibilities to safeguarding our intended beneficiaries, their communities, and all those with whom we work. Managers at all levels have responsibilities to support and develop systems that create and maintain an environment that prevents harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, safeguards the rights of beneficiaries and community members (especially children), and promotes the implementation of Habitat for Humanity’s code of conduct.
Job application procedure
Please send your letter of motivation and CV ONLY – In one PDF File to humanresource@hfhtanzania.or.tz and info@hfhtanzania.or.tz Address your application to the National Director.
Kindly only apply if you meet the minimum requirements for the position. Clearly state the name of the position you are applying for in the subject line.
Closing Date: Wednesday, 19 November 2025
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Habitat for Humanity Tanzania is an equal opportunity employer.
