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, deliver

UNICEF in the State of Palestine works to uphold the rights of children to access services and protection, from early childhood through adolescence. Our objective is to ensure that every child in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, irrespective of background or circumstance, has an equal chance to fulfil their potential. We are working for every child and young person in the State of Palestine.

How can you make a difference?

The WASH Officer reports to the WASH Specialist (Level 3) and provides professional technical, operational, and administrative assistance throughout the WASH programming process through the application of theoretical and practical technical skills in researching, collecting, analyzing, and presenting program information while learning organizational rules, regulations, and procedures to support the development, implementation, and monitoring of the WASH output results of the WASH program.

1. 1. Programme Development and Planning 
   • Research and analyze regional/national political, WASH, health, and social and economic development trends.
   • Prepare technical reports and inputs for program preparation and documentation, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and relevance of information.
   • Assist in the development/establishment of WASH-related outcomes and output results and 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 specialized program transactions, preparing materials/documentation, and complying with organizational methods and management systems to support progress towards the WASH-related outcome and output results in the Country Programme.
   • Coordinate emergency WASH activities, including assessments, and prepare required documentation/materials to facilitate review and approval processes.
   2. Programme Management, Monitoring and Delivery of Results 
   • Collaborate with colleagues and partners to collect/analyze/share information on implementation issues, suggest solutions for routine program implementation, and alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level interventions and decisions. Keep a record of reports and assessments for easy reference and to capture and institutionalize lessons learned.
   • Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, program reviews, and annual sectoral review with government and other counterparts. Prepare minutes/reports on results for follow-up action by higher management and other stakeholders.
   • Monitor and report on sectoral program resources and prepare program and donor reporting inputs.
   • Supervise water production and distribution for the affected population through trucking and distribution points.
   • Oversee the construction of emergency latrines, both semi-permanent and permanent.
   3. Technical and Operational Support for Programme Implementation 
   • Undertake field visits and surveys and provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners, and other country office partners/donors.
   • Provide technical support for emergency WASH activities.
   4. Humanitarian WASH Preparedness and Response 
   • Draft inputs for preparing WASH emergency preparedness, including drafting 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 emergency response and early recovery as and when the need arises.
   • Study and understand UNICEF’s procedures for responding to an emergency and participate in emergency WASH assessments and response efforts.
   5. Networking and Partnership Building 
   • Build and sustain close working partnerships with government counterparts and national stakeholders by actively sharing information and knowledge to facilitate program implementation and build stakeholders’ capacity to achieve WASH output results.
   • Draft communication and information materials for WASH program advocacy and participate in inter-agency meetings/events on WASH programming.
   • Collaborate with relevant stakeholders for effective implementation of emergency WASH activities.
   • Research information on potential donors and prepare resource mobilization materials and briefs for fundraising and partnership development purposes.
   6. Innovation, Knowledge Management, and Capacity Building 
   • Contribute to innovation and knowledge management related to emergency WASH activities.
   • Assisted in developing, implementing, monitoring, and documenting WASH action research and innovation.
   • Prepare learning/knowledge products and deliver learning opportunities for UNICEF WASH staff.
   • Participate as a resource person in capacity-building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders.

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

Education:

• A university degree in public health, social sciences, behavior change communication, or sanitary engineering.

 Experience:

• A minimum of one (1) year of professional experience in WASH-related programmes for developing countries is required.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

UNICEF’s Core Values of:

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability
• 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:

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

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:

This position is not considered an elevated risk role. However, UNICEF reserves the right to conduct further vetting/assessment within the scope of child safeguarding as appropriate. 

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