WASH Programme Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, is a United Nations agency responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. With a mission to advocate for children's rights and ensure their well-being, UNICEF operates in over 150 countries, employing thousands of staff members dedicated to improving the lives of children and their families. In Pakistan, UNICEF focuses on addressing the acute challenges faced by children and adolescents, particularly in areas such as health, education, and protection, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Job Overview:
The WASH Programme Specialist position is designed to provide technical, programmatic, and capacity-building support to enhance the design, implementation, monitoring, and scaling of climate-resilient and inclusive Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) interventions. This role is crucial in ensuring that UNICEF's child rights-based approach is integrated into all WASH services and facilities. The incumbent will work closely with provincial authorities, communities, and stakeholders to ensure that every child has access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene services. The position emphasizes the importance of gender-responsive, disability-inclusive, and child-friendly services, while also focusing on climate adaptation and community engagement. The specialist will be responsible for supporting the preparation of annual work plans, budgets, and implementation roadmaps for the WASH component, ensuring that all services meet minimum standards and are aligned with UNICEF's global sector standards.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the WASH Programme Specialist include:

• Supporting the preparation of annual work plans, budgets, and implementation roadmaps for the WASH component, and developing monitoring frameworks and tools aligned with programme indicators.
• Ensuring that all WASH services and facilities are safe, inclusive, gender-responsive, disability-inclusive, and aligned with UNICEF’s child rights-based approach and global sector standards.
• Developing and implementing safely managed and climate-resilient WASH service models.
• Providing technical support to improve WASH infrastructure and services in schools and health facilities, ensuring they meet minimum service standards for water supply, sanitation, handwashing, menstrual hygiene management, and disability inclusion.
• Strengthening evidence-based behaviour change strategies in line with the office-wide integrated community development approach.
• Conducting regular field visits to ensure quality assurance and provide technical backstopping.
• Supporting data analysis, reporting, and documentation of results and lessons learned, contributing to donor reporting and programme reviews.
• Documenting best practices, innovations, success stories, case studies, and technical briefs for replication and scale-up, and supporting knowledge-sharing workshops and learning events.
• Coordinating with relevant provincial departments, district authorities, and development partners. 1
• Representing UNICEF WASH in technical working groups at provincial and district levels when required and facilitating convergence between WASH and other sectors within the integrated approach.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the WASH Programme Specialist position include a strong background in WASH programming, technical expertise in climate-resilient and inclusive interventions, and a deep understanding of child rights and gender-responsive approaches. Candidates should possess excellent writing and communication skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team. Knowledge of current climate change trends and their impact on WASH services is desirable. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate strong analytical skills and the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Educational Background:
Candidates for the WASH Programme Specialist position should have a relevant educational background, typically a master's degree in public health, environmental science, social sciences, or a related field. A strong academic foundation in WASH-related disciplines is essential, along with a commitment to advancing children's rights and improving community health outcomes.

Experience:
The position requires a significant level of experience in WASH programming, ideally with at least 5 years of relevant professional experience in the field. Candidates should have a proven track record of successfully implementing WASH projects, particularly in developing countries, and experience working with government institutions, NGOs, and community-based organizations. Familiarity with UNICEF's policies and procedures, as well as experience in capacity building and stakeholder engagement, is highly valued.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for the WASH Programme Specialist position, as it is the primary language of communication within UNICEF and for reporting purposes. Proficiency in Urdu or other local languages is considered an asset, as it enhances communication with local communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This is a national UNV assignment, and the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging their own housing and other living essentials. The Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) provided is PKR 183,920 monthly, which is intended to cover housing, utilities, and normal living expenses. The position includes life health and permanent disability insurance, covering health insurance for up to three dependents, as well as final repatriation (if applicable) and a resettlement allowance for satisfactory service. The assignment emphasizes the importance of community engagement and collaboration with various stakeholders to achieve the goals of the WASH Programme.