WASH SPECIALIST (Schools)

UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN’ FUND
RWANDA COUNTRY OFFICE

VACANCY NOTICE NO. PER/VN/016/2013

The Office of United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Rwanda is inviting applications from suitably qualified Rwandan nationals to fill the following vacancy:

TITLE : WASH SPECIALIST (Schools)
LEVEL : NOC (National Professional category)
POST NUMBER : 83789
TYPE OF APPOINTMENT : Fixed-term
DUTY STATION : Kigali
DATE OF ISSUE : 24/09/013
DATE OF CLOSURE : 04/10/2013

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

Under the guidance of the Chief Education Section (L-4), the incumbent will be responsible for the formulation, design, planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluation of assigned projects/programme activities related to water and sanitation facilities and hygiene practices in schools and Early Childhood Development Centres, in the promotion of improved hygiene knowledge and practice among school children, both through upstream reforms and school-based programmes, as well as initiatives likely to improve the school environment.

Promote and participate in the scaling up an effective monitoring, operation and maintenance of WASH facilities at schools for their sustainability through an appropriate management strategy and lasting users behavioural change to ensure overall efficiency and effectiveness of the programme management, delivery and accomplishment of programme goals and objectives. Model the Education and WASH component of Integrated Family and Young Child Services (hardware and software) to demonstrate the impact of integrated ECD&F services on holistic childhood development.

Collaborate across the programme(s) to ensure gender mainstreaming and promote menstruational hygiene management in schools. Ensure that monitoring mechanisms are in place to track progress towards WASH facilities in schools.

Promote intersectoral partnerships in order to ensure that progress in activities related to water and sanitation facilities and hygiene practices in schools and Early Childhood Development Centres, benefit mutually education and other programmes, in particular Health, Nutrition, Water and Environmental Sanitation, menstruational hygiene management and disabilities.

Contributes to synergize the work of United Nations agencies in Education for all Goals including in humanitarian actions, working closely with the Education and WASH cluster within the inter-agency standing committee (IASC).

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

1. Programme/project Planning, Development and Management

Enhance effective WASH in Schools programme, sectoral or inter-sectoral, planning, development and management by leading, guiding, coordinating and 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 inclusion and delivery on sectoral leadership responsibilities including leadership and facilitation of the IASC WASH Cluster. Prepare, implement, monitor and evaluate project/programme activities within the WASH in Education (WinS) and Early Childhood Development Programmes, as part of the overall Education Programme and as part of the Integrated Early Childhood Development and the Family programme.

1. 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. Strengthen partnership with the stakeholders, including knowledge institutions strengthened to further understanding of barriers to and opportunities for advancing the 3 priorities themes (the “3Es”) and build capacity of Government, counterparts and all other education actors (parents, communities, teachers, education administrators and planners).

1. Rights-Based Programme with Results-Based Approach

Promote the quality of rights-based WASH in Schools programme and programmes through participation in the formulation of programme/project goals, 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. Exploit efficiently the four core partnerships as well as selective partnerships on specific issues and themes or regional concern, such as education and HIV, abolition of school fees… in order to formulate common advocacy position, develop policy guidance and influence allocation of resources on behalf of education. Coordinated partner contribution to the process of appraisal and revision of the basic education curriculum mainstreaming cross cutting issues including Health and Hygiene, and menstrual hygiene management in particular.

1. Sectoral Work Plan Development, Implementation, and Monitoring

Takes primary responsibility for the development of the sectoral work plan and technical decisions as well as for project management, implementation and monitoring of assigned WASH in Schools project/sectoral activity, in compliance with the defined project strategies and approaches, emphasizing the principles of gender equality and strategies for gender mainstreaming.

Liaise with multiple WASH project actors and ensure school component is taken into consideration in planning and project implementation. Contribute to the preparation of programme reviews and the follow up of recommendations.

1. Programme Management, Delivery, Evaluation and Reporting

Ensure programme sectoral or inter-sectoral efficiency and delivery through a rigorous and transparent approach to evaluation with an emphasis on gender-disaggregated data. Participation in major evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sector review meetings with government counterparts with involvement of all stakeholders. Ensure the preparation of annual WASH sector status reports with contribution of all major partners. Ensure adequate and transparent evaluation of emergency preparedness and response. Undertake field visits to monitor programmes, as well as establish bottleneck analysis framework for WASH in schools and early childhood development centres activities countrywide in collaboration with government counterparts and other partners. Conduct periodic programme reviews with Government counterparts and other partners. Conduct bottleneck analysis for WASH in schools (WINS) and Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) which seek to identify and address barriers to adolescent girls’ regular participation and successful learning in education. Develop, pilot and advocate for scale up of Menstrual Hygiene Management school package including upgraded latrines; Development and implementation of evidence-based policies and strategies addressing barriers to participation and learning for adolescent girls. Prepare programme/project status reports required for management, Board, donors, budget review, programme analysis, annual reports. Contribute to the write up of donors report and promotional/fundraising materials.

1. Promotion of UNICEF’s Global Goals

Promote the organization goals of UNICEF through advocacy and policy dialogue 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 reference to the WASH in Schools strategy Strengthen partnership with the stakeholders, including knowledge institutions strengthened to further understanding of barriers to and opportunities for advancing the 3 priorities themes (the “3Es”) and build capacity of Government, counterparts and all other education actors (parents, communities, teachers, education administrators and planners). Attend meetings with national and international agencies covering the management of Water and Sanitation component of the Education and Early Childhood Development Programme, preparing background notes and undertaking follow-up action as required. Participate in meetings with ministries responsible for programme/project review and follow-up on implementation of recommendations and agreements. Participate in WASH research on new approaches and technologies for a more effective and sustainable WASH service delivery in schools.

1. UNICEF and Government Accountability

Coordinates with Operations and Supply staff on supply and non-supply assistance activities ensuring proper and timely UNICEF and Government and all other implementing partners accountability and to orientate and train Government and UNICEF implementing partners in UNICEF supply and non-supply policies and procedures.

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 and sustainable development issues (pertaining to WASH) in all sectors and line Ministries. Ensure adequate attention is given to Disaster Risk Management, including emergency preparedness and response.

1. Communication, Collaboration, Networking and Partnership.

Ensure exchange of information, experience, help identify new strategies and courses of action to accelerate/improve delivery of services and achieve Education programme requirements and objectives. Collaborate with Communication and Programme Communication groups to ensure development of effective communication materials and strategies to support advocacy, social mobilization and emergency efforts focussing on UNICEF Comparative advantage – the 3 priorities themes (the “3Es”) and the 2 cross-cutting areas – which also reflect expectation that donors and partners have on UNICEF ability to help countries to achieve the MDGs. Overall coordination with WASH and Education colleagues, Regional Advisers and HQ Officers. Collaborate with other Project, Programme and Emergency Officers to ensure the integration of the project/sectoral programme with other sectors. Collaborate with the Operations and Supply Sections 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 WASH programme goals, including humanitarian response focusing on WASH for educational purposes.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

1. Education

Advanced university degree in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Social sciences, communications, community development or a field relevant to international WASH related development assistance. Additional training in Health Education or Communication for Development (Programme Communication), an asset.

1. Work Experience

Five years of progressively responsible professional work experience in the UN or other international development organization, national government or the private sector. Field work experience. Background/familiarity with Emergency (preparedness and response) and the IASC Cluster approach.

1. Language

Fluency in English and good knowledge of local working language of the duty station required.

1. Competency Profile (For details on competencies please refer to the UNICEF Professional Competency Profiles.)

i) Core Values (Required)
• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity

ii) Core Competencies (Required)
• Communication [II]
• Working with People [II]
• Drive for Results [II]

ii) Functional Competencies (Required)
• Leading and supervising [me]
• Analysing [III]
• Deciding and Initiating Action [II]
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts [II]
• Relating and Networking [II]
• Applying Technical Expertise [III]

iii) Technical Knowledge [II]

a) Specific Technical Knowledge Required [ II ]
(Technical knowledge requirements specific to the job can be added here as required.)
• Advanced knowledge of one or more of the technical areas of UNICEF programmes.
• Advanced Technical Knowledge of the theories, principles and methods in the following areas: communication for behavior change, WASH in schools, water supply projects management, monitoring and evaluation; integrated water resource management appropriate water supply and quality technology i.e. community based water supply.

b) Common Technical Knowledge Required (for the job group) [ II ]

Knowledge of the latest theories, technology and practices in:
•Community based sanitation i.e.: hygiene education or latrine construction and waste management. General knowledge of:
• Methodology of programme/project management
• Programmatic goals, visions, positions, policies and strategies for sectoral programmes
• Knowledge of global human rights and gender issues, specifically relating to children and women, and the current UNICEF position and approaches.
• UNICEF policies and strategy to address WASH issues in communities and WASH in schools, including those relating to conflicts, natural disasters, recovery, and disaster risk reduction and environment.
• UNICEF financial, supply and administrative rules and regulations.
• Rights-based and Results-based approach and programming in UNICEF.
• UNICEF programme policy, procedures and guidelines in the Manual.
• Mid-Term Strategic Plan
•UNICEF Board endorsed policy papers and agency-wide programmes impacting on WASH results.
•Knowledge and proficiency in the use of corporate office computer system applications and software, including LAN, email, word processing, spreadsheet, database, telecommunications.
•Knowledge of global environmental issues that pertain to sustainable development and specifically relation to children and woman, and the current UNICEF position approaches.
•Gender equality and diversity awareness

c) Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced (for the Job) [ II ]

• Government development plans and policies
• Knowledge of local conditions and country legislation relevant to UNICEF programmes
• UN policies and strategy to address international humanitarian issues and the responses, including the IASC Cluster approach.
• UN common approaches to programmatic issues and UNICEF positions
• UN security operations and guidelines.
• UNICEF policies, strategies promoting and supporting gender equality and diversity.

How to apply:

Candidates meeting the above requirements may send their application consisting of a cover letter and an updated CV addressed to The Chief of Operations, UNICEF, P.O Box 381 Kigali (Rwanda). Please clearly mention the title of the post applied for on the cover of the envelope. You may also e-mail your application torwajobs@unicef.org. . In order to sort your application correctly, please mention the title of the post in the subject line of your e-mail/application.

Note: Applications which do not meet the specified minimum requirements or are received after the closing date will not be considered. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply.

UNICEF IS A NON-SMOKING WORKING ENVIRONMENT.
UNICEF IS COMMITTED TO GENDER BALANCE AND DIVERSITY WITHOUT DISTINCTION AS TO RACE, SEX OR RELIGION, AND WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.