Job Description

Overview The Director will lead the Global WASH Practice across Centers of Excellence in Nairobi, Panama, Amman, and Bangkok. The Director will also periodically assume the role of coordinator of the Nairobi Center of Excellence, sharing this responsibility on a rolling basis with the Global Directors of Health and Nutrition located in Nairobi. The Director provides strategic leadership, vision and direction for UNICEF's WASH Programme Offer, focusing on strategy, technical assistance to governments and Country Offices, and delivery of high-impact, evidence-based WASH services at scale, while continuing to lead UNICEF’s global WASH mandate. This includes connecting national priorities with global expertise and partnerships, providing policy advice, sector planning, regulation, standard setting, programme design, mobilization of domestic resources, and engaging private sector and IFIs. The role emphasizes high-level political leadership, sector reform, demand generation, innovation, evidence generation, advocacy, and communications at local, national, regional and global levels. It spans development and humanitarian contexts with a focus on resilience to climate impact and other shocks. Another key element is leadership in funding partnerships and mobilization of resources for UNICEF-led WASH programmes across the world, in coordination with Country and Regional Offices and Divisions responsible for Public Partnerships and Private Sector fundraising and Partnerships. The Director will work with key partners to accelerate and scale up UNICEF’s WASH work and will be accountable for results, internal controls, resource planning and financial management for the Global WASH Practice, in collaboration with other Global Programme Practices, Regional Offices, Country Offices and other Divisions. Responsibilities and Priorities Shape and develop strategies to achieve the UNICEF Strategic Plan Target 2026-2029 across five impact results, with emphasis on Impact Result 1 (saving children’s lives) and Impact Result 5 (reducing climate and environmental risks for children. Define strategies for the Global WASH Practice to support governments to programme at scale, ensuring resilient, equitable, and sustainable WASH service delivery, prioritizing the needs of children and women in resource-constrained and crisis-affected environments. Maintain UNICEF’s position as the knowledge center on child rights and provide technical leadership in WASH through innovation, partnerships, knowledge management and the application of evidence in programme development and design. Representation & Partnerships Develop and maintain strategic global and regional programme partnerships with UN agencies, development partners, institutions/foundations, NGOs, academia and the private sector to foster innovation, collaboration, knowledge sharing, and resource mobilization. Strengthen relations with key partners through policy dialogue and advocacy to mobilize and leverage resources for children. Develop and capitalize on opportunities for resource mobilization including innovative financing and partnerships, especially in terms of non-traditional funding sources. Represent UNICEF in global and regional forums and showcase UNICEF’s lead role in WASH within the UN system. Technical Leadership, Policy Development and Advice Guide updates and implementation of the Global WASH Strategy 2016–2030, building on recent evaluations. Provide leadership on policy, regulations, standards and systems that underpin WASH Technical Assistance and offers to Regions, Country Offices and governments. Lead high-quality technical assistance across contexts, including policy reform, scalable financing of WASH services, workforce development, institution building, humanitarian response, digital service improvements, cross-cutting imperatives (gender equality and leaving no child behind), and routine programme management support to UNICEF Country Offices. Management of People and Resources Lead the transition into a fully functional Global WASH Practice across CoEs in Nairobi, New York, Panama, Amman and Bangkok. Ensure cross-sectoral collaboration (nutrition, gender, adolescents, child protection, social policy, education, health) to align and maximize UNICEF’s WASH support. Foster a unified culture, motivate and coach staff, and manage workforce development, recruitment, performance management, learning and career development. Oversee staff performance and development through regular feedback, mentoring and career planning. Qualifications Advanced University Degree in Public Health, Civil or Sanitary Engineering, Social Sciences, Water Resource Management or related fields (a first level degree with two years of additional work experience may be considered). Minimum of 15 years of professional experience with leadership in an international organization or corporation. Strong leadership, managerial and people skills; experience engaging diverse teams and partners. Prior experience in leadership roles in humanitarian and development contexts is an asset. Fluency in English is required; knowledge of another official UN language or local language is an asset. Person Profile Credibility and technical excellence in water, sanitation and hygiene and climate resilience. Proven management skills in multicultural settings with ability to motivate teams and influence partners. Proven ability to mobilize resources from traditional and non-traditional sources. Results-oriented decision-making and practical problem-solving. Innovative mindset with risk management and a track record as a change agent. Rigorous analytical and conceptual thinking; high integrity and trust. Excellent written and verbal communication in English; ability to present coherent analyses. Strong diplomatic and communication skills; ability to build effective working relationships with clients and counterparts at appropriate levels. Ability to represent UNICEF in international forums. Application instructions Please indicate you saw this position on geopolist.com. #J-18808-Ljbffr GeoPolist

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