Global: WASH Officer

Jul 5, 2016 | UNHCR
View Original

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT 
The Public Health Section's objectives are to reduce morbidity and mortality among UNHCR¿s populations of concern and to improve their quality of life. The Public. The WASH Officer¿s position is among this crucial expertise within the section. This position will provide technical support at headquarters to the bureaux and the field (regional and country) as well as to contribute to the development and implementation of policies and strategies related to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). 

The incumbent will assist in development, dissemination and coordination of WASH policies and programmes with Regional WASH Officers and Country WASH Officers as well as Public Health Officer when there is no WASH officer at regional, national and field level. S/he will undertake missions to the field and liaise with Representatives and their staff on the implementation of WASH programmes. 

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability 
- Strong technical expertise and support in the area of WASH is provided.
- UNHCR is represented in WASH fora.

Responsibility 
- Contribute to development and monitoring of global WASH technical strategies, policies, operational guidance, and Global Strategic Priorities.
- Provide advice and support to regional and country WASH technical specialists, including on the adaptation and implementation of the Global Strategy for Public Health.
- Ensure dissemination and implementation of internationally accepted standards, policies, and guidelines within UNHCR and among partners; adapt accordingly to the unique situation of refugee populations.  
- Work in a multi-sectoral and co-ordinated approach within the office and with external parties.
- Represent UNHCR in technical coordination bodies, meetings and events at the global level and support effective coordination and liaison with external partners and stakeholders, including governments, UN agencies, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other humanitarian partners. 
- If required, participate in in the WASH cluster activated by UNICEF to enable effective response to IDPs field operations in a more coordinated manner as well as participate in UNHCR's emergency operations.
- Provide advice and support for resource mobilization efforts including reviewing WASH technical aspects of UNHCR Regional Response Plans, and fundraising appeals.
- Provide technical assistance on WASH to UNHCR's regional and national WASH and public health officers, including consultants and UNVs, NGO partners, the Bureaux, including missions. 
- Mentor the WASH personnel at field level through briefings, updates and references. 
- Review and provide technical inputs on reports and programme proposals from the field with the view to verify compliance with UNHCR policy priorities.
- Advise PMCS and Field Offices on the matters related to procurement of sector-related materials and equipment, and regular update on new development and specifications of such items.  
- Participate in identification of qualified WASH technical specialist staff for deployment to field operations.
- Support contingency planning, early warning and preparedness for WASH response and be available to rapidly deploy to the field from the onset of refugee emergencies to support the initial response and development of technical strategies, partnership arrangements and coordination structures. 
- Support, provide guidance, analyse the WASH monitoring systems, KAP surveys and other WASH assessments, such as the WASH module in UNHCR Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey.
- Coordinate and participate in joint needs assessment, WASH assessment of refugees and returnees.
- Assist in the design and implementation of the monitoring and evaluation system for WASH programmes. 
- Support implementation and functioning of WASH Information Systems, and HCR¿s Result Based Management Framework, Focus as well ensure linkages with WASH assessment tools and process.
- Facilitate capacity strengthening activities of UNHCR and its implementing partners to address key areas of WASH as well to ensure the technical integrity of the programmes. 
- Expand and establish strategic partnerships in key technical areas to support capacity of field operations as well mobilise WASH specialised expertise as programme required including in emergencies.
- Ensure that WASH is adequately addressed in in house capacity building activities venues including training.
- Ensure that current gaps in skills and knowledge in the area of WASH are addressed through global and regional training as well as on job support is provided during field missions.
- Advocate on all issues relating to WASH documented in refugees/IDPs and other persons of concern to UNHCR both within and outside of UNHCR in particular adequate access to services,  including inclusion of refugees and other POC  in national and international fora and funding sources.
- Support the efforts in resource mobilisation in the area of WASH with an emphasis on non-traditional donors to UNHCR as well as develop/assist in project proposal writing and fundraising. 
- Undertake operational research with relevant stakeholders in order to improve programmatic response, assimilate and produce best practice/lessons learnt/academic articles.
- Initiate pilot projects/research on appropriate technologies that are relevant to WASH.
- Develop and promote the implementation of innovative operational approaches and tools and provide the necessary guidance and training.

Authority 
- Provide guidance and recommendations on the WASH Programmes.
- Provide recommendations and determine quality of WASH assessments and surveys.
- Represent UNHCR in WASH meetings. 


ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED.
- University degree in water and sanitation or environmental or public health engineering/water resources development or in one of the civil engineering disciplines of water supply and/or hydrology) or sanitation/hygiene engineering. 
- Minimum of 8 years (6 years with advanced university degree) progressively responsible functions in water/sanitary engineering or a related field in developing countries dealing with large scale water/sanitary activities. At least 5 years¿ experience should be in a capacity directly relevant to the current position in an international humanitarian organization dealing with large scale emergencies or displaced/refugee situations.  
- Specific and proven skills and training in the areas of environmental sanitation, natural resources management, water quality, bore-hole drilling, vector control and appropriate technologies are other important elements for this post. 
- Proficient in basic computer software, including engineering design tools.
- Excellent knowledge of English (written/oral/comprehension).

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES.  
- Experience and professional training in water supply, sanitation and hygiene and related infrastructure development works with strong academic qualification in those areas.
- Working knowledge of another UN language, preferably French.