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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.  At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, access to safe and clean water!

How can you make a difference? 

The position of WASH Specialist P-3 in Liberia offers a critical opportunity to address pressing water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) needs in the country. Despite Liberia's abundant water resources, nearly 90% of the population lacks access to safe drinking water, and sanitation services remain inadequate, with around 42% of the population practicing open defecation. These challenges are particularly severe in rural areas, where infrastructure is minimal. This role will involve designing and managing programs to improve WASH services, which are essential for public health, reducing disease prevalence, and enhancing the quality of life for Liberian communities.

The WASH Specialist P-3 will join efforts to significantly enhance the nation's WASH services, especially for vulnerable populations. According to the latest WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Program (JMP) report, substantial inequalities persist, with 3.5 billion people globally still lacking safely managed sanitation and 2 billion without basic hygiene services. In Liberia, the situation is dire, contributing to high rates of diarrheal diseases, childhood malnutrition, and frequent cholera outbreaks. This position will play a pivotal role in implementing effective WASH interventions, collaborating with government agencies, NGOs, and local communities to create sustainable solutions that improve health outcomes and support the socio-economic development of Liberia.

Purpose of the Post:

The WASH Specialist reports to the Chief of Chief, CSD 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.

Key Functions, Accountabilities and related Duties/Tasks:

1.  Programme Development and Planning

2.  Programme Management, Monitoring and Delivery of Results

3.  Technical and Pperational Support for Programme Implementation

4.  Humanitarian WASH Preparedness and Response

5.  Networking and Partnership Building

6.  Innovation, Knowledge Management and Capacity Building

You are encouraged to download the detailed Job Description in order to view the full role and its requirements:  Full Job Description WASH Specialist Level 3.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; One year of deployment in a developing country is required.  HUMANITARIAN: At least one three-month deployment mission in a humanitarian situation (with UN-Govt-INGO) is required.

• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.

Desirables:

•  Developing country 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…

• Builds and maintains partnerships
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
• Drive to achieve results for impact
• Innovates and embraces change
• Manages ambiguity and complexity
• Thinks and acts strategically
• Works collaboratively with others 
• Nurtures, leads and manages people 

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 candidates 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.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service. 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.