Internal VA: WASH Specialist (Climate-Resilient WASH Services), (P-3), Fixed Term, Lilongwe, Malawi (Open to non-Malawian nationals only)

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, a Champion

The UNICEF Malawi Country Programme (2024-2028) works through a One-UN approach based on the new United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSCDF) Strategic Priorities. 2024-2028).  All four strategic priorities of the UNSCDF2024-2028 hold significance to UNICEF and the priorities identified for children: i) Economic Development, ii) Governance, iii) Human Capital Development, and iv) Climate Change. UNICEF co-leads the further elaboration and results in developing the Human Capital Development strategic priority. The intent of the UNICEF CPD 2024-2028 is fully aligned with these priorities, which are also directly linked to the pillars of Malawi Vision 2063, and the Malawi Implementation Plan (MIP, 2030). To this extent, UNICEF’s strategy for the CPD includes Child Survival and Development (Health, Nutrition and WASH), Education, Learning and Child Protection, Social Policy (Social Protection and Public Finance for Children), Gender Equality, Inclusion and Innovation within a robust evidence-informed environment. These are focus areas under the Human Capital Development Enabler of the MIP (2030). The Country Programme envisages the progressive fulfilment of the rights to survival, development, education, protection and participation of all children, including adolescents, especially the most vulnerable and those at risk of being left behind, in an inclusive, resilient and protective environment. Besides Malawi’s 2063 vision and 2021–2030 implementation plan (MIP), the African Union’s Agenda 2063; UNICEF’s Strategic Plan, Gender Action Plan III, Innovation Strategy; and the SDGs. The country programme includes child survival and development, learning, skills development and protection, and social policy. All components are supported by the programme and operational effectiveness and efficiency imperatives. Risk-informed programming across the humanitarian and development nexus in all three outcome areas will strengthen disaster preparedness, enhance climate adaptation/mitigation and response, and increase the resilience capacity of institutions, communities and young people. Programming aligns with UNICEF Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action and the Inter-Agency Standing Committee’s Transformative Agenda.

The WASH programme aims to provide safely managed water, sanitation, and hygiene services to all children. It focuses on scaling up climate-resilient WASH services and package interventions at community and institutional levels to maximize impact on children. In collaboration with the private sector, the WASH programme is also influencing markets to ensure affordable WASH goods and services are available where they are most needed. As the section’s WASH Specialist (Climate-Resilient WASH Services), you will be at the forefront for managing the provision of climate resilient and sustainable WASH services for communities and institutions.

How can you make a difference?

The Malawi Country Office offers an exciting and rewarding career opportunity to join our dynamic WASH team, where you will be responsible for overseeing the unit dedicated to delivering climate-resilient WASH services. You will report to the Chief of WASH for guidance and general supervision. In your role, you will support the development, preparation, management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the climate resilient WASH services. Additionally, you will provide technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes, facilitating the administration and achievement of climate-resilient WASH service results.

The WASH Specialist (Climate-Resilient WASH Services) position therefore presents a unique opportunity for a qualified, vibrant, motivated, and committed individual to significantly contribute to the overall achievement of transformative results for children through professional excellence by delivering on the following key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks, but not limited to:

1. Provide supervisory oversight and leadership to the climate-resilient WASH service unit.
2. Provide support to the UNICEF WASH programme, Ministry of Water and Sanitation, private sector and partners on climate-resilient WASH services policy, programme development, planning, and implementation.
3. Lead WASH infrastructure development, WASH services project management, constructions sites supervisions, construction contract management, support construction works and ensure WASH construction quality control and assurance.
4. Lead the development of sustainable management models for WASH services including private sector.
5. Prepare quality WASH donor proposals and reports.
6. Contribute to the Humanitarian WASH preparedness and response through preparedness actions, coordination, and effective service delivery in case of an emergency.
7. Contribute to innovation, knowledge management, and capacity building for implementing partners at national and district levels. 

You are encouraged to download the detailed job description  JD – WASH Specialist P3.pdf in order to view the full role and its requirements.

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s) in civil, hydraulic/sanitary and/or construction engineering is required.
• A first level university degree (Bachelor’s) in a relevant technical field (as identified above), in conjunction with a valid relevant professional certification in one of the other areas, with additional two() years of relevant work experience for this position, may be taken in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience, at national and/or international levels, in WASH infrastructure development and management, project management, site supervision, construction contract management, quality control and assurance, is required.
• Previous hands-on experience in the development and management of multiple water-use programmes, consumptive and productive is an asset.
• Experience in sanitation and hygiene and familiarity with emergency (preparedness and response) is an   advantage.
• Experience in climate change resilience at the national or international levels in a mix set of country context (including humanitarian, fragile, developing) is required.
• Experience working in a developing country is considered as a strong asset.
• Proven experience in managing a team of technical experts is required.

Technical knowledge and skills:

• Strong knowledge of latest developments and technology in WASH infrastructure industry is required.
• Strong understanding of WASH infrastructure construction/investment project cycles, from programme needs assessment, through planning, procurement and contracting, monitoring the execution of work and evaluation of project outcomes is required.
• Strong overall knowledge and understanding of UNICEF programmes, public procurement principles, financial and legal aspects of construction issues, ethics and risk management of construction projects is required.
• Ability to supervise and direct a team of professionals and support staff working on WASH infrastructure projects is required.
• Knowledge of the international WASH sector is required.
• Knowledge of rural water supply and sanitation, including sustainability is required.
• Technical knowledge of Rural water and Sanitation construction, supervision (Design, Bill of quantity estimate) is required.
• Knowledge of rural water supply operation and maintenance, including sustainability is required.
• Technical skills in programme planning, support and implementation are required. 
• Knowledge of climate-change and climate-resilient WASH is required.
• Knowledge in WASH-in-Schools and Health Centres is an asset.
• Proven networking and partnership-building skills are an asset. 
• Humanitarian WASH response and coordination is an asset.

Language:

• Fluency in English, both strong verbal and written skills, are essential.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others and (8) Nurtures, leads and manages people.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

The position is not considered an elevated risk role. However, UNICEF reserves the right to conduct further vetting/assessment within the scope of child safeguarding as appropriate.

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female as well as suitable persons living with disability are encouraged to apply.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID).

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF.

UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/.

The vacancy announcement is open to internal UNICEF staff, i.e. UNICEF staff holding permanent, continuing and fixed term appointments, and UNICEF staff holding Temporary Appointments.

Priority consideration will be given to staff on the mobility lists, staff on abolished post and staff returning to service and on SHA.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

To effectively contribute to the delivery of results for the children of Malawi, the UNICEF Malawi Country Office operates within a dynamic and results-oriented setting. We foster an environment characterized by creativity, innovation, collaboration, teamwork, a commitment to professional growth, and a safe workspace. Consequently, we are actively searching for individuals who are driven to enact tangible change and dedicated to serving Malawi’s children with resourcefulness, resilience, agility, and a commitment to professional excellence.