JOB DESCRIPTION

General Information

Position Title

Sanitation and Hygiene Market Specialist

Job Category

Programme

Duty Station(s)

Nairobi

Seniority Level

Mid Level

ICS Level

ICS 10

Contract Type

Staff – IP – FTA

Contract Level

IP P-3

Posting Start Date

11-Nov-2025

Posting End Date

25-Nov-2025

Duration

One year initially, renewable subject to programme needs, funding availability and satisfactory performance

Job Highlight

The Sanitation and Hygiene Fund (SHF) is a global financing mechanism dedicated to accelerating progress towards universal access to sanitation, hygiene, and menstrual health. SHF invests in catalytic and sustainable approaches that strengthen markets, mobilize domestic resources, and stimulate private sector engagement.

This position will be based in one of SHF’s priority country markets (including but not limited to Kenya, Uganda or Nigeria)

About the Region

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) unites the New York Portfolios, including the Peace and Security team (PSC); the Geneva Office; and the Vienna-based Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) teams, to maximize global impact, foster efficiencies and streamline global programmes. Leveraging our collective expertise and networks, GPO supports UNOPS” strategic priorities and the SDGs across over 130 countries. We deliver project management, fund management, advisory services, project implementation, and HR services, working closely with major global partners. Our thematic focus includes sustainable development, climate action, health, peace & security, and humanitarian action.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

From Geneva, UNOPS strives to facilitate the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), by working with governments, other United Nations (UN) agencies and partners. This includes supporting platforms and hosting high-profile, flagship initiatives and funds focusing on health, nutrition, water and sanitation, sustainable cities, environment, and trade.

UNOPS is a recognized resource for the UN system in Geneva – from fund management and oversight and advisory services, to providing hosting solutions to a range of global initiatives, as well as operational support to partner organizations.

UNOPS provides quality services, integrated solutions and management support to UN agencies, initiatives and partners in a strategic, cohesive, cost-effective and results-oriented manner. Geneva is also home to UNOPS Europe and Central Asia Regional Office.

About the Project Office

The Sanitation and Hygiene Fund.

The Sanitation and Hygiene Fund is a UNOPS Trust Fund committed to saving lives and improving the wellbeing of people by improving access to sanitation, hygiene and menstrual health hygiene. The Fund will invest in country led programmes to accelerate progress and sustainable impact toward the achievement of SDG 6.2.

The Fund will maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of international development assistance and national investment. Staff at the Fund manage grants, coordinate with partners, support countries, monitor and evaluate results, report on progress, manage donor relations and raise funds.

At the core of the new architecture is a country funding model designed to be an efficient and effective mechanism that can operate at scale and deliver impact and supported by a suite of policies that define how funding is to be invested. The SHF uses innovative finance mechanisms, including co-financing by recipient countries, to secure sustainable funding and the long term sustainability of its programs.

About the Group

As part of the Global Portfolio Office, UNOPS Geneva provides comprehensive solutions in secretariat hosting, operational support, and fund management. We manage global programmes, including the Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) Portfolio, offering project management, procurement, HR, and financial services. Geneva hosts the secretariats of eight global partnerships focused on health (RBM, Stop TB, ATscale), nutrition (SUN), water/sanitation (SHF), humanitarian leadership (GELI), urban development (Cities Alliance), and disaster displacement (PDD). We also provide fund management for EIF and UN Water, and operational support to Geneva-based partners like the Global Fund and UNHCR. The EU-UNOPS Lives in Dignity (LiD) Grant Facility is also based here.

Job Specific Context

The Sanitation and Hygiene Fund. The Sanitation and Hygiene Fund is a UNOPS Trust Fund committed to saving lives and improving the well-being of people by improving access to sanitation, hygiene, and menstrual health hygiene. The Fund will invest in country-led programmes to accelerate progress and sustainable impact toward the achievement of SDG 6.2.

The Fund will maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of international development assistance and national investment. Staff at the Fund manage grants, coordinate with partners, support countries, monitor and evaluate results, report on progress, manage donor relations, and raise funds. At the core of the new architecture is a country funding model designed to be an efficient and effective mechanism that can operate at scale and deliver impact, and supported by a suite of policies that define how funding is to be invested. The SHF uses innovative finance mechanisms, including co-financing by recipient countries, to secure sustainable funding and the long-term sustainability of its programs.

Role Purpose

The Sanitation and Hygiene Market Specialist plays a critical technical role in shaping and delivering SHF’s approach to sanitation and hygiene markets. Working within the Technical Team and reporting to the Global Lead, Sanitation and MH, the role focuses on market-shaping interventions, business model development, and innovative financing solutions to expand access to sanitation and hygiene in low- and middle-income countries.

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Strategic and Technical Contribution

• Contribute to the evolution of SHF’s market-based approaches for sanitation, hygiene, and menstrual health.
• Identify opportunities and entry points to strengthen the sanitation economy, including City-Wide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS), waste-to-value and circular economy initiatives, incubation and acceleration platforms, and the interface between the toilet economy and menstrual hygiene marketplace.
• Promote gender-smart and climate-smart approaches and highlight women’s economic role and empowerment across the sanitation and hygiene value chain.
• Identify root causes of sanitation and hygiene market shortcomings and propose viable pathways to overcome them.

2. Market-Shaping and Business Model Implementation

• Provide technical inputs for market assessments, investment cases, and financing strategies.
• Contribute to the identification of investable propositions that can unlock sanitation and hygiene markets at scale.
• Support linkages between financing ecosystems and programmatic interventions, ensuring market-shaping actions are embedded in SHF-supported programmes.
• Provide technical inputs on catalytic financing and support to programmatic grants related to sanitation and hygiene markets.

3. Evidence, Knowledge, and Innovation

• Capture and disseminate evidence, lessons learned, and good practices from SHF-supported sanitation and hygiene market interventions.
• Support monitoring and reporting on sanitation and hygiene economy-related indicators, benchmarks, and outcomes.
• Develop knowledge products, toolkits, and guidance on market-based sanitation and hygiene approaches.
• Contribute to SHF’s communications and advocacy by providing data and insights on market impacts.

4. Planning, Contract, and Risk Management

• Contribute to annual workplans, milestones and monitoring processes.
• Support procurement planning, drafting technical terms of reference, and managing resulting contracts.
• Identify and maintain sanitation and hygiene-related programmatic and financial risks, with risk registers and mitigation plans.
• Support audit activities as required.

5. Outreach, Partnerships, and Representation

• Establish and maintain strong technical relationships with governments, private sector actors, implementing partners, and financing institutions.
• Represent SHF in technical fora, meetings, and events, positioning the Fund as a leader in sanitation and hygiene markets.
• Facilitate partnerships with private sector entities, financial institutions, and other stakeholders to unlock market opportunities.
• Undertake international travel and advisory missions as required.

Impact of Results:

The work of the Sanitation and Hygiene Market Specialist will position SHF as a global leader in developing the sanitation and hygiene economy. Through technical expertise, market-shaping interventions, and strategic partnerships, the role will expand opportunities for sustainable sanitation and hygiene services, enhance women’s economic empowerment, and unlock investable propositions for scale-up in low- and middle-income countries.

Skills

Contract Management, Hygiene, Interpersonal Skills, Market Research, Partnerships, Planning, Report Writing, Risk Management, Sanitation

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education Requirements

Required

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in economics, business administration, public health, environmental engineering, international development, or related fields with 7 years of relevant experience OR
• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above or related fields with 5 years of relevant experience is required

Experience Requirements

Required

• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in sanitation, hygiene, or related market-based approaches is required
• Experience in private sector engagement, financing strategies, or investment facilitation in development contexts is required.
• Track record of designing or implementing market-shaping interventions in low- and middle-income countries is required.

Desired

• Experience with menstrual health, gender empowerment, climate-smart or circular economy approaches is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with innovative financing mechanisms or global health/development funds is an asset.

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirementEnglishFluentRequired

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.