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For every child, access

Recurring droughts - induced by climate change - continue to increase in magnitude, frequency, and impact throughout several regions of the country. Ethiopia has been experiencing a prolonged drought following four consecutive failed rainy seasons. These climatic shocks have a long-term negative impact on the agriculture-dependent economy and compromise food security, poverty-reduction efforts, people’s well-being, livelihood development as well as the delivery of social services, resulting in large number of internally displaced people (IDP). Climate-induced drought, together with conflict, are contributing to massive social and economic disruptions, undermining livelihoods, and reversing development gains by severely compromising service delivery systems and people’s access to basic services-including child protection, education, health, nutrition and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). According to the Draft Interagency Drought Response Plan of 2022, it is estimated that nearly 17 million people in drought-impacted areas in Afar, Somali, and Oromia lowland regions need urgent humanitarian assistance as well as initiatives to make the system stronger and more resilient to withstand future shocks. In addition, the implementation of resilient - and climate resilient-systems is also a strategic response to other shocks which are triggered by conflict or political unrest.

How can you make a difference

Purpose of the Job

Support coordination, implementation, and monitoring of multisectoral program implementation for strengthening the resilience of people and structures in multiple regions. The purpose of the Multisectoral / WASH Specialist Project Coordinator (NoC-TA) position is to (1) effectively coordinate and monitor the implementation of the KFW/BMZ-funded ‘Strengthening the Resilience of people and Structures in drought-Affected Regions of Ethiopia’ program (estimated 75% of time) and support similar resilient WASH programs (estimated 25% of time). 

Summary of Key Functions and Accountabilities

• Ensure effective planning, overall coordination, implementation, monitoring (including situation monitoring and assessments), documentation, information management, and reporting on the project interventions and all phases of implementation.
• Coordinate with stakeholders and partners to ensure that monitoring systems are properly designed, and that data collection and analysis is coordinated and feeds into program performance monitoring.
• Work closely internally in UNICEF with different sections (Education, Child Protection, WASH, Health, Nutrition, Social Behavior Change, Human resources Supply and Logistics) and relevant program and operation staff including Construction Engineers, Administration and Financial Specialists, and federal/field office Specialists for the relevant multisectoral programs to coordinate and monitor the KFW/BMZ-funded project. This includes programme coordination to ensure convergence between different sections, ensure alignment with programme requirements, ensure that technical and financial monitoring is conducted in a coordinated manner, take overall responsibility of donor reporting, regular donor exchanges/updates, and function as the main programme interface with the donor, support and manage Multisectoral partnership agreements or contracts.
• Work closely with the Child Protection, Education, WASH, Health, Nutrition and Social and Behavior Change clusters, to ensure that there is effective convergence programming in selected sites and no duplication and overlap in the implementation of interventions.
• Ensure that project milestones are achieved on time and alert the supervisor, Chief of WASH and donor focal person of any challenges rewiring their attention and support.
• Oversee the multisectoral KfW project budget, consultancy contracts, and WASH contracts.
• Ensure the effective implementation of WASH by facilitating planning, execution, monitoring and coordination.
• Ensure and facilitate multisectoral and synergetic implementation of the program

Specific tasks include the following:

Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results

• Ensure the project oversight, including financial management, project review, project direction and results attainment in accordance with the Work Plan, under the guidance and support of the Supervisor, Chief of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Programme, and other relevant program/operation staff.
• Support overall technical responsibility of the implementation of interventions under the ‘Strengthening the Resilience of people and Structures in drought-Affected Regions of Ethiopia’ program activities and liaison with the KFW/BMZ delegation, relevant donors, Ministries of Education, Water, Health, Women and Social Affairs, Agriculture, Labor and relevant regional bureaus.
• Ensure preparation and timely submission of consolidated narrative, technical, progress and financial reports.
• Ensure the availability of evidence-based project data and prepare/review/support timely preparation and submission of project briefs, and any other documentation of lessons learnt.
• Liaise with Field Offices and Regional Bureaus and provide support to Regional and Field Office Specialists to ensure the smooth implementation and monitoring of the project activities.
• Facilitate the extension and signing of relevant contracts and partnership agreements to ensure effective project implementation.
• Communicate progress, bottlenecks and issues arising with the implementation of the project in a timely and effective manner.
• Coordinate and actively monitor UNICEF-supported activities through field visits, surveys and exchange of information with partners, to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely interventions. Produce programme visit reports in accordance with UNICEF HACT procedure and other donor reporting requirements.
• Coordinate joint field monitoring trips with the KFW/BMZ delegation, relevant ministries and bureaus, UNICEF program sections and other relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure the effective operation of multisectoral and multi-regional project coordination structures at national, regional, and field levels, where applicable.
• Sustain and strengthen the project monitoring concept, the revision of monitoring tools, and updating of an activity implementing tracking tool and monitoring dashboard.
• Support the ongoing development and review of tools and facilitate conducting of a resilience analysis for the project, in accordance with the established process and guiding document.
• Support, in collaboration with implementing partners, counterparts, and relevant Sections, the development and implementation of communication strategies, plans and activities to ensure the visibility of the project activities and their impact.
• Maintain effective coordination and communication with key external stakeholders including KFW/BMZ delegation, WFP, relevant federal line Ministries, and regional bureaus, ensuring the functionality of the project’s established coordination structures
• Maintain and sustain close working partnerships with government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate programme implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve WASH output results.
• Prepare materials for WASH and Multisectoral programme advocacy – in collaboration with other sections- to promote awareness, establish partnerships and support fund-raising.
• Prepare learning/knowledge products, covering innovative approaches and good practices, to support overall WASH sector / Multisectoral development.
• Ensure environmental and social safeguarding for the multisectoral program

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

Minimum requirements:

Education: An advanced university degree (Master's) in Environmental Sanitation, Environmental Health, Public Health, or other fields related to the work of UNICEF. 

*A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.

Work Experience: At least [5] years of relevant work experience in WASH or Health programmes, program development and implementation, including M&E activities, is required at the national and international level.

• Experience in coordinating multisectoral programs- humanitarian and development programs with different stakeholders/partners.
• Experience working bilaterally with donors on programme design and implementation.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (French, Spanish, Arabic, or Russian) or the local language is an asset.

Desirables:

• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• 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…

(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 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:

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 a female candidates and persons with disability 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.