WASH Specialist (Emergency Response Team), P-4, NYHQ

Under the overall direction of WASH Senior Advisor, responsible for support to development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of UNICEF's emergency preparedness and response in activities and results related to WASH

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

For every child, a future

Along with food and shelter, safe water and sanitation are the highest priority interventions in emergency situations. Unless adequate water and sanitation services are quickly provided to emergency-affected children and their families, disease and death will follow. And unless good hygiene is consistently practiced by affected people, the danger of diarrhoea, cholera and other disease outbreaks will persist. This is true in all types of emergencies, from rapid onset natural disasters to long-term crises caused by a range of complex factors.

As Emergencies affect children around the world, UNICEF responds with a package of water, sanitation and hygiene interventions. Response programmes range from rapid and limited interventions in acute emergencies – such as the distribution of water purification tablets and family water kits during floods and earthquakes – to comprehensive long-term interventions in complex emergencies.

How can you make a difference?

Under the overall direction of WASH Senior Advisor, responsible for support to development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of UNICEF's emergency preparedness and response in activities and results related to WASH; ensuring overall efficiency, effectiveness and delivery of results in accordance with UNICEF's (CCCs) and national and international humanitarian standards.

This includes working with Headquarters, Regional and Country offices in developing plans and activities to strengthen UNICEF's capacity to deliver effective WASH support in emergency situations, provision of technical assistance to Regional Offices and Country Offices so that there is adequate and appropriate support, both in addressing acute emergencies and in programming to mitigate the WASH impact of chronic and complex emergencies; and contributing to improved approaches and systems for emergency WASH response within UNICEF. Primary focus of work will be in Level 3 emergencies.

This position will provide expertise on cholera and other public health emergencies.

When deployed to affected country offices, responsible for supporting the Country team by providing guidance and direction on emergency WASH issues and ensuring implementation of high impact WASH interventions in acute and chronic emergencies as outlined in UNICEF's technical guidelines. The incumbent will be exposed to difficult working conditions, limited infrastructure, stressful situations and long working hours.

The key functions include:

• Situation analysis and strengthening of WASH information systems;
• Strategy and capacity development;
• Identification of human and other resourcing needs;
• Promotion of partnerships and networks;
• Monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the emergency response;
• Ongoing technical support;
• Improving UNICEF's emergency response systems and emergency preparedness

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Public Health, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Geology, Hydrology, Sanitation Engineering, or a field relevant to international WASH related development/emergency assistance.

*A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.

• A minimum of eight of relevant professional experience in the UN or other international development organization, national government or the private sector.
• Experience in outbreak settings required; Cholera expertise desired.
• Demonstrable epidemiology experience.
• Field work experience in emergency contexts.
• Experience in Emergency settings (preparedness and response) and the IASC Cluster approach desired.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (French or Arabic preferred) is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

Our core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

This position is classified as “rotational” which means the incumbent is expected to rotate to another duty station upon completion of their tour of duty.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.