Current vacancies

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.

Consultancy Title: Climate Resilient Sanitation Consultant

Section/Division/Duty Station: Water and Sanitation Section, Programme Group, UNICEF NYHQ

Duration: 1 March 2025 to 31 December 2025

Home/ Office Based: NYHQ / Remote

About UNICEF

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries.

BACKGROUND

Purpose of Activity/ Assignment: 

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical and strategic support to the expanding and emerging thematic areas of UNICEF’s sanitation programming in collaboration with the other WASH teams in HQ, Regional and Country Offices and external partners (WHO, WaterAid, GCF, FCDO, BMGF, etc.).

Scope of Work:

Sanitation is recognized as a critical component to achieving the SDGs, but significantly lags in progress as compared to other targets. UNICEF, under its Game Plan to Achieve Safely Managed Sanitation, has an ambitious agenda to support achieving universal access to safely managed sanitation. Focus areas include advancing climate resilient sanitation (CRS), advocating for sanitation internally and externally, and securing additional resources for sanitation. While progress have been made in these areas, efforts must be intensified to sustain the momentum for accelerating progress and further positioning UNICEF as a thought leader in the global sanitation agenda.

This consultancy will support strengthening UNICEF’s global advocacy sanitation agenda and capacity development on the various emerging thematic areas of sanitation programming. Specifically, the purpose of the consultant is divided into the following areas:

• Strengthening the coordination and capacity development on CRS.
• Strategic support to global advocacy on sanitation.
• Support to the resource mobilization efforts and documentation of sanitation programming experiences.

KEY TASKS AND EXPECTED RESULTS

• Strengthening the coordination and capacity development for Climate Resilient Sanitation: This consultancy will support i) coordination of the CRS Coalition, including assisting on monthly meetings; ii) sensitization and capacity development on the GCF CRS Annex for mobilizing climate finance for sanitation; and iii) supporting ongoing partnership development for climate resilient sanitation. The expected result is increased capacity for implementing climate resilient sanitation by UNICEF Country Offices and WASH sector. 
• Strategic support to global advocacy on sanitation: This consultancy will support i) coordination of the UN Water Expert Group to organize the World Toilet Day celebration on Nov 19th, ii) positioning sanitation at the UN Water Conference in 2026; and iii) develop concept noted and conference sessions and materials for Stockholm World Water Week, UNC, COP30, and AfricaSan. The expected result is an increase in the presence of sanitation in international development.
• Resource management and documentation of sanitation programming experiences: This consultancy will support the resource mobilization drive of the Sanitation, Hygiene and Institution Team by i) identifying potential donors that could fund sanitation programmes; ii) development of sanitation-specific proposals; and iii) reporting on existing grants. The expected result is a contribution to increasing resources for sanitation.
• Unit coordination and planning: This consultancy will support i) regular team management meetings; ii) UNICEF annual reporting; and iii) annual planning.

Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables:

1. Strengthening Coordination and capacity development on Climate Resilient Sanitation

• 10 Monthly CRS Coalition agendas and meeting notes prepared (31 December 2025)
• 2 CRS Training modules developed (31 May 2025)
• Three trainings on CRS proposal development conducted (15 July 2025)

2. Strategic support to Global Advocacy on Sanitation

• Development of concept notes, sessions and materials for four global conferences – UNC, SWWW, AfricaSan, COP30 (21 November 2025)
• World Toilet Day event organized and delivered (19 November 2025)
• Inputs and review of the GARR to reflect CRS workplan (30 April 2025)
• Concept note and Workplan for improving positioning of sanitation at UN Water 2026 conference via UN Mission and UN Water engagement and outreach     (4 April 2025)

3. Support Resource Mobilization         

• At least two funding proposals developed for sanitation – one of which will be support to Xylem development and drafting process (31 October 2025)
• Two progress donor reports on existing grants produced (Osprey and BMGF) (30 November 2025)
• CRS project facility funding proposal developed and submitted for funding (30 June 2025)
• 18 bi-weekly Sanitation, Hygiene and Institution Team meetings facilitated, reports produced and disseminated (31 December 2025)

Qualifications

Education: 

Advanced university degree (Masters or higher) in International development, Engineering, Public health, Behavioral and other social sciences, Communications, or any other related technical or specialized field.

Work experience:

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required *: 

• A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in the WASH sector, at least some of which with a climate resilient sanitation, and resource mobilization focus.
• Firm grasp of the key definitions of WASH programming and climate resilient sanitation, and resource mobilization
• In-depth understanding of the sanitation sector
• Strong communication skills (written and oral) in English are required. French, Spanish and Arabic are considered an advantage.
• Proven ability to work under tight deadlines and drive for results.
• Previous working experience with the United Nations and/or an international organization is desirable.
• Excellent interpersonal and partnership management skills.
• Demonstrated experience working in a multicultural environment and demonstrates the core values of UNICEF.

Requirements:

Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and

- Upload copy of academic credentials

- Financial proposal that will include/ reflect :

• • the costs per each deliverable and the total lump-sum for the whole assignment (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference.
  • travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR.
  • Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.
  • Indicate your availability

- Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.

- At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.

- Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory 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.

U.S. Visa information:

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4.  

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

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. View our competency framework at: Here

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors 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 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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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. 

Remarks:  

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 candidate 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 candidates 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. It 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.