WASH Specialist (Water Supply), NO-C, Kabul, Afghanistan, Afghan Nationals Only

Contract

This is a NO-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-3 contracts.

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, clean water

Afghanistan is one of the most poorly served countries in the world in terms of WASH services, with more than one-third of people without access to improved drinking water. Nearly 60 per cent of the same population lacks access to improved latrines. Studies also show contamination of water services both at source and household level is significantly high in both urban and rural areas. Safe hygiene practices, such as hand washing, are very low across the country, especially in rural areas. According to UNICEF’s Water Security for All report, 93% of children in Afghanistan (15.6 million children) live in areas of high, or extremely high, water vulnerability. Groundwater over extraction for agriculture and cash crops like poppies is exacerbating water scarcity. Even before taking into consideration the escalating security situation, and rapid collapse of the government during August last year, the 2021 HRP estimated that a total of about 8.8 million people would need safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities and services. Meanwhile the drought has compelled people to temporarily move their families from their places of origin to other nearby communities to seek access to water. Furthermore, the recent escalation in conflict with the resulting upheaval and seizing of power by the de facto authority has further exacerbated the high needs for critical WASH services in urban centres, where a significant number of people moved to seek a safe haven and escape possible clashes. This has placed increased pressure on existing WASH services and on the host communities as they accommodate new arrivals. There are early signs of a ‘brain drain’ occurring in the country, amongst trained WASH experts and officials following the takeover of power and this is already impacting the maintenance of existing WASH systems and services which collapse soon as a result leaving millions in cities, towns and rural communities without water and sanitation services.

The impact of these multifaceted issues is illustrated by the current outbreak of AWD/Cholera, which began in September 2021, less than one month after the regime change. These early warnings that existing WASH systems and utilities may soon collapse particularly in urban areas serving large, overcrowded populations, requires urgent action to stabilize the sector and ensure continuity of safe WASH services. Meanwhile hard to reach areas, which have already been underserved for many years, are now accessible and because of drought, returnees and malnutrition there is a significant potential that AWD/Cholera and other communicable disease outbreaks will occur. At the same time, it is critical that existing health facilities and schools do not become point sources of infection for communicable diseases given the high vulnerability of the population at this time and improving their WASH infrastructure and providing IPC training and materials are critical to mitigate communicable disease outbreaks.

How can you make a difference?

The incumbent will report to the WASH Manager for the Water Supply Unit under the WASH Section at Country Office Level. S/he will be required to closely coordinate with the other units for sanitation and hygiene, WASH in Institutions (Schools and Health Care Facilities), and Emergency WASH that make up the WASH Section. S/he will also coordinate closely with the WASH team in each of the five UNICEF Field Offices that cover each of the different regions of Afghanistan (Kabul, Herat, Mazar, Jalalabad and Kandahar), including regular visits to each of these offices. S/he may also be required, from time to time, to carry out the duties of the WASH Manager (Water Supply Unit) in his/her absence. The Specialist supports the development, preparation, management, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the WASH programme within the country programme. The incumbent provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes, to facilitate the administration and achievement of the WASH-related output results in the country programme.

The WASH specialist will provide technical support to the UNICEF WASH Section in Kabul, under the guidance of the Water Supply Unit manager, to develop and implement all outputs for the provision of water services and associated activities under the WASH Annual Work Plan (AWP). Additionally s/he will support the WASH teams at FO level, to plan and deliver their respective activities for the implementation of water services in each region that contribute to the overall results under the WASH AWP. S/he may also be required to support the WASH Emergency team to ensure preparedness interventions are achieved in line with the scale up plan WASH humanitarian response in Afghanistan. The Specialist will pro-actively work with the team in Kabul and field offices in maintaining readiness and will be responsible for engaging and coordinating with all WASH partners (government, I/NGOs & Private sector), for the accelerated implementation of ongoing and new WASH interventions for to deliver water services in rural, urban and peri-urban areas. The specialist will support the Section to mobilize humanitarian and development funds to meet the goals as set-out under the WASH AWP. S/he will closely follow-up, monitor and mobilize staff and third-party monitoring partners (TPMs) for quality assurance of all ongoing WASH infrastructure works, focusing primarily on those projects being implemented for the provision of water in communities and institutions including schools and health facilities. In addition, s/he will work with WASH partners including attending monthly and provide periodic update on UNICEF response. In addition to supporting the regular development activities for the provision of water services, the specialist will also support the implementation of the emergency WASH programme in line with the principle of the humanitarian-development nexus. S/he will collate and analyses programmatic information from the field and will prepare brief updates and reports on UNICEF’s ongoing WASH response.

The specialist provides technical and operational assistance throughout the WASH programming process. The specialist supports the preparation of various technical and administrative tasks, related to the development, implementation, monitoring and supervision of the WASH outputs and results of field office.

1. Programme development and planning

• Draft the water supply components for the WASH inputs into the situation analysis. Provide comprehensive and current data to inform WASH policy and programme development, planning, management and implementation. Keep abreast of WASH sector developments, for maximum efficiency and effectiveness in WASH programme design, management and implementation.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss national WASH priorities, resources, strategies and methodologies to ensure the most strategic use of the collective resources of external support agencies.
• Participate in strategic WASH programme planning discussions and the formulation of the WASH outcome and output results, related indicators, baselines, targets and means of verification, ensuring alignment with the 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 WASH external support agencies.
• Provide inputs for WASH donor proposals, ensuring alignment with the WASH output results in the country programme.
• Work with colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies for the achievement of WASH output results in the country programme.
• Support management and implementation of WASH programme at the Country Office level, working closely with Field Offices and in coordination with relevant stakeholders such as MRRD/ PRRS, MoPH/ DoPH, MoE/ PEDs, NGO partners and the private sector.
• 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.

2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results

• Advise the WASH Manager and Section in establishing the annual work plan and annual workplan outputs, activities and, determining priorities and performance measurements for the Field Offices. Monitor workplan implementation, to ensure that WASH output results, with a focus on water supply outputs, are achieved to schedule and performance standards.
• Provide technical advice and leadership to WASH section staff on all aspects of programming and implementation.
• Draft documentation for programme reviews and analytical statements on progress and constraints of WASH Section results.
• Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes for the achievement of the WASH results, with a focus on water supply outputs. Ensure effective collaboration with other UNICEF sectors, where needed.
• With other external support agencies, analyze WASH sector programmes and projects, with a focus on WASH outcomes (behaviors), using bottleneck analysis tools available in the sector.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sectoral reviews with government and other partners and prepare reports for the WASH Manager and WASH Section, as required.
• Monitor, report and certify 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 issues to the WASH Manager, for timely resolution.

3. Technical and operational support for programme implementation

• Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other field office partners on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices in WASH, to support programme implementation.
• Participate in strategic discussions to provide input for influencing WASH policies and strategies, including the reduction of inequalities, contributing global sector learning.
• Provide input for briefs and other strategic materials for use by management, donors, UNICEF regional offices and headquarters.
• Plan for the use of technical experts from the Country Office as and where appropriate in the WASH programme, through remote support and on-site visits.
• Undertake trainings to WASH staff and Implementing partners on the topics of WASH Facility Accessibility and Water Efficiency.
• Actively monitor UNICEF-supported activities through field visits, surveys and exchange of information with partners, to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely interventions.
• Participate in WASH programme meetings, to review progress, with government, other sector agencies and implementation partners, involved at various stages of WASH programme implementation, to provide expert advice and guidance.

4. Humanitarian WASH preparedness and response

• Support the WASH Section to prepare requisitions for supplies, services, long-term agreements, and partnership agreements to ensure UNICEF is prepared to deliver on its commitments for WASH in case of an emergency.
• Take up a supporting role 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 provincial government counterparts and regional stakeholders and private sector through active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate programme implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve WASH output results.
• Prepare materials for WASH programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships and support fund-raising.
• Participate in inter-agency discussions at Country Office level, ensuring that UNICEF’s position, interests, and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the planning and agenda setting.
• Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other partners/donors on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes, and best practices in WASH, to support programme implementation.

6. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Lead the development, implementation, monitoring and documentation of WASH action research and innovation (technical or systems).
• Prepare learning/knowledge products, covering innovative approaches and good practices, to support overall WASH sector development.
• Create and deliver learning opportunities for UNICEF FO WASH staff, to ensure our sector capacity remains up to date with latest developments.
• Contribute to the systematic assessment of WASH sector capacity gap analysis, in collaboration with government and other stakeholders, and support the design of initiative to strengthen capacities systematically.
• Participate as a resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders at both Country Office and Field Office level.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Civil Engineering, Public Health, Social Sciences, Behavior Change Communication, and/or another relevant technical field is required.
• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in WASH-related programmes for developing countries is required.
• Experience with at least one three-month deployment mission in a humanitarian situation (with UN-Govt-INGO) is required.
• Fluency in English and local languages (Dari & Pashto) is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is considered an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

* Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

* Kindly note that this is a non-family duty station.

* Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

* Employment is conditional upon receipt of medical clearance, any clearance required, the grant of a visa, and completion of any other pre-employment criteria that UNICEF may establish. Candidates may not be further considered or offer of employment may be withdrawn if these conditions are unlikely to be met before the date for commencement of service.

* The successful candidate for this emergency recruitment MUST be available to commence work within 31 days of receiving an offer.