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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, clean water

The Multi-Annual Global and Regional Programmes (MAGRP) for HQ and regional engagement under PROSPECT 2.0 is centered around three key strategic priorities: Inclusion, School-to-Work Transition, and Protection. Over the course of four years (2024-2027), MAGRP aims to guide global and regional programming, policy discussions, and learning initiatives. These activities are closely aligned with the aforementioned strategic priorities and correspond with the PROSPECTS Theory of Change, which is structured around four pillars, with the fourth pillar dedicated to ‘Critical Infrastructure.’

The objective of this assignment is to enable the UNICEF MENARO WASH section to contribute to achieving the outcomes outlined in ‘pillar 4’ of the Theory of Change. This includes enhancing services, facilities, and information systems vital to forcibly displaced individuals and host communities, as well as improving access to WASH facilities and the management of WASH services in areas affected by Forcibly Displaced Populations (FDP) and Host Communities (HCs).

Consultant will be reporting to the RO WASH Specialist. 

How can you make a difference? 

1. Water and Sanitation sector policy mapping/reviews and analysis:

a) Conduct a comprehensive analysis and mapping of water and sanitation policies and frameworks across the targeted countries to assess their alignment with the needs of FDP and host communities. This includes evaluating whether these policies promote equitable access to water and sanitation services and how resources are allocated to enhance water resource management in countries hosting FDP. This may require travel to focus countries (Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon and possibly Sudan) to meet with relevant governments officials and stakeholders.

a) Identify key opportunities and gaps in existing water sector policies and frameworks based on the mapping results and propose recommendations for UNICEF, both at the country and regional levels. Suggest strategies to enhance coordinated and predictable engagement in other countries alongside regional and global policy dialogues.

b) Prepare a report detailing results of the mapping, recommendations and action plans to address weaknesses and gaps in policies, frameworks, social inclusion, and learning-to-earning initiatives within WASH programs.

2. Knowledge management and advocacy products:

a) Create advocacy materials aimed at ensuring equitable access to water and sanitation services for marginalized FDP groups, while promoting social inclusion and gender equity within national WASH systems and related policies. These materials should bolster ongoing advocacy efforts at both the regional office and country office levels.

b) Document best practices illustrating how UNICEF can deliver inclusive WASH services that consider age, gender, and disability in the MENA region.  

c) Develop various knowledge management products related to WASH, such as newsletters and bulletins, to facilitate information sharing with different stakeholders.

3. Water and sanitation indicators development:

a). Establish a set of WASH indicators to measure key results and outcomes for MAGRP ‘pillar 4’ interventions. Support Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) sessions by compiling quantitative and qualitative data to inform analysis of progress during annual MEL sessions and guide any necessary adjustments in program design.

• Deliverables 

1. Review and analysis of water and sanitation sector policies/strategies/frameworks in 4 PROSPECT countries in MENA

Deliverables/Outputs:

A comprehensive report describing the current status of water and sanitation sector policy in the MENA region in general and specific to the 'pillar 4' countries (Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, and possibly Sudan).

The analysis should determine whether existing water and sanitation policies are inclusive of FDP/HCs and are aligned with addressing FDP rights to access water and sanitation services.

The report should propose ways UNICEF MENARO WASH section can improve coordinated and predictable engagement in country, regional, and global-level policy dialogue across 'pillar 4' countries.

The report will be presented and discussed with the PROSPECT country offices, government ministries, and affiliated institutions.

Delivery Deadline: 15th - 30th March 2025 (15 days)

2. Development of knowledge management and advocacy products/materials

Deliverables/Outputs:

a) Develop 5 advocacy documents related to equitable access to water and sanitation, especially for the most marginalized FDP, and promoting social inclusion in national WASH systems/policies.

b) Develop 4 knowledge management products (e.g., newsletters, bulletins) for sharing with different counterparts.

c) Document best practices on how WASH services are inclusive in all child-related national services, education sectors, and considering age, gender, and disability aspects in the 4 countries.

d) Develop and deliver at least 2 regional webinar sessions on the results of Activity 1 and Activity 2.

Delivery Deadline: 1st - 20th April 2025 (20 days)

3. Water and sanitation indicators development

Deliverables/Outputs:

a) Establish a set of WASH indicators to measure key results and outcomes for MAGRP ‘pillar 4’ interventions.

Support Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) sessions by compiling quantitative and qualitative data to inform the analysis of progress during annual MEL sessions and guide any necessary adjustments in program design.

Delivery Deadline: 5th - 20th May 2025 (10 days)

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

• An advanced degree in environmental sciences, water governance/engineering is required, or a relevant bachelor’s degree combined with 2 additional years of relevant experience may substitute for a master’s degree.

• A minimum of 8 years of experience at regional and country levels in managing WASH in humanitarian programs and public-private partnerships, including work experience in national government WASH related policies and strategic frameworks.

• Direct experience working with FDP on WASH issues.

• Thorough knowledge of the technical and policy factors driving the water and sanitation sector, as well as an understanding of the political economy surrounding reforms in humanitarian contexts.

• Proven experience in successfully leading transformational programs at both regional and national levels, along with a history of delivering large-scale initiatives focused on water, sanitation, environmental, and sustainability issues.

• Established connections with key stakeholders and organizations involved in water, sanitation, and climate initiatives, ideally spanning the public, private, and civil society sectors within the MENA region.

• Proficiency in both English and Arabic.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Remarks:  

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

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts. 

Please include a cover letter of interest, CV, your technical and financial proposal, including an all-inclusive financial proposal to undertake the above TOR. The consultants are required to indicate all-inclusive (lump sum) fees for the services to be provided, including all associated administrative and travel costs. Applications submitted without a proposed fee will not be accepted.

This consultancy is expected to start from 15 March to 20 June (45 days).