General
Description of assignment title
WASH Officer
Assignment country
Zambia
Expected start date
30/11/2025
Sustainable Development Goal
6. Clean water and sanitation
Volunteer category
National UN Volunteer Specialist
Host entity
UNICEF
Type
Onsite
Duration
24 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments
1
Duty stations
Mansa
Details
Mission and objectives
UNICEF helps build a world where the rights of every child are fully realized. It is our conviction that nurturing and caring for children are the cornerstones of human progress. UNICEF was created in 1946 to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path. It has global authority to influence decision-makers, and a wide variety of partners at grassroots level to turn the most innovative ideas into reality. For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children’s survival, protection and development. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and Governments.
Context
The UNV assignment is part of UNICEF’s programme titled “Enhancing Access to WASH Services in Luapula Province of Zambia.” This project is a collaborative initiative between the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany (through BMZ and KfW), UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund), and the Government of the Republic of Zambia. Its primary goal is to reduce the burden of diarrhoeal diseases among children under five years of age by improving access to WASH services across six districts in Luapula Province—ultimately benefiting approximately 200,000 people. The UN Volunteer will support the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) section focusing on providing water and sanitation support to provincial and district government counterparts, whilst facilitating ground level work for contractors and consultants on WASH activities.
Task description
Under the overall supervision of a WASH Specialist, the WASH Officer will work on the KfW funded “Enhancing WASH Services in Luapula Province Programme” and will be responsible for the following key functions: • Participate in the planning, design, and management of sustainable, climate-resilient, and inclusive WASH infrastructure projects, reviewing adherence to national standards, UNICEF technical guidelines, and KfW requirements. • Contribute to the evaluation of bids and proposals for WASH-related services and works, contributing to the selection of qualified contractors and consultants. • Review technical documents, including bills of quantities, cost estimates, specifications, and engineering drawings for WASH infrastructure, to ensure cost-effectiveness and technical soundness. • Conduct regular field monitoring of WASH activities implemented by partners and contractors to document progress, quality, and compliance with agreed standards. • Support the management of contracts for construction, operation, and maintenance, including conducting performance reviews and providing technical backstopping. • Support the collection, analysis, and management of WASH data to monitor progress, identify bottlenecks, and inform decision-making. • Update databases on WASH facilities and services. • Contribute to knowledge management and innovation by synthesizing monitoring data into graphic formats (maps, charts, infographics) and drafting sections of routine and donor reports. • Foster effective collaboration with Government counterparts (e.g., WASHE Departments), NGOs, and communities to facilitate sustainable Operation and Management (O&M) WASH services. • Integrate core UNICEF principles across all WASH activities, including gender equality, disability inclusion, accountability to affected populations, and environmental sustainability. • Support Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) initiatives to promote positive hygiene practices and ensure community ownership of WASH assets. • Perform any other tasks assigned or required by WASH Section to ensure improved provision of WASH services for children in Zambia.
Eligibility criteria
Age
18 – 80
Required experience
3 years
Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.
Assignment requirements
Relevant experience
3 years
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Sanitary Engineering, or a field relevant to international WASH related development assistance.
Competencies and values
• Builds and maintains partnerships: • Demonstrated self-awareness and ethical awareness: • Drive to achieve results for impact: • Innovates and embraces change: • Manages ambiguity and complexity: • Thinks and acts strategically: • Works collaboratively with others • Professionalism and ability to work with partner organizations, including Government at national, provincial, and district levels. • Motivated to contribute towards peace and development and to serve others. • Flexible and open to learning and new experiences. • Respect for diversity and adaptability to other cultures, environments and living conditions.
Skills and experience
• A minimum of 3 years of professional experience in WASH-related programmes planning and management is required. • Relevant experience in programme management in WASH-related areas in a UN agency is considered an asset. • Demonstrated interest in and/or knowledge of water, sanitation and hygiene development issues, policies, social programme strategies, international development cooperation in the WASH sector, field of development and volunteerism, capacity development, equity and inclusion and/or WASH in schools, WASH in healthcare facilities, WASH linkages to nutrition and local government, WASH and climate change, and commercial water utility experience would be an added asset. • Advanced level classes in data gathering, analysis and research or WASH related school or volunteer work. • Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e., studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded. • Computer skills (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, GIS, basic mapping, social media, and others). • Good interpersonal, networking and communication (verbal and written) skills. • Planning and organizing skills.
Area(s) of expertise
Community development, Energy and environment , Engineering and construction
Driving license
–
Other information
Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken of free will, for the general public good, for which monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.
Living conditions and remarks
Zambia is a land-linked, resource-rich country with sparsely populated land in the centre of Southern Africa. It shares its border with eight countries (Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe) that serve as an expanded market for its goods. Lusaka is the capital of the Republic of Zambia. The climate is sunny and temperate, but it can be very cold during few months, with freezing temperature at times especially during the night. It is therefore advisable to bring warm clothing and foresee using heaters and other heating options when necessary. As the commercial and cultural centre of Zambia, Lusaka has seen rapid development in recent decades, with reasonable transportation connections and widely spoken English making the city highly attractive to vacationers and experts alike. Unemployment and poverty are issues in the city, and beyond. Key industries for the region and Zambia as a whole, include mining, agriculture, and tourism. Like most Southern African cities, life in Lusaka will require some adjustments for a person moving from outside the region, but the potential rewards and opportunities for experiences are well worth the effort. Lusaka hosts several international organisation and embassies/diplomatic missions, therefore there is a very large community of expatriates from around the world. Housing is most of the time readily available and of good standard options are available. Most foodstuffs, beverages, household goods, furniture, and clothing, mostly imported from South Africa, Europe, and China while some ranges of local brands are available at a competitive price to imports. Meat, fish, fresh fruits, and vegetables are reasonably priced and abundantly available. The basic infrastructures roads, utilities, and telecommunications are of reasonable standard, although the city experiences power outages from time to time. Medical facilities are still largely inadequate, although several private clinics and hospitals provide reasonably good routine care. Several restaurants around the city serve local or international cuisine and there are numerous social and sports facilities (fitness, tennis, swimming, riding, golf, etc.) in the major hotels or in different establishments around the city. There are no major or special security concerns within Lusaka city limits. For more information, please visit http://zambiatourism.com.
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.
Scam warning
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