MSF Watsan Mobile Support Specialist Jobs 2026: Opportunities in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, is inviting applications for the position of Watsan Mobile Support Specialist (MSS). This full-time opportunity is suited to experienced water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) professionals interested in supporting humanitarian operations across Africa.
The position offers potential duty stations in Johannesburg, South Africa; Harare, Zimbabwe; or Nairobi, Kenya. The successful candidate will provide technical guidance, strengthen country programmes and help ensure that water, hygiene, sanitation and vector control interventions meet MSF standards.
Applications close on 28 October 2026, and the successful candidate is expected to start as soon as possible.
About Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
Médecins Sans Frontières is an independent international medical humanitarian organisation that assists people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters and other emergencies, particularly where access to healthcare is limited.
The position falls within MSF Ubuntu, an operational directorate guided by the philosophy of Ubuntu: “I am because we are.” Its approach emphasises collaboration, locally grounded action and placing communities at the centre of humanitarian decision-making.
The Watsan Mobile Support Specialist will contribute to these objectives by strengthening the technical quality and effectiveness of water and sanitation services supporting humanitarian medical programmes.
Job Overview
- Job title: Watsan Mobile Support Specialist (MSS)
- Organisation: Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF Ubuntu)
- Locations: Johannesburg, South Africa; Harare, Zimbabwe; or Nairobi, Kenya
- Contract type: Full-time, one-year renewable contract
- Start date: As soon as possible
- Application deadline: 28 October 2026
- Eligible applicants: Local and international applicants
- Salary: Based on MSF reward policies and the duty station
The initial duty station is expected to be one of the three listed locations. After two years, the successful candidate must be willing to relocate to a final duty station, which is yet to be confirmed.
Key Responsibilities
The Watsan Mobile Support Specialist will serve as the technical focal point for water supply, hygiene, sanitation and vector control within the assigned Medical Operations Cell.
Key responsibilities include:
1. Technical support and programme oversight
The specialist will provide remote and in-person technical assistance to country programmes, supporting the design, planning, implementation and review of water and sanitation interventions. This includes ensuring that programme proposals and operational plans are technically sound, feasible and aligned with MSF standards.
2. Strategy development and quality assurance
The role involves monitoring implementation of the MSF Ubuntu Logistics and Watsan Strategy 2026–2028, reviewing performance indicators and advising country teams on strategic priorities. The specialist will also evaluate existing technical systems, installations, equipment and staffing arrangements, identifying areas for improvement.
3. Training and capacity building
The successful candidate will identify training needs, facilitate technical training and provide on-the-job coaching to logisticians and other programme staff. The objective is to strengthen local capacity and ensure consistent application of appropriate WASH methodologies and tools.
4. Emergency response and field support
The specialist will support emergency and outbreak-related WASH responses within the assigned portfolio, conduct field visits and provide technical advice during assessments or operational challenges. Short-notice travel and extended working hours may be required during emergencies.
5. Policy development and collaboration
Additional duties include developing technical tools, protocols and standard operating procedures, preparing field reports, documenting lessons learned and collaborating with medical teams and local WASH stakeholders.
Qualifications and Experience
Applicants must have a degree in civil engineering, environmental sciences, environmental health, public health engineering or a closely related technical discipline. A postgraduate qualification in water and sanitation, public health or humanitarian studies is desirable.
Candidates should demonstrate knowledge of Sphere Watsan standards, water treatment and quality testing, excreta and wastewater management, healthcare waste management, community WASH methodologies and vector control principles.
A minimum of two years of NGO WASH field experience is required, including experience in community and healthcare-facility WASH, outbreak response and adult training facilitation. Applicants must also be able to work in remote and insecure environments.
Experience with MSF Watsan operations, work in Eastern or Southern Africa, and interventions in climate-vulnerable settings will be advantageous.
Fluent written and spoken English is essential, while French is desirable. MSF also seeks candidates who demonstrate teamwork, flexibility, intercultural sensitivity, commitment to humanitarian principles, and a strong focus on results and quality.
Salary and Benefits
Compensation and benefits depend on the duty station.
Johannesburg, South Africa
The advertised package includes an annual salary of ZAR 520,889, a 13th cheque in November, a 100% medical aid contribution, a 10% additional pension allowance, transport and cellphone allowances. Flexible working hours and the possibility of working from home two days per week are also offered.
Nairobi, Kenya
The advertised annual salary is EUR 27,145, with a 2% annual increment up to a maximum of ten years. Additional benefits include a work-life balance allowance of EUR 620–1,159 per month, 25 days of annual leave, a 10% employer pension contribution, international medical and disability insurance, relocation support and potential school-fee benefits for eligible dependants. Flexible working arrangements and an annual home-leave ticket may also apply, subject to eligibility.
The salary and benefits applicable to Harare should be confirmed with MSF during recruitment.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should prepare a single PDF document containing both a motivation letter and a CV in English. Applications without a motivation letter will not be considered.
Submit your application through the official MSF recruitment portal:
APPLY ON THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE.
The closing date is 28 October 2026. Applicants experiencing technical problems with the application process may contact recruitment@nairobi.msf.org. Applications sent directly to this email address will not be considered.
MSF does not charge application or recruitment fees.
Tips for Applicants
To strengthen your application, highlight practical WASH field experience, technical assessments, water-quality monitoring, sanitation infrastructure, outbreak response and experience training technical teams. Demonstrate how your work has improved service quality, operational readiness or compliance with humanitarian standards.
Applicants should also emphasise their ability to travel, work across different cultural settings and provide technical support to teams operating in challenging environments.
This opportunity is particularly relevant to experienced WASH professionals seeking to contribute their technical expertise to humanitarian programmes across Africa.
Apply before 28 October 2026 and ensure that your motivation letter clearly explains how your qualifications and field experience align with MSF’s humanitarian mission and technical requirements.
