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UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

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For every child, hope.

UNICEF has been in Sudan since 1952 and provides long-term humanitarian, development and peacebuilding assistance to children and young people, their mothers, families and communities. We target the most vulnerable children, including refugees and internally displaced persons, through lifesaving programmes, especially at the household and community levels; while strengthening systems and working to sustain peace and advocate for respect, dignity and the full realization of children’s rights.

How can you make a difference?

The WASH Specialist (Emergency Urban) will be responsible for leading and coordinating urban water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) emergency responses under the Khartoum Water and Sanitation Project. The Specialist will lead the design, damage assessments, and implementation of urban WASH programmes, with a strong focus on strengthening water utilities and improving service delivery in crisis-affected urban areas.

S/he will coordinate and supervise cholera outbreak responses, conduct urban water supply damage assessments, and oversee implementation across targeted urban locations, ensuring timely, efficient, and high-quality delivery of results.

The incumbent will also provide technical leadership in emergency WASH interventions in urban settings, offering expert guidance to government counterparts and implementing partners on WASH policies, urban service design standards, and context-specific innovations.

Working in close collaboration with national and local authorities, NGOs, community stakeholders, UN agencies, donors, and internal UNICEF teams, the Specialist will ensure that emergency urban WASH interventions are aligned with national strategies, sector coordination mechanisms, and international standards.

This role is pivotal in building institutional capacity, supporting utility resilience, and promoting sustainable, equitable access to WASH services in urban and peri-urban areas, including public institutions.

Organizational Context and Purpose for the Job

Background

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. WASH is one of the basic social service and advocacy programme areas that UNICEF supports in Sudan towards fulfilling the right, development and protection of vulnerable children.

In response to the current crisis in Sudan, the WASH delivery model has become heavily dependent on partnerships with CSOs, making this position strategically crucial in the section.

Purpose

The WASH Specialist (Emergency Urban) will be responsible for leading and coordinating urban water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) initiatives in UNICEF Sudan country office, in particular the Khartoum Water and Sanitation project. S/he shall work closely with government counterparts, local authorities, NGOs, community stakeholders, UN sister agencies, donors, and in collaboration with the section team and beyond to ensure the effective implementation of urban WASH projects in line with national policies and international standards.

The WASH Specialist will play a pivotal role in overseeing and coordinating water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) initiatives with a focus on urban settings, institutions and empowering water utilities.

The WASH specialist (Emergency Urban), reports to the Chief of field office with technical guidance from urban WASH Manager. The incumbent will be responsible for leading the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of urban WASH projects to ensure effective delivery of services and sustainable outcomes. 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, with particular focus on Urban WASH.

 Summary of Key Functions and Accountability

The WASH Specialist (Emergency Urban) reports to the Chief of field office for supervision. The WASH Specialist provides technical, operational and management assistance throughout the WASH programming process, particularly on Urban WASH. The Specialist prepares, manages and implements a variety of technical and administrative tasks, related to the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the WASH output results of the country programme 2025 - 2026. The incumbent focuses on conventional and non-conventional water scheme design and delivery in urban settings, including development for assessment, design and supervision contracts, project and financial oversight at site level and capacity building of UNICEF staff on renewable energy and non-conventional water systems.

1. Management support to the Chief of WASH

• Advise the Chief of field office in establishing the annual work plan and annual workplan outputs, activities and developmental priorities of WASH section and determining priorities with focus on urban component of the WASH program (Urban WASH).
• Coordinate the implementation of the Urban Water and Emergency WASH action project by UNICEF ensuring sequencing and integration of project implementation processes (across the water supply & sanitation components), timely delivery of project milestones and results and regular review of progress and risks. Report critical issues to the Chief of WASH for timely action.
• Provide technical advice, especially to WASH staff under the project on all aspects of programming and implementation. Provide capacity building of UNICEF staff on renewable energy and non-conventional water scheme design and development.
• Contribute to advancing the Humanitarian-Development-Peace nexus within the implementing states as well as nationally through the effective implementation

2. Programme development and planning

• Draft the WASH inputs for urban component for the situation analysis. Provide comprehensive and current data to inform WASH policy and programme development, planning, management and implementation. Keep abreast of WASH sector developments, for maximum efficiency and effectiveness in WASH programme design, management and implementation, specifically with regard to the Khartoum Water and sanitation Project as well as World Bank and KfW supported Projects.
• Work collaboratively with UNICEF colleagues and partners to discuss state/locality level WASH priorities, resources, risks, strategies and methodologies to ensure the most strategic use of the collective resources of external support agencies for advancing the project.
• Participate in strategic WASH programme planning discussions and the formulation of the WASH outcome and output results, related indicators, baselines, targets and means of verification, ensuring alignment with the 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 WASH external support agencies.
• Prepare WASH donor proposals as required, ensuring alignment with the WASH output results in the country programme.

3. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results:

• Draft documentation for programme reviews and analytical statements on progress and constraints of WASH outcome and output results. 
• Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes for the achievement of the planned targets under the Khartoum Water and Sanitation project and other urban WASH Projects. Ensure effective collaboration with governmental entities and other UNICEF sectors, where needed.
• Arrange and participate in the development of the ToR for assessment, design and supervision contracts,
• Monitor the project on site, discuss with the contractors and consultants any challenges that affect time, quality and cost. Keep financial oversight and control the project budget at site level, inform CFO of any critical/deviating issues.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sectoral reviews with government and other partners and prepare reports for the CFO and WASH sections. Contribute to the preparation of the Self-Assessment report for the annual review of the project and track implementation of Annual Review recommendations.
• Establish an up-to-date database to track progress on the implementation of the water master plan priority interventions and ensure it is fully mainstreamed into locality administration.
• Arrange regular steering and technical committee meetings (quarterly) and maintain a record of key issues discussed and actions agreed.
• Monitor, report and certify 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 issues to the CFO, for timely resolution.
• Prepare (yearly, six months and quarterly as may be required) financial forecasts for the next period in line with funding arrangement and disbursement schedule. Inform the CFO of any changes in forecasts as soon as these are known. 
• Prepare sectoral progress reports for management, donors and partners as per agreed formats and timelines. Enrich the reports with quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) input.

4. Advisory services and technical support 

• Provide technical support in designing and implementation of urban WASH Infrastructure including developing and reviewing BOQ, specifications, feasibility studies, and quality assurance.
• Participate in strategic discussions to influence national/state WASH policies and strategies, including the reduction of inequalities, contributing to national/ global sector learning.
• Advise senior officials in government, NGOs, UN agencies and WASH sector donor agencies on WASH policies, strategies and best practices to advance equitable access to water and sanitation in a protracted emergency context.
• Support the tendering process and provide all needed data and information
• Participate in the briefing and debriefing of project personnel. Assist in the identification, diagnoses, planning, design, financing and preparation of projects and studies
• Draft policy papers, briefs and other strategic materials for use by management, donors, UNICEF regional offices and headquarters.
• Contribute to the development of Terms of references of studies and surveys; provide technical guidance/oversight for the successful conduct & dissemination of studies and surveys.
• Plan for the 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.

5. Advocacy, networking and partnership building

•  Build and strengthen strategic partnerships with government counterparts, UN agencies, donor agencies, WASH institutions, NGOs, research institutes and the private sector to stimulate coordination and collaboration. Undertake effective collaboration with all entities implementing the water component of the Port Sudan Water and Sanitation project for an integrated approach to improve WASH services in urban, peri-urban and IDP settings.
• Support analysis of state budgets for WASH, cost analysis and value-for-money studies, to advocate for improvements in sector efficiency.
• Produce materials for the project advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships and support fund-raising for the WASH sector at large.
• Participate in inter-agency discussions as required, ensuring that UNICEF’s position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the planning and agenda setting.
• Interact with global and regional initiatives and partnerships for WASH.

6. Humanitarian WASH preparedness and response

• Manage all aspects of UNICEF’s preparations for WASH in emergencies, as required.
• Ensure the coordination arrangements for humanitarian WASH are in place, for instant robust coordination in case of an emergency.
• Ensure that all UNICEF WASH staff under supervision are familiar with UNICEF’s procedures for responding in an emergency.
• Take up leadership/managerial role in an emergency response and early recovery, as and when the need arises.

7. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Manage the implementation, monitoring and documentation of WASH action research and innovation (technical or systems) under the water and Sanitation project, ensuring rigorous monitoring and wide sharing of results.
• Prepare learning/knowledge products, covering innovative approaches and good practices under the project, to support overall WASH sector development.
• Prepare presentations on the project to staff and key stakeholders, focusing on lessons learned and challenges, help enhance the documentation of large project data and support the knowledge management at WASH section.
• Support the professional development of UNICEF WASH staff, to ensure our sector capacity remains up to date with the latest developments.
• Initiate and contribute to the systematic assessment of WASH sector capacity gap analysis, in collaboration with government and other stakeholders, and support the design of initiatives to strengthen capacities systematically, especially under the Urban WASH component.
• Participate as a resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of WASH sector stakeholders.
• Ensure and innovate ideas for optimal achievement of project goals and objectives, select suitable materials, methodologies, spatial and timely management of multi-activities

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

Education:

An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: Water supply, Civil or Sanitary or Environmental Engineering. 

Work Experience:

• A minimum of five years of professional experience in WASH-related programmes for developing countries is required.
• Experience in management of large-scale projects, conventional and non-conventional water scheme design and delivery in urban settings, complex programme through a nexus approach is preferred.
• Recent experience in desalination, climate action, environmental and social safeguarding, environment is an asset.   
• At least six months of work in humanitarian situations is an asset.
• Development experience is an asset.

Languages: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (French, Spanish, Arabic, or Russian) or the local language is an asset. 

Core Values

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability
• Sustainability

Core Competencies 

• 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)

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.

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 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.

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.