Temporary Appointment WASH Specialist in Health Care Facilities (HCF), P-3 Level NYHQ

The WASH in Health Care Facilities (HCF) Health Specialist (WASH in reports to the Senior Health Advisor (MNHQI) and works on a joint work plan agreed with and in consultation with the Senior WASH Advisor, Sanitation and Hygiene. To support the WASH and Health Sections in Programme Division to effectively provide technical advice to regional and country offices on programming for WASH in healthcare facilities and contribute to UNICEF’s global engagement on this agenda in integrative support of improving quality of care. The position will contribute to improved availability, quality and use of maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health services in health facilities, and improved infection control and therefore contribute to averting potential antibiotic resistance. The incumbent is required to interact with senior staff at global, regional and national levels, to communicate with critical internal and external stakeholders such as UNICEF ROs, COs, other divisions, independently with minimal supervision and guidance on issues that are highly visible and could have reputational risks for UNICEF if not effectively handled. High degree of independence and initiative is required for this post.

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

 For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Purpose of the Position

The WASH in Health Care Facilities (HCF) Health Specialist (WASH in  reports to the Senior Health Advisor (MNHQI) and works on a joint work plan agreed with and in consultation with the Senior WASH Advisor, Sanitation and Hygiene.

To support the WASH and Health Sections in Programme Division to effectively provide technical advice to regional and country offices on programming for WASH in healthcare facilities and contribute to UNICEF’s global engagement on this agenda in integrative support of improving quality of care. The position will contribute to improved availability, quality and use of maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health services in health facilities, and improved infection control and therefore contribute to averting potential antibiotic resistance.

The incumbent is required to interact with senior staff at global, regional and national levels, to communicate with critical internal and external stakeholders such as UNICEF ROs, COs, other divisions, independently with minimal supervision and guidance on issues that are highly visible and could have reputational risks for UNICEF if not effectively handled. High degree of independence and initiative is required for this post.

 Key Expected Results

1. Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health focused WASH in HCF programming interventions globally and countries implementing MNH quality of care initiatives; Improved regional and country office planning and programing for WASH in HCF.

2. Global, regional, national partnership for WASH in Healthcare Facilities strengthen/set-up with UNICEF support; Coordinated contributions from regions and countries towards shaping and leveraging global, regional and national advocacy and funding prioritization; Available information are use strategically to develop advocacy plan for WASH in HCF

3. Support provided to partners, regional and country offices for enhanced and up-take converging WASH in HCF programmes towards achievement of Health and WASH and HSDG goals

4. Enhanced Country and Regional capacity for the management and implementation of WASH in Healthcare Facilities. Improved documentation, learning an experience exchange.

5. Enhanced regional advocacy through strengthened partnerships, integration of  WASH in Maternal and Newborn Care and other relevant programme areas, and advocacy activities.

Key Accountabilities and Duties & Tasks 

The key results have an impact on the implementation of the new global WASH and Health Strategy, Priorities. The position also aids in strengthening cross sectoral collaboration amongst areas like health, gender, for ensuring safe WASH environment in healthcare facilities for quality maternal and newborn care. The results will also strengthen the capacity of country offices to develop their evidence based programmes for their WASH in Healthcare facilities for provision of quality maternal, newborn and adolescent health services.

1. Programme development, management and monitoring.

     •   As focal point for WASH in healthcare facilities, work collaboratively with, Health and WASH and other relevant colleagues to identify shared strategic objectives, seek programmatic integration and to define multi-sectoral Health and WASH programme ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s strategic plan.

     •   Support working group on multi-sectoral action for Quality of Care within Quality Equity Dignity across both maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health (MNCAH) and WASH. Develop consensus on guidelines, tools and methodologies and provide technical assistance to focus countries in coordination with regional offices and relevant sections and units in HQ.

     •    With other UNICEF sections and external support agencies, support analysis of national and subnational government WASH and Health and WASH sector programmes, support development of government policies where feasible and projects with a focus on WASH in health care facilities.

     •    Keep abreast of Health and WASH sector developments, for maximum efficiency and effectiveness in WASH in Health programme integration, design, management and implementation.

     •    Promote improve monitoring and reporting on WASH in healthcare facilities at subnational and country level through Health Management Information Systems (HMIS), UNICEF or partners monitoring and reporting systems.

2. Leveraging resources and partnership

     •    Build and strengthen strategic cross sectoral partnership internally and with UN agencies, donor agencies, NGOs, research institutes to stimulate coordination and collaboration for WASH in Healthcare Facilities (HCF) and ensure UNICEF’s position and priorities are considered and integrated in planning and agenda setting.

     •    In collaboration with the WHO/UNICEF JMP and other monitoring partners develop and disseminate harmonized frameworks for the collection, analysis and reporting of data to inform policy and programme development for WASH in HCF.

     •    Produce materials and evidence for WASH in HCF advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships and support fund-raising for MNCAH – WASH integrative projects. Support realization of implementation research and share lessons learned across regions and countries.

     •    Interact with Global, Regional and National initiatives and partnerships to advocate for WASH in Healthcare facilities, with particular emphasis on resource mobilization from global financing initiatives for health system strengthening like GFF, GAVI and GFATM etc.

3. Advisory and technical support

     •    As focal point for WASH in HCF participate in strategic discussions to influence Health and WASH policies and strategies, including program integration, reduction of inequalities and contribution to cross-sectoral learning.

     •    Provide advice and inputs in the area of WASH in Healthcare Facilities for the development of capacity building instruments including guidelines, manuals, implementation research  training programmes, etc.  for use by Health and WASH sectors.

     •    Coordinate and share with NGOs, UN Agencies, UNICEF regional and country offices best practices for WASH in Healthcare facilities for development of Health and WASH strategies

     •    Support technical advisors from the Regional offices and HQ, as and where appropriate in the Health and WASH programme, through remote support or on-site visits.

     •    Support QoC focus countries and intervention facilities for in-depth WASH assessments and capacity building for infection prevention and control.

4. Knowledge management and capacity building

     •    Provide guidance to implementation research, and support the implementation and documentation of WASH in Healthcare facilities actions research ensuring monitoring and wide sharing of results

     •    Contribute to learning platform for Quality, Equity and Dignity Network and internal UNICEF community team site and websites.

     •    Prepare / disseminate knowledge products, covering innovative approaches and good practices, to support overall cross sectoral Health and WASH development

     •    Participate as resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance stakeholders WASH in Healthcare facilities competencies

     •    Keep abreast of research and developments in the relevant sectors and provide advice on implications for policy development/ implementation, capacity building and support to country offices.

     •    Prepare and facilities webinar and represent UNICEF in various face to face and virtual events

5. Support to Regional  Health and WASH teams

     •     Provide assistance to Health and WASH regional teams, including the preparation of promotional and advocacy materials, support to sanitation and hygiene partnership activities

     •     Contribute to the development of donor proposals and donor report writing at RO and CO level

     •     Contribute to the Health and WASH regional teams’ agenda, work plan development and participate in relevant meetings to ensure inclusion of WASH in HCFs priorities

     •     Participate as the Health and WASH focal point in regional meetings/fora related to WASH in Healthcare facilities

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

     •    Advanced university degree in a relevant field such as public health, education, environmental health, social sciences and engineering (or equivalent experience in specific programming area – see below - will be considered)

     •    At least five years of solid responsible work experience in WASH programming in developing countries. Including at least two year focused specifically in the area of WASH in Healthcare facilities programming. Experience in multi-sectoral convergence and advocacy aspects of programming will be considered an asset.

     •    Background/familiarity with emergency operations and staff security.

     •    Fluency in English and French is a required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.

Competencies of Successful Candidate

  Core Values

      •    Commitment

      •    Diversity and inclusion

      •    Integrity

  Core competencies

       •    Communication (III)

       •    Working with people (II)

       •    Drive for results (II)

  Functional Competencies

       •    Analyzing (II)

       •    Relating and Networking (III)

       •    Applying Technical Expertise (II)

       •    Creating and Innovating (I)

       •    Planning and Organizing (II)          

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.