General
Description of assignment title
WASH Officer
Assignment country
Somalia
Duty stations
Hargeisa
Work location
On UN premises
Expected start date
23/08/2026
Duration
12 months
(with possibility of extension)Long-term benefits and allowances
Sustainable Development Goal
6. Clean water and sanitation
Host entity
UNICEF
Modality
Onsite
Type
National
Volunteer category
Specialist UCoS from Apr2026
Work schedule
Full-time
Number of Assignments
1
Details
Mission and objectives
UNICEF is a key UN agency working in Somalia in various aeras such as WASH, Child Protection, Social Policy, Health and Nutrition, and Education sectors. With a population of 3,798,828 people and a significant youth and adolescent proportion forming a huge youth bulge, Somalia faces an unprecedented challenge in addressing the youth and adolescent needs of the people in a complex context where conflict, natural disasters and climate change divert resources from the needs of this important cohort of the population. Approximately 62% of the population is between 5-29 years old, while three-quarters (72%) of the population is less than 30 years old. The unemployment rate is high (estimated at 50%) that also contributes to poverty.
Context
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfil their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. And we never give up. We provide and advocate for education, health and nutrition services. Protect children from violence and abuse. Bring clean water and sanitation to those in need. And keep them safe from climate change and disease. UNICEF works in Somalia to save children’s lives, to defend their rights, and to help them fulfil their potential, from early childhood through adolescence. The Water, Sanitation and Hygiene programme is an integral part of the Somalia Country Programme and is overseen by the Chief of WASH for the overall management of the WASH outcome across the three zonal offices including the country office, with teams in Somaliland, Puntland and Central South Zone of Somalia. The WASH activities in the Somaliland represent a major component of the overall WASH programme covering several key areas including i) WASH in communities, ii) WASH in institutions and iii) Climate Resilient WASH programming & emergency response. Activities are delivered through technical assistance, partnerships and contracting modalities. The UNV WASH Officer will be based in Hargeisa, Somaliland, and report to the Hargeisa -based WASH Specialist P-3
Task description
The core areas of focus will be on supporting the Government of the Somaliland to deliver the Sanitation & Hygiene and WASH in Institutions components of the Accelerating Sanitation & Hygiene for ALL (ASWA III) project through technical assistance, contracts and partnerships with civil society partners and implementation of “Market-based approaches that develop or strengthen the market and supply chain for sanitation products and services starting with the pilots in current target districts of the ASWA III project. The position supports the development, preparation, management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the WASH programme within the country programme. The Specialist provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes, to facilitate the administration and achievement of the WASH-related output results in the country programme. Key functions/accountabilities of the role include: Programme development and planning • With focus on sanitation and hygiene, participate in strategic WASH programme planning discussions. Prepare WASH donor proposals, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s Strategic Plan, UNICEF’s global WASH strategy and the Country programme, as well as government plans and priorities, and the role of other external support agencies. • Assist in the formulation of the WASH outcome and output results, related indicators, baselines, targets and means of verification related to community sanitation & hygiene and WASH in Institutions programming. • Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes and ensure integration, coherence and harmonization of WASH with other UNICEF sectors, for the achievement of the WASH output results. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results • With other external support agencies, strengthen national government WASH sector sanitation & hygiene monitoring systems, with a focus on community sanitation tools available in the sector. • 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. • Prepare/assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths/weaknesses in programmes and management, identify and document lessons learned. • 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. Technical and operational support for programme implementation • Actively monitor UNICEF-supported activities through field visits, surveys 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. • 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, to support programme implementation. • Participate in WASH / Sanitation & Hygiene programme meetings, to review progress, with government, other sector agencies and implementation partners, involved at various stages of the national sanitation & hygiene programme implementation, to provide expert advice and guidance. Humanitarian WASH preparedness and response • Prepare requisitions for supplies, services, long-term agreements and partnership agreements to ensure UNICEF is prepared to deliver on its commitments for WASH in case of an emergency. • Contribute to the coordination arrangement for humanitarian WASH, for instant robust coordination in case of an emergency. • Take up support roles in emergency response and early recovery, as and when the need arises. Networking and partnership building • Build and sustain close working partnerships with government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate programme implementation and build the capacity of stakeholders to achieve Sanitation & Hygiene output results. • Prepare materials for Sanitation & Hygiene and WASH In institutions programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships and support fund-raising. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building • Prepare learning/knowledge products, covering innovative approaches and good practices, to support overall WASH sector development. • Contribute to the systematic assessment of Sanitation & Hygiene and WASH in Institutions sector capacity gap analysis, in collaboration with government and other stakeholders, and support the design of initiatives to strengthen capacities systematically. • Participate as a resource person in capacity-building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders.
Eligibility criteria
Age
18 – 80
Required experience
3 years
Nationality
Candidate must be a national, legal resident or hold refugee status in the country of assignment.
Assignment requirements
Relevant experience
3 years
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required Somali, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Bachelor’s degree in Public health, Social sciences, Behaviour change communication, Sanitary engineering or another relevant technical field
Competencies and values
Core Values • Care • Respect • Integrity • Trust • Accountability • Sustainability Core Competencies (For Staff without Supervisory Responsibilities) * • Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1) • Works Collaboratively with others (1) • Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1) • Innovates and Embraces Change (1) • Thinks and Acts Strategically (1) • Drive to achieve impactful results (1) • Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)
Skills and experience
• At least 3 years’ experience with proven record of accomplishment and exposure with WASH programmes in developing countries especially on Sanitation and Hygiene, community demand led sanitation or community led total sanitation (CLTS) approaches, hygiene behaviour change interventions, communication for development in WASH programming and cross-cutting areas including gender, disability and adolescents is required. • Experience working with government agencies, local authorities, international organizations, NGOs and communities in the field of water, sanitation and participatory approaches in health and hygiene promotion. • Experience with self-build approaches in infrastructure will be a distinct advantage. • Experience in monitoring & evaluating the effectiveness of the CLTS/DLS approach initiatives • A good understanding of national government WASH related policies plans and strategies, and institutional arrangements is required. • Experience in implementation of “Market-based sanitation approaches that develop or strengthen the market and supply chain for sanitation products and services including documentation of knowledge & learning products, and sharing results from this approach is highly desirable • Knowledge of latest guidance and best practices for WASH programming in the Somali context especially WASH in health care facilities will be an asset • Experience in humanitarian or development contexts • Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of the local language is an asset.
Area(s) of expertise
Community development, Engineering, construction, Water, sanitation, waste
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
Hargeisa is a relatively stable urban center with good access to basic services. Security conditions are generally calm, though adherence to institutional security guidance is required. The climate is hot and semi‑arid, with dust and seasonal rains. Housing is available through rented rooms or shared compounds, and the cost of living is moderate. The city is culturally conservative; modest dress and respect for Islamic norms are essential, and alcohol is prohibited. Food is readily available through local markets, while water and electricity are accessible but may be intermittent. Basic medical services are available locally, with limited specialized care. Mobile networks and mobile money services are reliable and widely used. Hargeisa UNICEF office offers a meaningful and professionally enriching working environment. The role requires cultural sensitivity, adaptability, and resilience to operate effectively in a context with environmental and infrastructural constraints. You may check the full benefits and allowances applicable to the duty station using the UVP calculator. Please see the Conditions of Service for UN Volunteers for more information and details.” The Summary of UNV Entitlements (National Specialist): • Current Monthly Living Allowance (MLA)+DHD is USD 1,067 • Insurance coverage • Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month • Free access to different learning platforms and UN & UNV network
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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