WASH Specialist Vacancy at UNICEF, Lucknow

Job Title: WASH Specialist, UNICEF

Location: Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow

Purpose of the Post: Under the guidance of the Programme Manager Lucknow Office, he/she will be responsible for facilitating and influencing the State Government’s evidence based policy, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and documentation for WASH sector plans and projects. The incumbent will work at both the State and District level. He/she will also take leadership and sector specific guidance from the WASH Technical Centre of Excellence in New Delhi.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

1. Influencing Policy and Building Partnerships: Analyses existing WASH sector policies and policy environment, governance and institutional bottlenecks, systems of management, risk allocation and coordination systems around WASH sector programmes relevant for children in the state. Recommends corrective actions to be taken by the State office to improve efficiency and effectiveness of WASH sector programmes to ensure adequate focus on MDG’s and post MDG agenda. Convenes strategic partnerships to impact on overall children’s policies, to support WASH programmes and resources in the State. Interacts with national and international agencies and commissions, on the advocacy and management of policies/programme/projects. Participates in meetings with Ministries/ Departments/stakeholders responsible for programme/project review, and follows up on implementation of recommendations and agreements. Assists in the development and/or introduction of new approaches, methods and practices in project management and evaluation for replication by the State Government.
2. Work planning and Implementation of Plan of Action with a special focus on Focus Districts: Responsible for the development and implementation of a strategically well focused convergent WASH programme in the state leading to improved (flagship) government water and sanitation and hygiene education programmes and ensures compliance with specific assigned objectives. Provides guidance and support to subordinate staff (TA’s, SSA’s, third party consultants) to manage and implement work plan. Translate technical and social sector developments at national and state level to strategic programming in the focus districts leading to improved conditions for women and children. Coordinates with the Operations/Supply staff/programme support on supply and non-supply assistance activities ensuring proper and timely UNICEF and Government accountability. Certifies and reports disbursements and use of funds, as per UNICEF rules and procedures. Supervise and be responsible for the implementation of assurance activities. Writes programme/project inputs for donor proposals, status reports required for management Board, donors, budget review, programme analysis, annual reports, etc.
3. Technical Assistance, Capacity Building and Knowledge Management : Provide technical advice and support to government authorities and state institutes to plan and organize capacity building programmes for community water management, water quality surveillance and response planning, sanitation and hygiene promotion. Identifies training needs for the purpose of capacity building and sustainability of programme/projects. Provides technical expertise as required, facilitates learning exchanges as well as policy influencing. Ensure critical gaps in information, knowledge and understanding relating to water supply, water safety, water resource management and sanitation and hygiene promotion are recognized and addressed by stakeholders in the states. Create interstate and inter-sectoral learning alliances, analyse, document and share best practices.
4. Research, Monitoring and Evaluation: Facilitates the review of systems and capacity related to delivery of services to children and the interventions to improve such systems and capacities. With guidance from the Technical Centre of Excellence, proposes designs for assigned programmes. When agreed, prepares, implements, monitors and evaluates assigned UNICEF assisted programme or specific project(s). Analyzes and evaluates data and/or takes corrective action when necessary, to meet programme/project objectives. Contributes to and enables the concurrent monitoring and reporting on performance indicators of Government flagship programmes and /or UNICEF–NGO managed programmes under the Project Co-operation Agreement. Integrates input/advice from the relevant Technical Centre for Excellence in Delhi. Supports/undertakes research that provides tracking on programmes of social inclusion.
5. Inter-sectoral collaboration: Proactively collaborates within state and/or sector with programme colleagues to give and receive knowledge and assistance. Pooling resources for more effective programming across the state. Assists in development of appropriate communication and information strategy to support and/or advocate programme development. Facilitates the planning and formulation of Behaviour Development/Behaviour Communication Change initiatives in state institutions (priorities are Health, Nutrition, WASH, & HIV Aids), to enable more effective behaviour change.
6. Emergency Preparedness and Response: Working with or acting as Emergency Focal Point to ensure that CCCs are met following a major disaster through strengthening of stratetic preparedness plans and capacity building. Facilitates mainstreaming of Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change initiatives in sector programmes

Eligibility:

Qualifications, Skills and Attributes

a) Education

Master’s degree from a recognized university in any of the following: Environmental Science, Hydrology or Environmental, Civil or Mechanical Engineering, Public Health or a related field associated with water supply, sanitation and hygiene behaviour change.

b) Work Experience

Minimum Five years progressively responsible professional work experience in social development and engineering, project administration, capacity building and training, monitoring and evaluation, multi-stakeholder planning and knowledge management.

c) Languages

Fluency in English and Hindi required. Knowledge of local working language of the duty station is an asset.

How to apply:

Applications consisting of a cover letter and an up-to-date CV should be sent to jobs-unicef@sams.co.in by 10th December 2013. In order to ensure that your application is sorted correctly, please clearly mention the title and location of the post in the subject line of your e-mail/application. For more details of the posts and full job descriptions, visit the UNICEF India website at www.unicef.in and click on “Careers at UNICEF” at the bottom of the page. Only applications of short listed candidates will be acknowledged. These vacancies are open to Indian Nationals only.

Last date for the application: 10 Dec, 2013

Reference: Unicef

Note: Please refer UNISEF website before applying. The information available here might be less as compared to the original content.