HEKS/EPER employs around 600 full-time staff members. Its work is guided by the vision of a just world where peace prevails, the dignity of all people is respected, and natural resources are preserved. HEKS/EPER is active in 25 locations in Switzerland and 30 countries worldwide, running more than 380 programmes and projects with a total volume of 138 million Swiss francs. Within the framework of Agenda 2030, the organisation focuses on four priority themes: "Climate Justice," "Right to Land and Food," "Asylum and Migration," and "Inclusion." HEKS/EPER also provides humanitarian aid to victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts, aiming to bring about change at the social, economic, and political levels. HEKS contributes to improving the living conditions of people both domestically and internationally, advocating for their rights. It raises awareness and mobilises society, politics, business, and churches. In 2023, around 16 million people benefited from the work of HEKS/EPER.
HEKS/EPER has been delivering humanitarianassistance in Ukraine since March 2022 with an active presence in key sectors such as WASH, Shelter, Protection, and MPCA. With over 39 million CHF mobilized across 12 projects, HEKS/EPER has become a keyactor in the rehabilitation of war-damaged infrastructure in frontline regions. For the ECHO Humanitarian Implementation Plan (HIP) 2026, HEKS/EPER willsubmit a proposal targeting critical WASH rehabilitation needs in frontline oblasts such as Kharkiv and Mykolaiv. Given thehigh level of infrastructure destruction, limited technical NGOcapacity, and the urgency to restore access to clean water for IDPs, returnees, and conflict-affected populations, HEKS/EPER seeks a WASH Technical Expert to support needs assessment, design, and proposal development, ensuring full compliance withEU DGECHO and cluster standards.
WASH Technical Expert, Short-term consultancy
Your main responsibilities:
- Co-lead a needs assessment in pre-identified hromadas of Kharkiv and/or Mykolaiv oblasts focused on WASH infrastructure gaps.
- Support HEKS/EPER in developing a technically sound and compliant proposal for ECHO HIP 2026.
- Ensure proposed interventions align with WASH Cluster guidance and EU WASH policy standards.
Design and lead the WASH needs assessment
- Develop a comprehensive needs assessment methodology tailored to the Ukrainian context, incorporating NEAT+, Sphere standards, and ECHO cross-cutting issues (e.g., environment, protection, conflict sensitivity).
- Coordinate with HEKS/EPER field teams,Vodokanals, local authorities, and community stakeholders to gather relevant data.
- Lead and supervise site visits to assess needs related to:
- Conflict-damaged non-functional water and sanitation infrastructure
- WASH conditions in health facilities
- Winterization and energy backup systems (e.g., generators, solar units)
- Household heating and water access for vulnerable populations
- Functionality and rehabilitation needs of district heating systems
Analyze findings and provide technical recommendations
- Prepare a gap analysis summarizing priority needs, risks, and feasible interventions.
- Provide technically sound recommendations aligned with the ECHO Humanitarian Implementation Plan (HIP) priorities, EU WASH policy standards, HNRP Ukraine and HEKS/EPER’s strategic focus.
- Translate needs into technicallyappropriateinterventions, includingBoQs, intervention packages, and indicative costings.
Draft and align WASH content across the proposal - Draft WASH-relevant sections of the e-Single Form (including narrative,logframe, risk analysis, needs and response analysis sustainability strategy, stakeholder mapping, and relevant annexes).
- Ensure internal consistency across the full proposal, working closely with HEKS/EPER staff to align cross-sectoral content (e.g., MPCA, shelter, protection) with WASHobjectives and strategy.
- Ensure that gender, disability inclusion, accountability to affected populations,protection, and environmental safeguards are mainstreamed in the design.
Participate in proposal writing workshops and contribute to risk matrix, stakeholder analysis, and sustainability planning.
Liaise with the national WASH Cluster and sub-national coordination platforms. Ensure integration of conflict sensitivity, environmental safeguards, and 'do no harm' approach.
To be successful you bring:
- Advanced university degree in Water Engineering, Environmental Health, Public Health, or related field
- At least 5 years of progressive responsible experience in WASH humanitarian programming,including development of BOQs and technical specifications
- Demonstrated experience in drafting or contributing to successful ECHO Humanitarian Implementation Plan (HIP) proposals, ideally includinglogframe and annex development.
- Solid knowledge of the WASH Cluster coordination system, Sphere standards, and EU WASH policy frameworks (especially the AAAQ approach: Availability, Accessibility, Acceptability, and Quality).
- Familiarity with the Ukrainian humanitarian context, including access constraints, winterization needs, and operational challenges in WASH service delivery.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; knowledge of Ukrainian or Russian is an asset.
What you can expect from us:
- Short-term consultancy (August 2025 till Dezember 2025) or as agreed
- An interesting and challenging position in a dynamic international context
- Location: Remote with travel to Ukraine (Kharkiv and/or Mykolaiv)
- A competitive salary package.