UNHCR National WASH Consultant Job in Kenya

Functional Title: National WASH Consultant

Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya

Date of Entry of Duty: ASAP

Duration: Maximum 11 months

Closing Date: 31th March 2011

Background

UNHCR is looking for one consultant who will be based in Nairobi to ensure the adequate and timely implementation of WASH projects in the region.

The consultant will be appointed to the post up to the end of December 2011.

Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent holds a professional management position responsible for provision of expert technical support and advice as well as strategic planning on activities within the areas of water, sanitation, hygiene and related technical sectors as an integral part of UNHCR programmes.

Major duties and responsibilities include:

A. Strategy and Policy:

• Support the implementation of UNHCR’s Strategic Plan for WASH 2011-13.
• Help and support the development of new policies and strategies for UNHCR in key aspects of WASH.
• Provide support on the development, review, update and dissemination of internationally accepted standards, policies, and guidelines within UNHCR and among partners; adapt accordingly to the unique situation of UNHCR’s people of concern.
• Represent UNHCR in relevant international meetings and conferences when requested.

B. Advocacy:

• Advocate on all issues relating to WASH and refugees/IDPs and other persons of concern to UNHCR and outside of UNHCR.
• Work with others in UNHCR to advocate for access of refugees, IDPs, returnees and other persons of concern to UNHCR and to WASH services including support for inclusion of persons of concern in national and regional plans and proposals.

C. Technical Assistance:

• Consolidate and provide technical guidance and support to IPs on all water, sanitation and hygiene promotion related issues, to ensure quality, cost-effectiveness, sustainability and environmental soundness in their implantation in accordance with UNHCR policies and priorities.
• Act as a focal point on water, sanitation and hygiene promotion issues within UNHCR and liaise with UN related agencies and governmental and nongovernmental counterparts.
• Review performance, monitor development and evaluate approaches adopted by partners in water, sanitation and hygiene promotion and related sectors i.e. natural resources management, environment assessment, technical capacity of implementing partners etc. and formulate appropriate designs and corrective measures as deemed necessary.
• Ensure that regular and up to date assessments of beneficiary needs related to water and sanitation services are undertaken and formulate project submissions that respond to those needs in collaboration with appropriate authorities, implementing partners and UNHCR program and technical sectors at all levels.
• Ensure that mechanisms to promote and monitor the performance of UNHCR’s partners on water, sanitation and hygiene promotion activities in the refugee camps/ host community are in place and that there is a coordinated delivery of WASH services to beneficiaries that meet UNHCR standards of assistance.
• Review on a regular basis the quantity and quality of water and sanitation services offered in the camps and host community and ensure the maintenance of records of water, sanitation and hygiene promotion performance indicators for all locations.
• Put measures in place to ensure that regular and accurate reports that analyse the challenges encountered in providing water, sanitation and hygiene promotion services for beneficiaries are prepared and circulated and that periodic reports required by UNHCR at all levels are submitted in a timely manner.
• Make provisions for the installation of WASH services in any new camp or camp extension identified for the settlement of refugees.
• Supervise and monitor the implementation of water and sanitation projects administered by UNHCR, directly by the office or indirectly through NGO partners and facilitate the implementation of appropriate strategies.

D. Capacity Building:

• Facilitate capacity strengthening activities of UNHCR and its implementing/operational partners to address key areas of WASH importance to refugees and other persons of concern to UNHCR.
• Build the capacity and competence of UNHCR’s Public Health and WASH staffs.
• Ensure WASH is adequately addressed in in-house capacity building activities of the agency such as emergency and operations training.

Perform other duties as required

Qualifications and Experience

Academic:

• Advanced university degree in water and sanitation engineering / water resources development and/or postgraduate degree in one of the civil engineering disciplines (water supply and/or hydrology) or sanitation/hygiene engineering.

Experience:

• At least 3 to 5 years of progressively responsible functions in water/sanitary engineering or a related field in developing countries dealing with large scale WASH activities.
• Proven ability to deal with multiple tasks in courteous and service-oriented manner in demanding working conditions that often have short deadlines.
• An ability to coordinate a range of diverse actors and activities to achieve a common objective in the area of WASH is essential.
• Demonstrated experience in organising and conducting training activities and information campaigns in the areas of environmental sanitation, natural resources management, water quality, bore-hole drilling, vector control and appropriate technologies are important elements for this post.
• Proven technical expertise in area of WASH assessment including surveys, programme implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and coordination is required.
• Knowledge and experience of working with local partner agencies with a capacity to provide formal and informal training.

Skills:

• Ability towards analytical and creative thinking for rapid solutions.
• A good communicator with strong interpersonal and negotiations skills that enable one to deal with persons of various cultural and educational backgrounds.
• High ethical and professional standards.
• A team player with service oriented attitude.
• Proficiency in basic computer software such as MS Access, Excel, Powerpoint, Word, water modelling sofware and GIS.

Languages:

• Excellent knowledge of English (written and comprehension) is essential.
• Working knowledge of another UN language (preferably French).

Desirable:

• Experience and professional training in either of irrigation, site planning or shelter and a good understanding of the main issues in the other two sectors. To this end, an advanced degree and additional training in one or more of the above sectors would be useful.
• Applied knowledge in UNHCR programme management, project formulation, programme cycles and reporting standards.
• Previous exposure to cluster approach, preferably both at the global policy level and at field level.
• Expertise in planning, formulation, implementation, monitoring and reporting on humanitarian operations.

Application Procedures

Interested candidates are requested to submit a letter outlining why they are qualified for the position, and attach their curriculum vitae and a UN Personal History Form (P.11) including the numbers of at least two referees who have supervised the applicant’s professional work.

They should also attach or e-mail examples of operational research and M&E reports that they have participated in preparing or prepared, indicating their specific contribution to the product.

Applications may be submitted by

email to the HR Unit kennarsh@unhcr.org

or by fax 4222080

or to the

Senior Admin/Finance Officer,
P.O. Box 43801-00100
Nairobi Kenya.

Please quote Reference: IVN/EVN/11/001

Important: Short listed candidates will be invited for a written and oral interview. Late applications will not be considered.

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