WASH Specialist

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

UNICEF helps to build a world where the rights of every child are fully realized. It is our conviction that nurturing and caring for children are the cornerstones of human progress. UNICEF was created in 1946 to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path. It has global authority to influence decision-makers, and a wide variety of partners at grassroots level to turn the most innovative ideas into reality. For 75 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.

The situation with Water, Hygiene and Sanitation (WASH) in schools is of concern, with significant implications, particularly for adolescent girls: one in four schools has no access to clean drinking water, 74.4 per cent do not have internal toilets and 68.2 per cent are not connected to the hot water supply. In most schools, toilets do not meet inclusive and gender responsive criteria. Lack of privacy and safety is a major problem for adolescent girls who avoid using the school toilets whenever possible. Toilets are usually located outside the main building, and this creates a major risk of sexual harassment for girls. Handwashing facilities exist but are not located next to the toilets, which is making it difficult to ensure safe hygiene practices by children. In 2016, a draft resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic was developed to amend the sanitary and epidemiological rules and regulations "Sanitary and epidemiological requirements for the conditions and organization of education in general educational institutions"- this covers the requirements for the design and equipment of school toilets and hygiene rooms for girls. In 2022 the UNICEF Country Programme Document (CPD) for Kyrgyzstan has been approved by the Executive Board for the period 2023-2027: the CPD has, among its main objectives the improvement of the capacities of line ministries and stakeholders in legislating and implementing inclusive, gender- responsive WASH services, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction by supporting a WASH sector coordination mechanism; prototyping a climate-resilient and gender-responsive WASH programme; strengthening national, subnational and community capacities in emergency preparedness and response; improving and enforcing the state regulations and policies for environmental health and climate change; and mobilizing public awareness and behavior change on climate risks, environmental health, and hygiene and sanitation.

Under the overall oversight of the Chief CSLD and direct supervision of Health Specialist, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

Accountability: Take the lead: • Review previous achievements and engage WASH in schools’ systems strengthening by providing strategic support for strengthening government’s capacity to create an enabling environment for WASH service delivery which aims to make it climate resilient, gender sensitive and inclusive • Organise WASH Coordination meetings of all actors working in the WASH sector, particularly during emergency (if declared) and in view of ensuring efficient sector coordination;

Responsibility (process and functions undertaken to achieve results): Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Health Section the UN Volunteer will perform the following tasks related to program planning, management and implementation as well as communication aspects of WASH program:

Effective implementation of WASH program: • Support the revision of existing models and standards related to WASH in schools in the country, ensuring the documentation is up to date, child-centered, gender and disability sensitive; • Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes and ensure integration, coherence and harmonization of WASH with other UNICEF sectors, for the achievement of the WASH output results. Provide technical support on WASH related actions specifically on the following: (i) foster learning and improvement of the Three Star Approach for WASH in Schools (https://www.unicef.org/kyrgyzstan/reports/field-guide-three-star-approach-wash- schools) especially in Batken and Osh provinces which are identified as the most prone to inter-ethnic tensions that have already basic facilities, however software and hardware components are required there to be improved including low-cost hand washing stations, construction or rehabilitation of low-cost toilets with modest investments; (ii) identify priority focus areas for government partners and donors and increase accountability by assessing the effectiveness of the Three Star Approach for WASH in Schools in building sustainable and resilient schools and communities and in changing children’s behaviour as agents of change; • Support Ministry of Education and Science and partners to undertake data collection/survey and analysis of the situation of WASH in schools and provide recommendations. • Initiate, monitor, examine areas of linkages across programmes, promoting WASH practices and IPC and provide ideas and recommendations. • Seek opportunities to integrate inclusive and gender-responsive WASH and/or disaster risk reduction measures in sector plans, particularly for health and education;

Communication of WASH Assist in developing terms of reference for WASH and climate activities, as needed; Assist in drafting communication and information materials for Country Office (CO) programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fundraising for WASH programmes, as needed; Participate in advocacy activities designed to influence Government and other stakeholders to prioritize WASH, particularly in schools; Assist in developing WASH thematic briefs and providing technical inputs in support to the programmatic work of the WASH section

Management of WASH program • Participate in strategic WASH programme planning discussions. Support the preparation of WASH donor proposals, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s Strategic Plan, UNICEF’s global WASH strategy and the Country programme, as well as government plans and priorities, and the role of other external support agencies. • Contribute to the development/establishment of WASH related strategies, through analysis of WASH sector needs and priorities. • Work with colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies for the achievement of WASH output results in the country programme. • Assist in preparation and updating of annual work plans and supply plans in discussion with the government, strategic monitoring questions and other key periodic plans as required; • Participate in WASH task forces, working groups and meetings, and provide feedback on these (written and verbal feedback); • Follow up on and monitor WASH activities being implemented by partner organizations; • Contribute to regular reporting on achievements, projects, pertinent WASH developments and WASH strategic needs for the Chief of Health Section; • Support with preparations, note taking and drafting of reports for workshops, conferences and meetings i.e., mid-year and end year joint reviews with the Government, and cooperating partners, in the area of WASH.

Authority: • Jointly with Health Section Team participate in the WASH sector coordination meetings and liaise with implementing partners, UN agencies, and NGOs • Prepare input for information, communication and advocacy on WASH situation among partners, donors, other agencies and the government; and provide information for funding submissions, appeals or reports.

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 • Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management

developing country. Demonstrated experience in public / environmental health / WASH activities in emergency contexts. • Experience of working in water and sanitation improvement projects in schools and kindergartens or other relevant programmes; experience with development work, construction of WASH facilities is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; • Knowledge and experience in environmental health, public health, climate change and inclusivity are desired. • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in child wellbeing, rural development and gender and inclusivity, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system.

Bishkek is the capital and the largest city of Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyzstan is in Central Asia, west of China. The climate is dry continental to polar in the high Tien Shan Mountains, subtropical in the southwest (Fergana Valley) and temperate in the northern foothill zone. The official languages are Kyrgyz and Russian. Kyrgyz is dominant in state circles and is more widely used in the south and in rural areas. Russian is preferred by most business partners. The Cyrillic alphabet is commonly used for public notices, including road signs and street names. English is used in business circles. Hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners usually have some English-speakers. Interpreters are readily available. The main religions are Islam and Christianity. The security risk in Kyrgyzstan is low, however 3 revolutions occurred during the last 20 years time and last year there was a conflict in Batken province bordering with Tajikistan. The currency of Kyrgyzstan is the Som (KGS). Kyrgyz hospitals have not globally highest standards, but the medical service is cheap and serviceable. In recent years, luxury style apartment buildings have found their way into the Bishkek skyline, making reasonably-priced, high-standard accommodation options available. Expats can also find houses with more personal space 20-minute drive away from the city centre. Furnished and semi-furnished apartments are the most common housing options. A semi-furnished apartment may require kitchenware, linen and small appliances. A fully-furnished house will include everything needed to live comfortably. There are several agencies in Bishkek with English-speaking agents who can narrow down available properties to suit an expat’s budget and preferred neighbourhood. You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.”

More context: Kyrgyzstan is a landlocked, mountainous, lower-middle-income country with a multi-ethnic population and a vibrant civil society. Following three revolutions in its 30 years of independence, in 2021 Kyrgyzstan transitioned from a parliamentary to a presidential system and set out an ambitious 2026 National Development Programme with significant commitments to child well-being. In 2020, of the total population of 6,523,529, 38 per cent were under the age of 18 (48 per cent girls and 52 per cent boys) and 48 per cent under 25. The majority of the population, 65.6 per cent, live in rural areas . The sustained demographic growth increases the demand for health and education services. According to the National Statistical Committee of the Kyrgyz Republic, 8.9% of the population do not have access to safe sources of drinking water and use water from open water reservoirs that are hazardous to health. The sources of drinking water supply in towns and villages of the Kyrgyz Republic are rivers, reservoirs, deep artesian wells, canals and other facilities. The problem is that only 29.1% of the population of the country are connected to the centralized water disposal systems and facilities according to statistics. In some settlements, there are existing wastewater disposal systems, but due to exceeding the service life and lack of capital investment, they are in a condition that requires rehabilitation or new construction. In rural areas, only 3% of residential and public buildings are connected to sewage systems, these are schools and medical organizations. Lack of safe drinking water and poor sanitation can lead to serious public health issues and outbreaks of infectious diseases, especially among children.