General
Description of assignment title
WASH & Climate, Environment and Resilience (CER) Expert (Section Lead)
Assignment country
Philippines
Expected start date
03/03/2025
Sustainable Development Goal
6. Clean water and sanitation
Volunteer category
International UN Volunteer Expert
Host entity
UNICEF Philippines
Type
Onsite
Duration
12 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments
1
Duty stations
Cotabato City
Details
Mission and objectives
UNICEF works to promote and protect the rights of every Filipino child, with a particular focus on those who are most vulnerable and disadvantaged. We work with the Philippine government to improve national policies, programmes and services for children and adolescents. Together with partners, we address common barriers to the realization of their rights.
Context
UNICEF Country Programme (2024-28) Despite the above challenges, the Philippines has shown a strong commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. UNICEF’s current country programme (2024-28) has been built upon the solid foundation of trust and mutual respect forged by UNICEF and the Government over the past seven decades of technical cooperation in furthering the rights of children. The programme is derived from the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and supports the achievement of the country’s vision AmBisyon Natin 2040, the Philippine National Strategic Framework for Plan Development for Children, 2000–2025, the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028 and implementation of the concluding observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child. With only seven years left for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, the Philippines is using a whole-of-nation approach to keep 7 targets on track, accelerate progress on 18 targets, address barriers where 17 targets have regressed and close data gaps for the remaining targets. Further details on UNICEF Philippines and its working can be found on https://www.unicef.org/philippines/ Climate, Environment & Resilience The UNICEF Philippines Country Programme Cooperation (CPC-9 from 2024-2028) developed a specific outcome for Climate, Environment and Resilience to address the challenges and risks of climate change to children in the Philippines. This outcome and body of work aligns with the Philippine Development Plan, UNSCF outcome-3 and the country’s goal for climate change adaptation and the National Adaptation Plan. The dedicated component of Climate Environment & Resilience (CER) looks after the WASH and CER challenges in the country, especially in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The component aims to protect the right of every child to live in a safe and sustainable climate and environment. The programme contributes to UNSDCF output 3.1, Sustainable Development Goal 6 and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030. Under the above component, UNICEF is committed to strengthen the capacity of national and local governments to finance, coordinate, regulate and deliver climate-resilient, safely managed WASH services in communities, schools, child development centers and health facilities, including through humanitarian responses. In the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, UNICEF will mobilize communities to reduce open defecation and promote community-led total sanitation, thereby contributing to the reduction of stunting in children. UNICEF will generate evidence on the impacts of climate, disasters and environmental hazards on children and use this evidence to enhance policies, programmes and social and behaviour change interventions, making children and communities safer and more resilient. UNICEF will support the expansion of climate and disaster risk financing options for the Government; the participation of children in climate action and policymaking; the integration of business in resilience-building and safeguarding the environment; and overall efforts to make social services more shock-adaptive and climate-resilient.
Task description
The UNV Expert will be placed in the UNICEF Mindanao Field Office (MFO) and will be directly supervised by the Chief of Mindanao Field Office (MFO). The UNV Expert will lead the development, preparation, management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the WASH, Climate, Environment and Resilience (CER) programme in BARMM. S/he will provide technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes, to facilitate the administration and achievement of the MFO WASH-CER related output results in the country programme. The specialist will specifically support UNICEF engagement on work with BARMM Government counterparts, CSOs, private sector and UN agencies on WASH and CER programme goals both in development and Humanitarian context. The interaction with the supervisor will take place regularly, allowing continuous performance monitoring. Under the supervision of the Chief of Field Office, the post shall undertake the following tasks: i. Lead the planning, implementation and monitoring of the WASH/CER programme in BARMM ii. Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes and ensure integration, coherence and harmonization of WASH/CER with other UNICEF sectors, for the achievement of output results at field level. iii. 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. iv. Actively monitor UNICEF-supported activities through field visits, surveys, meetings and exchange of information with partners, to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely interventions. v. 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 and CER, to support programme implementation. vi. Develop a resource mobilization strategy for UNICEF WASH/CER work in BARMM. Prepare materials for CR WASH and CER programme advocacy in BARMM to promote awareness, establish partnerships and support fund-raising. vii. Prepare and draft donor reports related to UNICEF WASH/CER work in BARMM. viii. Establish and maintain close working partnerships with BARMM government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate programme implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve CR WASH output results. ix. With other external support agencies, strengthen sub-national BARMM government WASH sector monitoring systems, with a focus on CR WASH outcomes (access and behaviors), using bottleneck analysis tools available in the sector (CR WASH-BAT, CSOs, SDAs). x. 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. xi. Act as focal point for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Office and support the Chief of Field Office in coordinating DRR, early recovery, and resilience building at field level. xii. Manage the WASH/CER team in MFO, supervising and providing effective leadership and guidance to three team members. xiii. Perform any other duty as requested by the supervisor. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country. • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities. • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc. • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
Eligibility criteria
Age
18 – 80
Required experience
7 years
Nationality
Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
Assignment requirements
Relevant experience
7 years
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Desirable
Required education level
Master degree or equivalent in Community based water supply and sanitation, environmental sciences, climate science, and/or public health.
Competencies and values
UNICEF believes in and promotes CRITAS as the institutional value framework. • Care • Respect • Integrity • Trust • Accountability Competency Areas • Builds and Maintains Partnerships [ I] • Demonstrates Self and Ethical Awareness [ I] • Drive to Achieve Impactful Results [ I] • Innovates and Embraces Changes [ I] • Works Collaboratively with Others [ I] • Thinks and Acts Strategically [ I] • Manages Ambiguity and Complexity [ I]
Skills and experience
• At least 7 years’ experience of working in the WASH Sector, preferably on water supply, water quality, sanitation and hygiene promotion in a community setting; • A minimum of 3 years of experience/exposure of working on climate change, energy and/or disaster risk resilience; • Fair experience of working with INGOs/UN agencies in humanitarian-development nexus; • Experience in conceptualizing visions and developing high-level strategies in the areas of WASH, Disaster Risk Reduction, Emergency and/or Climate Change is a strong advantage. • Strong project management experience, including programme design and implementation, budget management, the development of work plans, and monitoring and evaluation. • Good interpersonal skills, with ability to work in a multi-cultural environment; • Ability to lead, manage and motivate teams. • Culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; • Proficient computer skills (Word, Excel, Power point, database programs, etc.); • Proven track record of organisational skills, ability to take the initiative, meet deadlines, work with minimal supervision; • Knowledge/Experience of UN systems and logic framework, planning and results- based management will be an advantage.
Area(s) of expertise
Community development, Crisis and emergency response, Development programmes
Driving license
–
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
This post is based in Cotabato City in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) within the Philippines. Cotabato City is a non-family duty station (ICSC classification “C”), currently with an 8-weeks R&R cycle. The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is a newly autonomous region in Southern Philippines. For decades, the region was mired in a ‘conflict-trap’, characterised by armed conflict, violence, insecurity, human rights violations and persistent population displacement. The peace agreement from 2019 has brought a period of relative stability and violent confrontations have significantly diminished, although sporadic incidences still occur, often around election time. The BARMM provides an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as stamina and commitment. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in potentially hazardous conditions are essential. You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.”
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Reasonable accommodation
UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for UN Volunteers with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process and afterwards in your assignment.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
In addition to duty station-specific vaccine requirements, appointments are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the appointment. It does not apply to UN Volunteers who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their contracts.
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