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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.

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

For every child, deliver

Background and Strategic Context

Under the overall direction and guidance of the WASH Cluster Coordinator, will support in ensuring a well-coordinated, predictable, strategic, adequate, coherent, timely, and effective WASH response by participants at the subnational/ state level that is accountable to those who are affected by the emergency. In their effort to provide an efficient and effective response to the humanitarian crisis, the post holder will be responsible for leading and building relationships with stakeholders, securing the overall coordination of sectoral goals and responses based on evidence, and ensuring Inter-Cluster collaboration, and ensuring adequate coordination with the national level.

How can you make a difference? 

Summary of Key Functions and Accountabilities

The post holder's main tasks and responsibilities will include but not be limited to: 

Coordination, representation, and leadership

• Ensure and maintain a coordination mechanism that facilitates the effective achievement of the cluster functions (as outlined by the IASC Reference Module) and the requirements of the HPC (HNO, HRP, and CCPM) and which builds on pre-existing coordination structures where appropriate and furthers the development of current or future national and subnational capacities,
• Coordinate with the national Cluster/ Working Group, ensuring alignment of work and priorities, effective communication, reporting and engagement between the levels,
• Supervise the subnational Cluster/ Working Group coordination team,
• Ensure appropriate coordination and build partnerships with all relevant clusters and stakeholders at the subnational level, including government counterparts and national authorities, and local, national, and international organizations.
• Build complementarity of partner actions within the subnational Cluster/ Working Group, pro-actively negotiating with partners to avoid and resolve duplication and gaps,
• Coordinate, collaborate, and represent the subnational Cluster/ Working Group with stakeholders across all clusters, including through Inter-Cluster coordination fora, developing cross-sectoral relationships as appropriate.

Needs assessment and analysis.

• Contribute to the planning and implementation of needs assessment and analysis, including contributing to multi-sectoral needs assessments and joint analysis of needs at subnational levels,
• Analyse needs assessment data and works collaboratively with the subnational Cluster/ Working Group partners to create analytical products, including an HNO based on evidence-based information.

Strategic response planning

• Contribute to national-level strategic planning, response prioritization, and the development of the sectoral response plan that is based on the HNO and aligned with national priorities, policies, and plans,
• Ensure all programme delivery modalities (in-kind, cash, voucher, and services) are given equal consideration in the strategic response planning and establish and implement systematic measures for supporting their consideration and use,
• Provide technical support to subnational cluster/ Working Group partners to ensure activities are aligned with national priorities and communities' needs,
• Ensure that subnational cluster/ Working Group response planning is regularly updated according to evolving needs and that it establishes indicators by which the performance of the subnational Cluster/Working Group can be measured,
• Engage with OCHA and other AoRs/ Clusters/ Working Groups to contribute to the development of the HRP, representing the concerns of the Cluster / Working Group at the subnational level.

Resource mobilization and advocacy

• Support partners' resource mobilization to promote the effective functioning of the subnational Cluster/Group and its response,
• Monitor, analyse, and communicate information about the subnational Cluster/ Working Group’s financial situation and resource mobilization and identify appropriate actions to address gaps or constraints,
• Advocate for improved cluster outcomes, network with advocacy allies, and influence stakeholders' decision-making.

Implementation and monitoring

• Monitor, evaluate, and report on the coverage, equity, quality, and progress of the response against the Cluster/ Working Group strategy, priorities, and agreed results at the subnational level,
• Contribute to gap and coverage analysis to identify spatial and temporal gaps, overlaps, and coverage of the Cluster/Working Group humanitarian response,
• Monitor the subnational Cluster/ Working Group’s adherence to IASC cluster approach principles, relevant humanitarian and cluster agreements, standards, initiatives, and guidelines and encourage partners to improve.

 Operational peer review and evaluation

• Participate in the annual cluster coordination performance monitoring (CCPM) exercise and annual review and contribute to other sectoral and humanitarian evaluations as appropriate. As well as implement the actions planned at the sub-cluster level.

Accountability to affected populations

• Be accountable to the affected population by establishing inclusive and consultative feedback mechanisms and encouraging the involvement of the affected population in the response,
• Ensure the inclusion of cross-cutting issues (age, child protection, disability, gender, gender-based violence (GBV) mitigation and response, and HIV & AIDS) in subnational Cluster/ Working Group activities throughout the HPC,
• Encourage partners to demonstrate a positive and systematic approach to inclusion and diversity,
• Adhere to child safeguarding and PSEA policies, including procedures for challenging and reporting incidents, and ensure other coordination team members comply.

Strengthen national and local capacity.

• Encourage participation of local and national actors in subnational Cluster/ Working Group activities and strategic decision-making, removing barriers to access,
• Contribute to the development of a capacity assessment and capacity strengthening strategy for Cluster/ Working Group members and oversee implementation and harmonization of initiatives; lead early warning, contingency planning, and emergency preparedness efforts for the subnational Cluster/Working Group, ensuring adequate cluster participation in Inter-Cluster early warning, contingency planning and emergency preparedness activities.

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

Minimum Qualifications and Competencies:

• Education:
  • An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: public health, social sciences, health and hygiene behavior change communication, WASH-related engineering, or another relevant technical field.  Two years of additional relevant work experience that was gained after obtaining a bachelor’s degree may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.
  • Additional relevant post-graduate courses that complement/ supplement the main degree is a strong asset.
• Experience:
  • A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in WASH-related program planning and management is required.
  • Relevant experience in leading the WASH program and its management in a UN system agency or international or National organization is considered an asset.
  • Experience working in the humanitarian coordination system is desirable.
  • Experience effectively managing partners and teams in high stress/risk environments is an advantage.
  • Experience in Sudan contexts and multiple geographic regions, including a deployment mission with the UN, Government, or INGO, is strongly desirable.
  • Experience in humanitarian contexts is required; experience in development contexts is an added advantage.
• Language Requirements:
  • Fluency in English is required.
  • Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic) or the local language is an asset.

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…

Core Competencies 

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

Coordination Competencies:

•  Applies Humanitarian Principles, Standards and Guidelines (1)

• Applies Key WASH Concepts and Tools (1)
• Operates Safely and Securely (1)
• Demonstrates Commitment to a Coordinated Response (1)
• Promotes Cooperation and Collaboration (1)
• Demonstrates Accountability (1)
• Promotes Inclusion (1)
• Provides Influential and Strategic Leadership (1)
• Analyses and Communicates Information (1)
• Supports Resource Mobilization (1)
• Advocates for Improved WASH Outcomes (1)
• Monitors the Response (1)
• Strengthens National Capacity to Respond and Lead (1)

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

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.

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:

Duty Station: Gedaref (with the flexibility to travel to other parts)

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable qualified female 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.

UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer category.

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.