UNICEF is looking for External Outreach to Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Behavior Change Specialists for UNICEF in Eastern and Southern Africa

 

Purpose of Position

The purpose of this External announcement is to attract suitable Water Supply, Sanitation, Hygiene (WASH) Behaviour Change Specialists from outside the organization for inclusion in the WASH roster for Eastern and Southern Africa region. The purpose of the WASH roster is to ensure that our regions’ WASH programming is in line with the organization’s strategic goals, by improving quality advocacy, programming, evaluation, assessment and service delivery. Therefore, it is not a regular vacancy announcement but rather a campaign to attract candidates with strong WASH experience interested in short term assignments with UNICEF.

This announcement is targeting External candidates outside of UNICEF with interest in working with the Regional Office (based in Nairobi Kenya) and in any of the countries within UNICEF’s Eastern and Southern Africa (ESAR) region for the next 24 months. The countries within each region are listed on the following web site http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/index.html.

The roster serves as an intermediate between consultants interested in working on UNICEF consultancy/TA assignments, and Regional Office/Country Offices seeking support. It is a list of vetted individuals that are viewable by the Regional Office and Country Offices that are looking for consultants/TAs who can help them in specific assignments, missions or projects.  Once a suitable individual is found in the roster, a selection and hiring process commences immediately.

We are currently looking for WASH Specialists, familiar with the needs of marginalized and vulnerable and social excluded children and their families, in the following areas;

• WASH policy and strategy development
• WASH financing and the enabling environment
• Rural Sanitation
• Rural Water supply
• Urban Sanitation
• Urban Water supply
• Hygiene promotion / community participation/ behavior change communication
• WASH in Emergencies,
• WASH in Schools
• WASH in Health Care Facilities
• WASH assessment and evaluation
• WASH Information Management Systems
• WASH and Environment, including Climate Resilience

Candidates with suitable profiles will be placed in the roster to be considered for short term assignments in the region. Candidates will be responsible for periodically updating their profiles.

 

 Successful applicants will:

• be based in countries in UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa region;
• be deployed on a Temporary Appointment (TA) or consultancy (SSA) contracts for external applicants.

 

Key Tasks

As this is a general roster, it does not indicate a specific task. Tasks will be described in the terms of reference for a specific assignment. However an overall description of possible tasks is provided below:

• Accountable for the overall UNICEF’s WASH sector programming.
• Represent UNICEF WASH Programme in national WASH coordination platform/sectoral cluster for the overall analysis of sectoral needs and priorities and the definition of strategies and standards to ensure the delivery of safe drinking water, safe excreta disposal facilities and promotion of safe hygiene practices to affected population, in accordance with national and international standards.
• Accountable for the definition of UNICEF’s response in the WASH sector (strategies, outcomes, target population) as per agreed standards.  Ensure strategies, plans and capacities to reach target population with culturally appropriate and gender sensitive interventions are developed in coordination with other UNICEF’s relevant sections and divisions, and implementing partners.
• Within UNICEF, collaborate with the WASH Chief/team and:
• • Representative/Deputy Representative to provide technical and policy advice on WASH sectoral response and its strategies, planning, implementation and monitoring.
  • Health, nutrition, education and child protection Programmes and Emergency Sections to ensure integration of UNICEF’s response to the emergency, exploring opportunities for WASH to enhance the programmatic response in other sectors.
  • Operations and Supply Sections, as well as with government authorities and other implementing partners, to establish and maintain sound internal controls, to coordinate financial and supply management requirements and ensure accountability.
  • Programme Communication or Communication for Development sections to ensure the development of effective communication materials and strategies for advocacy, social mobilization and emergency programme implementation for the WASH sectoral response, as appropriate.
  • Communication and Fundraising sections to ensure WASH is properly reflected in UNICEF’s external communications and explore opportunities to advocate for WASH specific needs, including interaction with donors.
  • Regional Advisors and/or Headquarters to allow appropriate flow of information and feedback on WASH sectoral response and its programming.
• Interact with government and partners (including UN, Donors, NGOs, CSOs, etc.) in the different stages of the emergency programme implementation to follow up on cooperation agreements, recommendations and other UNICEF’s commitments for the emergency response, including the development of national partners’ capacity.
• Explore possibilities to strengthen UNICEF’s WASH through the humanitarian- development lens.

 

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

• Advanced university degree in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Public Health, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Geology, Hydrology, Sanitation Engineering,  or a field relevant to international WASH related development assistance. Additional training in Health Education or Communication for Development (Programme Communication), social sciences, statistics or epidemiology an asset.
• A minimum of 5 years of progressively professional experience in the UN or other international development organization, national government or the private sector.
• At least two (2) years of substantive relevant experience in emergency countries dealing with major natural and humanitarian emergencies required.
• Background/familiarity with Emergency (preparedness and response) and the IASC Cluster approach required for emergency assignments.
• Experience working with government agencies, local authorities, international organizations, NGOs and communities in the field of water, sanitation and participatory approaches in health and hygiene promotion.
• Experience in both development and humanitarian contexts is an added advantage.
• Significant demonstrable experience of producing high-quality analytical reports and presentations.
• Familiarity with the UN system is desired.
• Experience of working with UNICEF is highly desirable.

 

Language Proficiency

• French is required for work in French-speaking countries, and English is highly desirable.
• English is required for work in English-speaking countries, and French is highly desirable.
• Portuguese and English are required for work in Portuguese-speaking countries.

Apply HERE