TA Wash Specialist at UNICEF

Purpose of the Position

• Under the overall direction of the Chief of Field Office, Maidugiri and with technical guidance from the Chief of WASH, UNICEF Abuja, provide leadership and facilitate the processes that will ensure a well-coordinated, strategic, adequate, coherent, and effective response by participants to WASH in Emergency (WiE), especially in the state of Borno. The candidate will also manage the implementation of assigned projects.

Key Accountabilities and Duties & Tasks
WiE Sector Coordination in Maidugiri (approx. 30 to 40% of the time):

• Collect, analyze and report on WiE working group activities and resources using existing tools (5W, gap table…) or develop new coordination tools if requested. Train the partners on their use
• Establish and maintain information databases that consolidate, analyse and report/disseminate information including development of maps, critical to decision making.
• Facilitate joint needs assessment with WiE sector partners to determine WASH sector priorities and an appropriate intervention by UNICEF based on the local emergency situation affecting children, their families and community.
• Timely delivery of assistance and supplies is provided, urgent staffing requirements are identified, and the appropriate use of UNICEF resources is monitored for effective project delivery.
• Lead on the preparation of SitRep inputs for Maidugiri Field Office with emphasis on WiE Working Group plans, targets and achievements. Monitoring and reporting the implementation of the WiE Working Group strategy and results; recommending corrective action where necessary.
• Ensure that there is effective communication, reporting, engagement and coordination between the WiE working groups at the national and sub-national levels.
• Represent the WaSH sector in coordination meeting with OCHA and participate to coordination efforts leaded by OCHA (Information Management, multi-sectorial Emergency preparedness plan, multi-sectorial assessment).
• Provide support to Yobe's State to strengthen coordination efforts.
• In coordination with the Ministry of Water Resources, co-lead and prepare coordination meetings according to guidelines.

Effective Management of Assigned UNICEF WiE Projects (40 to 50%):

• Identifies implementing/operational partners and establishes implementing arrangements including preparation of needed documents for implementing the assigned projects.
• Implements and manages project activities. Undertakes field visits to emergency project areas, to assess local conditions and monitor project progress. Makes technical decisions on project administration (e.g., activates, requests or re-programmes allocation of emergency funds).
• Ensures that the project funds are managed and reported duly considering UNICEF procedures and internal timelines.
• Ensures that the funds are utilized in accordance with the approved project documents and any deviation is notified in advance for approval by the donor.
• Contributes to the preparation of quality reporting on the project progress and completion including identification of potential human interest stories.
• Ensures that adequate attention is paid to promote donor visibility in-line with the project requirements.

Other Tasks as Needed (10%-15%):

• Emergency preparedness and response strategies are mainstreamed in the Field office's work plans.  Sectoral input is provided for all related documents for the office's Emergency Preparedness and Response, as well as for the Situation Analysis and the Country Programme Document.
• Support the National office in the preparation of Emergency appeals and project proposals (Flash Appeal, CAP, ERF/CHF, CERF), and concerted efforts are put forward to mobilize donor response and recovery/rehabilitation-related funding.
• Substantive improvements are made in the emergency preparedness and response capability of implementing partners through conduct of effective training activities.
• Manage an inventory of relevant documents on the humanitarian situation.
• Communicates and advocates on the situation and needs of children through local and international media, as appropriate.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

• University degree and equivalent experience in a subject area relevant to the cluster required. Advanced University degree preferred. Extensive work experience relevant to this post may be considered as a replacement for formal qualifications. Formal training in cluster coordination an advantage.
• At least 5 years progressively responsible humanitarian work experience with UN and/or NGO, including programme management and/or coordination in the first phase of a major emergency response relevant to the cluster.
• Understands key technical issues for the WiE Working Group sufficiently well enough to be able to: engage with WiE Working Group participants; make full use of their experience and knowledge; guide strategy and plans; communicate and advocate on important issues.
• Understands the rationale behind Humanitarian Reform, its main components and recent developments including the Transformative Agenda.
• Communicates, works and networks effectively with a wide range of people to reach broad consensus on a well-coordinated response, and demonstrates leadership where required.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN language is considered an asset.