Project Coordinator – Water & Sanitation for Urban Populations (WSUP)

Job Description

Organisation: Water & Sanitation for Urban Populations (WSUP)
Department: WSUP Ghana Programmes
Location: Tamale, Ghana
Employment Type: Full-Time, Fixed-Term (1 Year)
Grade: 7
Annual Gross Salary: GHS 102,514
Reports To: Project Manager, Tamale
Application Deadline: 18th September, 2026

ABOUT WSUP

Water & Sanitation for Urban Populations (WSUP) is a not-for-profit company working to drive inclusive and resilient urban water and sanitation systems through innovative practices, strategic partnerships and policy development.

Established in 2005 in response to the rapid expansion of cities and the growing demand for clean water and sanitation, WSUP works to ensure that low-income communities have access to essential water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services.

The organisation collaborates with local service providers to strengthen their capacity, develop infrastructure and attract investment, ensuring that water and sanitation services are financially viable, sustainable and accessible to vulnerable urban populations.

Beyond direct service delivery, WSUP works with governments, regulators and other stakeholders to create an enabling environment for sustainable water and sanitation solutions.

As a global leader in urban water and sanitation, WSUP is committed to sharing evidence-based insights and scalable innovations to drive systemic change. The organisation operates in seven countries across sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, supported by a UK-based office.

Since its establishment, WSUP has helped over 42 million people gain access to improved water, sanitation and hygiene services.

ABOUT THE ROLE

WSUP is seeking a highly motivated, organised and technically capable Project Coordinator to support the implementation of its water and sanitation programmes in Northern Ghana.

This is a key position within the Ghana team, with responsibility for strengthening project delivery, coordinating implementation activities and building effective relationships with local partners and stakeholders. The successful candidate will contribute to the continued growth and impact of WSUP’s programmes in Ghana, working closely with the Project Manager, the wider Ghana team and the International Secretariat.

The Project Coordinator will support the planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of assigned projects, ensuring that activities are delivered in accordance with approved work plans, budgets, quality standards and organisational policies.

The role will also involve coordinating with local water and sanitation service providers, government institutions, development partners, contractors, consultants and community stakeholders to support sustainable improvements in water and sanitation service delivery.

The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in urban water and sanitation, excellent project coordination skills and the ability to combine detailed administrative responsibilities with technical project implementation.

Candidates should be adaptable, proactive and committed to WSUP’s mission, values and approach to inclusive development.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Project Management and Implementation

• Coordinate and monitor the implementation of assigned water and sanitation projects in line with approved project plans, organisational policies and procedures.
• Ensure that project activities comply with WSUP’s governance, financial management, procurement and operational requirements.
• Develop, maintain and regularly update project work plans, implementation schedules and Gantt charts.
• Monitor project progress against agreed deliverables, milestones, timelines and budgets.
• Coordinate with the WSUP Ghana Finance and Support Services Manager to monitor budget utilisation, financial progress, expenditures and disbursements.
• Support effective financial planning and expenditure tracking for assigned project activities.
• Oversee the implementation of project activities and coordinate the work of local suppliers, consultants and contractors in consultation with the Project Manager, Country Manager and relevant WSUP functions.
• Assist with the preparation and review of draft contract documents, including Bills of Quantities (BoQs).
• Support tender development, tender evaluation and contractor appointment processes.
• Review and undertake initial verification of interim payment applications and supporting documentation.
• Participate in project site visits, technical meetings and other project-related engagements.
• Identify implementation challenges and risks, recommend practical solutions and escalate significant issues to the Project Manager.
• Ensure that project activities consider relevant environmental, institutional, organisational and community-level factors.
• Coordinate project visits and field activities efficiently, working closely with relevant support services.
• Promote safeguarding and ensure that the rights and welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults are considered throughout programme implementation.

2. Local Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain effective working relationships with water and sanitation service providers, local government institutions, development partners, community representatives and other relevant stakeholders.
• Engage with private-sector organisations, funders and other partners at district and regional levels to support programme implementation.
• Support the Project Manager in identifying opportunities to strengthen local partnerships and improve service delivery.
• Work closely with community structures and local institutions to facilitate project activities and promote stakeholder participation.
• Identify capacity development needs among service providers, institutions and other management structures involved in water and sanitation service delivery.
• Support the planning and delivery of capacity-building initiatives to address identified gaps.
• Facilitate coordination and information-sharing among project partners and stakeholders.
• Maintain constructive relationships with partners to support the achievement of project objectives and long-term sustainability.

3. Communication, Coordination and Knowledge Sharing

• Coordinate the documentation and sharing of project experiences, lessons learned and best practices.
• Work with the Ghana team and WSUP’s Evaluation, Research and Learning team to capture relevant project insights and evidence.
• Support the preparation of project communications, presentations, case studies and other knowledge-sharing materials.
• Collaborate with the programme communications focal person and Project Manager to strengthen WSUP’s visibility and recognition.
• Ensure that project stakeholders receive timely and relevant information about activities, progress and outcomes.
• Participate in internal and external coordination meetings and contribute to effective communication across teams.
• Liaise with the International Secretariat to access technical, management and financial support.
• Support the effective coordination of information and activities between the Ghana team and relevant international functions.

4. Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Ensure accurate, timely and comprehensive project progress reporting in collaboration with the Monitoring & Evaluation and Research Lead and other relevant WSUP functions.
• Work with partner organisations and local stakeholders to collect reliable data and information for monitoring and evaluation.
• Regularly review project performance against agreed milestones, targets, work plans and deliverables.
• Identify implementation gaps, delays and performance challenges and recommend appropriate corrective actions.
• Escalate significant project issues to the Project Manager and relevant teams, proposing practical solutions where possible.
• Maintain accurate project records, supporting documentation and progress reports.
• Contribute to the monitoring of project outcomes and the documentation of lessons learned.
• Monitor compliance with applicable local health, safety and environmental standards.
• Ensure adherence to WSUP’s standard operating procedures and organisational policies.
• Promote transparency, accountability and openness in all project activities.

5. Safeguarding, Ethics and Compliance

• Strictly adhere to WSUP’s safeguarding, child protection, health and safety, and business ethics policies.
• Promote safe, inclusive and respectful working practices throughout project implementation.
• Ensure that potential safeguarding concerns are identified, reported and addressed in accordance with organisational procedures.
• Demonstrate integrity, professionalism and accountability in all interactions with colleagues, partners and communities.
• Encourage transparency and ethical conduct among project stakeholders and implementing partners.
• Ensure that project activities are undertaken with due consideration for vulnerable groups and community welfare.

6. Other Responsibilities

• Participate in relevant sector conferences, workshops, meetings and learning events.
• Prepare reports and document key outcomes from conferences, workshops and other professional engagements as required.
• Support other programme activities within the Ghana team as appropriate.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the role and agreed with the Project Manager.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential Requirements

Education

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Social Sciences or another relevant field.

Experience and Technical Knowledge

• Demonstrated experience working in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector.
• Experience working with water and/or sanitation service providers, including at the community level.
• Experience reviewing hydraulic designs and Bills of Quantities, as well as supervising construction works.
• Experience managing and delivering projects funded by development agencies, governments or other institutional funders.
• A proven track record of delivering project objectives within agreed timelines and budgets.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and sustain productive relationships at community and utility levels.
• Good understanding of the urban WASH sector and its operational challenges.
• Understanding of the practical realities and cultural dimensions of working in Northern Ghana.
• Understanding of Ghana’s institutional and regulatory framework for the WASH sector.
• Good knowledge of project management methodologies, monitoring, quality control, basic financial controls and procurement processes.

Skills and Competencies

• Ability to work independently, lead a small team and collaborate effectively with community structures.
• Excellent planning, organisational and time-management skills.
• Ability to prioritise competing responsibilities and manage a challenging workload.
• Capacity to work effectively under pressure and respond proactively to emerging challenges.
• Strong risk identification, assessment and prioritisation skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Good communication skills in Dagbani or Mampruli.
• Ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly and concisely to non-technical audiences.
• Ability to provide professional advice confidently, tactfully and constructively.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.

Personal Attributes

• Strong commitment to WSUP’s mission, vision and values.
• High levels of integrity, professionalism and accountability.
• Commitment to safeguarding, child protection, health and safety, and business ethics.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Flexibility, adaptability and a willingness to learn.
• Empathy and commitment to improving access to essential water and sanitation services for underserved communities.

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

The following experience and competencies will be an added advantage:

• Experience contributing to the development of project cost estimates and budgets.
• Experience in capacity building, institutional strengthening and technical support.
• Experience in project communications, documentation and reporting.
• Experience collecting, managing, communicating and archiving project information effectively.
• Experience working with development partners, local government institutions and community-based organisations.
• Familiarity with monitoring, evaluation, research and learning approaches within development programmes.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

The Project Coordinator will work directly with the WSUP Ghana team under the supervision of the Project Manager, Tamale.

The role will also involve close collaboration with:

• The Country Manager and other relevant Ghana team members.
• WSUP’s International Secretariat.
• The Programme Excellence Team.
• The Ghana Finance and Support Services Manager.
• The Monitoring & Evaluation and Research Lead.
• Local water and sanitation service providers.
• Government institutions, development partners and community stakeholders.
• Consultants, contractors, suppliers and other project implementation partners.

WHY JOIN WSUP?

Joining WSUP offers an opportunity to contribute to programmes that improve access to essential water and sanitation services for urban populations, particularly underserved and vulnerable communities.

As Project Coordinator, you will have the opportunity to:

• Contribute to meaningful water and sanitation initiatives in Northern Ghana.
• Work with local institutions and service providers to strengthen sustainable service delivery.
• Collaborate with experienced professionals across Ghana and WSUP’s International Secretariat.
• Support capacity development and institutional strengthening within the WASH sector.
• Contribute to evidence-based learning, innovation and improved programme delivery.
• Develop your professional experience in project management, partnerships and urban WASH.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested and qualified candidates should submit their updated CV and cover letter through WSUP’s official vacancies page.

Apply here: https://www.wsup.com/vacancies/

Applicants should ensure that their application demonstrates how their qualifications, experience and skills meet the essential requirements of the position.