WASH Specialist (Hygiene & Sanitation)

Temporary Appointment:  NO-C
Duration:  12 Months

Date of Issue: 09 January 2013                                    

Closing Date: 15 January, 2013

Applications are hereby invited from suitably qualified candidates to fill the above Temporary position in the WASH Section, UNICEF Kenya Office.

Purpose of the Post:  

Under the supervision of the Chief of Field Office, Dadaab and technical guidance of the Chief of WASH, Nairobi, the incumbent is to sustain ongoing UNICEF WASH activities in the Dadaab refugee camps and surrounding host communities as well as for strengthening emergency preparedness and response.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

The WASH Specialist (Hygiene & Sanitation) will be based in Dadaab and will support the WASH Sector in coordinating emergency response interventions. 

Reporting to the Resident Programme Officer, Dadaab and under the technical guidance of Emergency WASH Specialist the post will have the following responsibilities:-

• Support coordination of sectoral activities in the Dadaab refugee camps and host communities.
• Coordination of the Sanitation and Hygiene promotion responsibilities in the WASH emergency response in Dadaab refugee camps and host communities.
• Ensure effective linkages and coordination with Government, UNHCR and other Cluster / Sector groups in the Dadaab refugee camps and host communities.
• Responsible for development and dissemination of Hygiene promotion communication messages through print, electronic and other media including selection of culture sensitive IEC materials.
• Mobilization of Public Health Department personnel in the respective geographic areas.
• Monitoring of Hygiene & Sanitation emergency response interventions.
• Ensure affected populations have access to appropriate hygiene messages and are aware of safe hygienic behavioural practices.
• Ensure effective linkages with other Cluster/Sector groups specifically Nutrition Cluster.
• Prepare relevant WASH situation reports, donor proposals, briefing documents etc. as necessary.
• Provide support to MoWI, MoPH&S and partners to conduct emergency WASH interventions with a focus on Sanitation and Hygiene activities and monitor activities on the ground...
• Provide technical assistance to UNHCR and other partners to provide WASH services within the refugee camps and host community.  Analyse findings and recommended actions on priorities, technical options, with involvement of communities.
• Provide inputs related to WASH supply planning and utilisation, and make recommendations on their effectiveness and appropriateness.
• Work closely with other UNICEF Sections to ensure an integrated response and promotion of key sanitation and hygiene-related messages are disseminated to the affected population.
• Ensure that emergency interventions supported by clusters agencies conform to national norms and standards as much as possible. Ensure that inputs during emergency reinforce best practices in the sector and contribute to national priorities.
• Assist in providing inputs for the regular monitoring and reporting system for WASH database.

Expected Deliverables

• Participation and technical inputs provided in Camp Coordination meetings & District WESCOORDs where appropriate, including  in relevant Ministry, Sector Working Group and Cluster meetings.
• Field visits to affected districts as required in coordination with UNICEF, Ministry and other partners with reports on findings and clear recommendations for action.
• Working closely with UNHCR and WASH partners identifying needs and gaps, available capacity, resources and gaps among partners involved are identified and information/knowledge is used in establishing an effective hygiene and sanitation response components to refugee influx and camp WASH activities including building capacity of sector partners to improve effectiveness of response activities.
• Support planning of new and monitoring of existing host community hygiene and sanitation projects.
• Assist in strategic planning to respond to the needs of affected population.
• WASH situation reports, field reports, donor updates etc. are prepared as and when required.

Qualifications required:

• Advanced university degree 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. (A first level degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree)
• Additional training in Health Education or Communication for Development (Programme Communication), an asset.
• At least 5 years of field experience in management and technical assistance to WASH programmes in developing countries, including emergencies with focus on Sanitation & hygiene activities.
• Solid technical background, coordination and managerial skills

Competencies:

• Communication
• Working with people   
• Drive for Results
• Leading and Supervising
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts   
• Analyzing
• Relating and Networking                        
• Deciding and Initiating Action  
• Applying Technical Expertise

Interested and suitable candidates should ensure that they forward their applications along with their curricula vitae, to;
The Human Resources Manager
UNICEF Kenya Country Office
Email address: kenyahrvacancies@unicef.org

Please indicate Reference No. “KCO/WASH/2013/002” in the email subject.
Interested candidates should also complete the Personal History (P11) form, which can be downloaded from the UNICEF Kenya website (http://www.unicef.org/kenya).

Candidates who had applied earlier need not apply

“Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply”
Zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse
UNICEF is a smoke-free environment