WASH Specialist Level 3

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 has a strong focus on building careers and fostering a culture of belonging and growth, supported by an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Job Overview:
The WASH Specialist Level 3 position is crucial for UNICEF's Country Office where the WASH Programme is a significant component of the Country Programme Document (CPD). The role involves reporting to the Deputy Representative Programme and adapting the country programme to a complex environment by prioritizing sustainable, scalable, and equity-focused interventions. The overarching vision includes consolidating efforts in prioritized geographic areas, delivering life-saving interventions, and strengthening systems at the subnational level. The position emphasizes climate resilience, gender equality, and evidence-based advocacy, ensuring that no child is left behind. The WASH and CEED strategy focuses on life-saving service delivery in vulnerable communities while enhancing integration with health, education, nutrition, and child protection sectors.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Managerial Leadership: Support the Deputy Representative Programme in setting strategic direction for the WASH section, establishing annual work plans, determining priorities, and monitoring implementation to achieve WASH output results. Provide guidance to WASH section staff, fostering team building and motivation, and addressing potential conflicts.
• Programme Development and Planning: Prepare WASH inputs for situation analysis, provide current data for policy and programme development, and participate in strategic planning discussions. Draft donor proposals and coordinate the formulation of WASH outcomes and indicators.
• Technical and Operational Support: Monitor UNICEF-supported activities, provide technical support to government and NGO partners, and coordinate with technical experts from the Regional Office and HQ.
• Humanitarian WASH Preparedness: Prepare requisitions for supplies and services to ensure readiness for emergencies, and ensure all staff are familiar with emergency response procedures.
• Networking and Partnership Building: Build partnerships with government and stakeholders, prepare advocacy materials, and participate in inter-agency discussions.
• Innovation and Knowledge Management: Lead the development of WASH action research, prepare learning products, and contribute to capacity building initiatives.

Required Qualifications:
Minimum requirements include an advanced university degree in public health, environmental sciences, sanitary engineering, or a relevant technical field. Additional relevant post-graduate courses are considered a strong asset. Candidates should have a minimum of five years of professional experience in WASH-related programmes for developing countries and at least one year of experience in a humanitarian situation with UN, government, or NGOs. Expert knowledge in rural and urban water supply and sanitation, handwashing, WASH-in-Schools, menstrual hygiene management, and national WASH policies is required.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in public health, environmental sciences, sanitary engineering, or another relevant technical field is required. Additional relevant post-graduate courses that complement the main degree are a strong asset.

Experience:
Candidates must have a minimum of five years of professional experience in WASH-related programmes for developing countries, along with at least one year of experience in a humanitarian context, demonstrating expertise in various WASH components.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish is required, while fluency in English is desirable. Proficiency in another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian) is considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, or background. The organization offers a wide range of benefits, including paid parental leave and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and appointments are subject to medical clearance and visa requirements. UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of the recruitment process.