Senior WASH Field Engineer

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF is a global organization dedicated to advancing the rights of every child, everywhere. Established in 1946, UNICEF operates in over 190 countries and territories, focusing on providing humanitarian and developmental assistance to children and mothers in need. The organization's mission is to ensure that every child has the opportunity to survive, thrive, and fulfill their potential. UNICEF's Equity Strategy aims to address disparities by prioritizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translating the commitment to children's rights into actionable programs and advocacy efforts. The organization is committed to fostering sustainable growth and stability within nations, particularly in conflict-affected areas like Ukraine.

Job Overview:
The Senior WASH Field Engineer position is crucial for UNICEF's Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) program in Ukraine, which has been identified as a core outcome area in the new Country Programme Document (CPD). This role involves leading site assessments, developing projects with partners, and monitoring works to ensure that children and young people have access to safe, sustainable, and resilient WASH services. The engineer will play a key role in supporting emergency WASH early recovery interventions in conflict-affected oblasts, focusing on restoring essential water, heating, and sanitation services for households, healthcare facilities, and schools. The position requires a dual approach, addressing urgent needs while also supporting the recovery and resilience of national and local WASH systems. The engineer will work closely with various stakeholders, including government ministries and local authorities, to strengthen governance and service delivery capacity, ensuring that WASH services are gender-responsive, inclusive, and child-friendly.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct rapid technical assessments of damaged or priority WASH infrastructure across various locations, including hromadas, VKs, DHCs, schools, and healthcare facilities.
• Lead monitoring missions to project sites to verify progress, assess quality, and document gaps.
• Produce high-quality Progress Verification (PV) packages, including geo-tagged photos, field notes, and engineering observations.
• Validate the installation and commissioning of UNICEF-procured equipment and materials.
• Ensure that PV documentation meets KfW, UNICEF HACT, and audit requirements.
• Follow up with partners on KPI achievement, identifying performance issues and escalating technical risks as necessary.
• Identify scalable WASH service delivery models and document lessons learned and success factors.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with new hromadas seeking WASH recovery support.
• Conduct joint assessments with local authorities to identify needs and prioritize interventions. 1
• Coordinate field missions with UNICEF WASH team and prepare concise engineering field reports and recommendations.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate should possess a strong technical background in WASH engineering, with a focus on infrastructure development and management. They should have experience in conducting assessments, monitoring projects, and working with various stakeholders, including government entities and local communities. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to produce high-quality documentation are essential. The candidate should also demonstrate a commitment to UNICEF's mission and values, particularly in promoting equity and inclusion in WASH services.

Educational Background:
A degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering, or a related field is required. Advanced degrees or specialized training in WASH-related disciplines will be considered an asset. Candidates should have a solid understanding of WASH principles, practices, and technologies, as well as familiarity with relevant national and international standards.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in WASH engineering or related fields, with a proven track record of managing projects in complex environments. Experience working in conflict-affected areas or with humanitarian organizations is highly desirable. The ability to work effectively in a team and to engage with diverse stakeholders is crucial for success in this role.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, and proficiency in Ukrainian or Russian is highly desirable. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly in enhancing communication with local communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is a national UN Volunteer assignment, and the volunteer is responsible for organizing their own accommodation. The contract is full-time and lasts for the duration indicated in the vacancy, with the possibility of extensions based on funding availability and performance. The monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) is USD 2076, which covers housing and living expenses. Additional benefits include a one-time entry lump sum payment of USD 400, medical and life insurance coverage, and leave entitlements including annual leave, learning leave, and sick leave.