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.

This WASH Specialist level 3 GJP is to be used in a Country Office (CO) where WASH is a substantial component of the Country Programme (or CPD). UNICEF in The Gambia is cur-rently in the penultimate year of the 2023-2027 cycle and the WASH component falls within the Child Survival and Development Programme, which is potentially the largest of the entire coun-try programme. Although the country has recorded some important achievements in child sur-vival and development indicators, there is still a lot of work that needs to be undertaken. Ac-cess to safe water in households increased to 45% from 44% in 2019 with the rural population (8%) lagging behind the urban (67%), whereas access to sanitation dropped to 29% from 30% in 2019 with notable regional disparities (urban 32%; rural 24%) (SDG6). Only 30.9% of households possessed a hand-washing facility at home and 73.2% of households (rural 92.1%; urban 63.5%) are at risk of E. coli faecal contamination. Environmental degradation exposes an increasing number of children to health and sanitation deprivations, such as wa-ter-borne diseases, related to recurrent flooding in some parts of the country and drought con-ditions in others (SDG13). The country is gearing important national efforts to ensure it reach-es the goal of declaring Open Defecation Free status before the end of 2022.

The WASH specialist reports to the CSD Manager and provides tech-nical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the WASH programming process. The specialist prepares, manages and implements a variety of technical and administrative tasks, related to the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the WASH output results of the country programme.

Under the direct Supervisor of the CSD Manager, the UNV will undertake the following 1. Programme development and planning • Research and analyze regional/national political, WASH, health, and social and economic development trends. Collect, analyze, verify and synthesize information to facilitate programme development, design and preparation.

• 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 field 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.

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 government counterparts and national 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.  Participate in inter-agency meetings/events on WASH programming to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNDAF operational planning and preparation of WASH programmes/projects and to integrate and harmonize UNICEF output results and implementation strategies with UNDAF development and planning processes.

 Research information on potential donors and prepare resource mobilization materials and briefs for fund raising and partnership development purposes.

☐ Accountability ☒ Adaptability and Flexibility ☐ Commitment and Motivation ☒ Commitment to Continuous Learning ☒ Communication ☒ Creativity ☐ Ethics and Values ☒ Integrity ☐ Knowledge Sharing ☐ Planning and Organizing ☒ Professionalism ☒ Respect for Diversity ☒ Self-Management ☒ Working in Teams

in WASH-related programmes for developing countries is required

The UN Volunteer will be based in Banjul, the capital. The Gambia is situated at the tip of the West African coast and has a total surface area of approximately 10,360 square kilo-metres. Apart from the 48 km stretch at the Atlantic Ocean, The Gambia is landlocked by Senegal. The climate consists of a tropical hot rainy season from July to September and a cooler dry season from October to June. The Gambia has a total population of 1.9 million, of which more than 50% are children under the age of 18 years.

English is the official language. Mandinka and Wolof are the main local languages most widely used in the country. The Gambia is relatively peaceful, and the people are warm and friendly. Basic security prevention precautions should nevertheless be taken to avoid any unpleasant surprises. The entire country is in security level 2 – Low.

The national currency in The Gambia is the Dalasi. Foreign currency can be exchanged at the official rate at selected branches of commercial banks. Only few major hotels accept credit cards as means of payment.

Taxis are available at all places in the city. The most common form of travel is shared taxis yellow taxis) and private or tourist cabs (green taxis). The condition of roads in the city is poor. Driving standards are low with poor traffic discipline.

Upon arrival, a visa is given for those visitors coming from a country where there is no Gambian embassy available or an entry clearance has been secured from the Depart-ment of Immigration on behalf of the visitor prior to their arrival. Visas are also given to tourists (chartered flight) upon arrival for a maximum period of 30 days. All other visas need to be processed and obtained prior to travel.