Pakistan: UNICEF Chief, WASH P-5, Islamabad, Pakistan

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children’s survival, protection and development. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Purpose of the Position:

Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Representative, accountable for the development, design, planning, implementation and management of the WASH programme within the country programme.
As Head of Section, direct, lead and manage a group of professional and support staff to develop, manage and administer the sectoral or inter-sectoral project/programme.

Key Expected Results:

1. Programme/Project Planning, Development and Management:

Manage effectively programme/project, sectoral or inter-sectoral, planning, development and management by supervising, coordinating, or supporting the timely completion of the Situational Analysis and its periodic update through accurate and complete monitoring and analysis and the timely preparation or finalization of sectoral input. Ensure timely submission.
Monitor developments at the international, regional and provincial levels; develop methodologies and new approaches for improving WASH programme effectiveness.
Provide seasoned technical recommendations and advice on major programme directions and on introduction of new initiatives in the country.
Ensure inclusion and delivery on sectoral leadership responsibilities including leadership and facilitation of the IASC WASH Cluster.

2. Promotion of UNICEF Global Goals:

Promote the organization goals of UNICEF through advocacy and policy dialogue in the WASH sector through active engagement in communication, networking and participation at every opportunity inside and outside UNICEF, leveraging the strength of UNICEF mission, goals and programmes, and with reference to the WASH Strategy.

3. Knowledge Management:

Promote knowledge management by exchange of knowledge, information, situation analysis, experience or lessons learned; promote knowledge sharing and technical input or recommendations on major programme directions and on introduction of new initiatives in the country. Ensure the effective communication and networking developed and maintained through partnership and collaboration.

4. Rights-Based Programme with Results-Based Approach:

Promote the quality of rights-based WASH projects and programmes through the formulation of programme goals and strategies and approaches. Bring coherence, synergy and added value to programme management processes using a results-based management approach to planning and design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

5. Sectoral Work Plan Development, Implementation, and Monitoring:

Responsible for development of the sectoral work plan as well as implementation and monitoring of assigned project/sectoral activity, ensuring compliance with programme strategies and approaches; provide training, support and guidance to sectoral team.
As a member of Senior Management, advise Representative/Deputy Representative on appropriate training and professional development opportunities for WASH staff.

6. Programme Management, Delivery, Evaluation and Reporting:

Ensure programme, sectoral or inter-sectoral efficiency and delivery through a rigorous and transparent approach to evaluation. Participation in major evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sector review meetings with government counterparts. Ensure the preparation of annual WASH sector status reports. Ensure adequate and transparent evaluation of emergency preparedness and response.

7. UNICEF and Government Accountability:
Coordinates with Operations and Supply staff on supply and non-supply assistance activities ensuring proper and timely UNICEF and Government accountability. Certifies disbursements of funds, monitors and submits financial status reports to management in compliance with the regulations and guidelines.
Advocate for due attention and support to be given to environmental issues and sustainable development (pertaining to WASH) in all sectors and line ministries.
Ensure adequate attention is given to Disaster Risk Management, including emergency preparedness and response.

8. Communication, Collaboration, Networking and Partnership:

Provide technical and policy advice to the Representative/Deputy Representative on WASH programme or sectoral strategies, planning and implementation; provide interpretation of guidelines and organizational policy, contributing to the development of new guidelines through the programme cycle.

Ensure exchange of information, experience, identify new strategies and courses of action to accelerate/improve delivery of services and achieve WASH programme requirements and objectives.
Conduct field visits to monitor programmes and collect information. Conduct periodic programme reviews with Government counterparts and other partners. Provide authoritative advice/guidance/interpretation of programme policy and guidelines.

Collaborate with Communication for Development Officer to ensure development of effective communication materials and strategies to support advocacy and social mobilization efforts.

Coordinate with Regional Advisers and HQ Officers. Collaborate with other Project or Programme Officers to ensure the integration of the project/sectoral programme with other sectors.

Collaborate with the Operations Section and Government authorities to establish and maintain sound internal controls supportive of WASH programme or sectoral planning and implementation, to coordinate financial and supply management requirements as well as to ensure accountability.

Interact with Government and other partners, NGOs, UN and bilateral agencies in the different stages of WASH programme/project implementation to follow up on agreements and recommendations.
Provide technical support and guidance on appropriate technical, financial and institutional capacity building measures to achieve WES programme goals. Conduct orientation and training programmes targeted to Government authorities.
Ensure provision of sectoral orientation on the ‘Cluster Approach,’ and ensure leadership and coordination of the IASC WASH Cluster through preparedness and emergency response, whilst simultaneously ensuring delivery on the CCCs by the UNICEF WASH programme.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate:

Education Background:

Advanced university degree (minimum Master’s degree level) in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Public Health, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Geology, Hydrology, Sanitation Engineering, or a field relevant to international WASH related development assistance.
Additional training in Health Education or Communication for Development (Programme Communication), an asset.

Work Experience:

Ten years of progressively responsible professional work experience in the UN and/or other international development organization, national government or the private sector. Proven ability to manage large programmes including staffing and budgets, with clear results. Field work experience.

Background/familiarity in the following areas is an advantage:

• Emergency (preparedness and response) and the IASC Cluster approach preferable.

• Large scale WASH programming, especially experience in large scale “open defecation free” programming is an advantage.

• Convergent programming related to WASH in Schools, reduction in stunting, eradication of Polio and Disaster Risk Reduction mainstreaming is an advantage.

• Urban WASH programming.
• “Upstream” advocacy related to improving enabling environment for WASH including leveraging government resources for scaling up WASH programmes.

• WASH Technical management of multiple field offices.

Language Proficiency:

Fluency in English and a second UN language. Local working language of the duty station an asset.

Competencies of Successful Candidate:

Core Values:
• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity

Core competencies:

• Communication
• Working with People
• Drive for Results

Functional Competencies:

• Leading and supervising
• Formulating strategies and concepts
• Analyzing
• Relating and networking
• Deciding and Initiating action
• Applying technical expertise

Remarks:

* The successful candidate for this emergency recruitment MUST be available to commence work within 31 days of receiving an offer.

* Please note that *Islamabad, Pakistan** is a non-family duty station.

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 organization.