City-wide Inclusive Sanitation Planning Expert

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is an agency established by the UN General Assembly with the mission to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. Founded to address the challenges of urbanization, UN-Habitat works in collaboration with governments and various partners, including local authorities and NGOs, to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The organization operates globally, with a focus on enhancing urban living conditions and ensuring equitable access to services. The Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA), initiated in 2009, is a key initiative under UN-Habitat that fosters collaboration among water and sanitation operators to improve service delivery and capacity. The GWOPA Secretariat, currently hosted by the Government of Germany, plays a crucial role in translating the alliance's mandate into actionable strategies and programs, aiming to scale up partnerships that enhance the performance of water and sanitation services worldwide. UN-Habitat is actively involved in projects addressing the global sanitation crisis, particularly in low-income urban communities across South and Southeast Asia, including the current project focusing on Lao PDR and Nepal.

Job Overview:
The City-wide Inclusive Sanitation Planning Expert will be responsible for preparing City-wide Inclusive Sanitation Plans for two cities in the Lao PDR and Nepal. This role involves working closely with UN-Habitat Country offices and local consultants to develop comprehensive sanitation strategies that prioritize climate resilience, equity, and gender inclusivity. The expert will engage with various stakeholders, including government entities, municipal authorities, and community groups, to ensure inclusive participation and local ownership of sanitation initiatives. The position requires a strong understanding of urban planning, sanitation services, and the ability to conduct thorough assessments of existing infrastructure and service delivery mechanisms. The expert will also be tasked with developing monitoring frameworks, financial strategies, and capacity-building measures to support effective implementation of the sanitation plans. This role is critical in addressing the significant gaps in sanitation services faced by low-income and vulnerable communities, ultimately contributing to the achievement of the SDGs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the City-wide Inclusive Sanitation Planning Expert include:

• Preparing an inception report and work plan that outlines the methodology, timelines, stakeholder mapping, and data collection tools, and presenting it for validation.
• Leading multi-stakeholder engagement efforts with national governments, municipal authorities, service providers, and civil society to ensure inclusive participation and compliance with national policies.
• Conducting a comprehensive baseline assessment of existing sanitation services, infrastructure, and financial flows across the sanitation chain.
• Reviewing and mapping institutional arrangements to identify overlaps or gaps in responsibilities and proposing clear roles for accountability.
• Assessing service equity by identifying the needs of low-income communities and ensuring inclusive design and delivery of sanitation services.
• Studying the impact of climate change on sanitation services and proposing adaptive measures in collaboration with local consultants.
• Developing a monitoring and evaluation framework with key performance indicators to track service improvements.
• Designing sustainable financial strategies to ensure the affordability and viability of sanitation services.
• Proposing capacity-building measures for utilities and local authorities to support CWIS implementation. 1
• Drafting and finalizing the CWIS plan, incorporating stakeholder inputs and creating a version for policymakers. 1
• Supporting early implementation and knowledge sharing by providing technical assistance and documenting lessons learned. 1
• Assisting in the organization of workshops and meetings during missions and contributing to mission reporting.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires an advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Engineering, Urban Development, Public Health, or a related field relevant to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH). Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Candidates must possess at least 5 years of working experience in international cooperation, particularly in urban water and sanitation issues. Experience in data management, stakeholder engagement, capacity building, and knowledge management is essential. Familiarity with conducting research and drafting reports is also required. Previous experience with the UN or other international organizations is desirable.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold an advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in a relevant field such as Engineering, Urban Development, or Public Health, specifically related to WASH. A first-level university degree may be accepted if accompanied by additional qualifying experience, demonstrating the candidate's capability in the field.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in international cooperation, with a strong focus on urban water and sanitation issues. Candidates should have a proven track record in data management, conducting baseline assessments, and engaging with stakeholders. Experience in capacity building, knowledge management, and partnerships within the sanitation sector is also essential. Familiarity with research methodologies and report drafting is necessary, and prior experience working with the UN or similar organizations is considered an asset.

Languages:
Fluency in written and oral English is mandatory for this position, as English is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. A working knowledge of another UN official language, such as French, is desirable and would be beneficial for the role.

Additional Notes:
The position is home-based and is expected to last for a duration of 4 months. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. Candidates should be aware that the UN does not request information regarding applicants' bank accounts.