James Chia Beetseh
Hydrogeologist and WASH specialist
Summary
Accomplished Hydrogeologist and WASH Specialist experienced in water resource management and sustainable service delivery. Led initiatives in groundwater exploration and integrated water resource management, enhancing access to safe water and sanitation through effective stakeholder engagement. Focused on driving impactful results in water security and resilience while utilizing digital tools for evidence-based planning.
Overview
2
2
Languages
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant WASH Officer
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
06.2019 - 12.2025
- Developed and reviewed WASH implementation strategy for refugees and host communities in Benue, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Taraba States, Nigeria, enhancing alignment with local needs.
- WASH Programme Design, Planning, Budgeting, Review and implementation in line with Country Strategy
- Development Contingency and Strategic plans
- Review of Partnership Agreements (PPAs) for WASH services and familiarity with strategic direction
- Mainstreaming Protection, Livelihood, Education and Protection principles in Implementation of WASH sustainable solutions.
- Conduct WASH Needs Assessments towards evidence-based planning.
- Construction of boreholes, latrines in refugee settlements and host communities
- Supported hygiene promotion initiatives to foster behavioral change and improve health outcomes in target communities.
- Support capacity building of implementing partners and government authorities on their key functions and responsibilities
- Conducted site spot checks on borehole and latrine construction to ensure compliance with quality standards and project requirements.
- Coordination and cross-sectoral collaboration with relevant agencies on Protection, Registration and Shelter.
- Ensure mainstreaming of Age, Gender and Special Needs in WASH design, planning and implementation.
- Support capacity building of local actors and host communities on facility management
Senior State WASH Supervisor for Cross River State
UNICEF Enugu
04.2012 - 05.2019
- Assist the WASH Specialist, UNICEF in the design, procurement, supervision and monitoring, reporting of Water and Sanitation facilities in LGAs and communities.
- Support WASH capacity building activities at the state, LGA and community levels.
- Facilitated WASH capacity building activities across state, LGA, and community levels to enhance local expertise.
- Quality control in construction of WASH projects
- Providing support for community-Led Total Sanitation in Rural communities.
- Supporting LGAs in the formation and training of WASHCOMs on Community management;
- Performed quality control for construction of WASH projects to ensure compliance with standards and specifications.
- Oversaw on-site supervision of water and sanitation projects, certifying job completion to guarantee project integrity.
- Support EU/UNICEF Small Town Project on capacity building to accommodate IWRM.
State WASH Consultant
UNICEF Support to Reforming Institutions Programme (SRIP II)
01.2012 - 01.2013
- Built capacity on facility design options, construction, monitoring, reporting, and sustainability to enhance service delivery.
- Supervised construction of latrines in 35 schools and PHCs in Odukpani LGA to improve sanitation access.
- Facilitated inter-sectoral synergies and coordinated programs with related departments in Odukpani LGA, Cross River State, to streamline WASH initiatives.
- Led community mobilization efforts to promote hygiene practices and establish a federation of WASHCOMs while training local artisans on VLOM.
Zonal WASH Consultant
EU/UNICEF-SUPPORTED WSSSRP II
07.2007 - 03.2012
- Supporting Government and UNICEF in contract management
- Facilitate capacity building of Government and stakeholders on WASH management
- Coordinated meetings with WASH stakeholders to review implementation progress and facilitate collaboration
- Support process and evaluation of tender documents from state RUWASSAs
- Evaluation and updating of engineering drawing of projects
- Monitoring and evaluation of programme performance by states
- Site supervision of projects Construction, installations, pumping tests, system test runs.
Assistant Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering
Federal University of Agriculture
01.2005 - 01.2008
- Delivered lectures on Water Resources Engineering, fostering student engagement and understanding of critical concepts.
- Conducted courses in Taught engineering geology and geotechnics principles, enhancing students' practical application of theoretical knowledge.
- Facilitated engaging lectures to enhance student understanding of complex agricultural concepts.
- Developed innovative instructional materials to support diverse learning styles and improve course effectiveness.
- Mentored undergraduate students in research methodologies, fostering critical thinking and analytical skills.
Drilling Site Hydrogeologist/Supervisor/Geophysicist
Benue Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (BERWASSA)
01.1995 - 01.2007
- Supervised field personnel, including drillers, artisans, and drivers, during project execution.
- Conducted geophysical surveys to identify optimal borehole locations
- Managing field personnel including field drillers, artisans, and drivers
Education
M.Sc. - Engineering/Hydrogeology
University of Ibadan
Nigeria01-1995
Post Graduate Diploma - Development Studies
University of Nigeria
Nsukka, Nigeria01-2014
Ordinary National Diploma - Computer data processing
University of Lagos
Nigeria01-1997
B.Sc. - Geology
ABU
Zaria, Nigeria01-1988
Skills
WASH Technical and Capacity Building Skills
WASH training
18 years WASH programming
Project monitoring skills
Water quality testing
Data Analysis
Budget Management
Community mobilization skills
Team Collaboration
Data collection, analyses and presentation
Advanced oral and written communication
An adept listener and learner from colleagues with good initiatives for project development
Experienced in developing relevant activity lines, outputs, indicators based on programme log frame
Accomplishments
- Collaborated with team of 10 professionals in the development of Contigency plans for Cameroonian refugees.
- Achieved improved Access to water supply, Sanitation and Hygiene through effectively helping with procurement and supervision of construction of facilities.
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
swipe to browse
Timeline
Assistant WASH Officer
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
06.2019 - 12.2025
Senior State WASH Supervisor for Cross River State
UNICEF Enugu
04.2012 - 05.2019
State WASH Consultant
UNICEF Support to Reforming Institutions Programme (SRIP II)
01.2012 - 01.2013
Zonal WASH Consultant
EU/UNICEF-SUPPORTED WSSSRP II
07.2007 - 03.2012
Assistant Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering
Federal University of Agriculture
01.2005 - 01.2008
Drilling Site Hydrogeologist/Supervisor/Geophysicist
Benue Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (BERWASSA)
01.1995 - 01.2007
B.Sc. - Geology
ABU
Ordinary National Diploma - Computer data processing
University of Lagos
Post Graduate Diploma - Development Studies
University of Nigeria
M.Sc. - Engineering/Hydrogeology
University of Ibadan