WASH Officer

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, emphasizing equity and inclusion, particularly for the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families. UNICEF prides itself on a culture that fosters personal and professional development for its staff, offering diverse opportunities for career growth while delivering on its mission. The organization has a significant presence in Ukraine, focusing on emergency responses and rehabilitation efforts in the context of ongoing conflict, particularly in the WASH sector.

Job Overview:
The WASH Officer position is critical within the UNICEF Ukraine Country Office, particularly in the context of emergency WASH programming amidst active conflict conditions. The role involves providing technical support for emergency WASH initiatives in Kyiv and frontline regions, addressing urgent needs arising from systematic damage to water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure. The Officer will manage a substantial emergency portfolio, ensuring compliance with donor requirements and providing technical backstopping to field teams. This position requires engineering expertise to ensure quality assurance of complex infrastructure works, including water supply systems and district heating rehabilitation, while also being deployable to field offices as needed to fill capacity gaps during emergencies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The WASH Officer will be responsible for a range of key functions, including:

• Programme Development and Planning: Drafting technical reports, preparing Bills of Quantities, and contributing to WASH-related outcome development through sector analysis.
• Programme Management: Conducting technical supervision of construction works, monitoring resource use, and preparing progress reports for management and donors.
• Technical Support: Managing the emergency portfolio in Kyiv, providing remote assistance for engineering challenges, and supporting government and NGO partners on WASH best practices.
• Humanitarian Preparedness: Leading rapid emergency responses to infrastructure attacks, coordinating interventions, and maintaining contingency plans.
• Networking: Building partnerships with government and stakeholders, participating in inter-agency meetings, and preparing resource mobilization materials.
• Knowledge Management: Assisting in the development of WASH action research and participating in capacity-building initiatives.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering, sanitary engineering, or a related technical field. An advanced degree is considered an asset. Additionally, a minimum of two years of professional experience in WASH-related programmes is required, with a strong understanding of emergency response protocols and multi-donor compliance frameworks. Experience in infrastructure rehabilitation under active conflict conditions is highly desirable, as is prior work with UN or international humanitarian organizations.

Educational Background:
The educational requirement for this position includes a university degree in relevant engineering fields such as civil, environmental, or sanitary engineering. An advanced degree (Master’s or equivalent) is advantageous and may enhance a candidate's suitability for the role.

Experience:
The position requires at least two years of professional work experience in WASH-related programmes, with a strong emphasis on emergency response and infrastructure rehabilitation. Familiarity with humanitarian contexts and experience in managing complex engineering projects under conflict conditions are highly desirable. Previous experience working with UN agencies or international development organizations will be beneficial.

Languages:
Fluency in Ukrainian is mandatory, along with a good professional level of English. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not required.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Kyiv and requires on-site work. The incumbent may need to relocate within Ukraine depending on security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security conditions. UNICEF emphasizes a commitment to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from eligible women and individuals from diverse backgrounds. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy regarding misconduct and is committed to safeguarding children. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks and must meet medical clearance and vaccination requirements as part of the hiring process.