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 the protection of children's rights, UNICEF operates in over 190 countries, working to ensure that every child has the opportunity to survive, thrive, and fulfill their potential. The organization focuses on various areas including health, education, protection, and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), aiming to improve the lives of children and their families through partnerships with governments, communities, and other stakeholders.

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 WASH interventions. This role is crucial in aligning with UNICEF’s child rights-based approach and supporting the Government of Pakistan in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The incumbent will work closely with provincial authorities, communities, and stakeholders to ensure that WASH services are safe, inclusive, gender-responsive, and disability-inclusive. The position emphasizes the importance of climate adaptation and community engagement in delivering effective WASH services to children and families.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will be responsible for a variety of tasks including:

• Supporting the preparation of annual work plans, budgets, and implementation roadmaps for the WASH component, while developing monitoring frameworks and tools aligned with program 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 (MHM), and disability inclusion.
• Strengthening evidence-based behavior change strategies in line with the 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 program 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, and representing UNICEF WASH in technical working groups at provincial and district levels when required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess excellent writing and communication skills, with the ability to work independently as well as part of a team. Knowledge of current climate change trends and their impact on WASH is desirable. The role requires a strong commitment to UNICEF’s mission and values, particularly in advocating for children's rights and promoting inclusive practices in WASH services.

Educational Background:
A relevant degree in public health, environmental science, social sciences, or a related field is required. Advanced degrees or specialized training in WASH, climate resilience, or child rights would be an advantage.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 3-5 years of professional experience in WASH programming, preferably in a development or humanitarian context. Experience working with government institutions, NGOs, and community-based organizations is highly desirable. Familiarity with climate-resilient practices and inclusive service delivery models is also beneficial.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, both written and spoken. Knowledge of local languages spoken in Pakistan would be an asset, as it would facilitate better 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. A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) of PKR 183,920 is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities, and normal living expenses. The position includes life health and permanent disability insurance, health insurance for up to 3 dependents, and a final repatriation allowance for satisfactory service.