WASH Officer at UNICEF

How can you make a difference?

• The WASH Officer reports to the WASH Specialist at Level 3. Level 1 is an entry-level professional post and should therefore normally be used as a trainee level for the purpose of acquiring knowledge of organizational rules, regulations and processes to supplement academic and theoretical knowledge of the profession for upward mobility to higher responsibilities. At this level, incumbents are not expected to remain in the post for an extended period of time.
• The WASH Officer provides professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the WASH programming process through the application of theoretical and practical technical skills in researching, collecting, analyzing and presenting programme information while learning organizational rules, regulations and procedures to support the development, implementation and monitoring of the WASH output results of the Country Programme.

Key functions/accountabilities:

• Programme development and planning
• Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results
• Technical and operational support for programme implementation
• Humanitarian WASH preparedness and response
• Networking and partnership building
• Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

Programme development and planning

• Research and analyze regional/national political, WASH, health, and social and economic development trends. Collect, analyze, verify and synthesize information to facilitate programme development, design and preparation.
• Prepare technical reports and inputs for programme preparation and documentation, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and relevance of information.
• Assist in the development/establishment of WASH-related outcomes and output results, as well as related strategies, through analysis of WASH sector needs and priorities.
• Provide technical and administrative support throughout all stages of programming processes by executing/administering a variety of technical programme transactions, preparing materials/documentation, and complying with organizational processes and management systems to support progress towards the WASH-related outcome and/or output results in the Country Programme.
• Prepare required documentation/materials to facilitate review and approval processes.

Programme management, monitoring, and delivery of results

• Work collaboratively with colleagues and partners to collect/analyze/ share information on implementation issues, suggest solutions on routine programme implementation and alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level interventions and/or decisions. Keep record of reports and assessments for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sectoral reviews with government and other counterparts and prepare minutes/reports on results for follow-up action by higher management and other stakeholders.
• Monitor and report on the use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets), verify compliance with approved allocations, organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity. Report on issues identified to enable timely resolution by management/stakeholders. Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution.
• Prepare inputs for programme and donor reporting .to promote evidence-based advocacy and learning.
• Support State and LGA WASH institutions to maintain a regular flow of information for effective database management system.

Technical and operational support for programme implementation

• Undertake field visits and surveys collect and share reports with partners/stakeholders. Report critical issues, bottlenecks and potential problems to supervisor for timely action.
• Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners/donors on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices in WASH, to support programme implementation.

Humanitarian WASH preparedness and response

• Draft inputs for the preparation of WASH emergency preparedness, including the drafting of required supplies and services, long-term agreements, partnership agreements, and coordination mechanisms.
• Study and fully understand UNICEF’s procedures for responding in an emergency.
• Take up support roles in emergency response and early recovery, as and when the need arises. 
• Represent the Field Office WASH team at EOC meetings as may be necessary.

Networking and partnership-building

• Build and sustain close working partnerships with government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate programme implementation and build the capacity of stakeholders to achieve WASH output results.
• Draft communication and information materials for WASH programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships/alliances and support fundraising for WASH.
• Participate in inter-agency meetings/events on WASH programming to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNDAF operational planning and preparation of WASH programmes/projects and to integrate and harmonize UNICEF output results and implementation strategies with UNDAF development and planning processes.
• Research information on potential donors and prepare resource mobilization materials and briefs for fundraising and partnership development purposes.

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Assist in the development, implementation, monitoring and documentation of WASH action research and innovation (technical or systems). 
• Assist in the preparation of learning/knowledge products, covering innovative approaches, good practices and human-interest stories to support overall WASH sector development.
• Assist in creating and delivering learning opportunities for UNICEF WASH staff, to ensure our sector capacity remains up-to-date with latest developments. 
• Participate as a resource person in capacity-building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders.

To qualify as an advocate for every child, you will have…

Education:

• A university degree in one of the following fields is required:  public health, social sciences, behavior change communication, sanitary engineering or another relevant technical field.
• Additional relevant post-graduate courses that complement/supplement the main degree are a strong asset

Experience:

• DEVELOPMENTAL:  a minimum of one year of professional experience in WASH-related programmes for developing countries is required.
• HUMANITARIAN: Basic knowledge of emergency preparedness and response is an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered an asset