Job Description:
Social Development Officer (SDO)
Location: Block/Field Level
Reporting To: District/State WASH Team
Employment Type: Full time, Field based
1. Position Overview
The Social Development Officer (SDO) will be responsible for strengthening community level WASH governance through effective engagement with Community Resource Persons (CRPs), Self Help Groups (SHGs), and Gram Panchayat functionaries. The role demands thematic leadership in areas such as Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM), Natural Biological Solutions (NBS), Water Quality (WQ), and overall WASH behavior change. The SDO will act as a crucial link between the community and block level institutions to ensure smooth implementation and monitoring of WASH initiatives.
2. Key Responsibilities:
• Strengthen the community interface by guiding and supporting CRPs in implementing WASH related activities.
• Provide thematic leadership on MHM, NBS, Water Quality, and Sanitation Governance at the community level.
• Facilitate capacity building sessions, community meetings, awareness campaigns, and training for CRPs, SHGs, and community leaders.
• Liaise regularly with Block level functionaries, including BDO office, Block WASH team, Panchayat Samiti representatives, and other line departments.
• Support planning and implementation of WASH activities at GP and Block levels.
• Monitor field activities, ensure timely reporting, and support documentation of best practices.
• Mobilize and motivate community institutions to actively participate in WASH governance processes.
• Ensure effective coordination between community structures and Panchayati Raj Institutions.
• Assist in data collection, field assessments, and monitoring of WASH indicators.
• Support grievance redressal and follow up actions related to WASH services.
3. Qualifications:
• Graduate degree in Social Work / Sociology / Rural Development / Anthropology / Public Health / Environment Management or any relevant social science discipline.
• Postgraduate qualification in the above fields will be an added advantage.
4. Experience:
• Minimum 2–3 years of experience in community development, rural livelihoods, public health, WASH, or related fields.
• Prior experience of working with SHGs, CRPs, or community based organizations will be highly preferred.
• Experience in facilitating training, field level coordination, and community mobilization.
• Familiarity with Panchayati Raj Institutions and rural governance systems.
5. Skills & Competencies:
• Strong understanding of WASH related themes such as MHM, NBS, water quality, sanitation behavior change, etc.
• Good communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to engage with community institutions and government functionaries.
• Strong documentation and reporting skills.
• Basic knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and digital reporting tools.
• Willingness to travel extensively to field locations.
6. Language Requirements:
• Proficiency in Bengali (reading, writing & speaking) is essential.
• Basic English skills for reporting and communication.
• Knowledge of local dialects in the working area will be an advantage.
7. Other Requirements:
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team setting.
• Commitment to community development and gender sensitive approaches.
• Two wheeler mobility (if required) will be an added advantage.
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Email ID for CV Submission: knagar@waterforpeople.org with subject line “Capacity Building Officer (System Strengthening)” with a cc to hr-india@waterforpeople.org
How to Apply:
• Please apply on email id mentioned above on or before 08th May,2026, while mentioning title of the position in subject line.
• Water For People India Trust is a certified, Great Place to Work organization and is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture.
• Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with strict confidence.
• Water For People has ZERO Tolerance on sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment including sexual harassment and gender / racial discrimination. Any selection therefore will be subject to satisfactory reference and background check.