Current vacancies

PURPOSE:

UNICEF, as the Cluster Lead Agency, provides leadership to the emergency WASH response in the North-West Syria with a unique cross-border response setting from Gaziantep. The purpose of this consultancy is to provide i leadership and facilitate the processes that will ensure a well-coordinated, adequate, coherent, strategic and effective response by participants for the WASH Cluster.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The consultant has joint responsibility with the Cluster Lead Agency, co-coordinating organization, resourcing partners and all cluster member organizations at the national and sub-national level for the efficient management and functioning of the WASH Cluster encompassing the following:

• Maintain an appropriate Cross-Border humanitarian coordination mechanism, ensuring appropriate linkage with Whole of Syria coordination arrangement
• Build complementarity of actions of cluster member organizations through increased predictability and accountability: avoiding duplication and gaps
• Maintain flexibility within the cluster to respond to changes in the operating environment, evolving requirements, capacities and participation
• Effectively use and transfer information to, from and between cluster participants and other stakeholders
• Interact with other clusters (including through inter-cluster coordination fora), humanitarian actors, and relevant authorities for operational planning, engagement and active contribution of operational partners
• Facilitate capacity building and effective resource utilization towards prioritized needs and gaps
• Facilitate planning, analysis and reporting and ensure coherence and harmonization of response standards in WASH services
• Provide leadership for effective and comprehensive integration of all cross-cutting issues including the aspects on Gender, Disability, Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP), Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), Do No Harm, and Environment by sharing information and in consultation with cluster member organizations

• Monitor performance of the core cluster functions

ACCOUNTABILITIES and DUTIES & TASKS 

• The WASH Cluster Coordinator for North West Syria will report to Head of the Office/Senior Emergency Specialist.
• The post holder is accountable to Inter-cluster coordination bodies established by the UNOCHA
• The post holder is accountable to affected populations through agreed mechanisms

Core cluster functions:

Supporting service delivery:

• Provide a platform to ensure that service delivery is driven by the agreed strategic priorities, avoiding potential duplication.

Guide member organizations to develop proposals for funding to meet to the gaps in humanitarian response and recommend to donors, including SCHF allocations, on merit

Informing strategic decision-making of the HC/HCT for the humanitarian response:

• Needs assessment and gap analysis (across other sectors and within the sector)
• Analysis to identify and address (emerging) gaps, obstacles, duplication, and cross-cutting issues.
• Facilitate prioritization, based on the response analysis

Planning and strategy development:

• Develop sectoral plans, objectives and indicators directly support realization of the HC/HCT strategic priorities
• Application and adherence to existing standards and guidelines
• Clarify funding requirements, prioritization, and cluster contributions to HC’s overall humanitarian funding considerations (Flash Appeal, CAP, ERF/CHF, CERF)

Monitor and Evaluate performance:

• Monitoring and reporting the implementation of the cluster strategy and results; recommending corrective action where necessary
• Engage field facilitators/monitors for necessary quality management and rapid assessment support

Build national capacity in preparedness and contingency planning:

• Contingency planning/preparedness for recurrent disasters whenever feasible and relevant.
• Review/develop capacity development plan for the cluster and organize training/ capacity development support for the cluster member organizations

Advocacy:

• Identify advocacy concerns to contribute to HC and HCT messaging and action
• Undertaking advocacy activities on behalf of cluster participants and the affected population

Improve awareness on accountability to the affected population:

• The population concerns are taken into consideration through a proper accountability framework
• Facilitate development of guidelines and their implementation that promotes AAP
• Support carrying out WASH Cluster self-assessment on the minimum commitments for safety and dignity of affected populations and provided recommend follow up actions.

COMPETENCIES

Core competencies:

• Understands the rationale behind Humanitarian Reform, its main components and recent developments including the Transformative Agenda
• Understands, uses, and adapts the tools, mechanisms, and processes developed as part of Humanitarian Reform
• Demonstrates commitment to Humanitarian Principles and to Principles of Partnership
• Communicates, works, and networks effectively with a wide range of people to reach broad consensus on a well-coordinated response, and demonstrates leadership where required
• Thinks and acts strategically and ensures that cluster activities are prioritised and aligned within an agreed strategy
• Demonstrates commitment to the cluster and independence from employing organisation
• Builds, motivates, and leads the cluster coordination team
• Successful track-record in presenting complex issues to various stake holders effectively, sensitively, and within professional poise

Technical/ Professional Skills:

• Ability to build trust, develop, and maintain effective working relationships with respect for diversity
• Commitment to the core values and guiding principles of humanitarian response
• Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results
• Fosters innovation and empowers management
• Very good oral and written communications skills, as well as analytical skills, with an exemplary ability to identify problems and propose solutions
• Strategic thinking and decision-making skills, with a commitment to excellence
• Strong interpersonal, team-work, and self-management skills, as well as mature judgment
• Ability to perform under pressure while maintaining a sense of humour
• Communicates effectively including, tailoring languages, tone, style, and format to match audiences; actively listens to perspectives of stakeholders and team members; interpreting messages and respond appropriately; speaking and writing clearly and efficient; and makes presentations in public with confidence
• Understands key technical issues for the cluster to be able to: engage with cluster participants; make full use of their experience and knowledge; guide strategy and plans; communicate and advocate on important issues

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Qualifications

• An advanced university degree in WASH or/and management with previous experience in WASH cluster coordination
• Extensive work experience relevant to this post may be considered as a replacement for formal qualifications
• Formal training in cluster coordination an advantage

Experience

At least 5/7 years progressively responsible humanitarian work experience with UN and/or NGO, including programme management and/or coordination in the first phase of a major emergency response relevant to the cluster.

Duration of Consultancy

Seven months from the date of joining

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UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization.