Chief WASH

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 is known for its inclusive culture and attractive compensation and benefits package, aiming to build careers while serving children and communities globally.

Job Overview:
The Chief WASH position is crucial in supporting UNICEF's emergency programme and staff mobilization plan for Emergency Response. Reporting to the Deputy Representative, the Chief WASH is responsible for managing and supervising all stages of the WASH programme, from strategic planning to the delivery of outcomes and results. This role requires strong leadership and management skills to ensure that the WASH outcomes are achieved according to UNICEF's Strategic Plan and accountability framework. The Chief WASH will lead the CO WASH team and is accountable for the efficiency and effectiveness of the programme management, monitoring, and quality control of results. The position also involves providing strategic guidance in programme development, advocacy, networking, and partnership building, ensuring timely humanitarian WASH preparedness and response, and fostering innovation and capacity building within the team.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Chief WASH will undertake a variety of duties and responsibilities, including:

• Providing managerial and technical leadership for the WASH programme.
• Offering strategic guidance in programme development and planning.
• Ensuring efficiency in programme management, monitoring, and quality control of results.
• Delivering advisory services and technical support to stakeholders.
• Building partnerships and advocating for WASH initiatives.
• Ensuring quality, timeliness, and predictability of humanitarian WASH preparedness and response.
• Promoting innovation, knowledge management, and capacity building within the team.
• Overseeing the implementation of rural and urban sanitation projects, handwashing initiatives, and menstrual hygiene management.
• Analyzing national budgets and expenditures related to WASH and advocating for necessary changes. 1
• Coordinating humanitarian WASH responses and recovery efforts. 1
• Managing programme/project quality assurance and capacity development initiatives. 1
• Engaging in monitoring and evaluation of WASH programmes, ensuring alignment with human rights and gender equality principles.

Required Qualifications:
To qualify for this position, candidates must possess an advanced university degree in public health, social sciences, health and hygiene behavior change communication, environmental or public health, water resource management, or a relevant technical field. Additional relevant post-graduate courses that complement the main degree are also required. Candidates must demonstrate a proven ability to lead a team effectively and deliver results, particularly in WASH-related programmes.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have an advanced university degree in relevant fields such as public health, social sciences, or environmental management. Additional post-graduate courses that enhance the main degree are required, ensuring candidates have a comprehensive understanding of the WASH sector and its challenges.

Experience:
A minimum of ten years of professional experience in WASH-related programmes at both national and international levels is required. Candidates should have experience in various country contexts, including humanitarian, fragile, and developing settings. Emergency field experience in humanitarian situations, including deployment missions with UN, government, or international NGOs, is essential.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is desirable. This multilingual capability is beneficial for effective communication in diverse settings and enhances the candidate's ability to work in multiple geographic regions.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Kyiv, and the incumbent is expected to work on-site. However, depending on security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security conditions, relocation within Ukraine may be required. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce 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. UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct and is committed to safeguarding the rights of children.