Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Assistant

Zambia is located in Southern African and has a population of approximately 18 million people . A survey conducted in 2018 indicated that 15% of children under the age of 5 years in Zambia had diarrhea within the two weeks prior to the survey and 34.6% were stunted . Global evidence shows linkages between consumption of poor-quality water, diarrhea and waterborne diseases and may contribute to child stunting . Climate change may increase the consumption of contaminated water , especially in drought prone areas of Africa including Zambia. Potentially increasing climate variability in the future , threatens sustainability of WASH investments. Some of the areas where UNICEF operates in Zambia have been experiencing climate-related impacts including increased flooding and cyclical droughts.
The UN Volunteer will support the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) section focusing on Climate Change, Energy, Environment, and Disaster Risk Reduction/Response (CEED) towards improving sustainability of existing system and climate resilience.

Under the overall supervision of a WASH Specialist, the UN WASH Assistant will:

• Contribute to the WASH programme through interventions that create opportunities for adolescents to voice their priorities, promote WASH and provide recommendations to decision makers. • Examine areas of linkages across programmes, promote the inclusion of the youth perspective in cross-cutting efforts, and participate in WASH and climate research initiatives focused on young people. • Participate in advocacy activities designed to influence government and other stake-holders to prioritize WASH, particularly through global commemoration days. • Assist in providing technical inputs in support to the programmatic work of the WASH section. • Assist in drafting communication and information materials for CO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fundraising for WASH programmes. • Contribute to development of skills on knowledge management and dissemination of key sector documents amongst WASH stakeholders. • Participate in task forces/ working groups and meetings, and provide feedback on these (written and verbal);
• Support in following up and monitoring WASH activities being implemented by partner organisations. • Support during meetings (like mid-year and end year joint reviews with the Government, and cooperating partner meetings), workshops and conferences including preparation, reporting and note taking. • Assist in tracking of WASH service and works contracts and periodically update the status of the contracts, direct cash transfers etc., in the WASH tracking tool. • Support WASH data collection, data analysis and updates of facilities and through re-view of progress and completion reports and liaison with WASH Officers and WASH partners. • Provide cleaned up data of achievements made as inputs for the biannual review meetings, donor reporting and Results Assessment Module (RAM) etc. • Conduct knowledge management activities such as summarizing information in graphic format, map UNICEF supported project including writing monitoring reports. • Upload on WASH SharePoint relevant WASH documents such as progress and completion reports, Terms of Reference, service and works contracts, reports, correspondences, photos etc. • Manage Teams calendar, and actively participate in WASH meetings when required. • Perform any other tasks assigned or required by WASH section to ensure improved provision of WASH services for children in Zambia.

Demonstrated self-awareness and ethical awareness, • Drive to achieve results for impact, Innovates and embraces change, Manages ambiguity and complexity, Thinks and acts strategically, Works collaboratively with others, and Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement.

• WASH Assistant must be between 18 and 26 years for the whole duration of their assignment and a national of Zambia. • Demonstrated interest in and/or knowledge of water, sanitation and hygiene development issues, policies, social programme strategies, international development cooperation in the WASH sector, field of development and volunteerism, capacity devel-opment, equity and inclusion and/or WASH in schools, WASH in healthcare facilities, WASH linkages to nutrition and local government, WASH and climate change, and commercial water utility experience would be an added asset. • Professionalism and ability to work with partner organisations including government at national, provincial and district levels. • Motivated to contribute towards peace and development and to serve others. • Good interpersonal, networking and communication (verbal and written) skills. • Planning and organizing skills. • Willingness to contribute and work as part of a team. • Flexible and open to learning and new experiences. • Respect for diversity and adaptability to other cultures, environments and living conditions. • Fluency in spoken and written English language is required. • Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e., studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded. • Computer skills (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, GIS, basic mapping, social media, and others);• Additional Advantage: Advanced level classes in data gathering, analysis and research or WASH related school or volunteer work.

Zambia is a land-linked country with a population estimated at 18 million. It is a resource-rich country with sparsely populated land in the centre of Southern Africa. It shares its border with eight countries (Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe) that serve as an expanded market for its goods. Lusaka became the capital city of Zambia in May 1935. Lusaka’s central position in Zambia and its pleasant climate were two of the main reasons for its selection as the capital. It is a metropolis, which provides a home to about two and half million (3.3 M) inhabitants of different nationalities. It has grown to become the seat of the Government of the Republic of Zambia and as such all diplomatic missions, international organizations, industrial and commercial entities are based there. Its political, social, economic and cultural significance has also in-creased through the years.

Public transport is provided by private operators using minibuses and taxis. The bus routes are not mapped, and roads are often congested. Good modern housing for rent is available on the open market. The official language is English, which is widely spoken. The country is generally food secure, with sufficient local fresh fruits and vegetables available in the markets, as well as various dairy, poultry and meat products. There are several international schools using the Cambridge GCSE or IGCSE syllabi, from key stage one through to A levels. Health conditions are generally good, although malaria is endemic. Zambia is generally a safe place to live in, although not free of crime. Some prudence is required. For more info, visit: http://www.zambiatourism.com.