WASH Specialist (Nexus), P-3/FT, Fort-Dauphin, Madagascar#129205

The WASH Specialist level 3 Nexus is based in the suboffice of Fort Dauphin and responsible for the implementation of interventions in the South of Madagascar, furthermore the Nexus specialist, matrix supervises the Emergency Officer NOC based in Antananarivo and functions as Cluster Coordinator for the WASH Cluster. The WASH Specialist reports to the Chief of Field Office Fort Dauphin (Level 3) as administrative manager and Chief WASH for technical orientation (Level 4)for guidance and general supervision. The Specialist supports the development, preparation, management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the WASH programme within the Grand South with a special focus on linking humanitarian and development interventions and focus themes of the CPD 2024- 2028, of adolescents, and climate change. In their role as Cluster coordinator he/she will facilitate the processes that will ensure a well-coordinated, strategic, adequate, coherent, and effective response by participants in the Cluster that is accountable to those who are affected by emergency.. The Specialist provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes, to facilitate the administration and achievement of the WASH-related output results in the country programme.

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For every child, a champion

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the Organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give more children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Furthermore, UNICEF is committed to support humanitarian coordination through the cluster approach. Introduced as part of the humanitarian reform, the cluster approach, aims at ensuring clear leadership, predictability and accountability in international responses to humanitarian emergencies by clarifying the division of labor among organizations and better defining their roles and responsibilities within the different sectors involved in the response. As a member of the IASC, UNICEF work along with national and local stakeholders (including national and local authorities, CSOs, and communities) to support humanitarian coordination and to improve the collective impact of humanitarian response. Whether the cluster approach is activated or not, UNICEF plays a key role in both global and country-level interagency coordination for its areas of programmatic responsibility. As Cluster Lead Agency (CLA) for WASH, UNICEF is committed to fulfil the core functions defined by the IASC when the clusters are activated or when UNICEF is asked to support sectoral coordination.

The WASH Specialist level 3 Nexus is based in the suboffice of Fort Dauphin and responsible for the implementation of interventions in the South of Madagascar, furthermore the Nexus specialist, matrix supervises the Emergency Officer NOC based in Antananarivo and functions as Cluster Coordinator for the WASH Cluster. 

How can you make a difference? 

The WASH Specialist reports to the Chief of Field Office Fort Dauphin (Level 3) as administrative manager and Chief WASH for technical orientation (Level 4)for guidance and general supervision. The Specialist supports the development, preparation, management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the WASH programme within the Grand South with a special focus on linking humanitarian and development interventions and focus themes of the CPD 2024- 2028, of adolescents, and climate change. In their role as Cluster coordinator he/she will facilitate the processes that will ensure a well-coordinated, strategic, adequate, coherent, and effective response by participants in the Cluster that is accountable to those who are affected by emergency.. The Specialist provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes, to facilitate the administration and achievement of the WASH-related output results in the country programme.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities: 

1. Programme development and planning
2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results
3. Technical and operational support for programme implementation
4. Humanitarian WASH preparedness and response
5. Networking and partnership building
6. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

The support provided by the WASH specialist will enable the sub-offices in the South of Madagascar to achieve the WASH-related output results of the country programme.  This, in turn, will contribute to the achievement of the outcome results of the country programme document.  When done effectively, the achievement of the outcome results will improve child survival, growth and development and reduce inequalities in the country.  The WASH Specialist Nexus that functions as Cluster Coordinator provides leadership and representation for the sub-national Cluster. This contributes to the predictability and accountability of humanitarian action, in line with the aims of the cluster approach and IASC principles, and ensures that the humanitarian response is well-coordinated, strategic, adequate, coherent, effective and builds the resilience of the affected population. It also contributes to maintaining and enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to fulfil its commitments as Cluster Lead Agency, in line with the CCCs.  

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: [ WASH Specialist P3-NEXUS-FD.pdf]

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: 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 that complement/supplement the main degree are a strong asset.

• Work Experience: a minimum of five years of professional experience in WASH-related programmes for developing countries is required.

  One year of deployment in a developing country is required.

  Experience in emergency contexts is an added advantage.

  Experience of working in the humanitarian coordination system is desirable.

• Skills (considered as assets)

Rural water supply for low- and middle-income countries – including water safety, sustainability
Rural and urban sanitation for low- and middle-income countries, incl sustainability; applying CATS principles
Handwashing with soap
WASH-in-Schools and Health Centres
Menstrual hygiene management
National government WASH policies, plans and strategies
Analysis of national budgets and expenditure for basic WASH, and related advocacy
Key process and features of the humanitarian programme cycle (HNO, HRP and CCPM), the humanitarian reform process and the transformative agenda, the Humanitarian-Development Nexus and the Grand Bargain Commitments,
IASC Reference Module for Cluster Coordination at Country Level (2015),
Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action, (2010), UNICEF,11.
Humanitarian WASH – preparedness
Humanitarian WASH – response and recovery
Humanitarian WASH – coordination of the response
Programme/project management
Capacity development
Knowledge management
Monitoring and evaluation
Human rights and WASH
Gender equality and WASH

• Language Requirements: Fluency in French and English are required.

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency. 

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

The 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

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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 measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be 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 canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

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

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.