UN Volunteer - WASH Programme Support

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, also known as the United Nations Children's Fund, is a prominent United Nations agency dedicated to providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children across the globe. Established in 1946, UNICEF operates in 192 countries and territories, making it one of the most widespread and recognizable social welfare organizations worldwide. The agency's mission encompasses a wide range of activities aimed at improving the lives of children and mothers, including immunizations, disease prevention, treatment for HIV, enhancing nutrition, improving sanitation, promoting education, and providing emergency relief in response to disasters. UNICEF's commitment to children's rights and well-being is reflected in its extensive programs and partnerships with various stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, and the private sector, to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Job Overview:
The UN Volunteer in this role will support the effective management and delivery of regional Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and Prospects programme activities. This position is crucial for ensuring that all activities align with approved workplans, budgets, and donor requirements. The incumbent will play a significant role in day-to-day programme implementation, which includes following up with country offices on progress, identifying challenges, and supporting corrective actions under the guidance of the Programme Manager. Additionally, the role involves assisting in situation analyses, annual planning, and preparation of programme documentation. A key aspect of this position is providing technical support and ensuring quality assurance across programme implementation. This includes coordinating technical reviews of designs, terms of reference, procurement documents, and deliverables while ensuring adherence to Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS). The incumbent will work closely with government counterparts, partners, and country teams to strengthen technical capacity through training, knowledge exchange, and strategic partnership development, promoting sustainability and institutional strengthening. Furthermore, the position contributes to monitoring, evaluation, and reporting processes by supporting performance tracking systems, participating in field missions, and assisting in the preparation of donor and annual reports. The role also involves documenting programme results, risks, and lessons learned, and supporting evaluation exercises to improve programme quality and effectiveness. Knowledge management is another important responsibility, which includes documenting best practices, supporting learning initiatives, and contributing to communication products such as newsletters and communities of practice. The incumbent will collaborate with evaluation, communication, and partnerships teams to enhance internal and external knowledge sharing. Under policy and systems strengthening efforts, the role supports follow-up on policy analyses, tracks key action points, and helps coordinate and document system-strengthening initiatives led by country offices and partners. Additionally, the incumbent provides operational and coordination support to the Programme Management Unit (PMU), including contributing to procurement, reporting, and technical documentation. They may also offer interim coordination support and contribute to transition processes toward systems-based WASH approaches. Finally, the role supports financial monitoring and compliance with organizational procedures, including tracking funds, allocations, and reporting requirements. The incumbent will also strengthen partnerships and collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders, including UN agencies, government, private sector, and academia to enhance programme impact, sustainability, and advocacy efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the UN Volunteer in this position include:

• Supporting the effective management and delivery of WASH and Prospects programme activities, ensuring alignment with approved workplans, budgets, and donor requirements.
• Following up with country offices on programme progress, identifying challenges, and supporting corrective actions under the guidance of the Programme Manager.
• Assisting in situation analyses, annual planning, and preparation of programme documentation.
• Providing technical support and ensuring quality assurance across programme implementation, including coordinating technical reviews of designs, terms of reference, procurement documents, and deliverables.
• Supporting adherence to Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) throughout the programme.
• Working closely with government counterparts, partners, and country teams to strengthen technical capacity through training, knowledge exchange, and strategic partnership development.
• Contributing to monitoring, evaluation, and reporting processes by supporting performance tracking systems and participating in field missions.
• Assisting in the preparation of donor and annual reports, documenting programme results, risks, and lessons learned.
• Supporting evaluation exercises to improve programme quality and effectiveness. 1
• Documenting best practices and supporting learning initiatives, contributing to communication products such as newsletters and communities of practice. 1
• Collaborating with evaluation, communication, and partnerships teams to enhance internal and external knowledge sharing. 1
• Supporting follow-up on policy analyses and tracking key action points related to policy and systems strengthening efforts. 1
• Coordinating and documenting system-strengthening initiatives led by country offices and partners. 1
• Providing operational and coordination support to the Programme Management Unit (PMU), including contributing to procurement, reporting, and technical documentation. 1
• Offering interim coordination support and contributing to transition processes toward systems-based WASH approaches. 1
• Supporting financial monitoring and compliance with organizational procedures, including tracking funds, allocations, and reporting requirements. 1
• Strengthening partnerships and collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders, including UN agencies, government, private sector, and academia to enhance programme impact, sustainability, and advocacy efforts.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for this position include a strong background in WASH programming, project management, and technical expertise in water and sanitation systems. The candidate should possess excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential for effective partnership development and knowledge sharing. The candidate should also demonstrate a commitment to UNICEF's core values of care, respect, integrity, trust, accountability, and sustainability. Familiarity with Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) and experience in monitoring and evaluation processes are highly desirable. Additionally, the candidate should have a proactive approach to learning and knowledge management, with the ability to document best practices and contribute to communication initiatives.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a degree in a relevant field such as environmental science, public health, social sciences, or a related discipline. A master's degree in a relevant area is preferred, as it demonstrates a higher level of expertise and understanding of the complexities involved in WASH programming and project management. The candidate should have a solid understanding of the principles and practices related to water, sanitation, and hygiene, as well as the ability to apply this knowledge in practical settings.

Experience:
The level of experience needed for this position includes a minimum of 2-3 years of relevant work experience in WASH programming, project management, or a related field. Experience working with international organizations, particularly in humanitarian or development contexts, is highly desirable. The candidate should have a proven track record of successfully implementing WASH projects and collaborating with various stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and community-based organizations. Experience in monitoring and evaluation processes, as well as knowledge of Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS), will be considered an asset.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is English, as it is the primary language of communication within UNICEF and among its partners. Proficiency in additional languages, particularly those relevant to the regions where the WASH programme operates, such as Somali or Arabic, would be considered a valuable asset and enhance the candidate's ability to engage with diverse communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Nairobi, Kenya, which is a modern metropolitan city with access to various basic goods and services, health facilities, public transport, and educational institutions. The contract duration is specified, with the possibility of extensions subject to funding availability, operational necessity, and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment. UN Volunteers receive a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) to cover housing, utilities, transportation, communications, and other basic needs. Additionally, a settling-in grant (SIG) is provided at the start of the assignment for those who have not resided in the duty station for at least six months prior. UN Volunteers are also entitled to life, health, and permanent disability insurances, as well as assignment travel, annual leave, and full integration into the UN security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security framework. A Daily Subsistence Allowance is paid for official travels, and flight tickets for final repatriation travel are provided if applicable. A resettlement allowance is also paid for satisfactory service at the end of the assignment. The UNV program is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified professionals regardless of gender, nationality, or culture.