For every child, health 

Nicaragua’s geographic location and susceptibility to climate change make it particularly prone to natural disasters. These events tend to have a disproportionate impact on the country’s most impoverished populations, as well as on its productive industries, education, health, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) systems. The poorest and most remote departments of the “Dry Corridor” and the Caribbean Coast are the most vulnerable to these phenomena and are also home to the majority of Nicaragua’s indigenous and afrodescendent population.

Nicaragua has taken steps to minimize the impact of climate change through its National Policy on Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation. However, there are still challenges that need to be addressed, such as (a) strengthening the capacities of municipal and community humanitarian response and assistance brigades; (b) implementing climate-resilient WASH safety plans; and (c) enhancing the involvement of children and adolescents in social and behavioural change actions for climate action. For this reason, a new WASH and Climate Change Programme Component has been established in the new CP 2024-2028. With this new component, will promote a coordinated effort across sectors to enhance the resilience of children, adolescents and families to the effects of the climate crisis. The component also aims to improve their access to safe, sustainable and inclusive WASH services, with a focus on the Caribbean Coast and the Dry Corridor. UNICEF will work to make the WASH sector more climate-resilient by providing support to strengthen the institutions linked to the sector.

How can you make a difference?

The WASH Specialist (WASH & Climate Change) reports to the Deputy Representative for general guidance and direction. The Specialist is responsible for managing and supervising all stages of the WASH and Climate Change programme from strategic planning and formulation to the delivery of the WASH and Climate Change outcome and output results. The Specialist is accountable for ensuring that the WASH and Climate Change outcome and outputs results are achieved according to plans, allocations, results-based-management approaches and methodology, UNICEF’s Strategic Plan, standards of performance and accountability framework. The Specialist provides technical leadership and management support throughout the programming processes, to develop and facilitate the administration and achievement of the WASH and Climate Change related outcome and output results as well as collaborate with other sectors for the
implementation of the multi-sectoral programming in the country office.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

1. Managerial leadership:

Establish the annual work plan, determining priorities and performance measurements. Monitor workplan implementation, to ensure that WASH and Climate Change output results are achieved to schedule and performance standards. Report critical issues to the Deputy Representative and Representative for timely action.
Establish the annual workplan outputs, activities and developmental priorities of the WASH and Climate Change section staff.
Manage the WASH and Climate Change teams building and motivation. Signal potential conflicts and take preventive action, in coordination with Human Resources staff.

2. Programme development and planning:

Prepare the WASH and Climate Change inputs for the situation analysis. Provide comprehensive and current data to inform WASH and Climate Change policy and programme development, planning, management and implementation. Keep abreast of global, regional and national WASH sector and Climate Change thematic groups developments, for maximum efficiency and effectiveness in WASH and Climate Change programme design, management and implementation.
Participate in strategic WASH and Climate Change related programme planning discussions. Prepare WASH and Climate change donor proposals, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s Strategic Plan, UNICEF’s thematic strategies and guidelines, the country programme, as well as government plans and priorities, and the role of other external support agencies.
Assist in the formulation of the WASH and Climate Change 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 WASH and Climate Change output results in the country programme.
Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes and ensure integration, coherence and harmonization of WASH and Climate Change with other UNICEF sectors, for the achievement of the WASH and Climate Change output results.
Ensure that UNICEF engagement in climate and environment is well coordinated within and outside UNICEF and that UNICEF progressively integrates climate resilience into programs and develop funding proposals that are based on sound risk assessments and strong climate rationale.

3. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results:
Manage overall WASH and Climate Change programming, including monitoring and evaluation, programme reviews and annual sectoral reviews with government and other partners and prepare reports for CO management.
Prepare documentation for programme reviews and analytical statements on progress and constraints of WASH outcome and output results.
Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes for the achievement of the WASH and Climate Change output results. Ensure effective collaboration with other UNICEF sectors, where needed.
With other external support agencies, analyze national government WASH sector programmes and projects, with a focus on WASH outcomes (behaviors), using bottleneck analysis tools available in the sector.
Monitor, report and certify 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.
Ensure timely donor reporting, negotiate any changes required to agreements with donors in a timely manner. Ensure systems are in place for HACT compliance.

4. Technical and operational support for programme implementation:
Actively monitor UNICEF-supported activities through field visits, surveys, 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 partners and other country office partners/donors on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices in WASH and Climate Change, to support programme implementation.
Plan for use of technical experts from the Regional Office and HQ, as and where appropriate in the WASH and Climate Change programme, through remote support and on-site visits.
Participate in WASH and Climate Change programme meetings, to review progress, with government, other sector agencies and implementation partners, involved at various stages of WASH and Climate Change programme implementation, to provide expert advice and guidance.
Draft policy papers, briefs and other strategic materials for use by management, donors, UNICEF regional offices and headquarters.

5. Humanitarian WASH preparedness and response:
Prepare requisitions for supplies, services, long-term agreements and partnership agreements to ensure UNICEF is prepared to deliver on its commitments for WASH in case of an emergency.
Contribute to the coordination arrangement for humanitarian WASH, for instant robust coordination in case of an emergency.
Ensure that all UNICEF WASH staff are familiar with UNICEF’s procedures for responding in an emergency.
Take up support roles in emergency response and early recovery, as and when the need arises.

6. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
Lead the development, implementation, monitoring and documentation of WASH and Climate Change action research and innovation (technical or systems).
Prepare learning/knowledge products, covering innovative approaches and good practices, to support overall WASH and Climate Change sectors development.
Create and deliver learning opportunities for UNICEF WASH and Climate Change teams, to ensure our sector capacity remains up-to-date with latest developments.
Contribute to the systematic assessment of WASH and Climate Change sectors 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.

The WASH Specialist (WASH & Climate Change) will provide the leadership needed to enable the Country Office to achieve the WASH and Climate Change-related output results of the country programme. This, in turn, will contribute to the achievement of the outcome results of the Country Programme Document. When done effectively, the achievement of the outcome results will improve child survival, growth and development and reduce inequalities in the country.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master´s or higher) in recognized university in one of the following fields is required: WASH-related and environment, climate change, public health, social sciences, sanitary engineering or another relevant technical field.
• Additional relevant post-graduate courses that complement/supplement the main degree are required.
• Experience: a minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional work experience at the national and international levels in programme/project development, focused on developing countries in areas related to development cooperation in WASH, climate change adaptation and mitigation, environment and socio-economic development.
• Familiar with children’s rights and gender in the context of climate change adaptation and mitigation. One year of deployment in a developing country is required.
• Proven ability to effectively lead a team to deliver results is required.
• HUMANITARIAN: at least one year of work in humanitarian situations, including one three-month mission deployment (with UNGovt-INGO) is a strong asset.
• Fluency in English and Spanish are required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian) 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

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 (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.

Remarks:

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is:a role with direct contact with children, works directly with children, is a safeguarding response role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) applies.

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

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 are also 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 cancelled.

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.

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.

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