Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Sector Coordinator Job Vacancy: United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)

Closing date: 17 Apr 2009
Location: Kenya

PROJECT BACKGROUND

Coordination efforts in the past largely depended on voluntary positions to push complex agendas. However the amount of work and time required by such a position requires a full time person. Increasingly stakeholders appreciate the need to redesign the sector coordination mechanism in response to the changing situation and increased workload. While waiting for the emerging processes both within (and between) the Somali context and International Community to take shape, a full-time coordinator position was created towards the end of 2007 to facilitate communication and coordination among all stakeholders in the WASH Sector.

The principal objective of the WASH Sector Coordinator’s position is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of WASH related activities for the benefit of the Somali people through better targeting and optimum use of resources. As a result the coordinator is expected to work closely with Authorities in charge of WASH coordination in the North East (Puntland) and North West (Somaliland) Zones and with the WASH Cluster Coordinator charged with coordinating humanitarian responses in all zones, particularly Central-South.

The WASH Sector Coordinator is thus expected to spend at least 70% of his/her time in Somalia, divided predominantly between the North East and North West zones, with the remaining time spent in Nairobi or in travel to Central-South zone if necessary.

The objective of the assignment is to provide technical advice and coordination services to national and regional coordination structures in Somalia and at Nairobi level, strengthening systems in place and setting up new ones where needed (as per the main objective of the WASH Sector Committee under Coordination of International Support to Somalis (CISS)).

This will serve to assist in the projecting of needs and definition of priorities aimed at the rehabilitation, sustainability and development of the WASH sector.

Detailed objectives:

• In coordination with Somali WASH Authorities and WASH stakeholders (international and national partners) provide assistance to the WASH Sector Coordination at Zonal and Nairobi level.
• Lead and motivate the process of establishing a WASH Strategy for Somalia .
• Support the WASH Authorities and WASH stakeholders in the effective implementation of the WASH Sector Strategy
• Provide support/guidance to WASH sector coordination in all zones in Somalia (in coordination with the WASH Cluster Coordinator) and ensure coordination and linkage with WASH Sector Committee in Nairobi
• Provide guidance to implementing agencies and authorities on best techniques and best practices in WATSAN in Somalia
• Link with other sector coordinators/ bodies to facilitate communication and coordination of cross-cutting issues.
  

Reporting Structures:

• The coordinator will report administratively to UNOPS (Head of the Somalia Support Secretariat Project) and work under the direct technical supervision of the WASH Sector Steering Committee Chair (under CISS) or appropriate evolving body under Somali governance.
• The coordinator will prepare quarterly and annual progress reports on WASH coordination and major programmes and developments which will be submitted to both the above mentioned parties
• The coordinator will provide monthly written reports to the WASH Sector Steering Committee Chair providing updates from field level sectoral coordination meetings and outlining priority matters affecting the WASH sector and key issues arising from the zonal coordination process
• The coordinator will also ensure continuous information exchange, linkage and harmonization with Cluster Coordinator to ensure coordination coverage across all 3 zones in Somalia and to link Emergency Response with Early Recovery and Sustainable Development

Duty Station and Geographical Area of Responsibility

The WASH Sector Coordinator will be based in Nairobi, with frequent travel to Somalia. When in the field at least 70% of his/her time will be divided between the North West and North East Zone. The remaining time will be spent in Nairobi or in travel to Central-South Somalia if necessary.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Depending on size and scope of activities taking place on ground, as well as existing capacity of WASH Authorities and WASH Stakeholders, the WASH Sector Coordinator’s major tasks and responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, those outlined below. These tasks and responsibilities will also be subject to review in the event of any major changes within the political and implementation context within Somalia.

Coordination with WASH Authorities and WASH Stakeholders for WASH development and Humanitarian Response Activities:

• Provide technical guidance to WASH Authorities to enhance their capacity to coordinate activities and partners working within the sector in their respective zones
• Ensure appropriate coordination between all WASH Stakeholders through supporting the establishment and maintenance of appropriate WASH sector coordination mechanisms, including working groups at sectoral and national levels. In this regard, the WASH sector Coordinator and the WASH Cluster Coordinators will work closely to ensure the incorporation and sharing of all issues relevant to WASH humanitarian and development response in all 3 zones of Somalia.
• Ensure appropriate coordination and information exchange between the WASH sector co-ordination structures at Zonal level and the WASH sector committee in Nairobi.
• Work with WASH Authorities and Stakeholders to ensure integration of assessments, analyses, projects planning, monitoring and response activities within the WASH Sector Strategy
• Facilitate an enabling environment for WASH Stakeholders in responding to emerging needs and gaps, enhancing WASH Authorities efforts in appropriate distribution of WASH interventions in prioritized areas.
• Represent the interests of the WASH sector in discussions with the different WASH Authorities and among WASH Stakeholders on prioritization, resources mobilization and advocacy
• Market and promote sector coordination to increase membership and outreach, particularly among Somali institutions
• Link up with other sector field level coordinators/bodies to facilitate information sharing and coordination of cross-cutting issues
  

Planning and Strategy Development:

• Provide technical support to WASH Authorities and Stakeholders in developing/implementing and updating agreed upon WASH Sector Strategies
• Provide support to WASH Authorities in ensuring that WASH Stakeholders are aware of the WASH Sector Strategy and relevant WASH policies guidelines, technical standards and that their WASH responses are formulated in compliance with these.
• Support the WASH Authorities and Stakeholders in defining needs and priorities for achieving their water supply and sanitation targets in line with MDGs and other (inter)national frameworks and to advocate for resources for meeting these needs.
• Prepare strategic thematic assessments at the request of the Sector Committee (to be circulated to Somali authorities, donors, etc)
  

Training and Capacity Building:

• Support WASH Authorities to convene monthly zonal level WASH sector meetings including assisting the chairs in setting agendas, compiling accurate reports and following up on action points.
• Provide technical advice to WASH Authorities on WASH issues and programming as and when necessary.
• Support WASH Authorities and WASH sector to map WASH sector activities (by all stakeholders), by drawing up profiles of WASH Partners (including organisational descriptions, activities, area of operation, type of operation, basic statistics), and establishing a means for avoiding duplication and tracing gaps in programming and geographical coverage

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES & KNOWLEDGE

• UN/UNOPS core values/competencies: diligence, attention to critical details, keen sense of work priorities and resourcefulness in obtaining and researching important information.
• Demonstrated effective interpersonal skills, ability to work well in a team and good capacity to build working coordination mechanisms.
• Experience in dealing with a variety of partners at all levels including donor community, civil, society and national counterparts to meet work objectives.
• Keen sense of ethics and integrity in dealing with all partners.
• Conscientious in meeting deadlines for delivery of outputs and provision of services
• Demonstrated behaviour of professional and personal ethics, transparency and openness
• Sound leadership, management and organizational skills.
• Good communication skills – written and oral
• Good IT skills for information management purposes.
  

Academic Qualifications/Experience/Language

• University degree in water and sanitation (engineering or water resource development/management) or equivalent.
• At least six years professional experience with at least 4 years of management and/or co-ordination experience in the water sanitation sector in developing countries, preferably emerging or fragile states.
• Familiarity with the work of coordination mechanisms for Somalia, and in particular in the field of water, sanitation, and hygiene assistance to Somalia, would be a distinct asset.
• Experience in collaborating with local counterparts (NGOs), in a relief to rehabilitation situation, particularly in the field of water, sanitation, and hygiene, would be an advantage.
• Cross cultural working experience and demonstrated capacity to ensure delivery against agreed objectives with tight time frames.
• Fluency in both written and oral English. Somali language skills would be an asset
  

This grade is indicative only. The final grade will be determined at the time of recruitment according to the candidate’s qualifications

For more information on UNOPS, including its core values and competencies, please visit the UNOPS website at http://www.unops.org.

How to apply

Qualified candidates may submit their application, including a letter of interest, complete Curriculum Vitae and an updated United Nations Personal History Form (P.11), via e-mail to vacancieskeoc@unops.org. Kindly indicate the vacancy number and the post title when applying (in the subject line by e-mail).

Additional Considerations

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a selected candidate at a level below the advertised level of the post.

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