Dakar: Regional Adviser: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)

Jun 30, 2014 | UNICEF

The incumbent to support UNICEF/WCAR programs in regular and emergency situations in the implementation of essential water, sanitation and Hygiene interventions at the policy, provider, community and family levels (SP 2014 - 2017 Outcome (3) by: Providing timely advice and support to 24 country offices in the West and Central Africa region (WCAR) and ensure that WASH is adequately represented at all levels and sectors. In coordination with other programme components, the incumbent will also assist the implementation of the UNICEF WASH Strategy (regular and emergency programming)in the region, giving special attention to improving capacity to deliver, sector fund leverage, and ensuring knowledge management to inform the acceleration of WASH basic services and coverage. Lastly, the incumbent will provide expert advice, analysis and technical support to the regional and country offices on strategic direction, policies, operations and monitoring and evaluation related to WASH. Support UNICEF country programme cooperation; and organize/facilitate capacity-building activities in support of country programmes and the WASH strategy.

Key Expected Results

  • Within the context of the Strategic Plan (2014 - 2017) and the WASH Strategy to achieve MDG 7, Target 10 (WASH coverage) and working closely with key sections (health and nutrition, education, programme communication, communication, emergency and protection), provide technical support to country offices to ensure WASH programmes meet strategy objectives and contribute to the key child related MDGs(reduction in child mortality (MDG 4), eradicating extreme poverty and hunger (MDG 1) and achieving universal primary education (MDG 2), and adequately responds to UNICEF Core Commitments for Children in emergency situations and cluster lead responsibilities.
  • Ensure quality of regional and country programme documents including programme proposals and reporting.
  • Contribute to the continued development of UNICEF policy and operational strategies in the areas of WASH by collecting data and assembling perspectives and experiences from the region on these issues, analyzing them in the context of UNICEF's corporate priorities and making recommendations to the WASH Section in New York.
  • Ensure the continuous updating of the WCAR situation analysis of the WASH sector at the regional level including identifying relevant indicators and appropriate monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for interventions at country programme level.
  • Establish and maintain regional level intelligence on WASH policies and operational and funding strategies, identifying cutting edge practice and building outcome focused partnerships with the donor community, multi-lateral agencies, NGOs and key academic, professional and technical groups, promoting and assessing the effectiveness of research in programming and focusing on analyzing and disseminating successful strategies and lessons learnt to accelerate the WASH sector's overall objectives.
  • Assess and support the development of capacities of UNICEF staff in the region, by developing and facilitating relevant mechanisms and strategies to improve delivery capability. Identify appropriate approaches to develop capacity and facilitate. Assess working environments so as to promote enabling environments.
  • Recommend and facilitate inter-country office support and learning, as needed and as feasible. For such purposes, identify and maintain an external network to assist country offices in the development and implementation of WASH, including production of materials.
  • Establish links with key agencies and partners to promote WASH in WCAR with the aim of leveraging funds for the sector to accelerate coverage and impact with UNICEF technical support.
  • Drive the development of sector coordination in both development and emergency including the cluster lead responsibilities for WASH in emergencies at the regional level and ensure that country offices understand the implications of the role.
  • In close consultation with other programme and communication colleagues, and in view of country office programmes and WASH strategic priorities, develop an annual work plan and implementation approach for all regional WASH activities, monitor compliance and provide support and guidance to ensure objectives are met. This entails identification of human resources requirements, performance planning, monitoring and appraisals. This also includes managing the RO WASH staff, currently a team of 3 internationals.
  • Plan and monitor use of WASH budgetary resources with the UNICEF planning cycle and WASH strategy.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

  • Advanced university degree in water supply, sanitation and or institutional development or similarly relevant discipline
  • Ten years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in the planning and management of water, sanitation and hygiene sector work and /or programmes, including relevant experience in developing countries and complex emergencies.
  • Fluency in French and English required.

Competencies of Successful Candidate

  • Has highest-level communication skills, including engaging and informative formal public speaking.
  • Creates and encourages a climate of team-working and collaboration in a multi-cultural environment.
  • Consistently achieves high-level results, managing and delivering projects on-time and on-budget.
  • Has high-level leadership and supervisory skills; provides others with a clear direction; motivates and empowers others; recruits staff of a high caliber; provides staff with development opportunities and coaching.
  • Analyzes and integrates diverse and complex quantitative and qualitative data from a wide range of sources.
  • Sets, develops and revises organizational strategy and develops clear visions of the organization's future potential.
  • Quickly builds rapport with individuals and groups. Actively nurtures good relationships with people across all organizational levels and boundaries, and with government leaders and stakeholders.
  • Identifies urgent and potentially difficult decisions and acts on them promptly; initiates and generates team- and department-wide activities.
  • Negotiates effectively by exploring a range of possibilities.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.