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For every child, Hope.

Strategic office context:

The WASH Specialist Cluster Coordinator (P4) is based in the MENARO Outpost in Gaziantep and works for children in Northwest Syria and reports to the Emergency Coordinator.

Purpose for the job:

Under the overall guidance of the Emergency Coordinator, the WASH Specialist/Cluster Coordinator will be responsible for supporting both cluster coordination, programme design, and development and monitoring of the UNICEF humanitarian response programme for the WASH Sector in north-west Syria. The post will be managing UNICEF’s WASH programme including the management of implementing partners and capacity development.

The specialist will contribute to the achievement of concrete and sustainable programs/project results according to the relevant work plans, budget allocation, results management approaches and methodology (RBM), UNICEF’s strategic plan, standards of performance and accountability framework. The post will support the WASH cluster work, which UNICEF co-leads and will also facilitate the process to ensure a well-coordinated, strategic, adequate response by all cluster members. The post will support the WASH cluster work which UNICEF leads and also facilitate to ensure a well-coordinated, strategic, adequate response by all WASH cluster members. The post has a co-lead responsibility for the cluster at the Gaziantep level for the efficient functioning of the work of the cluster members.

How can you make a difference?

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

• Management and advisory support to the Emergency Coordinator
• WASH Cluster Coordination Lead
• Response/ Program development and planning
• Program management, monitoring and quality control of results
• Advisory services and technical support
• Advocacy, networking and partnership building
• Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

1. Management and advisory support to the Emergency Coordinator

• Provide advice in establishing the annual work plan for WASH including developing strategies and determining priorities/targets and performance measurements. Coordinate work progress monitoring and ensure results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards and report on critical issues for timely action.
• Provide technical assistance/advice to colleagues on all aspects of WASH programming and implementation to enable colleagues to achieve program/performance objectives.

2. WASH Cluster Coordination Lead

• Ensure appropriate coordination with NGOs and other actors. This will involve liaising and working with relevant counterparts to support the effective use of coordination mechanisms.
• Establishment and maintenance of effective coordination mechanisms.
• Identify and establish contact with all other relevant cluster stakeholders including national and international organizations, and representatives of affected populations. Invite these stakeholders to participate as partners in the work of the WASH cluster as appropriate.
• Participate in all relevant sector Working Groups and inter/cross-cluster meetings.
• Identify and prioritize the training needs of WASH cluster partners and advocate to lead-agencies, donors and  other stakeholders to meet these needs.
• Organize joint field missions, needs assessments and analysis among WASH cluster partners.
• Participate in joint cross-WASH cluster needs assessment exercises as appropriate to ensure that identified needs, gaps and priorities are as evidence-based as possible.
• Co-lead on the design of appropriate transition strategies for the WASH cluster to ensure continuity between the humanitarian response, recovery and development phases and disaster risk reduction initiatives.
• Facilitate discussion and agreement on the use of common standards and tools among WASH cluster partners. Promote awareness of, adherence to and update of the cluster developed tools.
• Ensure to the extent possible that WASH cluster partners use common standards and tools for information collection/sharing and data management, including in needs assessments and monitoring.
• Ensure that WASH cluster partners are aware of relevant commitmentsunder international human rights and humanitarian law and promote a response that is in line with these commitments.
• Facilitate adequate reporting and information sharing, both within the cluster and with other clusters.
• Convene and facilitate meetings of the WASH cluster (and/or joint meetings with another cluster), increasing or reducing their frequency as needed and avoiding meeting overload. Ensure that WASH cluster meetings are well-managed and action and results-oriented, with timely decisions clearly communicated to relevant cluster partners and stakeholders. Ensure that meetings are managed in line with the Principles of Partnership.
• Weekly and continuous information management of national and sub-national partners
• Together with cluster partners, identify core advocacy concerns for the WASH cluster and contribute key messages to the broader advocacy
• Following thorough and transparent consultation within the WASH cluster, provide leadership and strategic direction in the assessment and prioritization of project proposals, activities and initiatives for inclusion in the Strategic Response Plan, pooled funding requests and other inter-agency funding appeals;
• Establish and manage needs-based temporary technical working groups for the undertake specific tasks.
• Represent the WASH Cluster at every cross-cluster and Inter-Agency meeting.

3. Response/ Program development and planning

• Plan and/or provide technical assistance and operational support to the preparation/design and conduct/update of situation of the WASH sector in the northwest Syria to ensure that current comprehensive and evidence-based data on WASH issues are available to guide UNICEF’s strategic policy advocacy, intervention and development efforts on WASH and to set the response priorities, strategies, design and implementation plans.
• Keep abreast of WoS national/regional/international development priorities on WASH to enhance the response management and delivery.

4. Programme management, monitoring and quality control of results

• Plan and/or collaborate with monitoring and evaluation initiatives to establish benchmarks, performance indicators and other UNICEF indicators (3PM and HPMS), to assess and strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable response and results in WASH programs.
• Prepare and assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths and weaknesses in WASH programming and management, identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals.
• Monitor programs and projects to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.
• Plan, monitor and control the use of program resources (financial, human, administrative and other assets) certifying/verifying compliance with organizational rules, regulations and procedures, donor commitments and standards of accountability and integrity. Ensure timely reporting and liquidation of resources.
• Submit and prepare timely program/project reports to donors and other partners to keep them informed on program progress and critical issues.

5. Advisory services and technical support

• Provide technical advice to key NGO, UN system agencies and other  partners on policies, strategies, best practices and approaches on WASH and other related issues to support program development planning, implementation and delivery of results.
• Coordinate and ensure the availability of technical experts (with Regional Office/HQ) to ensure timely support throughout all stages of programming/project processes.
• Prepare policy papers, briefs and other strategic program materials on WASH for management use, information and consideration.
• Participate in discussions on WASH in emergencies preparedness, programming and contingency planning to ensure response plans are in place to deal with the onset of new emergencies.

6. Advocacy, networking and partnership building

• Good understanding of the overall global development context, including issues such as: poverty, conflict, and the impact of these factors on WASH   and vice-versa; and inter-sectoral approaches to address such issues in collaboration with other sectors including Nutrition, Education, Health and communication within UNICEF).
• Good knowledge of global developments in WASH and international engagement strategies, including the application of the equity lens and human rights perspectives to programming.
• Good ability to support WASH sector policy dialogue: translation of analytical findings and evidence into development programmes and policy discussions around equity including development partners, CSO in relevant areas.
• Good WASH sector planning knowledge/ability, including the range of modalities for delivering , cost-effectiveness and efficiency issues, key institutional structures, components and processes, as well as governance issues .
• Good WASH sector analysis capacity, including understanding of the core WASH data sets, indicators, tools for analysis of equity, communities access to water, budget, cost and financing, WASH sector management, political economy and application.
• Good ability to support engagement with partners (e.g. Sector Wide Approaches, WASH Partnership, WASH in Emergency Clusters, WASH Forums, Delivering as One, and Inter-sectoral as well as networking with other key partners.
• Good understanding of gender and inequity issues in relation to WASH and development and the application of gender / equity analysis to policy and planning in WASH.
• Good understanding of policies and strategies to address issues related to climate change, resilience: risk analysis and risk management, WASH in conflict situations, natural disasters, and recovery.

7. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Co-lead early warning, contingency planning, and emergency preparedness efforts for the cluster; ensure adequate cluster participation in cross-cluster early warning, contingency planning and emergency preparedness activities.
• Undertake capacity mapping and gap identification exercises to develop a capacity-development
• Participate in NLGI and WoS strategic program discussion on the planning of WASH programs/projects. Formulate, design and prepare programs/projects proposal for the sector, ensuring alignment with the overall UNICEF’s Strategic Plan and CCCs.
• Establish specific goals, objectives strategies and implementation plans for the WASH sector using results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare required documentation for program review and approval.
• Work closely and collaboratively with internal and external colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies and to determine priorities/competencies to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results.
• Provide authoritative technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes to ensure integration, coherence and harmonization of programs/projects with other UNICEF sectors and achievement of results as planned.

Impact of Results:

The strategic and effective advocacy, planning and formulation of WASH programs/projects and the achievement of sustainable results, contribute to achievement of goals and objectives. Achievements in WASH programs and projects, in turn, contribute to maintaining/enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to provide WASH services.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

The following minimum requirements:

• Education: An Advanced University Degree in engineering, social science field is required.

• Work Experience: minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in programme planning, management, and/or research in education at the international level, some of which, preferably in a developing country, is required.

Experience working in the UN system agency or UN organization is an asset. Familiarity with emergency response is an asset.

• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.

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: UNICEF Values.

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (2)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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 does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

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

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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 does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.