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For every child, water.

The UNICEF Pacific Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme as an integral part of the Pacific Multi Country Programme helps to ensure that the right of all children to a safe and clean environment both in times of stability and during crisis. The programme aligns with 14 Pacific Island’s government priorities and plans for improving access to water and sanitation. The programme covers the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

UNICEF is supporting the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) to upgrade existing/construct new water, sanitation and waste management infrastructure in health facilities, the Ministry of Education & Human Resources Development (MEHRD) to upgrade existing/construct new water, sanitation and waste management infrastructure in schools and other key ministries responsible for climate resilient household/ community WASH services to upgrade existing/construct new water, sanitation and waste management infrastructure in communities.

How can you make a difference?

The WASH Specialist (Construction) reports to the WASH Specialist and will be required to assist in managing the WASH section and in leading the development, preparation, management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the WASH programme within the country programme and contribute to the functioning of the Field office.  The position will work closely with Ministry counterparts and other UN agencies to support the WASH components of the United Nations Pacific Strategy within the Solomon Islands.

This position will provide technical, operational, and administrative support in development, implementation and monitoring to Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) programmes. Specifically, this position will provide dedicated WASH engineering expertise to the WASH Programme in the country office including working closely with key government stakeholders and selected contractors in planning of improvement works and to provide close technical oversight and regular reporting of implementation of the construction works.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities: 

1. Programme development and planning

• Draft the WASH inputs for the situation analysis.  Provide timely, comprehensive and current data to inform WASH policy and programme development, planning, management and implementation. Keep abreast of WASH sector development trends, for maximum efficiency and effectiveness in programme design, management and implementation.
• Participate in strategic WASH programme planning discussions. Prepare WASH donor proposals, ensuring alignment with 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 external support agencies.
• Assist in the formulation of the 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 WASH output results in the country programme.
• 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.
• 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 national government WASH sector monitoring systems, with a focus on WASH outcomes (behaviors), using bottleneck analysis tools available in the sector (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, 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 Regional Office and HQ, as and where appropriate in the WASH programme, through remote support and on-site visits.
• 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.
• Draft policy papers, briefs and other strategic materials for use by management, donors, UNICEF regional offices and headquarters.

4. Humanitarian WASH preparedness and response

• 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.
• Contribute to the coordination arrangement for humanitarian WASH, for instant robust coordination in case of an emergency.
• Ensure that all UNICEF WASH staff are familiar with 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.
• Prepare materials for 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 UNDAF development planning and agenda setting.

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 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.

7. Technical support to construction works in the programme.

• Provide technical support in construction project management to Programme/Operations sections and Government counterparts, assisting in the development of child-friendly community infrastructure proposals, and integrating construction-related activities into Annual Workplans, contributing to project proposals, planning, and terms of reference preparation, analyzing project contexts for suitable implementation modalities, collaborating with Government counterparts on cost-effective designs using local materials, maintaining a list of best practices, attending meetings to present project progress, and ensuring timely reporting to donors and management.
• Prepare design and technical documents for WASH infrastructure development by defining construction scopes aligned with Programme/Operations requirements and budgets, adhering to UNICEF norms and local standards, and ensuring compliance with green building criteria. This involves reviewing technical documents such as design drawings and specifications for clarity and completeness, coordinating with designing firms and government entities for necessary permits, and supporting the Environmental and Social Screening (ESS) process including report preparation and Environmental and Social Management Plans for WASH infrastructure.
• Support to procurement process for WASH infrastructures development through handling local procurement authorization (LPA) requests and contract review committee (CRC) submissions for construction activities, conducting surveys to locate local construction companies and engineering firms, drafting terms of reference for local Long-Term Arrangements (LTA) for engineering services and support the tendering process through to awarding of selected bidders.
• Monitor construction projects/investment project portfolios by initiating kick-off meetings with construction companies, engineering firms, and relevant government counterparts, conducting regular site visits and technical meetings to monitor construction progress, ensuring compliance with standards and timelines, utilizing monitoring tools for quality assessment, supervising payment certification and expenditure monitoring, supporting contract administration, participating in project receptions, preparing contract performance evaluations, and assisting with contract close-out and lessons learned reporting.
• Support undertaking of ESS screening including report and Environmental and Social Management Plans for WASH infrastructure.

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

Education:

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: Civil Engineering, Geology, Hydrogeology, Water resource management, Renewable Energy, Construction Engineering, Sanitary Engineering, or another relevant technical field.
• Additional relevant post-graduate courses that complement/supplements the main degree are a strong asset.

Experience:

Developmental:

• A minimum of five years of professional experience in WASH-related programmes for developing countries is required.
• Solid knowledge in design and implementation of solar powered water supply systems
• At least 3 years of experience in the construction or supervision of water supply, sanitation & hygiene construction works.
• Proven skills in design and monitoring of Piped Water Schemes in rural settings or small towns including capabilities in life cycle costing and sustainability.
• Familiarity with rural community engagement
• Familiarity with emerging issues and inter sectoral linkages on climate change, equity, gender issues in relation to sustainability.
• Experience working with NGOs and/or private contractors in rural settings in a developing country is required.

Humanitarian:

• At least one three-month deployment mission in a humanitarian situation (with UN-Govt-INGO) is preferable.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required.  Knowledge of the local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People, and Drive for Results.

The functional 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)
• Drives 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.

Remarks:

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. 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.

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.

With regard to higher educational qualifications, UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/”

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.

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). 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 reasons.

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, are encouraged to apply to become a part of the organization.

Internal and external candidates are invited to apply.

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