WASH Specialist, P-4, Amman

Purpose of the Position

You will provide timely advices and support to country offices in MENA region on their WASH development regular programmes, humanitarian programmes and WASH Cluster accountability. In coordination with other programme components, you will assist in developing strategies, plans and activities in the areas of drinking water supply, environmental sanitation and hygiene. You will provide expert advice, analysis and technical support to the regional and country offices on policies, operations, evaluation tools related to the above areas. You will support UNICEF country programme cooperation; and organize/facilitate capacity-building activities for the country office staff, key government counterparts, and WASH Cluster partners.

Key Expected Results
1. You will map regional and country policies, operational strategies and best governance in the area of WASH. Identify and address policy/strategy gaps and advise country offices in accordance with global priorities and best practice. Collect, analyze and share these best practices and support COs with tested methodologies and resources (such roster of consultants and centers of excellence, contact with donors) in order to address Policy and Sector gaps and strengthen WASH institutions.

2. Improve humanitarian Clusters/Sectors WASH preparedness and response through mapping Clusters/Sectors capacities and providing guidance, tools and training. This capacity building should be based on Cluster/Sector demand, on “capacity and gaps” needs assessment and aligned with the Cluster Approach.

3. You will provide technical assistance and support to COs in order to improve their capacity for working in water supply and sanitation, with emphasis on sustainable and affordable services to vulnerable communities and vulnerable groups within communities, and access to child-friendly facilities in schools. Support COs in addressing gaps in the sanitation and hygiene sectors in MENA countries. Identify, compile, analyse and document key field experience and lessons learned on sanitation and hygiene promotion. Promote best practices in the area of sanitation and hygiene through various means such inter-office exchanges, sub-national/national/regional training and workshop events. Ensure sanitation and hygiene are given priority in key documents (CPAP, CP, AWP, proposals …)

4. Support COs to address adequate water supply and sanitation services in humanitarian crisis in line with our Core Commitments for Children in Emergencies.
This assignment requires:
• analysis of existing level of COs preparedness (through existing tools),
• periodical peer review of the EPRPs,
• Support to the CO Emergency focal points and the CO WASH officers in the implementation of the preparedness activities including internal capacity building, advices on arrangements with humanitarian implementing partners, type, quantity and prepositioning of supplies.
5. You will promote / ensure COs make use of tested and proven appropriate methodologies and interventions driving towards behavioural change at community and family level using Community Approaches for Total Sanitation (CATS), Participation Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation methodologies(PHAST), Children’s Hygiene Sanitation Training (CHAST), social marketing, and other relevant and innovative approaches adapted to MENA countries. Provide COs with relevant guidance, training and exchanges opportunities, resources, and all other supports required in order to address gaps. Promote the integration of hygiene and sanitation and scaling up of hygienic practices in communities.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate
Advanced university degree in water resource management, environmental studies or similar discipline.

Eight years progressively responsible work experience in the planning and management of water, environment and sanitation programmes. Experience in developing countries an asset. Experience in WASH cluster coordination mechanism an asset.

Fluency in English and another UN language required. Knowledge of the local language of the duty station is an asset.

Competencies of Successful Candidate
Communicates effectively to varied audiences, including during formal public speaking.

Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.

Sets high standards for quality of work and consistently achieves project goals.

Has good leadership and supervisory skills; co-ordinates group activities, ensuring that roles within the team are clear.

Analyzes and integrates diverse and complex quantitative and qualitative data from a wide range of sources.

Identifies urgent and potentially difficult decisions and acts on them promptly; initiates and generates team- and department-wide activities.

Translates strategic direction into plans and objectives.

Quickly builds rapport with individuals and groups; maintains an effective network of individuals across organizational departments.

Demonstrates, applies and shares expert technical knowledge across the organization.

Remarks
Post is effective on 1 January 2011 and will have one year duration.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and gender equality in its workplace. Women and nationals of developing countries are strongly encouraged to apply.

If you want a challenging career while improving the lives of children around the world UNICEF, the leading children’s rights organization, would like to hear from you.

Visit us at www.unicef.org/about/employ to register in our new e-Recruitment system and apply to this and other vacancies, quoting E-VN-2010-001795. Applications must be received by 20 August 2010.

Please note that only candidates who are under serious consideration will be contacted.

In the selection of its staff, UNICEF is committed to gender balance and diversity without distinction as to race, sex or religion, and without discrimination of persons with disabilities: well qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.