UNICEF recrute un Regional Adviser

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For Every Child, Hope.

Children in West and Central Africa have their rights violated on daily basis to an extreme extent. They die from malaria, diarrhea diseases and vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles. To learn more about UNICEF’s work in the region. The West and Central Africa Regional Office (WCARO) is working to renew its efforts to advance children’s rights which have been impeded by economic and public health crises, and natural disasters. Though child mortality decreased, and more children are in school, a high number live in poverty. To learn more about WCARO please visit: WCARO | UNICEF

How can you make a difference?

The Regional Adviser, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and Climate Resilience reports to the Deputy Regional Director for general guidance and direction. The WASH and climate teams provide technical assistance, guidance and project/programme development, design and partnerships for WCARR and, hence, the Adviser serves as an authoritative and expert adviser to the Deputy Regional Director, the Regional Management Team, Country Offices and Government institutions/officials on strategies, policies, approaches, best practices and knowledge on WASH and Climate Resilience to support programme development planning, implementation, management, resource mobilization, capacity building, and knowledge management to achieve equitable and sustainable improvements in WASH and Climate resilience practices in the region, in line with UNICEF’s Strategic Plan, standards of performance and accountability framework.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

Regional Policy Direction and advisory services on strategic positioning and planning

• Guide UNICEF’s regional strategies as they relate WASH and Climate resilience programming, in the context of the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan and the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Initiative and participate in regional strategic discussions to influence policy formulation and agenda setting on WASH and climate resilience
• Accelerate innovation in the WASH by promoting critical thinking, exploring new opportunities, introducing technological and programme innovations and by scaling up proven concepts, approaches, and good practices in the region
• Promote initiatives to expand data driven climate responsive programming and implementation through data and evidence generation
• Provide strategic advice to regional and country management to ensure impactful WASH and Climate resilient programming and sustained efforts for the agenda

Support to Regional and Country Offices on Program Design, Implementation, and provide oversight:

• Advise UNICEF Country Offices and their partners on policies, strategies, approaches, and best practices on WASH and Climate Resilience including emergency preparedness, to support programme development planning, management, implementation, and delivery of results.
• Support the adoption of tailored and efficient WASH and Climate Resilience operational models in offices across the region in all country contexts
• Participate in regional and country programme planning, preparation and reviews to provide advice on formulation, design, management, enhancement and communication of UNICEF country office WASH programmes including setting priorities and formulating outcome and output results, baselines, targets, and means-of-verification.
• Assess and monitor COs on WASH programs to identify gaps, strengths and/or weaknesses in programme management; identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve sustainable results.
• Lead, plan, and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of stakeholders to promote sustainable results on WASH programmes and climate resilience
• Ensure clear and pragmatic guidance in collaboration with relevant sections on Climate Resilience programming is available and followed (where required through WCARR’s specific interpretation of global guidance/tools) to support UNICEF staff at all levels focusing on:
• Reduced carbon footprint and increased environmental sustainability of UNICEF operations including supply chains, offices, warehouses, and logistics
• Integrated greening and environmental sustainability enhancement and improved performance management of the UNICEF programmes.
• Increased access to climate and other finance mechanisms for adaptive and climate resilient infrastructure and services through green and climate project pipeline development and promotion

Partnerships, Innovation, and Knowledge Management

• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships through networking and advocacy with regional and national government counterparts, UN system agency partners, donors, internationally recognized institutions, NGOs, and private sector to reinforce cooperation and/or pursue opportunities to promote goals and achieve sustainable and broad results on WASH programmes.
• Build network of academic/research institutions in the region to strengthen to the knowledge base and thought leadership in WASH and Climate resilient programming while contributing to innovation and capacity building.
• Strengthen UNICEF’s network amongst all relevant stakeholders on Climate Resilience and Green Climate Funding through joined initiatives around data analysis (incl. Climate Landscape Analysis for Children (CLACs), programming, advocacy
• Create new opportunities for and support regional resource mobilization, increase donors’ interest in quality WASH and Climate Resilient programmes and confidence in UNICEF’s ability to deliver them.
• Participate and/or represent UNICEF (as delegated/designated) in key processes and in inter-agency discussions and planning on WASH and Climate Resilience related issues to ensure organizational position, interests and priorities are clearly articulated, fully considered and integrated in the regional UN and national UNSDCF processes in development planning and agenda setting.

Management and Leadership Responsibilities

• Provide direction and managerial support to the WCA Regional Office WASH team and Climate core team.
• Manage the regional programs and initiatives under the adviser’s responsibility in terms of programmatic and financial monitoring and reporting.
• Ensure sustainability of the RO team and meet timely budgetary requirements
• Oversee and manage performance of direct report and ensure capacity development of the team to team to fulfill its roles and responsibilities.
• Ensure inclusive management and well-being of the WASH team
• Participate in the RO leadership team and contribute to CRITAS in the RO as in COs
• Support the wider Regional WASH network through capacity building and other support

To qualify as a champion for every child you will need to have…

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: public health, social sciences, behavior change communication, sanitary engineering, environmental studies, or another relevant technical field.
• Additional relevant post-graduate courses that complement/supplement the main degree is required.
• A minimum of ten years of professional experience in WASH-related programmes for developing countries is required.
• One year of deployment in a developing country is required.
• At least one year of deployment in a humanitarian situation (with UN-Govt-INGO) is required.
• Relevant experience in water, sanitation and hygiene programme/project development and management in any UN system agency or organization is an asset.
• Prior experience working in a UN system will be considered an asset.
• Fluency in French and English are required. Working knowledge of another UN Language will be an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others (8) Nurtures, leads and manages people,

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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 is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF and other UN Agencies will be moving to the new United Nations House, presently under construction in Diamniadio, 30 kilometers from downtown Dakar. The name of the duty station for this position will remain Dakar, Senegal.

Deadline: 14 Jun 2023 Greenwich Standard Time.