UN Volunteer Specialist in WASH
Job Description
Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF is the United Nations agency that promotes the protection of children's rights, advocating for the visibility and addressing of complex rights violations affecting children in Colombia. Established 79 years ago, UNICEF operates in 190 countries and territories, focusing on the well-being of children and adolescents. The organization aims to address deep inequalities, particularly affecting those in rural areas and indigenous and Afro-descendant communities, who are more vulnerable to poverty. The UNICEF Country Program for Colombia for the programming cycle 2025-2028 is guided by the new United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), which supports the collective efforts of the UN to achieve the 2030 Agenda. The program is structured around three cooperation priorities identified by the Government and the UN: a) Support for the implementation of the Government's "Peace with Legality" policy, b) Migration as a development factor, and c) Technical assistance for the acceleration of catalytic SDGs. The organization also focuses on five cross-cutting programs: i) Early Childhood Development, ii) Mental Health and psychosocial-support" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Psychosocial Support, iii) Child Marriage/Early Unions, iv) Participation of children and adolescents, and v) Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction, which are addressed through strategies in health and nutrition, inclusive education, child protection, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), and social protection and policy. Additionally, UNICEF has strategic support areas including operations, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, communications, and fundraising. The UN Volunteer Specialist in WASH will intervene in projects that contribute to establishing protective and inclusive environments that guarantee the rights of children and adolescents to education, protection, health, water, sanitation, and hygiene.
Job Overview:
The UN Volunteer Specialist in WASH will work under the direct supervision of the WASH Officer based in La Guajira. The role involves providing technical assistance to authorities in the Arauca department (UNGRD, Governor's Office, Municipalities, PDA, and WASH cluster partners) on WASH infrastructure projects, community management, and sectoral public policy. The specialist will lead the complete cycle of WASH projects in the territory, including diagnosis, formulation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, while coordinating with sectors such as education, health, nutrition, and protection. The position requires supporting the general analysis of WASH needs and priorities in emergencies and development, formulating technical strategies that include infrastructure, hygiene practices, and risk reduction. The specialist will also formulate and accompany resilient water and sanitation infrastructure projects tailored to rural, peri-urban, and school contexts in Arauca, ensuring cultural and climatic relevance. Furthermore, the role includes supervising the technical and social execution of projects by implementing partners and contractors, ensuring quality design and construction, community management, participation, resilience, and prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA). Continuous monitoring of installed water, sanitation, and hygiene services will be required to identify bottlenecks and propose technical solutions for improved coverage and sustainability. The specialist will lead WASH actions in schools, ensuring access to safe water, dignified sanitation, menstrual hygiene, and education in healthy practices. Strengthening the capacities of communities and local operators in the technical, administrative, and financial management of water and sanitation systems is also a key responsibility. The specialist will monitor the safety and accessibility of WASH facilities in communities and schools, ensuring they do not pose gender or child protection risks. Additionally, the specialist will lead the departmental WASH table in Arauca, coordinating with local and national WASH authorities to ensure joint strategies, accountability, and follow-up on work plans. Developing technical guidelines and protocols for operation, maintenance, and community management adapted to rural and school contexts in the department is also part of the role. The specialist will generate evidence and systematize experiences from Arauca in community and school infrastructure, climate resilience, and community management to inform public policies and national learning. Monitoring and reporting on UNICEF interventions in Arauca, documenting quality factors, relevance, dignified treatment, and results in prioritized communities is essential. The specialist may also support WASH professionals in other territories of the country, contributing to national technical assistance processes and the construction of sectoral policies. UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate into the UNV program's mandate and promote voluntary action through community engagement in their work. They are expected to dedicate part of their work time to recommended activities such as strengthening their understanding of volunteering concepts, engaging in traditional and/or local forms of volunteering in the host country, providing annual self-evaluation reports, contributing articles about their field experiences, and assisting with the Mentoring Program for new Young UN Volunteers.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Required Qualifications:
The position requires a strong commitment to the principles of volunteering, including solidarity, compassion, reciprocity, and autonomy. Candidates should demonstrate respect, integrity, trust, accountability, sustainability, teamwork, and a commitment to continuous learning. Flexibility and effective communication skills are essential, along with the ability to plan and organize effectively. A genuine commitment to the principles of volunteering is crucial, including solidarity, compassion, reciprocity, and autonomy.
Educational Background:
Candidates should possess a relevant educational background in fields related to WASH, public health, environmental science, or a related discipline. A degree in engineering, social sciences, or a related field is preferred, with additional training or certifications in WASH-related areas being advantageous.
Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 2-3 years of relevant experience in WASH projects, preferably in humanitarian or development contexts. Experience working with government authorities, NGOs, and community organizations is highly desirable. Familiarity with project management, monitoring and evaluation, and community engagement strategies is essential.
Languages:
Fluency in Spanish is mandatory, as it is the primary language of communication in the region. Proficiency in English is considered an asset, as it may facilitate communication with international stakeholders and partners. Knowledge of local indigenous languages would be a valuable addition, enhancing community engagement and understanding.
Additional Notes:
The position is based in Arauca, with travel required within the department and to other departments nationally. Upon entry, all UN Volunteers receive a security briefing from the host agency's security office, informing them about the security environment of the Duty Station and necessary security measures. While Colombia presents varying levels of security, measures are in place to ensure the mission's success, supported by the Security Risk Assessment (SRA) that outlines required mitigation measures. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the volunteer will be responsible for securing their own housing and other essentials for subsistence. National UN Volunteers are part of the insurance plan against intentional damage. The contract duration is as indicated above, with the possibility of extensions subject to funding availability, operational need, and satisfactory performance. However, renewal of the assignment is not anticipated. A monthly living allowance of COP $6,082,500 is provided to cover housing, services, and ordinary subsistence expenses. Life, health, and permanent disability insurance, as well as final repatriation (if applicable), are included. This assignment requires full availability and exclusivity with the United Nations System.
UNICEF is the United Nations agency that promotes the protection of children's rights, advocating for the visibility and addressing of complex rights violations affecting children in Colombia. Established 79 years ago, UNICEF operates in 190 countries and territories, focusing on the well-being of children and adolescents. The organization aims to address deep inequalities, particularly affecting those in rural areas and indigenous and Afro-descendant communities, who are more vulnerable to poverty. The UNICEF Country Program for Colombia for the programming cycle 2025-2028 is guided by the new United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), which supports the collective efforts of the UN to achieve the 2030 Agenda. The program is structured around three cooperation priorities identified by the Government and the UN: a) Support for the implementation of the Government's "Peace with Legality" policy, b) Migration as a development factor, and c) Technical assistance for the acceleration of catalytic SDGs. The organization also focuses on five cross-cutting programs: i) Early Childhood Development, ii) Mental Health and psychosocial-support" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Psychosocial Support, iii) Child Marriage/Early Unions, iv) Participation of children and adolescents, and v) Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction, which are addressed through strategies in health and nutrition, inclusive education, child protection, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), and social protection and policy. Additionally, UNICEF has strategic support areas including operations, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, communications, and fundraising. The UN Volunteer Specialist in WASH will intervene in projects that contribute to establishing protective and inclusive environments that guarantee the rights of children and adolescents to education, protection, health, water, sanitation, and hygiene.
Job Overview:
The UN Volunteer Specialist in WASH will work under the direct supervision of the WASH Officer based in La Guajira. The role involves providing technical assistance to authorities in the Arauca department (UNGRD, Governor's Office, Municipalities, PDA, and WASH cluster partners) on WASH infrastructure projects, community management, and sectoral public policy. The specialist will lead the complete cycle of WASH projects in the territory, including diagnosis, formulation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, while coordinating with sectors such as education, health, nutrition, and protection. The position requires supporting the general analysis of WASH needs and priorities in emergencies and development, formulating technical strategies that include infrastructure, hygiene practices, and risk reduction. The specialist will also formulate and accompany resilient water and sanitation infrastructure projects tailored to rural, peri-urban, and school contexts in Arauca, ensuring cultural and climatic relevance. Furthermore, the role includes supervising the technical and social execution of projects by implementing partners and contractors, ensuring quality design and construction, community management, participation, resilience, and prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA). Continuous monitoring of installed water, sanitation, and hygiene services will be required to identify bottlenecks and propose technical solutions for improved coverage and sustainability. The specialist will lead WASH actions in schools, ensuring access to safe water, dignified sanitation, menstrual hygiene, and education in healthy practices. Strengthening the capacities of communities and local operators in the technical, administrative, and financial management of water and sanitation systems is also a key responsibility. The specialist will monitor the safety and accessibility of WASH facilities in communities and schools, ensuring they do not pose gender or child protection risks. Additionally, the specialist will lead the departmental WASH table in Arauca, coordinating with local and national WASH authorities to ensure joint strategies, accountability, and follow-up on work plans. Developing technical guidelines and protocols for operation, maintenance, and community management adapted to rural and school contexts in the department is also part of the role. The specialist will generate evidence and systematize experiences from Arauca in community and school infrastructure, climate resilience, and community management to inform public policies and national learning. Monitoring and reporting on UNICEF interventions in Arauca, documenting quality factors, relevance, dignified treatment, and results in prioritized communities is essential. The specialist may also support WASH professionals in other territories of the country, contributing to national technical assistance processes and the construction of sectoral policies. UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate into the UNV program's mandate and promote voluntary action through community engagement in their work. They are expected to dedicate part of their work time to recommended activities such as strengthening their understanding of volunteering concepts, engaging in traditional and/or local forms of volunteering in the host country, providing annual self-evaluation reports, contributing articles about their field experiences, and assisting with the Mentoring Program for new Young UN Volunteers.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provide technical assistance to authorities in the Arauca department (UNGRD, Governor's Office, Municipalities, PDA, and WASH cluster partners) on WASH infrastructure projects, community management, and sectoral public policy.
- Lead the complete cycle of WASH projects in the territory (diagnosis, formulation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation), coordinating with education, health, nutrition, and protection sectors.
- Support the general analysis of WASH needs and priorities in emergencies (internal displacement, disasters) and development, formulating technical strategies that include infrastructure, hygiene practices, and risk reduction.
- Formulate and accompany resilient water and sanitation infrastructure projects adapted to rural, peri-urban, and school contexts in Arauca, ensuring cultural and climatic relevance.
- Supervise the technical and social execution of projects by implementing partners and contractors, ensuring quality design and construction, community management, participation, resilience, and prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA).
- Continuously monitor the functioning of installed water, sanitation, and hygiene services, identifying bottlenecks and proposing technical solutions for improved coverage and sustainability.
- Lead WASH actions in schools, ensuring access to safe water, dignified sanitation, menstrual hygiene, and education in healthy practices.
- Strengthen the capacities of communities and local operators in the technical, administrative, and financial management of water and sanitation systems.
- Monitor the safety and accessibility of WASH facilities in communities and schools, ensuring they do not pose gender or child protection risks. 1
- Lead the departmental WASH table in Arauca, coordinating with local and national WASH authorities to ensure joint strategies, accountability, and follow-up on work plans. 1
- Develop technical guidelines and protocols for operation, maintenance, and community management, adapted to rural and school contexts in the department. 1
- Generate evidence and systematize experiences from Arauca in community and school infrastructure, climate resilience, and community management to inform public policies and national learning. 1
- Lead the monitoring and reporting of UNICEF interventions in Arauca, documenting quality factors, relevance, dignified treatment, and results in prioritized communities. 1
- Support, as expertise and availability allow, WASH professionals in other territories of the country, contributing to national technical assistance processes and the construction of sectoral policies. 1
- Integrate into the UNV program's mandate and promote voluntary action through community engagement in their work. 1
- Dedicate part of their work time to strengthening their understanding of volunteering concepts, engaging in traditional and/or local forms of volunteering in the host country, providing annual self-evaluation reports, contributing articles about their field experiences, and assisting with the Mentoring Program for new Young UN Volunteers.
Required Qualifications:
The position requires a strong commitment to the principles of volunteering, including solidarity, compassion, reciprocity, and autonomy. Candidates should demonstrate respect, integrity, trust, accountability, sustainability, teamwork, and a commitment to continuous learning. Flexibility and effective communication skills are essential, along with the ability to plan and organize effectively. A genuine commitment to the principles of volunteering is crucial, including solidarity, compassion, reciprocity, and autonomy.
Educational Background:
Candidates should possess a relevant educational background in fields related to WASH, public health, environmental science, or a related discipline. A degree in engineering, social sciences, or a related field is preferred, with additional training or certifications in WASH-related areas being advantageous.
Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 2-3 years of relevant experience in WASH projects, preferably in humanitarian or development contexts. Experience working with government authorities, NGOs, and community organizations is highly desirable. Familiarity with project management, monitoring and evaluation, and community engagement strategies is essential.
Languages:
Fluency in Spanish is mandatory, as it is the primary language of communication in the region. Proficiency in English is considered an asset, as it may facilitate communication with international stakeholders and partners. Knowledge of local indigenous languages would be a valuable addition, enhancing community engagement and understanding.
Additional Notes:
The position is based in Arauca, with travel required within the department and to other departments nationally. Upon entry, all UN Volunteers receive a security briefing from the host agency's security office, informing them about the security environment of the Duty Station and necessary security measures. While Colombia presents varying levels of security, measures are in place to ensure the mission's success, supported by the Security Risk Assessment (SRA) that outlines required mitigation measures. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the volunteer will be responsible for securing their own housing and other essentials for subsistence. National UN Volunteers are part of the insurance plan against intentional damage. The contract duration is as indicated above, with the possibility of extensions subject to funding availability, operational need, and satisfactory performance. However, renewal of the assignment is not anticipated. A monthly living allowance of COP $6,082,500 is provided to cover housing, services, and ordinary subsistence expenses. Life, health, and permanent disability insurance, as well as final repatriation (if applicable), are included. This assignment requires full availability and exclusivity with the United Nations System.
Info
Job Posting Disclaimer
This job posting is provided for informational purposes only. The accuracy of the job description, qualifications, and other details mentioned is the sole responsibility of the employer or the organization listing the job. We do not guarantee the validity or legitimacy of this job posting. Candidates are advised to conduct their own due diligence and verify the details directly with the employer before applying.
We are not liable for any decisions or actions taken by applicants in response to this job listing. By applying, you agree that all application processes, interviews, and potential job offers are managed exclusively by the listed employer or organization.
Beware of fraudulent job offers. Do not provide sensitive personal information or make any payments to secure a job.
We are not liable for any decisions or actions taken by applicants in response to this job listing. By applying, you agree that all application processes, interviews, and potential job offers are managed exclusively by the listed employer or organization.
Beware of fraudulent job offers. Do not provide sensitive personal information or make any payments to secure a job.