UNICEF Sierra Leone is seeking to hire a national or international consultant to undertake a Programme Review of the integrated climate resilient WASH and livelihoods programme in rural fishing communities, covering the full period of implementation from 2023 to mid 2026 and informing the remaining implementation period through 2027.
UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.
At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.
UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture., coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.
Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.
For every child, the right to [insert tagline]
Please access UNICEF Sierra Leone information here and here
How can you make a difference?
Purpose of Activity/Assignment:
The purpose of this consultancy is to undertake a Programme Review of the integrated climate‑resilient WASH and livelihoods programme in rural fishing communities, covering the full period of implementation from 2023 to mid‑2026 and informing the remaining implementation period through 2027. The review will provide an objective, independent and analytical assessment of the extent to which the programme is delivering its intended results for children, women and fishing households, with particular emphasis on service quality, functionality, utilisation, sustainability and climate resilience.
The consultancy will generate practical, evidence‑based and prioritised recommendations to support course correction, programme optimisation and improved delivery during the remaining implementation period, including options to address delays or strengthen outcomes without additional financial implications. It will also assess whether the underlying theory of change, assumptions and implementation modalities remain relevant in the evolving operational and environmental context, and whether adjustments are required to maximise impact and sustainability.
Also, the review will assess how effectively climate resilience could be incorporated into both infrastructure/services and community systems, and whether communities are better able to anticipate and respond to environmental shocks. It will also consider the efficiency of programme delivery, including the use of resources, implementation delays, and opportunities to enhance value for money. Partnerships and governance arrangements will form another important dimension of the analysis, with a focus on government ownership, coordination with partners, and the effectiveness of implementation modalities.
The consultancy will be open to both national and international consultants. In line with UNICEF’s commitment to strengthening national capacity, preference will be given to a qualified national consultant where technical qualifications, experience and demonstrated capacity are assessed to be equal.
Methodology
The review will adopt a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative and qualitative data to provide a comprehensive and balanced assessment. The review will be conducted in close consultation with the Iceland Embassy-Freetown, the WASH section, Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Ministry of Fisheries and implementing NGOs.
The review will cover all 17 target communities across both phases of implementation and will examine progress from programme inception in 2023 to mid-2026. While it will assess progress against the defined outputs and outcomes in the results framework, the analysis will extend beyond coverage figures to consider how services are functioning in practice and how they are being used by communities.
Attention will be given to the quality and sustainability of WASH infrastructure, including whether systems are functional, maintained and resilient to climate-related risks. The review will explore whether behaviour change efforts have been adequate to be translated into sustained hygiene practices and reduced open defecation or more rigors are needed, and whether community-level structures such as WASH committees are effectively managing services.
Work assignment, deliverables and timeline.
- Desk review of programme documentation, monitoring data, and relevant technical and financial records. Deliverable: First draft of Review report. June 1-15
- Key informant interviews with national‑level stakeholders and Field Visits for focus group discussion. Deliverable: Community-level information and opinions about the project. June 16-30
- Preparation and submission of a draft review report based on the analysis and triangulation of quantitative and qualitative findings. Deliverable: Analysed data and a draft review report. July
40% payment upon completion of deliverables 1-3
- National‑level stakeholder review and validation workshop to discuss findings, refine recommendations, and agree on priorities. Deliverable: A report with recommendations widely validated by key sector players. July
- Finalisation of the review report and preparation of a presentation for UNICEF, the Government of Sierra Leone and the Government of Iceland. Deliverable: A final Review Report for presentation to UNICEF, government and the donor community. Draft report end July. Final report Mid-August
60% payment upon completion of deliverables 4&5
If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: 
Terms of Reference for the Iceland Project Consultant.pdf
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
Education:
Advanced university degree in WASH, Public Health, Environmental Engineering, Climate Change, Environmental Sciences, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or a closely related field.
Note that: *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
Work Experience:
Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience
- Proven track record in:
- Programme evaluations, strategic reviews, assessments, or learning exercises
- Design, implementation or review of WASH programmes, particularly in rural, fragile or climate‑exposed contexts
- Demonstrated experience with climate‑resilient services and infrastructure, sustainability, and systems strengthening
- Experience working with UNICEF, UN agencies, development partners, governments or INGOs is a strong asset
Technical Expertise
Strong knowledge of:
- Mixed‑methods evaluation and review methodologies (qualitative and quantitative)
- Assessment of service quality, functionality, utilisation and sustainability (beyond coverage)
- Community‑based programming, behaviour change approaches and institutional arrangements
Experience assessing:
- Multi‑sectoral and integrated programmes (WASH, health, education/ECD, livelihoods, community resilience)
- Partnerships, governance, government ownership and accountability
- Implementation bottlenecks, efficiency and value for money
Language Requirements:
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Krio and other local languages of Sierra Leone is considered as an asset.
Desirables:
Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts. (This criteria is essential as a desirable and should be included in all job postings.)
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…
(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
Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.
UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.
UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.
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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
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 is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable [Insert candidates from targeted underrepresented groups] are encouraged to apply.
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.
Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.
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.