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For every child, a hope

In Madagascar, where access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene remains a significant challenge, UNICEF is seeking a WASH Specialist (Coordinator Mionjo) to enhance our efforts. The country faces critical issues such as water scarcity, inadequate sanitation infrastructure, and urgent needs for improved hygiene management, particularly in rural areas and schools.  The WASH Specialist reports to the Chief of WASH (Level 4) for guidance and general supervision. The Specialist supports the development, preparation, management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the WASH programme within the country programme. 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.

How can you make a difference? 

The support provided by the WASH specialist will enable the country office 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.  

Summary of key functions/accountabilities: 

• Programme Development and Planning

  • Contribute to WASH situation analysis, policy development, and donor proposals.
  • Assist in defining WASH outcomes, indicators, and targets for urban sanitation.
  • Ensure integration of WASH with other UNICEF sectors and draft work plans.

• Programme Management, Monitoring and Delivery of Result

  • Strengthen national WASH monitoring systems using tools like WASH-BAT.
  • Participate in programme reviews and prepare reports on program performance.
  • Monitor resource use and ensure compliance with guidelines and donor commitments.

• Technical and Operational Support for Programme Implementation

  • Monitor activities through field visits and resolve issues with partners.
  • Provide technical support to government, NGO, and UN partners.
  • Support the use of technical experts and participate in WASH meetings.

• Humanitarian WASH Preparedness and Response

  • Contribute to emergency WASH coordination and rapid response efforts.

• Networking and Partnership Building

  • Build strong partnerships with government and stakeholders for effective programme delivery.
  • Represent UNICEF in inter-agency discussions and advocacy.

• Innovation, Knowledge Management, and Capacity Building

  • Lead WASH innovation and action research.
  • Document good practices and support staff learning and capacity development.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  WASH Specialist Level 3 (Mionjo Coord) TMS.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:

  DEVELOPMENTAL: a minimum of five years of professional experience in WASH-related programmes for developing countries is required. At least 2 years of progressive experience managing large scale projects funded by major donors is preferred.

  HUMANITARIAN: At least one three-month deployment mission in a humanitarian situation (with UN-Govt-INGO) is required.

• Language Requirements: Fluency in French is required. Knowledge of English is an asset

Desirables:

• Developing field 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 

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 application and candidate with disabilities 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.

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.