Job no: 582140
Contract type: Consultant
Duty Station: Port-Vila
Level: Consultancy
Location: Fiji/Pacific Island Countries
Categories: WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene)
UNICEF, guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, works together with partners in 190 countries and territories to promote and advocate for the protection of the rights of every child.
At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.
UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.
Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.
For every child, Clean Water
UNICEF Pacific, in partnership with the Vanuatu Department of Water Resources (DoWR) and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), is seeking a dynamic and experienced International Technical Consultant to support the implementation of the National Implementation Plan (NIP) and Capital Assistance Programme (CAP) under the Water Sector Partnership (WSP) Phase II.
This is a unique opportunity to contribute to Vanuatu’s national goal of 100% access to safely managed drinking water by 2030, while building local capacity and strengthening sustainable water systems across rural communities, schools, and healthcare facilities.
How can you make a difference?
You will work closely with DoWR to strengthen technical and operational capacity, improve project documentation and delivery, and mentor government staff across all levels. Your work will directly support the design, implementation, and sustainability of water systems in communities, schools, and healthcare facilities.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strengthen NIP/CAP Implementation
- Support and oversee the review and update of 100+ Drinking Water Safety and Security Plans (DWSSPs).
- Facilitate DWSSP and Area Administrator trainings across all six provinces.
- Ensure risk-based planning and proper documentation through NIP checklists and forms.
2. Improve Feasibility and Design Processes
- Provide technical oversight for feasibility studies, concept and detailed designs, BoQs, and cost estimates.
- Ensure integration of climate resilience and environmental assessments.
3. Build Technical Capacity
- Mentor DoWR and Ministry of Health staff on water system design, planning, and implementation.
- Conduct workshops and trainings on climate resilience, water safety, and technical tools (e.g., AutoCAD, EPANET, GIS).
4. Strengthen Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting
- Develop KPIs, reporting templates, and M&E frameworks.
- Support field monitoring visits and contribute to DoWR and MFAT/GCF reporting.
5. Enhance Quality and Compliance
- Develop a Construction Supervision Manual and QA/QC procedures.
- Create standardized templates for supervision, progress tracking, and contractor compliance.
6. Support Operation & Maintenance
- Develop user-friendly O&M manuals for various water systems (gravity-fed, desalination, rainwater harvesting).
- Train community-level operators and provincial staff.
7. Provide Hands-On Technical Support
- Review and validate external consultant designs.
- Collaborate with other technical advisors to ensure a unified strategy.
8. Support Emergency WASH Response
- Lead field assessments and contribute to emergency response planning and implementation.
Cross-Cutting Themes
- Monitor and improve training materials for community engagement and system sustainability.
- Ensure Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) is mainstreamed across all activities—from design to monitoring and procurement.
Please refer to the ToR NIP CAP Vanuatu.pdf for more information on the deliverables and the timelines.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Development Studies
Experience & Skills:
- A minimum of five years of professional work experience in WASH-related programs specifically in rural WASH programs in particular planning, designing and implementing of water supply systems, WASH in institutions and WASH in emergencies
- Strong insight and facilitation skills for community mobilization, coordination and conducting trainings
- Knowledge of WASH-related technical guidelines, standards, and indicators
- Experience in monitoring and evaluation of WASH interventions
- Knowledge and previous work experiences in the Pacific Region with an advantage
Language:
- Fluency in English is required (oral and written)
- Knowledge of Bislama and French languages is an asset
Location: Vanuatu (with travel to provinces)
Application Instructions
Please submit:
- A detailed CV and cover letter
- A separate financial proposal (lump sum) with a breakdown of:
- Daily/monthly fees
- Travel (economy airfare)
- Living allowance (if applicable)
- Miscellaneous (visa, insurance, communications, etc.)
Note: Field mission travel to outer islands will be reimbursed based on actual expenditures.
This is more than a consultancy—it’s a chance to help shape the future of water access in the Pacific. If you’re passionate about sustainable development, capacity building, and technical excellence, we encourage you to apply.
If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about children’s rights and making a lasting difference on children’s lives, one of the global leading entities on children’s rights would like to hear from you.
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, Sustainability (CRITAS), and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
UNICEF is also proud of a diverse workforce who are profoundly committed to supporting the full realization of children’s rights, and in uplifting a rights-based approach in all that we do.
The 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
Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.
UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.
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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
Remarks:
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
Individuals engaged under a consultancy will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants. Consultants are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.
The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates 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 assignment. It does not apply to consultants 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 consultancy contracts.
Advertised: 08 Jul 2025 Fiji Standard Time
Deadline: 21 Jul 2025 Fiji Standard Time
