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The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, UNICEF, is hiring a WASH (Water) Specialist for Maputo.
Description
The WASH (Water) Specialist reports to the Chief WASH (P5) for general guidance and direction. The WASH Specialist supports the Chief in managing the WASH section, and in leading the development, preparation, management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the WASH programme within the country programme. The WASH Specialist will be responsible for managing the implementation of Water Supply in rural areas and Small towns related activities within the UNICEF Mozambique WASH programme, including the planning, monitoring and reporting associated to these activities as well as the management of the team through which implementation is being done, as well as the coordination with Government counterparts and other implementing partners. With special focus on the above, the WASH Specialist provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes, to ensure the achievement of the WASH-related output results in the country programme. The WASH Specialist provides advisory services to government and sector support agencies and interacts with government at senior levels and with senior staff in cooperation partners, including Donors, Cooperation Agencies, International Development Banks among others.
Responsabilities
Management support to the Chief of WASH
- Advise the Chief of WASH in establishing the annual work plan and annual workplan outputs, activities and developmental priorities of WASH section staff, determining priorities and performance measurements. Monitor workplan implementation, to ensure that WASH output results are achieved to schedule and performance standards. Report critical issues to the Chief of WASH for timely action;
- Provide technical advice to WASH section staff on all aspects of programming and implementation;
- Perform the full duties of the Chief of WASH in his/her absence.
Programme development and planning
- Provide comprehensive and current data to inform WASH policy and programme development, planning, management and implementation. Keep abreast of WASH sector developments, for maximum efficiency and effectiveness in WASH programme design, management and implementation;
- Work collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss national WASH priorities, resources, strategies and methodologies to ensure the most strategic use of the collective resources of external support agencies;
- Participate in strategic WASH programme planning discussions and the formulation of the WASH outcome and output results, related indicators, baselines, targets and means of verification, ensuring alignment with the UNICEF’s Strategic Plan, UNICEF’s global WASH strategy and the country programme as well as government plans and priorities, and the role of other WASH external support agencies;
- Prepare WASH donor proposals, ensuring alignment with the WASH output results in the country programme.
Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results
- Draft 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 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, strategic prioritization and mobilization of resources, including the use of innovative financing mechanisms, analysis tools available in the sector at regional and global level;
- Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sectoral reviews with government and other partners and prepare reports for the Chief of WASH and CO management;
- 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. Report issues to the Chief of WASH, for timely resolution;
- Prepare sectoral progress reports for management, donors and partners;
Advisory services and technical support
- Participate in strategic discussions to influence national WASH policies and strategies, including the reduction of inequalities, contributing global sector learning;
- Advise senior officials in government, NGOs, UN agencies and WASH sector donor agencies on WASH policies, strategies and best practices;
- Draft policy papers, briefs and other strategic materials for use by management, donors, UNICEF regional offices and headquarters;
- Plan for the use of technical experts from the Regional Office and HQ, as and where appropriate in the WASH programme, through remote support and on-site visits.
Advocacy, networking and partnership building
- Build and strengthen strategic partnerships with government counterparts, UN agencies, donor agencies and development financing institutions, NGOs, research institutes and the private sector to stimulate coordination and collaboration;
- Support analysis of national budgets for WASH, cost analysis and value-for-money studies, to advocate for improvements in sector efficiency and leveraging of increased financial resources;
- Produce materials for WASH programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships and support fund-raising;
- Participate in inter-agency discussions, ensuring that UNICEF’s position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the planning and agenda setting;
- Interact with global and regional initiatives and partnerships for WASH.
Humanitarian WASH preparedness and response
- Support UNICEF’s preparedness for WASH in emergencies;
- Support the establishment of coordination arrangements 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 leadership/managerial role in an emergency response and early recovery, as and when the need arises.
Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
- Manage the implementation, monitoring and documentation of WASH action research and innovation (technical or systems), ensuring rigorous monitoring and wide sharing of results;
- Prepare learning/knowledge products, covering innovative approaches and good practices, to support overall WASH sector development;
- Support the professional development of UNICEF WASH staff, to ensure our sector capacity remains up-to-date with latest developments;
- Initiate and contribute to the systematic assessment of WASH sector capacity gap analysis, in collaboration with government and other stakeholders, and support the design of initiatives to strengthen capacities systematically;
- Participate as a resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders.
Education
- An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: Civil engineering, Hydrogeology, and or water and sanitation engineering or another relevant technical field;
- Additional relevant post-graduate courses that complement/supplement the main degree is required.
Work Experience
- DEVELOPMENTAL: A minimum of eight years of professional experience in WASH-related programmes for developing countries is required. Small towns / urban WASH experience is required;
- Experience in both development and humanitarian contexts is an added advantage;
- At least one year of deployment in a developing country is required;
- Relevant experience in programme management in WASH related areas in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset;
- Meet UNICEF’s core values and competency areas.
Language Requirements
- Fluency in English and a Latin language. Fluency in Portuguese or a Latin language is a strong asset.