WASH Officer NO-A, Tapachula, Chiapas, (Temp Appointment)

The objective of this assignment is to be able to support the WASH program for the migration response in Tapachula (state of Chiapas). The officer will provide technical and administrative assistance in identifying water, sanitation, and hygiene needs in migrant shelters and will accompany the implementation and monitoring of actions, such as the construction or installation of infrastructure and capacity building for hygiene promotion and distribution of supplies and hygiene kits. This will be done jointly with public institutions and civil society, in conjunction with the UNICEF field team, under the supervision of the Chief Field Office, Chief of Education, the Emergency Education Specialist and following the technical guidelines of the WASH Specialist in Mexico.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child,

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, advocacy, and 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. 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 a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give more children the opportunity to fulfil their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. Therefore, 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.

The migratory situation in Mexico today presents a worrying scenario and points to challenges for the coming months. We can identify an increase in the flow of foreign migrants on the southern border (Tapachula, Chiapas) and the states of Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, and Tamaulipas as a transit and arrival destination in the United States.

In Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexican Comission of Refugees, it is estimated that there are around 84,000 migration procedures opened in 2021, especially Haitians and other Central American nationals. From August to December, caravans departed Tapachula for the north, mainly Haitian, and Central American citizens. Although each caravan has a different profile, families with young children were identified.

To meet current demand, spaces are being organized for this population in Tapachula, such as the municipal stadium. The WASH structures in these spaces are highly precarious, exposing children and adolescents to severe health and protection risks.

Currently, the National Institute of Migration has begun an operation to regularize the migrants in Tapachula, this operation increased the transit of people in the area. Most of this people, living in street situation for weeks or months without the basic services, as clean water, hygiene and nutrition.

UNICEF, through the Field Office in Tapachula, intends to strengthen its emergency response and leadership in the area of ​​WASH, both for migrant reception sites and in shelters that are receiving extremely vulnerable families with children and adolescents, who do not have an adequate structure for water, sanitation and hygiene services (WASH), including toilets, sinks and hygiene supplies.

The objective of this assignment is to be able to support the WASH program for the migration response in Tapachula (state of Chiapas). The officer will provide technical and administrative assistance in identifying water, sanitation, and hygiene needs in migrant shelters and will accompany the implementation and monitoring of actions, such as the construction or installation of infrastructure and capacity building for hygiene promotion and distribution of supplies and hygiene kits. This will be done jointly with public institutions and civil society, in conjunction with the UNICEF field team, under the supervision of the Chief Field Office, Chief of Education, the Emergency Education Specialist and following the technical guidelines of the WASH Specialist in Mexico.

How can you make a difference?

The WASH Officer NO-A reports to the Chief Field Office in Tapachula, with technical supervision of the WASH Specialist in the Mexico Country Office.

The WASH Officer provides professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the WASH programming process, through the application of theoretical and practical technical skills in researching, collecting, analyzing and presenting programme information while learning organizational rules, regulations and procedures to support the development, implementation and monitoring of the WASH output results of the Country Programme.

1. Programme development and planning

• Collect, analyse, verify and synthesize information on WASH to facilitate programme development, design and preparation in Tapachula.
• Prepare technical reports and inputs for programme preparation and documentation, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and relevance of information.
• Assist in the development/establishment of WASH-related outcome and output results, as well as related strategies, through analysis of WASH sector needs and priorities.
• Provide technical and administrative support throughout all stages of programming processes by executing/administering a variety of technical programme transactions, preparing materials/documentations, complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support progress towards the WASH-related outcome and/or output results in the Country Programme.
• Prepare required documentations/materials to facilitate review and approval processes.

2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results

• Work collaboratively with colleagues and partners to collect/analyze/ share information on implementation issues, suggest solutions on routine programme implementation and alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level interventions and/or decision. Keep record of reports and assessments for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sectoral reviews with government and other counterparts and prepare minutes/reports on results for follow up action by higher management and other stakeholders.
• Monitor and report on 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 on issues identified to enable timely resolution by management/stakeholders. Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution.
• Prepare inputs for programme and donor reporting.

3. Technical and operational support for programme implementation

• Undertake visits and surveys, collect and share reports with partners/stakeholders. Report critical issues, bottlenecks and potential problems to supervisor, for timely action.
• Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners/donors on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices in WASH, to support programme implementation in Tapachula.

4. Humanitarian WASH preparedness and response

• Draft inputs for the preparation of WASH emergency preparedness, including the drafting of required supplies and services, long-term agreements, partnership agreements, and coordination mechanisms.
• Study and fully understand UNICEF’s procedures for responding in an emergency.
• Take up support roles in an emergency response and early recovery, as and when the need arises. 

5. Networking and partnership building

• Build and sustain close working partnerships with local government counterparts and local stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate programme implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve WASH output results.
• Draft communication and information materials for WASH programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fund raising for WASH to Tapachula.
• Participate in inter-agency meetings/events on WASH programming to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNSCDF operational planning and preparation of WASH programmes/projects and to integrate and harmonize UNICEF output results and implementation strategies with UNSCDF development and planning processes.
• Research information on potential donors and prepare resource mobilization materials and briefs for fund raising and partnership development purposes.

6. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Assist in the development, implementation, monitoring and documentation of WASH action research and innovation (technical or systems). 
• Assist in the preparation of learning/knowledge products, covering innovative approaches and good practices, to support overall WASH sector development.
• Assist in creating and delivering learning opportunities for UNICEF WASH staff, to ensure our sector capacity remains up-to-date with latest developments. 
• Participate as a resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Education: A University Degree in one of the following fields is required:  public health, social sciences, behaviour change communication, sanitary engineering, architecture, or another relevant technical field. Additional relevant post-graduate courses that complement/supplement the main degree is a strong asset.

Experience: 

DEVELOPMENTAL: a minimum of one year of professional experience in WASH-related programs for developing countries is required.

HUMANITARIAN: professional experience in WASH-related programs in emergencies is a strong asset.

Experience working with migration in border regions of Mexico is an advantage.

Language Requirements: Fluency in Spanish and proficiency in English required.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Drives to achieve impactful results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

Functional Competencies (Required)

• Analyzing (2)
• Applying technical expertise (2)
• Planning and organizing (2)
• Following Instructions and Procedures (2)

Skills

• In-depth knowledge of the administration which underpins UNICEF country office programme/project operations, including monitoring and evaluation processes.
• Strong organizational, planning and prioritizing skills and abilities.
• High sense of confidentiality, initiative and good judgment.
• Ability to work effectively with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Strong office management skills.
• High attention to detail.
• Ability to effectively manage the section’s material resources and monitor its budget.
• Good analytical skills.
• Experience using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other UNICEF software such as SharePoint

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
• Candidates must be citizen of Mexico to be considered eligible for this post.