WASH Officer (Cluster Coordination)FT, NOB,USSC -Nairobi

If you are qualified Kenyan National looking for a chance to make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable Somali children while gaining opportunities for career growth, you are invited to apply for the above post of WASH Office (Cluster Coordinator), with UNICEF Somalia to be based in Nairobi. If successful, you will be part of a dynamic and passionate team in Somalia and Nairobi that works together to improve the health, nutrition, water, sanitation, hygiene, and basic education of Somali girls and boys and protect them from violence, exploitation and abuse.

The successful candidate will be offered a Fixed Term Appointment for one year. Further extensions will be based on organizational needs, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

Background

The Somalia WASH Cluster has 50 active partners and 120 inactive partners. The Cluster coordinates agreement on a common strategy, plan, standards and needs, coordinates preparedness and response, and monitors to reduce overlaps and gaps. The Somalia WASH Cluster has a role in fund mobilization, and facilitate the review of CAP/HRP proposals, emergency reserve proposals and CHF regular allocation.

Somalia WASH Cluster is committed to establishing a structure to support decision making as close to WASH interventions as possible. To achieve this, the regional and district structure has been strengthened and now includes:

• Zonal Focal Points, who are also UNICEF WASH Specialists
• Thirteen Regional focal points
• Fifty District focal points for AWD/cholera and flooding

Their role includes facilitating joint needs assessments, identifying gaps and overlaps, monitoring AWD/Cholera outbreaks and response, and facilitating annual planning process and contingency planning.

Purpose of the Post

The objective of a country-level WASH Cluster is to ensure a coherent and effective WASH response by mobilizing groups stakeholders to respond in a strategic manner to a humanitarian crisis. In this context, the WASH Officer (Cluster Coordination), (based in Nairobi), will support the Cluster Coordinator in (i) providing guidance on the overall strategic implementation direction of the WASH Cluster ;(ii) in leading and setting standard amongst partners in the Zones ;(iii) in coordinating WASH emergency preparedness and response activities; and (iv) in ensuring programmatic convergence, synergy and quality with other clusters.

Major duties and responsibilities

1. Capacity development and support to partners

Capacity development of Regional Cluster Focal Points to develop annual regional plan, joint assessments and contingency planning. Support Regional Focal Points in Southern Somalia to conduct effective monthly coordination meetings. Support to National Cluster/Sectors, including response to WASH Cluster members requests (50 active agencies, and 120 inactive agencies).

1. Emergency preparedness, Response and Fund Mobilization

Support the WASH Cluster partners during preparedness and response to emergencies by ensuring joint coordination and supplies are available at the field level to support timely response to any emergency. Strenghten Regional and Districts Focal Points to coordinate and report on prepardness and response to AWD/Cholera and Flooding.

Faciliate and monitor emergency response - such floods, drougths, forced displacement Acute Watery Ddiarrhea/Cholera response. Support the funds mobilisation process and the initial technical review of the proposals (CAP, CHF, ER).

1. Knowledge Sharing

Compile WASH projects implementation, preparedness, training and orientation materials to promote knowledge sharing with counterparts, WASH Cluster partners and sectorial stakeholders, donors and media. Learn from other Clusters, and share information to improve overall inter cluster coordination. Represent Regional Clusters in the Nairobi Wash Cluster

1. Communication and Networking

Ensure the effective communication and networking developed and maintained through partnership and collaboration. Team with local Government and Wash Cluster partners and counterparts to exchange information on WASH Programme implementation, status, capacity and risk mapping, preparedness as well as movement, prepositioning and distribution of supplies. Coordinate with members of the development community, including NGOs, UN and bilateral agencies in the exchange of information relating to WASH Cluster/Sector.

1. Programme/Project Management

Ensure the availability of accurate, complete and up-to-date information required for effective WASH Cluster programming and projects design, implementation, management, monitoring and evaluation.

1. Programme Efficiency and Effectiveness

Enhance Programme efficiency and effectiveness through evidence base approach and implementation follow-on, including monitoring Wash Cluster partners inputs, local conditions and resources, flow of supply and non-supply and emergency assistance.

Qualifications, Experience and Attributes:

• University degree in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Public Health, Civil Engineering, Geology, Hydrology, Sanitation Engineering, social sciences or a field relevant to international WASH related development assistance.

Additional training in Health Education or Communication for Development (Programme Communication), an asset.

· Minimum of 2 years of experience in International Organizations including UN agencies with an emphasis on humanitarian emergency interventions with a strong background in project management, monitoring and evaluation, coordination, administration or financial management

· Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel)

· Experience in water sanitation and hygiene. Cross cluster experience in Health, Nutrition and/or Education preferred.

• Fluency in oral and written English is required
• Fluency in Somali, preferred
• Knowledge of a second official UN language is desirable
• Good written and spoken skills in the language of the humanitarian operation.
• Good interpersonal skills
• Diplomacy, tact, and negotiating skills
• Ability to travel at short notice to Somalia
• Cultural and gender awareness and sensitivity
• Ability to work well under pressure and in response to changing needs

Competency Profile

i) Core Values (Required)

· Commitment • Diversity and Inclusion • Integrity

ii) Core Competencies (Required)

• Communication [ II ] • Working with People [ II ] • Drive for Results [ I ]

ii) Functional Competencies (Required)

• Formulating Strategies and Concepts [I] • Analyzing [II]

• Applying Technical Expertise [II] • Learning and Researching [II]

• Planning and Organizing [II]

Benefits and Entitlements
Employees’ benefit from family friendly, work-life, and diversity policies, and UNICEF is committed to maintaining a balanced gender and geographical representation. Other Benefits and entitlements include:

• Annual leave
• Dependency allowance
• Medical and dental insurance
• Pension scheme
• Education grant for special children
• Life insurance
• Paid sick leave
• Family leave
• Danger pay
• Maternity / Paternity adoption leave
• Special leave

HOW TO APPLY:

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=494353