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For every child, results

Between October 18 and November 10, Cuba has been affected by two hurricanes (Oscar, with major impacts in Guantánamo, and Rafael, causing significant damage in the western provinces of Artemisa, Mayabeque, and Havana); two earthquakes (one of magnitude 6.0 and another of magnitude 6.7, southeast of Pilón in Granma); two total disconnections of the National Electric Power System (SEN) which has a direct impact on water services.

In its current Programme of Cooperation 2020-2025, UNICEF Cuba has strengthened its cooperation with the National Institute of Water Resources (INRH), focused on emergency response as well as climate resilient WASH program. As a result, a WASH Officer NOA TA is required to support with strategic programmatic actions which include the implementation of the emergency WASH response to hurricanes Oscar, Rafael and the earthquake in Granma, while implementing the climate resilient and financing agenda for the WASH sector.

The WASH Officer will be responsible to strengthen UNICEF’s partnership and program in line with UNICEF’s climate shift which includes coordination with the INRH and the Environmental Ministry (CITMA). In addition, UNICEF Cuba is currently preparing its new Country Programme Document 2026-2030 whereby the WASH Officer will lead on the formulation for the WASH and Climate programmatic pillar.

The WASH Officer level 1 will support Cuba Country Office (CO) to deliver the humanitarian and development WASH program.

The WASH Officer reports to the Deputy Representative (Level 4).

How can you make a difference? 

The WASH Officer provides professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the WASH programming process, through the application of theoretical and practical technical skills in researching, collecting, analyzing and presenting programme information while learning organizational rules, regulations and procedures to support the development, implementation and monitoring of the WASH output results of the Country Programme.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Programme development and planning
2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results
3. Technical and operational support for programme implementation
4. Humanitarian WASH preparedness and response
5. Networking and partnership building
6. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

1. Programme development and planning

• Research and analyze regional/national political, WASH, health, and social and economic development trends. Collect, analyze, verify and synthesize information to facilitate programme development, design and preparation.
• Prepare technical reports and inputs for programme preparation and documentation, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and relevance of information.
• Assist in the development/establishment of WASH-related outcome and output results, as well as related strategies, through analysis of WASH sector needs and priorities.
• Provide technical and administrative support throughout all stages of programming processes by executing/administering a variety of technical programme transactions, preparing materials/documentations, complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support progress towards the WASH-related activities.
• Support in the identification of main programmatic lines of the WASH strategic area for the next Country Programme (2026-2030).

2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results

• Work collaboratively with colleagues and partners to collect/analyze/ share information on implementation issues, suggest solutions on routine programme implementation and alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level interventions and/or decision. Keep record of reports and assessments for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned.
• Monitor and report on the use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets), verify compliance with approved allocations, organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity. Report on issues identified to enable timely resolution by management/stakeholders. Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution.

• Prepare inputs for programme and donor reporting.

3. Technical and operational support for programme implementation

• Coordinated work with the Education and Health programme areas for results in WASH in schools and health institutions.

• Undertake field visits and surveys, collect and share reports with partners/stakeholders. Report critical issues, bottlenecks and potential problems to supervisor, for timely action.

• Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners/donors on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices in WASH, to support programme implementation.

4. Humanitarian WASH preparedness and response

• Planning and monitoring the implementation of emergency responses in the sector nationally, including hurricane and earthquake WASH response. Coordination with counterparts, monitoring and ensuring delivery of results. Formulation of resource mobilization proposals and reporting to donors.
• Draft inputs for the preparation of WASH emergency preparedness, including the drafting of required supplies and services, long-term agreements, partnership agreements, and coordination mechanisms.

5. Networking and partnership building

• Lead on the coordination for the WASH sector including leveraging and managing partnerships with government entities, academia, and civil society for program design and implementation.
• Coordination with INRH, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, consultants, UNICEF Regional Office, other agencies of the United Nations System and national and international stakeholders.
• Participate in inter-agency meetings/events on WASH programming to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on operational planning and preparation of WASH programmes/projects and to integrate and harmonize UNICEF output results and implementation strategies.

6. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Assist in the development, implementation, monitoring and documentation of WASH action research and innovation (technical or systems). 
• Assist in the preparation of learning/knowledge products, covering innovative approaches and good practices, to support overall WASH sector development.

• Assist in creating and delivering learning opportunities for UNICEF WASH staff, to ensure our sector capacity remains up-to-date with latest developments. 
• Participate as a resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders.

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 and water resources engineering or another relevant technical field.

• Experience: A minimum of one year of relevant professional experience in WASH-related programmes for developing countries is required. Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency. 

  Technical requirements

Basic knowledge of four of the eight components

1. Water supply for low- and middle-income countries - including water safety, sustainability
2. Sanitation for low- and middle-income countries, including sustainability;
3. Urban sanitation for low- and middle-income countries, including sustainability
4. Handwashing with soap
5. WASH-in-Schools and Health Centres
6. National government WASH policies, plans and strategies
7. Analysis of national budgets and expenditure for basic WASH, and related advocacy.
8. Menstrual hygiene management

Basic 

1. Humanitarian WASH - preparedness
2. Humanitarian WASH - response and recovery

Intermediate

1. Leverage innovative and climate financing for WASH and other UNICEF programmes
2. Advocate for improved child-focus of climate finance investments.
3. Partnership and resource mobilization integrating climate change adaptation and mitigation in WASH programming  

Basic knowledge of two of the four components 

1. Programme/project management
2. Capacity development
3. Knowledge management

Basic knowledge of 

Monitoring and evaluation

1. Human rights and WASH
2. Gender equality and WASH

• Language Requirements: Fluency in Spanish and English is required.

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 

 

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 male candidates and persons living with special situations or disabilities 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.