WASH Specialist

The WASH (E/DRR) Specialist supports the development, preparation, management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the climate resilient (CR) WASH and disaster risk reduction in BARMM output in the Climate Environment Resilience (CER) programme within the country programme (CPC 9 2024-2028) specific for the Mindanao Field Office (MFO). The WASH (E/DRR) Specialist provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes, to facilitate the administration and achievement of the MFO CR WASH-related output results in the country programme. The specialist will specifically support UNICEF engagement on work with BARMM Government counterparts, CSOs, private sector and UN agencies on CR WASH programme goals both in development and Humanitarian context.

This post will support the BARMM government to ensure that children, households, and communities in BARMM have increased access to resilient and at least basic water and sanitation services.

The work will address policy adaptation/development, increase access to and use of safely managed WASH services, support to regional governments and co-lead the BARMM WASH cluster in the event of a humanitarian response.

In addition, the Specialist will work in close collaboration with the Manila-based Emergency Specialist and the DRR Officer and lead DRR and emergency preparedness and response efforts at MFO-level.

Under the supervision of the Chief of Field Office, the post shall undertake the following tasks:

Programme development and planning:

• Draft the MFO CR WASH inputs for the situation analysis. Provide timely, comprehensive, and current data to inform MFO CR WASH policy reviews and programme development, planning, management, and implementation. Keep abreast of MFO CR WASH sector development trends, for maximum efficiency and effectiveness in programme design, management and implementation.
• Participate in strategic CR WASH programme planning discussions. Prepare CR WASH donor proposals, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s Strategic Plan, UNICEF’s global CR WASH strategy (Area Goal 4) and the Country programme, as well as government plans and priorities, UNSCDF outcome 3, and the role of other external support agencies.
• Assist in the formulation of the CR WASH outcome and output results, related indicators, baselines, targets and means of verification. Prepare required documentation for programme reviews.
• Work with colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies for the achievement of CR WASH output results in the country programme and the CR social services context.
• Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes and ensure integration, coherence and harmonization of CR WASH with other UNICEF sectors, for the achievement of the WASH output results.
• Draft assigned sections of the annual work plan, in close cooperation with government and other counterparts.

Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results:

• With other external support agencies, strengthen sub-national BARMM government WASH sector monitoring systems, with a focus on CR WASH outcomes (access and behaviors), using bottleneck analysis tools available in the sector (CR WASH-BAT, CSOs, SDAs).
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sectoral reviews with government and other counterparts and prepare reports on results for required action/interventions at the higher level of programme management.
• Prepare/assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths/weaknesses in programmes and management, identify and document lessons learned.
• 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
• Prepare sectoral progress reports for management, donors and partners.

Technical and operational support for programme implementation:

• Actively monitor UNICEF-supported activities through field visits, surveys, meetings and exchange of information with partners, to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely interventions.
• 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.
• Plan for use of technical experts from the PCO, Regional Office and HQ, as and where appropriate in the CR WASH programme, through remote support and on-site visits.
• Participate in CR WASH programme meetings, to review progress, with government, other sector agencies and implementation partners, involved at various stages of CR WASH programme implementation, to provide expert advice and guidance.
• Draft policy papers, briefs, concept notes and other strategic materials for use by management, donors, UNICEF regional offices and headquarters.

Humanitarian preparedness, response and resilience:

• In coordination with output 1, Prepare requisitions for supplies, services, long-term agreements and partnership agreements to ensure UNICEF is prepared to deliver on its commitments at field level in case of an emergency.
• Coordinate MFO emergency preparedness and readiness to respond in line with UNICEF’s Emergency Preparedness Procedures (EPP) and lead MFO disaster risk reduction efforts.
• Contribute to the coordination arrangement for humanitarian WASH cluster (as co-lead), for instant robust coordination in case of an emergency response.
• In coordination the emergency specialist, ensure that all UNICEF MFO staff are familiar with UNICEF’s procedures for responding in an emergency.
• Support the Chief of Field Office in coordinating emergency responses, early recovery, and resilience building at field level as and when the need arises.

Networking and partnership building:

• Build and sustain close working partnerships with BARMM government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate programme implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve CR WASH output results and strengthen MFO DRR, emergency preparedness and response capacities
• Prepare materials for CR WASH programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships and support fund-raising.
• Participate in inter-agency discussions, ensuring that UNICEF’s position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNSCDF development planning and agenda setting for outcome 3.
• Build and sustain close working relationships with the private sector to achieve results for CR WASH

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building:

• Actively lead the development, implementation, monitoring and documentation of CR WASH action research and innovation (technical or systems).
• Prepare learning/knowledge products, covering innovative approaches and good practices, to support overall WASH sector development.
• Create and deliver learning opportunities for UNICEF WASH staff, to ensure our sector capacity remains up-to-date with latest developments.
• Contribute to the systematic assessment of WASH sector capacity gap analysis, in collaboration with government and other stakeholders, and support the design of initiative to strengthen capacities systematically.
• 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…

• An advanced 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 or training on WASH, climate change, environment, WASH in schools, WASH in healthcare facilities, behaviour change, and/or emergency preparedness and response that complement/supplement the main degree are a strong assets.
• A minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in WASH-related programmes for developing countries is required.
• One (1) year of deployment in a developing country is required.
• Direct experience in DRR and/or emergency management is required.
• Fluency in English and Tagalog is required. Knowing a local language is an asset.

Source:  https://jobs.unicef.org/cw/en-us/job/570231