WASH Officer will manage the Kyiv city emergency portfolio including water utility rehabilitation, heating system restoration, and WASH infrastructure in schools and healthcare facilities. Technical responsibilities include external works supervision, quality control for complex infrastructure, compliance documentation for zero-risk tolerance donors, and coordination with municipal authorities and service providers. The position provides flexible support to field operations through deployment during capacity shortfalls and remote technical assistance for engineering challenges. Rapid response to infrastructure attacks - particularly life-threatening heating failures during winter - requires immediate technical assessment and mobilization coordination.
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For every child, hope
Join WASH team at UNICEF Ukraine
How can you make a difference?
The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the Organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in 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 favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give more children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.
Job organizational context: This WASH Officer position is established within UNICEF Ukraine Country Office where WASH is a substantial component of the Country Programme operating under active conflict conditions. The WASH Officer reports to the WASH Specialist (NOC, Post 120446).
In Ukraine, UNICEF works with the government and other partners to contribute to national efforts to enable all children and adolescents in Ukraine, especially those in the most vulnerable situations, to have their rights progressively fulfilled and to develop to their full potential in an inclusive and protective environment. In line with the Government of Ukraine National Priorities and strategies, and the current UNICEF Strategic Plan in Ukraine, the country programme of cooperation aims to achieve equitable outcomes for the most in need and hardest-to-reach children.
Centralized and decentralized water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services and infrastructure, as well as district heating systems, have been systematically damaged leaving millions of people without access to safe water and adequate heating. Furthermore, displacement is leading to emerging water, sanitation and hygiene needs, especially in communal shelters and collective centers.
Lack of water, sanitation, heat, and electricity, and fear of death have caused children and their families to flee to other affected areas or to seek refuge in places lacking basic WASH services. Similarly, institutions, and especially health care services and schools, cannot function properly, increasing the risk that children will not receive adequate care and education. In addition, the destruction of wastewater treatment facilities continues to contaminate the environment, increasing long-term health risks.
The 2026 WASH Humanitarian Action for Children totals USD 117 million, representing one of UNICEF's largest emergency WASH responses globally. This portfolio addresses the consequences of systematic attacks on critical water and heating infrastructure through rehabilitation works, emergency supplies, and rapid response mechanisms across multiple oblasts.
Purpose of the job:
The position is based in Kyiv and provides technical support for emergency WASH programming in the Central Region, particularly in Kyiv city, and also in frontline regions, being deployable anywhere we need on need basis to address technical capacity gaps as they occur.
The Officer will also provide roving technical support to field-based WASH teams experiencing capacity gaps due to absences, resignations, or surge requirements during emergency response periods. This includes on-site deployment to field offices when human resources deficits occur and remote technical assistance for complex engineering challenges.
The Officer will manage a substantial emergency portfolio addressing infrastructure rehabilitation in water utilities, district heating systems, schools, healthcare facilities, and collective centers affected by systematic attacks on critical civilian infrastructure. A such, the WASH Officer provides technical, operational and administrative support for emergency WASH programming; she/he will manage implementation of infrastructure rehabilitation projects, conducts external works supervision, provides technical backstopping to field teams, and ensures compliance with donor requirements including BHA, ECHO, and FCDO frameworks.
The position requires engineering expertise for quality assurance of complex infrastructure works under active conflict conditions, including water supply systems, wastewater treatment, and district heating rehabilitation.
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
Programme development and planning
1- Programme development and planning
2- Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results
3- Technical and operational support for programme implementation
4- Humanitarian WASH preparedness and response
5- Networking and partnership building
6- Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
1. Programme Development and Planning
Draft technical reports and inputs for WASH programme preparation and documentation. Prepare Bills of Quantities, technical drawings, and specifications for infrastructure rehabilitation works. Contribute to development of WASH-related outcome and output results through analysis of sector needs and priorities.
2. Programme Management, Monitoring and Delivery of Results
Conduct technical supervision and monitoring of construction and rehabilitation works. Monitor and report on use of programme resources, verify compliance with organizational rules, regulations, and donor commitments including BHA, FCDO, ECHO requirements. Participate in programme reviews and coordination meetings with government counterparts. Prepare sectoral progress reports for management, donors and partners.
3. Technical and Operational Support for Programme Implementation
Manage Kyiv city emergency portfolio including infrastructure rehabilitation in water utilities, district heating systems, schools, healthcare facilities, and collective centers. Conduct external works supervision and quality assurance. Deploy to field offices across filed offices to fill critical capacity gaps during staff absences, resignations, or emergency surge requirements. Provide remote technical assistance to field teams for complex engineering challenges. Provide technical support to government counterparts, NGO partners, and UN system partners on UNICEF policies and best practices in WASH.
4. Humanitarian WASH Preparedness and Response
Lead rapid emergency response to infrastructure attacks in Kyiv, Central Region, and in other oblasts as required, including energy and heating system failures during winter months. Coordinate emergency interventions in water utilities, wastewater systems, and district heating companies. Maintain contingency plans for infrastructure rehabilitation. Deploy to oblasts experiencing acute crises or infrastructure attacks requiring immediate technical intervention. Study and fully understand UNICEF procedures for responding in emergencies.
5. Networking and Partnership Building
Build and sustain close working partnerships with government counterparts and national stakeholders. Draft communication and information materials for WASH programme advocacy. Participate in inter-agency meetings on coordination. Prepare resource mobilization materials for fundraising and partnership development.
6. Innovation, Knowledge Management and Capacity Building
Assist in development and documentation of WASH action research and innovation. Assist in preparation of learning and knowledge products covering innovative approaches and good practices. Participate as resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance competencies of stakeholders.
Impact of Results
The support provided by the WASH Officer enables the country office to achieve WASH-related output results for emergency infrastructure rehabilitation in Central Region and Kyiv city. The Officer's work directly protects children's rights to safe water, sanitation, and heated spaces during winter months in conflict-affected areas.
The Officer's management of the Kyiv city emergency portfolio and external works supervision across Central Region ensures adequate technical quality assurance for infrastructure works affecting thousands of children in schools, healthcare facilities, and collective centers. Proper quality control protects donor resources and maintains UNICEF reputation with government counterparts and humanitarian funding partners.
The roving technical support function prevents programme failures due to capacity gaps, ensuring continuity of emergency response operations across multiple oblasts serving vulnerable children. By deploying to field offices during staff absences or emergency surge periods, the Officer maintains programme quality and delivery even under challenging conditions. Emergency response coordination for infrastructure attacks, particularly heating system failures, directly prevents child morbidity and mortality during sub-zero winter temperatures when heating disruptions threaten child survival.
The Officer's compliance management for BHA, ECHO, and FCDO frameworks ensures continued resource mobilization for emergency operations serving children. When done effectively, achievement of outcome results improves child survival, growth and development, and reduces inequalities between conflict-affected and non-affected populations in Ukraine..
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
Education:
- University degree in one of the following fields is required: civil engineering, environmental engineering, sanitary engineering, water resources engineering, or another relevant technical engineering field.
Advanced degree (Master’s or equivalent) is an asset.
Work Experience:
- A minimum of two years of professional work experience in WASH-related programmes is required. Experience in emergency WASH response, infrastructure rehabilitation, external works supervision, and familiarity with humanitarian contexts is highly desirable
- Strong understanding of humanitarian programme cycle management, emergency response protocols, and multi-donor compliance frameworks is an asset
- Experience with district heating systems, water utility emergency response, or infrastructure rehabilitation under active conflict is highly desirable.
- Prior experience working in the UN and/or other international development or humanitarian organizations is an asset.
Language Requirements:
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Fluency in Ukrainian and good professional level in English is required.
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.
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We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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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’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable womenare encouraged to apply.
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This position is based in Kyiv and the incumbent will be expected be work on-site. However, depending on the security conditions and advisory, s/he will be required to relocate within Ukraine.