External Outreach to WASH in Emergencies Specialists for UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa Region (RRM Roster) at UNICEF

Purpose of Position

The purpose of this external announcement is to attract suitable WASH in Emergencies Specialists from outside the organization for inclusion in UNICEF's Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) roster for the Eastern and Southern Africa region. The purpose of the RRM roster is to ensure that the region’s emergency staffing response is in line with the organization's strategic goals, to support emergency preparedness and response through a predictable and coordinated approach to emergencies. This is not a regular vacancy announcement but rather a call for surge personnel with WASH experience in emergencies interested in short term assignments with UNICEF.  Inclusion in the Roster does not guarantee any future contractual relations with UNICEF.

This announcement is targeting candidates outside of UNICEF with interest in working in any of the countries within UNICEF's Eastern and Southern Africa region for the next 18 months. 

The roster serves as an intermediate between consultants interested in working on UNICEF consultancy/TA assignments, and Regional Office/Country Offices seeking support. It is a list of vetted individuals that are viewable by the Regional Office and Country Offices that are looking for consultants/TAs who can help them in specific assignments, missions or projects.  Once a suitable individual is found in the roster, a selection and hiring process commences immediately.

We are currently looking for WASH in Emergencies Specialists, familiar with the needs of marginalized and vulnerable children and their families, in the following areas; 

• Sanitation Rural (Village & Camp settings)
• Water supply Rural (Village & Camp settings)
• WASH Programme implementation across different and complex situations, for example health, conflict, climate and population displacement -related
• WASH Cluster Coordination
• WASH Cluster Information Management
• Sanitation Urban
• Water Supply Urban
• Hygiene promotion / community participation
• Water quality
• WASH in Schools
• WASH in Health Centers and Nutrition facilities/programmes
• WASH in public health emergencies (cholera, Ebola, hepatitis E…)
• Early recovery with DRR and climate change adaptation
• Needs assessment
• Emergency preparedness (Including contingency planning)

Key Expected Results

• Accountable for the overall performance of UNICEF’s response in the WASH sector and the accomplishment of WASH related CCCs.
• Represent UNICEF WASH Programme in national WASH coordination platform/sectoral cluster for the overall analysis of sectoral needs and priorities and the definition of strategies and standards to ensure the delivery of safe drinking water, safe excreta disposal facilities and promotion of safe hygiene practices to affected population, in accordance with national and international humanitarian standards.
• Accountable for the definition of UNICEF’s response in the WASH sector (strategies, outcomes, target population) as per agreed standards and UNICEF Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action (CCCs) benchmarks. Ensure strategies, plans and capacities to reach target population with culturally appropriate and gender sensitive interventions are developed in coordination with other UNICEF’s relevant sections and divisions, and implementing partners.
• Ensure Early Recovery and Disaster Risk informed approaches are integrated as components of UNICEF’s response in the WASH sector.
• Ensure UNICEF WASH response supports community engagement, and as appropriate, for participation in planning, construction, operation and maintenance of WASH facilities and services, based on the identified needs and priorities and the local context.
• Ensure an effective monitoring plan is designed and implemented to follow up the implementation of UNICEF’s response in the WASH sector, incorporating required changes into planned activities with special attention to specific needs of women, children and people with disabilities, as well as other cross-cutting areas.
• Accountable for WASH reporting in accordance with UNICEF’s CCC based Humanitarian Performance Monitoring criteria.
• Within UNICEF, collaborate with:
• • Representative/Deputy Representative to provide technical and policy advice on WASH sectoral response and its strategies, planning, implementation and monitoring.
  • Other Programmes and Emergency Sections to ensure integration of UNICEF’s response to the emergency, exploring opportunities for WASH to enhance the programmatic response in other sectors.
  • Operations and Supply Sections, as well as with government authorities and other implementing partners, to establish and maintain sound internal controls, to coordinate financial and supply management requirements and ensure accountability.
  • Programme Communication or Communication for Development sections to ensure the development of effective communication materials and strategies for advocacy, social mobilization and emergency programme implementation for the WASH sectoral response, as appropriate.
  • Communication and Fundraising sections to ensure WASH is properly reflected in UNICEF’s external communications and explore opportunities to advocate for WASH specific needs, including interaction with donors.
  • Regional Advisors and/or Headquarters to allow appropriate flow of information and feedback on WASH sectoral response and its programming.Interact with government and partners (including UN, Donors, NGOs, CSOs, etc.) in the different stages of the emergency programme implementation to follow up on cooperation agreements, recommendations and other UNICEF’s commitments for the emergency response, including the development of national partners’ capacity.
• Oversight and supervision of WASH in emergency staff, as well as financial accountability of funds related to the response in the WASH sector and human resources management.
• Accountable for the definition of UNICEF’s engagement and contribution into cross-sectoral assessment, analysis and evaluations of the emergency response such as Damage Loss Assessment (DLA), Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA), etc.
• In close collaboration with the WASH team (emergency and non-emergency) and other sections, explore possibilities to strengthen UNICEF’s WASH regular/development programme/intervention through recovery/reconstruction/stabilization activities.

• Advanced university degree in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Public Health, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Geology, Hydrology, Sanitation Engineering, or a field relevant to international WASH related development assistance. Additional training in Health Education or Communication for Development (Programme Communication), an asset.
• A minimum of 5 years of progressively professional experience in the UN or other international development organization, national government or the private sector.  At least two (2) years of substantive relevant experience in emergency countries dealing with major natural and humanitarian emergencies required.
• Background/familiarity with Emergency (preparedness and response) and the IASC Cluster approach.
• Experience working with government agencies, local authorities, international organizations, NGOs and communities in the field of water, sanitation and participatory approaches in health and hygiene promotion.
• Experience in both development and humanitarian contexts is an added advantage.
• Specialized training/experience in emergency response management highly desirable.
• Experience of working with UNICEF is highly desirable.

Language Requirement

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese is an asset.

The UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa Region Country Offices are located in the following countries: Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Comoros, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.