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 for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

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For every child, a voice

In the Bangladesh context, this tagline underscores the unwavering commitment to improving the lives of every child in the nation. It reflects the organization's determination to ensure that every child, regardless of their circumstances, receives the support, opportunities, and care they need to thrive. It conveys a sense of purpose, highlighting the essential role of dedication in addressing the unique challenges faced by children in Bangladesh

How can you make a difference? 

This WASH Officer level 2 is to be primarily stationed in Khulna where WASH section is implementing medical waste management and wastewater management activities along with its routine work including WASH in Emergencies.

The WASH Officer reports to the Chief of WASH (level 5) for guidance and general supervision. The Officer will provide support to lead the implementation of ongoing medical waste management facilities and installation of onsite wastewater treatment systems in slums of Khulna city. S/he will support the WASH section in the field in UNICEF related activities for WASH program development, preparation, management, implementation, and monitoring in accordance with UNICEF’s plans and national and international development/humanitarian standards if required. S/he will also do routine supervision and monitoring, review the work of contractors, develop progress reports, support resource mobilization and other work-related efforts. The Officer will also provide technical, operational, and administrative assistance throughout the WASH programming process. The Officer prepares, manages, and implements a variety of technical and administrative tasks, related to the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the WASH outputs’ results of the country program. The incumbent will be required to have frequent travel to Dhaka and will be asked to supervise activities in Dhaka as needed.

Major duties and responsibilities:

1. Programme development and planning:

1. Provide timely, comprehensive, and current data to inform WASH programme development, planning, management, and implementation.
2. Prepare WASH proposal and progress reports.
3. Collaborate with the team members and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies for the achievement of WASH output results.
4. Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes.
5. Prepare technical reports and inputs for programme preparation and documentation, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and relevance of information.

2. Programme management, monitoring, and delivery of results:

1. Work collaboratively with partners to collect/analyze/ share information on implementation issues, provide solutions on programme implementation and alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level interventions and/or decisions. Keep records of reports and assessments for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned.
2. Report on the progress, and challenges of programme including resources, verify compliance with approved designs, organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments. Report on issues identified to enable timely resolution by management/stakeholders.

3. Technical and operational support for programme implementation

1. Lead technical monitoring and supervision of WASH 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.
2. Provide technical/engineering and operational support to government counterparts, contractors, NGO partners, and other partners on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices in WASH, to support programme implementation.
3. Participate in WASH programme meetings, to review progress, with government, other sector agencies and implementation partners, involved at various stages of WASH programme implementation, to provide expert advice and guidance.

4.Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

1. Assist in the development, implementation, monitoring, and documentation of WASH innovation (technical or systems).
2. Assist in the preparation of learning/knowledge products, covering innovative approaches and good practices, to support WASH sector development.
3. Assist in creating and delivering learning opportunities throughout the project, to ensure sector’s capacity remains up to date with the latest developments.
4. Participate as a resource person in capacity-building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders.

5. Humanitarian WASH, during emergencies:

1. Ensure appropriate coordination with all humanitarian partners, through the establishment/maintenance of appropriate sectoral coordination mechanisms.
2. Participate in all WASH sector meetings and relevant inter/cross-cluster meetings.
3. Take up proactive roles in an emergency response and early recovery, as and when the need arises.
4. Guide and support WASH sector study, assessment, and monitoring exercises as appropriate to ensure that identified needs, gaps and priorities are as evidence-based as possible and work with sector partners to establish a baseline of the WASH situation to develop a WASH response plan for the medium and longer term.
5. Ensure information on all current and potential WASH partners, their capacities and areas of work (including Who, what, Where and When) are properly collected, analyzed and fed back to partners.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  TOR_ WASH Officer ,NOB TA - Khulna.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: A bachelor level university degree in one of the following fields is required: civil engineering, environmental engineering, sanitary engineering, hydraulic engineering and other technical engineering field.

  Additional relevant advanced degree and post-graduate courses that complement/supplement the main degree is a strong asset.

• Work Experience: DEVELOPMENTAL: A minimum of two years of professional work experience in WASH-related programmes for developing countries is required. Experience should be solid and closely related to infrastructure developing mainly in fecal and wastewater management, technical design and implementation of infrastructures (sanitation treatment stations, medical waste management) and climate resilient WASH programmes.

  HUMANITARIAN: Experience in WASH-related humanitarian responses is an asset.

• Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Bangla languages is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) 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…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (1)

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (1)

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact (1)

(4) Innovates and embraces change (1) 

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

(6) Thinks and acts strategically (1)

(7) Works collaboratively with others (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:

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 is an equal-opportunity employer, we actively encourage applications from female candidates, gender-diverse individuals and people with disabilities.

UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/

The VA is open to all (internal and external candidates)

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.

Internal candidates may be given preference over external candidates. The term "Internal" refers to all staff members with fixed term, continuing or permanent appointments. Internal candidates who are legally permitted to work for UNICEF in Bangladesh, independently of UNICEF appointment, will also be considered.

Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their candidate profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in the Applicant system in order to be considered.  The information submitted will be used for administrative purposes, salary/step determination and conditions of employment. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be accepted for applications that have already been submitted for this position.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.