Chief of WASH

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF is known for its inclusive culture and attractive compensation and benefits package, aiming to build careers while serving children and communities worldwide.

Job Overview:
The Chief of WASH position is a strategic leadership role within UNICEF Burkina Faso, focusing on the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) programme. This programme is crucial in a context marked by insecurity, climate shocks, and large-scale internal displacement. The Chief of WASH is responsible for planning, implementing, monitoring, and reporting on the WASH programme across all stages, ensuring that it meets the needs of vulnerable women and children in fragile areas. The role involves leading the WASH team, coordinating with government counterparts, UN agencies, and partners, and promoting integrated approaches with other sectors such as Health, Nutrition, Education, and Child Protection. The Chief of WASH is accountable for achieving results aligned with UNICEF's Strategic Plan and organizational standards, focusing on equity, access in insecure areas, emergency preparedness, and climate resilience.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Managerial Leadership: Establish and monitor the annual work plan for the WASH section, ensuring that output results are achieved on schedule. Provide guidance to WASH staff, manage team dynamics, and address potential conflicts.
• Programme Development and Planning: Prepare inputs for situation analysis, develop WASH outcomes and output results, and ensure alignment with UNICEF’s Strategic Plan and government priorities.
• Programme Management: Oversee the monitoring and evaluation of the WASH programme, ensuring compliance with organizational rules and donor commitments.
• Advisory Services: Participate in strategic discussions to influence national WASH policies and provide technical support to government and partners.
• Advocacy and Partnership Building: Build strategic partnerships with various stakeholders to enhance coordination and collaboration in the WASH sector.
• Humanitarian Preparedness: Ensure UNICEF’s preparedness for WASH in emergencies and coordinate response efforts.
• Innovation and Capacity Building: Lead the development of WASH action research and support the professional development of WASH staff.

Required Qualifications:
An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in public health, social sciences, behaviour change communication, sanitary engineering, or a relevant technical field is required. Additional relevant post-graduate courses are also necessary. Proven leadership skills and the ability to deliver results in a team setting are essential. Experience in humanitarian situations and deployment in developing countries is required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in relevant fields such as public health, social sciences, behaviour change communication, or sanitary engineering. Additional post-graduate courses that complement the main degree are required to enhance the candidate's qualifications.

Experience:
A minimum of 8 years of relevant professional experience in WASH-related programmes for developing countries is required. Candidates must have at least one year of deployment in a developing country and experience working in humanitarian situations, including a three-month mission deployment with UN, government, or NGOs.

Languages:
Fluency in English and French is mandatory. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in diverse environments.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and based in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, which is classified as a non-family duty station. The role may involve international mobility and requires adherence to UNICEF's policies on safeguarding and child protection. Candidates must be prepared for rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. UNICEF promotes an inclusive workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, particularly women and individuals with disabilities.