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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, hope

UNICEF Ukraine

How can you make a difference? 

Background:

Odessa Field Office (FO) manages a WASH programme covering Odessa, Mykolaiv, and Kherson Oblasts. The programme has an estimated annual budget of USD 19 million to support both humanitarian responses and early recovery projects. The annual work plan encompasses a wide range of activities, including distribution of WASH and hygiene kits, rehabilitation of water and sanitation infrastructure in cities and villages, and restoration of WASH facilities in educational institutions and healthcare facilities. The programme also includes emergency interventions, such as water trucking and urgent infrastructure rehabilitation. Activities are implemented through a variety of partners, including city Vodokanals, CSOs, and peri-urban/rural communal enterprises.

Since December 2025, the escalation of attacks across all three oblasts has led to a significant increase in emergencies. Water and heating services have been frequently disrupted, and the rehabilitation of essential services requires substantial technical preparation, which often limits UNICEF’s capacity to respond in a timely manner due to the lack of partner readiness.

Purpose of assignment:

The objective of this position is to support the WASH team in the Odesa Area of Responsibility (AoR) in the effective and timely implementation of the WASH programme’s core activities. The WASH Consultant will provide technical assistance during the assessment and planning phase and advise on priorities based on identified technical needs and prepare the required technical designs.

Work assignment overview:

Travel plan within Ukraine:

Number of travel days: 134 days.

Destination:  Mykolaiv Oblast - 80 days; Odesa oblast - 50 days. Kyiv/Lviv* - 4 days.

* Before any field mission, Safe and Secure Approaches in Field Environments (SSAFE) and Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK) trainings must be completed. The 4-day training schedule must be agreed upon with the security team.

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher in civil, hydraulic/sanitary and/or construction engineering is required.
• Work Experience: 
  • A minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience, at the national and/or international levels, in WASH infrastructures project monitoring, site supervision, quality assurance and/or other directly-related technical fields is required.
  • Understanding of development and humanitarian work.
  • Emergency responses experience an advantage..
  • Sufficient knowledge of key technical issues related to water, wastewater, and heating systems to engage effectively with implementing partners and local authorities
  • Proficient in MS Excel, MS Word, and MS PowerPoint
  • Ability to lead assessment processes and/or technical working groups
• Skills and competencies:

  Summary of key functions/accountabilities

  • Knowledge on ground water, water quality and wastewater management issue, district heating systems.
  • Strong understanding of project cycle management, particularly evaluation steps, and technical supervision.
  • Good knowledge of water supply and sanitation infrastructure rehabilitation and reconstruction.
  • Good understanding of review and analysis of technical documents (engineering designs, BoQs, cost estimates) for rehabilitation and reconstruction projects.
  • Good knowledge of Ukrainian legislation and regulations regarding contracting and construction of infrastructure projects.
  • Strong skills in communication with diverse stakeholders, including local authorities, contractors, consulting firms, and NGOs/CSOs.
  • Good understanding of the humanitarian approach.
  • Ability to perform multiple tasks in a timely manner with a focus on quality.
  • Ability to communicate key messages effectively to different audiences.

  Technical competencies:

  • Sufficient knowledge of key technical issues related to water, wastewater, and heating systems to engage effectively with implementing partners and local authorities.
  • Proficient in MS Excel, MS Word, and MS PowerPoint.
  • Ability to lead assessment processes and/or technical working groups.

• Functional competencies:

  • Analyzing [ II] .
  • Applying Technical Expertise [ II].
  • Planning and Organizing [ II].
• Language Requirements:
  • English: Upper-intermediate [B2].
  • Ukrainian: Proficient/Native [C2].
• Desirables:
  • Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

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…

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

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:  

Please indicate your all-inclusive (lump sum) fees in USD against the deliverables listed above, including all associated administrative and travel costs (if applicable). The office selects the individual based on best value for money.

Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

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

Individuals engaged under a consultancy 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. Consultants 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 consultant 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 consultant 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. The vaccine mandate, 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. UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.