General
Description of assignment title
WASH Specialist
Assignment country
Kenya
Duty stations
Kakuma
Work location
On UN premises
Expected start date
01/10/2026
Duration
18 monthsLong-term benefits and allowances
Sustainable Development Goal
6. Clean water and sanitation
Host entity
UNHCR
Modality
Onsite
Type
International
Volunteer category
Specialist UCoS from Apr2026
Work schedule
Full-time
Number of Assignments
1
Details
Mission and objectives
The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org).
Context
The Government of Kenya, in line with the GCR and its CRRF, in collaboration with its partners has taken concrete steps to improve conditions supporting socioeconomic inclusion of refugees and host communities. These include: (i) enactment of Refugees Act of 2021 and Refugee Regulations, (ii) operationalization of Kalobeyei and Garissa Integrated Socioeconomic Development Plans (KISEDP and GISEDP), (iii) launch of the Shirika Plan, (iv) gazettement of Kakuma and Dadaab as the Municipalities. Kakuma Municipality, located in Turkana County in the north-western region of Kenya, hosts nearly 530,000 people including over 310,00 refugees and asylum seekers from 24 nationalities. KISEDP-II (2023-2027) the pillar of Shirika Plan (and in line with Turkana County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP), Kenya’s MTP-IV (2023-2027) and UNHCR multiyear strategy (MYS 2024-2026 and sustainable responses) supports delivering rights-based and equitable protection services for refugees and host communities while advancing socioeconomic inclusion and enhancing self-reliance. These envisages coordinated and systemic approaches aimed at safeguarding refugee rights, supporting services delivery across sectors, and promoting refugee and host communities empowerment and resilience including through HDP nexus for joint programme and programming, systems-building for inclusion and Government-led services delivery, and by working with diverse stakeholders internally and externally including the Government, UN, I/NGOs, development actors, IFIs, communities, private sector etc. Key activities include supporting coordination of WASH sector activities with all the stakeholders, and support transitioning of WASH services from UN/Humanitarian agencies to Government-owned systems (e.g. KALAWASCO) in line with the KISEDP, pillar of the Shirika Plan.
Task description
Under the direct supervision of the Programme Officer, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Support WASH coordination among partners in line with the KISEDP structures, including with UN-Habitat (implementing Water infrastructure Improvement Project with funding from JICA – Japan International Cooperation Agency). • Work closely with County Government and Municipality as well as with other WASH stakeholders to assess current situation of the urban water, sanitation and hygiene conditions in the Municipality and support in implementation of Water Supply Transition Plan, supporting the WASH transition, in line with the KISEDP, from UN/Humanitarian agencies to Government-owned systems (e.g. KALAWASCO). • Facilitate detailed assessment of urban water supply systems (public and private) and provide technical recommendations for rehabilitation and upgrading of the systems to ensure safe drinking water in the Municipality. • Provide appropriate technical, managerial, cost efficient, and O&M solutions for improving the urban water supply conditions in the Municipality. • Strengthen sanitation facilities and waste management systems by coordinating the construction and maintenance of latrines, implementing solid waste disposal strategies, and promoting environmental health initiatives to reduce immediate disease risks. • Address gaps and overlaps in UNHCR funded WASH programmes and unmet needs, and the activities are oriented to address priority WASH issues. • Provide support to County Government and Municipality for inclusion of PoC within national SDG 6 development plans (Urban and Rural) and financing mechanisms and service delivery systems in line with KISEDP. • Support key WASH strategic partnerships with development and humanitarian agencies to support inclusion of refugee WASH services within national systems and development financing mechanisms. • Ensure PoC are consulted during planning, design, implementation, and monitoring of WASH services using an age, gender and diversity approach. • Monitor and evaluate WASH programmes against standard UNHCR and SDG indicators to ensure that programmes are evidence-based and implemented in a comprehensive, client-focused, and cost-effective manner. • Strengthen monitoring, evaluation, and data-driven decision-making by implementing real-time WASH assessments, tracking key indicators in the WASH Monitoring System (WMS), and ensuring that interventions are responsive to rapidly evolving needs. • Build the technical capacity of key stakeholders by providing targeted training for KALWASCO, partners, and refugee communities and host community on WASH best practices, infrastructure maintenance, and community-led hygiene promotion. • Perform other related duties as required. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: • 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; • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities; • 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. Results/Expected Outputs • Provision of professional technical support and guidance on activities within the areas of Water, Sanitation & Hygiene. • Lead in formulating appropriate project proposals and assistance activities that should be incorporated into the relevant operation programmes of UNHCR. • Support the UNHCR operation, in coordination with the Government and Municipality, to assess needs and coordinate the provision of WASH services to asylum seekers and refugees. • Coordinate WASH partners in conjunction with Government and Municipality, and for monitoring progress and quality of WASH programme implementation in line with KISEDP to ensure that an adequate level of WASH services is provided. • Develop a water safety plan in the Municipality and based on the outcomes of the appraisal develop an appropriate plan of action, supported with capacity strengthening, supplies, necessary funding, staff, and knowledge management system. • Gradual and responsible disengagement of humanitarian actors and the handover of the management of basic WASH services to the County Government of Kenya and Municipality. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: • 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 in-stance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities; • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publica-tions/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
3 years
Donor priorities
–
Nationality
Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
Additional eligibility criteria
This assignment is funded by JICA, therefore only former Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JICA-JOCV) recommended by the JICA-JOCV Secretariat are eligible to apply. Please consult the JICA website (https://www.jica.go.jp/volunteer/obog/career_support/unv/index.html) for further information on the eligibility criteria. Deployment is scheduled between 1 October and 30 November (no later than 31 December 2026).
Assignment requirements
Relevant experience
3 years
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required Kiswahili, Level: Fair, Desirable
Required education level
Master’s degree in Civil engineering or Rural Development or Community Development or Urban policy & planning or Water resource or development or Water/Sanitation Engineering or international development. Education – Additional Comments: A Bachelor’s university degree (or equivalent) with 2 additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree.
Competencies and values
• Adaptability and Flexibility • Building Trust • Client Orientation • Commitment and Motivation • Ethics and Values • Integrity • Judgement and Decision-making • Planning and Organizing • Professionalism • Respect for Diversity • Self-Management • Technological Awareness • Working in Teams
Skills and experience
2 years experience in Project management and coordination preferably in the areas of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH). • Experience in Project management and coordination. • Preferable experience in the area of WASH including surveys, programme implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and coordination, solid waste management, and hygiene promotion awareness. • Preferable experience working at the local level, including with the communities, and local governments and stakeholders. • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment. • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.
Area(s) of expertise
Community development, Development programmes
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
Kenya is an open country that enjoys social stability resulting from the smooth functioning of state institutions. Kenya is also provided with a good level of infrastructure (e.g. roads, distribution of water, electricity, etc.) and a popular tourist destination. The current Security Level in the capital and in SRM Area 1A: Northern Rift Valley (Kakuma, Lodwar) is Moderate -3. All United Nations personnel must scrupulously comply with UNDSS procedures and recommendations during their assignment to Kakuma, Kenya. Thefts and burglary are the main incidents against UN personnel. Kakuma city is a non-family duty station with a hardship classified D, its living conditions are difficult, but the social climate is calm. The weather is hot, dry and sunny hence no heavy clothes would be recommended. Windy storms are common during the months of December and more pronounced in January till March. Staff live in UNHCR-provided accommodation, which was constructed in 2001, the condition of these houses has improved with time as renovations and painting has been carried out in the past. The accommodation facilities are generally acceptable condition with minimal standard. The incumbent will be briefed deeply on conditions of accommodations, laundry, meals, communications, air and road transports, recreations and others relevant information. However, staff members are charged rental fee predetermined by the organization paid upfront on monthly basis. The currency used in Kenya is Kenyan Shilling (KES). It is also possible to withdraw cash from automatic telling machines found in all banks here in Kakuma. There are limited banking facilities at Kakuma with two banks (Equity & Kenya Commercial Bank having branches locally Internet and communications networks are available at the compound with fairly speed. The mobile telephone network remains stable with 3G. Climatic conditions are relatively harsh, and despite fumigation of the compound, insects and even snakes are present in the environment on seasonal climate changes. UNHCR has established satellite level 1 JMS medical clinic in the compound following COVID-19 situation readily available 24/7 hours, there is also Kakuma Mission Hospital where a doctor/Surgeon is deployed and paid for by UNHCR provide assistance to refugees, but special arrangements can be made during emergencies for staff members. There are also some pharmacies within Kakuma with basic medical facilities. Evacuation opportunities are limited. Candidates with conditions requiring regular treatment or medical supervision should be appropriately advised. The yellow fever vaccine is compulsory, and vaccination cards should be updated. Vaccinations against Meningococcal Meningitis and Hepatitis A and B are also recommended. The basic drugs are available in pharmacies, but it is recommended to bring specific prescription drugs.
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.
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