WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) Officer

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, advocacy and operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favouritism to the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life.

UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential.

The WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) Officer reports to the WASH Officer. The WASH Officer (UNV) provides technical, operational and administrative assistance to implement the activities under the Work Plans (WPs) with the Ministry of Energy (MoEng) and/or Ministry of Health & Medical Education (MoHME).

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of WASH Officer or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer will provide support to following tasks:

1. Programme development and planning

• Research and analyze regional/national political, WASH, health, and social and economic development trends. Collect, analyze, verify and synthesize information to facilitate programme development, design and preparation.
• Draft technical reports and inputs for programme preparation and documentation, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and relevance of information.
• Assist in the development/establishment of WASH-related output results, as well as related strategies, through analysis of WASH sector needs and priorities.
• Provide technical and administrative support throughout all stages of programming processes by executing/administering a variety of technical programme transactions, preparing materials/documentations, complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support progress towards the WASH-related output results in the Country Programme.
• Draft required documentations/materials to facilitate review and approval processes.

2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results (linked to MoEng & MoHME WPs)

• Work collaboratively with colleagues and partners to collect/analyze/ share information on implementation issues, suggest solutions on programme implementation and alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level interventions and/or decisions. Keep records of reports and assessments for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned.
• Assist in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sectoral reviews with government and other counterparts and contribute to reports on results for required action/interventions at the higher level of programme management.
• Contribute to monitoring and reporting on the use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets), verifying 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.
• Contribute to preparation of the sectoral progress reports for management, donors and partners.


3. Technical and operational support for programme implementation (linked to MoEng & MoHME WPs)

• Undertake field visits, surveys, and contribute to collecting and sharing reports with partners/stakeholders and contribute to needs assessments. Report critical issues, bottlenecks and potential problems to supervisor, for timely action.
• 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.

4. Humanitarian WASH preparedness and response

• Draft 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.
• Study and fully understand UNICEF’s procedures for responding in an emergency.
• Take up support roles in an emergency response and early recovery, as and when the need arises.

5. Networking and partnership building

• Support coordinating with members of the development community, including INGOs, UN and other agencies/organizations in the exchange of information relating to the WASH sector. Contributing to managing and leading the WASH working group in support of IASC (Inter agency Standing Committee) during preparedness and response to emergencies
• Contribute to building and sustaining close working partnerships with government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate programme implementation and contribute to building capacity of stakeholders to achieve WASH output results.
• Draft communication and information materials for WASH programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fund-raising for WASH.
• Research information on potential donors and draft resource mobilization materials and briefs for fund raising and partnership development purposes.

6. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building (linked to MoEng & MoHME WPs)

• Assist in the development, implementation, monitoring and documentation of WASH action research and innovation (technical or systems).
• Assist in the preparation of learning/knowledge products, covering innovative approaches and good practices, to support WASH programme implementation.
• Assist in creating and delivering learning opportunities for UNICEF WASH staff, to ensure our sector capacity remains up to date with latest developments.
• Participate in capacity building initiatives to contribute to enhancing the competencies of clients/stakeholders.