Consultor de Agua, Saneamiento e Higiene

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established as part of the United Nations, works in some of the most challenging places in the world to reach the most disadvantaged children. Its mission is to save lives, defend children's rights, and help them reach their full potential. Operating in 190 countries and territories, UNICEF aims to build a better world for every child, every day. The organization focuses on various priorities, including early childhood development, education, and child protection, particularly for children in human mobility and those affected by emergencies. In Panama, UNICEF collaborates closely with national and local authorities, the UN Human Mobility Group, and national and international NGOs to respond to the needs of mobile populations and host communities, particularly in the sectors of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) and gender-based violence.

Job Overview:
The primary objective of this consultancy is to support UNICEF's Panama Office in the development, preparation, management, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of WASH interventions. The consultant will provide technical, operational, and administrative assistance for implementing WASH actions in emergency situations, particularly in response to the national crisis of migration. A key component of this consultancy will be capacity development, where the consultant will be responsible for designing and facilitating training activities, ensuring the quality of content, coherence of training sessions, alignment with global standards, and prevention of duplications. Additionally, the consultant will contribute to strengthening data and information management, including developing a tailored checklist for monitoring WASH interventions.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Development and Planning of Programs: Support the preparation of WASH inputs for analyzing the situation of children in the context of human mobility, ensuring the incorporation of a rights-based and equity approach. Provide timely, complete, and updated data to inform the development, planning, management, and implementation of WASH policies and programs. Participate in program planning and assist in preparing proposals for donors in WASH. Contribute to formulating the WASH component, including results, products, indicators, baselines, targets, and means of verification, and prepare necessary documentation for program reviews.
• Development and Planning of WASH Interventions: Collaborate with colleagues and partners to collect, analyze, and share information on monitoring implementation, provide recommendations on routine program implementation, and alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for interventions or high-level decisions. Support monitoring the use of program resources and report on compliance with approved allocations. Report identified issues to enable timely resolution by management/stakeholders.
• Technical and Operational Support for Program Execution: Conduct field visits and surveys, collect and share reports with partners/stakeholders. Report critical issues, bottlenecks, and potential problems to the supervisor for timely action. Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, partner NGOs, UN system partners, and other stakeholders and donors on the application and understanding of UNICEF's WASH policies, strategies, processes, and best practices to support program execution.
• Humanitarian Preparedness and Response in WASH: Support the preparation of requests for supplies, services, long-term agreements, and partnership agreements to ensure UNICEF is prepared to meet its commitments for the WASH sector in accordance with the Humanitarian Action for Children (HAC). Contribute to coordination agreements for humanitarian WASH, ensuring strong coordination in emergencies. Assume support functions in emergency response and early recovery as needed.
• Networking and Partnerships: Coordinate water and sanitation interventions in response to migration through the WASH subgroup. Create and maintain close working partnerships with government counterparts and national stakeholders through active information and knowledge sharing to facilitate program implementation and build stakeholder capacity to achieve results in the WASH sector. Draft communication and information materials to promote the WASH program, raise awareness, establish partnerships/alliances, and support fundraising for WASH. Participate in inter-agency discussions, ensuring UNICEF's position, interests, and priorities are fully considered and integrated into development planning and program establishment.
• Knowledge Management and Capacity Building: Prepare documentation and materials required to facilitate review and approval processes for sector interventions. Assist in creating and offering learning opportunities for WASH staff from counterparts and partners to ensure capacity remains updated with the latest developments.

Required Qualifications:
To qualify as an advocate for children's rights, candidates must possess the following skills and experience: a minimum of ten years of solid professional experience in the WASH sector within the UN or another international organization, government, or the private sector, with at least eight years of experience in implementing WASH programs in emergencies being essential. Demonstrated knowledge of emergency response in the context of human mobility, including the implementation of water treatment plants, rural aqueduct systems, infection prevention and control, waste management, including excreta and environmental cleaning aspects, vector control, and hygiene promotion. Proven skills and experience in facilitating training. Strong knowledge of tools and methods for capacity assessment, data/statistical analysis, and reporting platforms. Familiarity with UNICEF's WASH programs and strengthening sector systems is also required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a relevant educational background, typically requiring at least a bachelor's degree in a related field such as public health, environmental science, or social sciences. Advanced degrees or specialized training in WASH or humanitarian response are highly desirable and may enhance a candidate's qualifications for the position.

Experience:
Candidates should have extensive experience, ideally over ten years, in the WASH sector, particularly in emergency contexts. Experience working with international organizations, especially in humanitarian settings, is crucial. Familiarity with the specific challenges and dynamics of migration and displacement in the region will be beneficial.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish is mandatory, with excellent oral and written communication skills. Proficiency in English or other languages may be considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and partners.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for six months, with the possibility of extension depending on the ongoing needs of the program and the availability of funds. Services must be provided in-person from Panama City, with regular missions to provinces such as Darién, Chiriquí, and Colón or other areas experiencing migration flows. Applications are accepted from consultants based in Panama or other countries, but those applying from abroad must relocate to Panama for the duration of the consultancy. The economic proposal must include the cost of round-trip airfare for relocation if applicable. Payment conditions will be based on deliverables and satisfaction of UNICEF's supervisor, with invoices processed approximately 15 days after submission. Consultants are responsible for their tax obligations and ensuring valid visas and health insurance for the contract duration.