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, a fair chance

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have worked in the Philippines continuously since 1948.

UNICEF’s vision for every child in the Philippines is intimately linked to the realization of several Sustainable Development Goals and the promise to leave no one behind.  By 2030, we want to see that no child in the Philippines suffers from hunger; that every child has access to good health services, quality education opportunities, clean water and toilets; and children grow up protected and develop in an inclusive, just and peaceful society.

Since its establishment, UNICEF has been helping the Philippine government to strengthen national policies, programmes and services to ensure that all Filipino children enjoy their rights. UNICEF supports the Government to extend the coverage and implementation of policies and legislation that benefit children and the most disadvantaged; to support the implementation of positive budget reforms and leverage the considerable fiscal space; to innovate and adapt national programmes to support inclusivity and relevance in diverse remote rural areas, impoverished urban areas, hazard and conflict-prone areas; and to strengthen national capacity to monitor change for children.

As an impartial partner, we are mandated to work with both state and non-state actors to protect the rights and promote the wellbeing of every child. We have successfully worked through many Government reforms in the Philippines, and we continue to work with the national government, its different agencies, and departments, and with local government units and authorities, including the Bangsamoro Transition Authority in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

UNICEF’s capacity, technical skills and structure allow us to work effectively with policy and decision-makers and be among the first responders to humanitarian crisis. It allows us to assess and respond quickly to the priorities and needs of communities in the most remote and underserved areas of the country.

UNICEF’s geographic priority areas in the Philippines include Northern Samar, Western Samar, Zamboanga del Norte and BARMM, Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Visit this link for more information on UNICEF in the Philippines https://www.unicef.org/philippines/

How can you make a difference?

The WASH (E/DRR) Specialist supports the development, preparation, management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the climate resilient (CR) WASH and disaster risk reduction in BARMM output in the Climate Environment Resilience (CER) programme within the country programme (CPC 9 2024-2028) specific for the Mindanao Field Office (MFO). The WASH (E/DRR) Specialist provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes, to facilitate the administration and achievement of the MFO CR WASH-related output results in the country programme. The specialist will specifically support UNICEF engagement on work with BARMM Government counterparts, CSOs, private sector and UN agencies on CR WASH programme goals both in development and Humanitarian context.

This post will support the BARMM government to ensure that children, households, and communities in BARMM have increased access to resilient and at least basic water and sanitation services.

The work will address policy adaptation/development, increase access to and use of safely managed WASH services, support to regional governments and co-lead the BARMM WASH cluster in the event of a humanitarian response.

In addition, the Specialist will work in close collaboration with the Manila-based Emergency Specialist and the DRR Officer and lead DRR and emergency preparedness and response efforts at MFO-level.

Under the supervision of the Chief of Field Office, the post shall undertake the following tasks:

1. Programme development and planning

• Draft the MFO CR WASH inputs for the situation analysis. Provide timely, comprehensive, and current data to inform MFO CR WASH policy reviews and programme development, planning, management, and implementation. Keep abreast of MFO CR WASH sector development trends, for maximum efficiency and effectiveness in programme design, management and implementation.

• Participate in strategic CR WASH programme planning discussions. Prepare CR WASH donor proposals, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s Strategic Plan, UNICEF’s global CR WASH strategy (Area Goal 4) and the Country programme, as well as government plans and priorities, UNSCDF outcome 3, and the role of other external support agencies.

• Assist in the formulation of the CR WASH outcome and output results, related indicators, baselines, targets and means of verification. Prepare required documentation for programme reviews.

• Work with colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies for the achievement of CR WASH output results in the country programme and the CR social services context.

• Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes and ensure integration, coherence and harmonization of CR WASH with other UNICEF sectors, for the achievement of the WASH output results.

• Draft assigned sections of the annual work plan, in close cooperation with government and other counterparts.

2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results

• With other external support agencies, strengthen sub-national BARMM government WASH sector monitoring systems, with a focus on CR WASH outcomes (access and behaviors), using bottleneck analysis tools available in the sector (CR WASH-BAT, CSOs, SDAs).

• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sectoral reviews with government and other counterparts and prepare reports on results for required action/interventions at the higher level of programme management.

• Prepare/assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths/weaknesses in programmes and management, identify and document lessons learned.

• 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.

• Prepare sectoral progress reports for management, donors and partners.

3. Technical and operational support for programme implementation

• Actively monitor UNICEF-supported activities through field visits, surveys, meetings 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.

• 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.

• Plan for use of technical experts from the PCO, Regional Office and HQ, as and where appropriate in the CR WASH programme, through remote support and on-site visits.

• Participate in CR WASH programme meetings, to review progress, with government, other sector agencies and implementation partners, involved at various stages of CR WASH programme implementation, to provide expert advice and guidance.

• Draft policy papers, briefs, concept notes and other strategic materials for use by management, donors, UNICEF regional offices and headquarters.

4. Humanitarian preparedness, response and resilience

• In coordination with output 1, Prepare requisitions for supplies, services, long-term agreements and partnership agreements to ensure UNICEF is prepared to deliver on its commitments at field level in case of an emergency.

• Coordinate MFO emergency preparedness and readiness to respond in line with UNICEF’s Emergency Preparedness Procedures (EPP) and lead MFO disaster risk reduction efforts.

• Contribute to the coordination arrangement for humanitarian WASH cluster (as co-lead), for instant robust coordination in case of an emergency response.

• In coordination the emergency specialist, ensure that all UNICEF MFO staff are familiar with UNICEF’s procedures for responding in an emergency.

• Support the Chief of Field Office in coordinating emergency responses, early recovery, and resilience building at field level as and when the need arises.

5. Networking and partnership building

• Build and sustain close working partnerships with BARMM government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate programme implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve CR WASH output results and strengthen MFO DRR, emergency preparedness and response capacities

• Prepare materials for CR WASH programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships and support fund-raising.

• Participate in inter-agency discussions, ensuring that UNICEF’s position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNSCDF development planning and agenda setting for outcome 3.

• Build and sustain close working relationships with the private sector to achieve results for CR WASH

6. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Actively lead the development, implementation, monitoring and documentation of CR 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 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.

*A complete Job description may be found in this  Specific JD WASH Specialist EDRR PHI24019.pdf

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

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: public health, social sciences, behavior change communication, sanitary engineering, or another relevant technical field.
• Additional relevant post-graduate courses or training on WASH, climate change, environment, WASH in schools, WASH in healthcare facilities, behaviour change, and/or emergency preparedness and response that complement/supplement the main degree are a strong assets.
• A minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in WASH-related programmes for developing countries is required.
• One (1) year of deployment in a developing country is required.
• Direct experience in DRR and/or emergency management is required.
• Fluency in English and Tagalog is required. Knowing a local language is an asset.

 How to apply

Qualified candidates are requested to complete an online candidate profile in http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/ by 15 March 2024. Only applications sent through the e-recruitment portal Job No. 570231 will be considered.

By applying through our Talent Management System (TMS) you agree to our privacy statement which is in line with the Philippines’ Data Privacy Act. You are strongly advised to read carefully through the privacy statement before submitting your application.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others (8) Nurtures, leads and manages people

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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 is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.

Remarks:

Safeguarding purposes as it is: a role with direct contact with children, works directly with children, is a safeguarding response role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) applies.

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable male candidates are encouraged to apply.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be cancelled.

All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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.

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

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