External Outreach to WASH in Emergencies Specialists (P3/P4) for UNICEF Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) for Eastern and Southern Africa

The purpose of this External announcement is to attract suitable WASH in Emergencies Specialists from outside the organization for inclusion in UNICEF's Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) roster for Eastern and Southern Africa region. The purpose of the RRM roster is to ensure that our regions' emergency staffing response is in line with the organization's strategic goals, by improving emergency staffing to support emergency preparedness and response through a predictable and coordinated approach to emergencies in sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, it is not a regular vacancy announcement but rather a campaign to attract candidates with emergency experience interested in short term emergency assignments with UNICEF.

Seeking external candidates only

Contract Type:           Temporary Appointment (TA) or Consultancy (SSA) at P-3/P-4/P-5 levels

Duration:                    3-6 months (Full time)

Location                     Countries based in Eastern and Southern Africa

Purpose 

The purpose of this External announcement is to attract suitable WASH in Emergencies Specialists from outside the organization for inclusion in UNICEF's Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) roster for Eastern and Southern Africa region. The purpose of the RRM roster is to ensure that our regions' emergency staffing response is in line with the organization's strategic goals, by improving emergency staffing to support emergency preparedness and response through a predictable and coordinated approach to emergencies in sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, it is not a regular vacancy announcement but rather a campaign to attract candidates with emergency experience interested in short term emergency assignments with UNICEF. 

This roster is comprised of both Internal and External staff who specialize in wide array of programmatic and operational areas. As future emergency needs are often difficult to predict, we need to ensure that we have sufficient Internal and External staffing capacity in the pipeline, in order to best respond to the needs in every emergency context. 

This announcement is targeting External candidates outside of UNICEF with interest in working in any of the countries within UNICEF's West and Central Africa region or UNICEF's East and Southern Africa region for the next 24 months. The countries within each region are listed on the following web site http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/index.html. 

We are currently looking for WASH in Emergencies Specialists, familiar with the needs of marginalized and vulnerable children and their families, in the following areas; 

• Sanitation Rural (Village & Camp settings)
• Water supply Rural (Village & Camp settings)
• WASH Programme implementation across different and complex situations, for example health, conflict, climate and population displacement -related
• WASH Cluster Coordination
• WASH Cluster Information Management
• Sanitation Urban
• Water supply Urban
• Hygiene promotion / community participation
• Water quality
• WASH in Schools
• WASH in Health Centers
• Needs assessment
• Emergency preparedness (Including contingency planning)

Candidates with suitable profiles in WASH in Emergencies will be placed in the RRM roster to be considered for short term (1-6 Months) emergency assignments in the region. Candidates will be responsible for periodically updating their profiles via e-Recruitment. Successful candidates who are being considered for emergency assignments at UNICEF will receive e-mail queries of interest and availability from the Regional HR team.

 Successful applicants will: 

• be based in countries in UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa region;
• be expected to deploy within 1 to 2 weeks from confirming interest and availability to UNICEF;
• be deployed on 1 to 6 month assignments on a Temporary Appointment (TA) or consultancy (SSA) contracts for external applicants

Key Expected Results

•  Accountable for the overall performance of UNICEF's response in the WASH sector and the accomplishment of WASH related CCCs.
• Represent UNICEF WASH Programme in national WASH coordination platform/sectoral cluster for the overall analysis of sectoral needs and priorities and the definition of strategies and standards to ensure the delivery of safe drinking water, safe excreta disposal facilities and promotion of safe hygiene practices to affected population, in accordance with national and international humanitarian standards.
• Accountable for the definition of UNICEF's response in the WASH sector (strategies, outcomes, target population) as per agreed standards and CCC's benchmarks. Ensure strategies, plans and capacities to reach target population with culturally appropriate and gender sensitive interventions are developed in coordination with other UNICEF's relevant sections and divisions, and implementing partners.
• Ensure Early Recovery and Disaster Risk informed approaches are integrated as components of UNICEF's response in the WASH sector.
• Ensure UNICEF WASH response supports community engagement, and as appropriate, for participation in planning, construction, operation and maintenance of WASH facilities and services, based on the identified needs and priorities and the local context.
• Ensure an effective monitoring plan is designed and implemented to follow up the implementation of UNICEF's response in the WASH sector, incorporating required changes into planned activities with special attention to specific needs of women, children and people with disabilities, as well as other cross-cutting areas.
• Accountable for WASH reporting in accordance with UNICEF's CCC based Humanitarian Performance Monitoring criteria.
• Within UNICEF, collaborate with:
  • Representative/Deputy Representative to provide technical and policy advice on WASH sectoral response and its strategies, planning, implementation and monitoring.
  • Other Programmes and Emergency Sections to ensure integration of UNICEF's response to the emergency, exploring opportunities for WASH to enhance the programmatic response in other sectors.
  • Operations and Supply Sections, as well as with government authorities and other implementing partners, to establish and maintain sound internal controls, to coordinate financial and supply management requirements and ensure accountability.
  • Programme Communication or Communication for Development sections to ensure the development of effective communication materials and strategies for advocacy, social mobilization and emergency programme implementation for the WASH sectoral response, as appropriate.
  • Communication and Fundraising sections to ensure WASH is properly reflected in UNICEF's external communications and explore opportunities to advocate for WASH specific needs, including interaction with donors.
  • Regional Advisors and/or Headquarters to allow appropriate flow of information and feedback on WASH sectoral response and its programming.
•  Interact with government and partners (including UN, Donors, NGOs, CSOs, etc.) in the different stages of the emergency programme implementation to follow up on cooperation agreements, recommendations and other UNICEF's commitments for the emergency response, including the development of national partners' capacity.
• Oversight and supervision of WASH in emergency staff, as well as financial accountability of funds related to the response in the WASH sector and human resources management.
• Accountable for the definition of UNICEF's engagement and contribution into cross-sectoral assessment, analysis and evaluations of the emergency response such as Damage Loss Assessment (DLA), Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA), etc.
• In close collaboration with the WASH team (emergency and non-emergency) and other sections, explore possibilities to strengthen UNICEF's WASH regular/development programme/intervention through recovery/reconstruction/stabilization activities.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

Education

Advanced university degree in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Public Health, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Geology, Hydrology, Sanitation Engineering, or a field relevant to international WASH related development assistance. Additional training in Health Education or Communication for Development (Programme Communication), an asset.

Work Experience

• A minimum of 5 years of progressively professional experience in the UN or other international development organization, national government or the private sector.
• Field work experience.
• Background/familiarity with Emergency (preparedness and response) and the IASC Cluster approach.
• Experience working with government agencies, local authorities, international organizations, NGOs and communities in the field of water, sanitation and participatory approaches in health and hygiene promotion.
• Experience in both development and humanitarian contexts is an added advantage.
• Specialized training/experience in emergency response management highly desirable.
• At least two (2) years of substantive relevant experience in emergency countries dealing with major natural and humanitarian emergencies required.
• Familiarity with the UN system is desired.
• Experience of working with UNICEF is highly desirable.

Language proficiency

French is required for work in French-speaking countries, and English is highly desirable

English is required for work in English-speaking countries, and French is highly desirable

Portuguese and English are required for work in Portuguese-speaking countries