UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children’s rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world. To learn more about UNICEF, visit www.unicef.org.
With strong Government commitment to child rights and support from a wide range of partners, Mali has made some progress inmoving forward some child rights indicators in the past decade. For example, infant mortality declined slightly from 56 to 54 per 1,000 live births and stunting among children under five decreased from 38 to 27 per cent between 2012 and 2018. Yet, despite 5 per cent annual economic growth since 2013, Mali remains one of the poorest countries in the world: 44 per cent of the population (55 per cent in rural areas) lives below the national poverty line. The country faces a protracted humanitarian crisis and population displacement, with constrained humanitarian access hampering progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
Mali CO has developed a new country Programme (2020 – 2024), in which it is expected that the Wash Officer implements a variety of tasks.
How can you make a difference?
Under the guidance of the Chiefs Field Offices and technical guidance of the Bamako WASH Section, the WASH Officers (Tombouctou, Kayes and Mopti) provide technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the WASH programming process. The Officers prepare, manage and implement a variety of technical and administrative tasks, related to the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the WASH output results of the Field Office and country programme. Candidates are requested to specify their preferred location (duty station) by priority order, from 1 to 3.
Summary of key functions/accountabilities :
- Programme development and planning ;
- Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results ;
- Technical and operational support for programme implementation ;
- Humanitarian WASH preparedness and response ;
- Networking and partnership building ;
- Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building ;
- Programme development and planning :
- Draft updates for WASH in the situation analysis, to inform the development of WASH-related outcome and output results. Research and report on trends in WASH, for use in programme development, management, monitoring, and evaluation ;
- Prepare technical reports and inputs for programme preparation and documentation, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and relevance of information ;
- Contribute to the development/establishment of WASH-related outcome and output results, as well as related strategies, through analysis of WASH sector needs and priorities ;
- Provide technical and administrative support throughout all stages of programming processes by executing/administering a variety of technical programme transactions, preparing materials/documentations, complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support progress towards the WASH-related outcome and/or output results in the country programme ;
- Prepare required documentations/materials to facilitate review and approval processes ;
- Work collaboratively with colleagues and partners to collect/analyze/ share information on implementation issues, provide solutions on routine programme implementation and alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level interventions and/or decisions. Keep records of reports and assessments for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned ;
- Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sectoral reviews with government and other counterparts and prepare reports on results for required action/interventions at the higher level of programme management ;
- Monitor and report on the use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets), verify compliance with approved allocations, organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity. Report on issues identified to enable timely resolution by management/stakeholders ;
- Prepare sectoral progress reports for management, donors and partners ;
- Undertake field visits and surveys, collect and share reports with partners/stakeholders. Report critical issues, bottlenecks and potential problems to supervisor, for timely action ;
- Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners/donors on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices in WASH, to support programme implementation ;
- Draft requisitions for supplies, services, long-term agreements and partnership agreements to ensure UNICEF is prepared to deliver on its commitments for WASH in case of an emergency ;
- Study and fully understand UNICEF’s procedures for responding in an emergency ;
- Take up support roles in an emergency response and early recovery, as and when the need arises ;
- Build and sustain close working partnerships with government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate programme implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve WASH output results ;
- Draft communication and information materials for WASH programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fund-raising for WASH ;
- Participate in inter-agency meetings on UNDAF planning, to integrate and harmonize UNICEF output results and implementation strategies with UNDAF development and planning processes ;
- Research information on potential donors and prepare resource mobilization materials and briefs for fund raising and partnership development purposes ;
- Assist in the development, implementation, monitoring and documentation of WASH action research and innovation (technical or systems) ;
- Assist in the preparation of learning/knowledge products, covering innovative approaches and good practices, to support overall WASH sector development ;
- Assist in creating and delivering learning opportunities for UNICEF WASH staff, to ensure our sector capacity remains up-to-date with latest developments ;
- Participate as a resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
- University degree in one of the following fields is required: public health, social sciences, behavior change communication, sanitary engineering or another relevant technical field ;
- Additional relevant courses that complement/supplement the main degree are a strong asset ;
- A minimum of two years of professional work experience in WASH-related programmes for developing countries is required ;
- Fluency in French and good working knowledge of English required. Knowledge of a local language of the duty station is considered as an asset..
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
Core Competencies :
- Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1) ;
- Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2) ;
- Works Collaboratively with others (2) ;
- Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2) ;
- Innovates and Embraces Change (2) ;
- Thinks and Acts Strategically (2) ;
- Drives to achieve impactful results (2) ;
- Manages ambiguity and complexity (2).
Functional Competencies :
- Analyzing (2) ;
- Applying technical expertise (2) ;
- Learning and researching (2) ;
- Planning and organizing (2).
View our competency framework at : UNICEF_Competencies.pdf
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.
Remarks :
Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.