WASH Specialist at UNICEF

Purpose of the Position

• Under the overall direction of the Chief of WASH, UNICEF Abuja, facilitate the processes that will ensure a well-coordinated, strategic, adequate, coherent, and effective response of WASH partners in Emergency; and effectively coordinate the implementation of UNICEF WASH humanitarian interventions.

Key Expected Results

• Timely sectoral analysis, input, support and collaboration to the Situation Analysis and its periodic update made for effective programme planning, development and management, including emergency preparedness and response.
• Knowledge management effectively promoted through drafting/finalizing key WASH sectoral programme documents and reports, sharing good practice, lessons learned, and knowledge/information exchange.
• Quality of rights-based WASH programmes effectively promoted, and coherence, synergy and value added to programme management process through results-based management and strategies.
• Sectoral work plan and activities formulated, implemented and monitored, ensuring alignment with the defined programme strategies and approaches. Programme monitored with special attention to gender/sex disaggregation of relevant indicators.
• Programme delivery, evaluation and reporting carried out efficiently, rigorously and transparently in compliance with the established guidelines and procedures.
• UNICEF's global goals effectively promoted through advocacy and policy dialogue in the WASH sector.
• Proper and timely UNICEF and Government accountability ensured regarding supply, non-supply and emergency assistance as well as disbursement of programme funds for the WASH sector.
• Effective communication and networking achieved through partnership and collaboration including support to the IASC WASH Cluster.

Accountabilities and Duties & Tasks
WiE Sector Coordination in Abuja (approx. 30% 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 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).
• In coordination with the Ministry of Water Resources, co-lead and prepare coordination meetings according to guidelines.

Effective Management of Assigned UNICEF WiE Projects (70%):

• Identifies implementing/operational partners and establishes implementing arrangements including preparation of needed documents for implementing the assigned projects.
• Implements and manages Output-15 of the WASH Annual Work Plan in coordination with Field offices. 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).
• Contributes to the development of standards/ guidelines for humanitarian interventions and undertakes capacity building activities for government partners and CSOs.
• 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.
• Emergency preparedness and response strategies are mainstreamed in Sectoral 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.
• Contribute to 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.
• 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
Education:

• University degree, preferably at an advanced level, in a subject area relevant to the following areas: Public Health, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Geology, Hydrology, Sanitation Engineering, or to the international WASH cluster. Extensive work experience relevant to this post may be considered as a replacement for formal qualifications.
• Formal training in cluster coordination an advantage.

Work Experience:

• At least 7 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 WASH in Emergency (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.

Language:

• Fluency in English required and another UN language desirable

Competencies of Successful Candidate
Core Values:

• Commitment  
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity

Core Competencies:

• Communication [ II ]
• Working with People [ II ]
• Drive for Results [ II ]

Functional Competencies:

• Leading and Supervising [ I ]  
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts   [ II ]  
• Analyzing   [ III ]  
• Relating and Networking   [ II ]  
• Deciding and Initiating Action   [ II ]
• Applying Technical Expertise [III]