Job Alert: UNICEF water and environment specialist (emergency)

Purpose of the postUnder the general supervision of the Water & Environment Specialist, and in collaboration with the Emergency Unit, and other sector emergency focal points in UNICEF Delhi, the position provides technical and programmatic expertise and support for WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) in Emergencies to the Child’s Environment Programme. Given UNICEF’s primary responsibility to ensure the Core Commitments for Children (CCC’s) are met in emergencies the incumbent of the position required to provide immediate technical assistance in emergencies as they occur in the field. The incumbent is also responsible for assisting the National Disaster Preparedness Authority in capacity development efforts, developing and disseminating resource materials, defining standards for WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) in Emergencies and developing specifications for hardware components. The incumbent will further assist the NDMA in establishing technical guidelines for WASH in Emergencies, as well as adoption of global cluster approaches in the Indian context. She/he will also provide technical guidance and support on WASH in Emergencies to UNICEF Water Environment & Sanitation project staff in UNICEF sub-national offices (State Offices). The post is office-based with frequent travel within the country for the monitoring of emergency-related activities.

Minimum Requirements: (Qualification, Experience & Competencies)

• Advanced University Degree in Civil or Public Health Engineering, Social Sciences, specific training or experience in the area of disaster mitigation, preparedness and response and programming for young people desirable.
• Five years progressively responsible professional work experience in WASH in emergencies, including water, sanitation and hygiene education in emergencies, disaster assessment, preparedness and response. A demonstrated ability to support the scaling up of projects in the government sector.
• Fluency in English, Hindi in speaking, reading and writing essential. Knowledge of other main Indian languages an asset.
• Current knowledge of development issues, policies in the water, environment and sanitation sector in India, especially in disaster management and preparedness. Current knowledge of emergency response issues, policies, as well as social programming policies and procedures in international development cooperation.
• Demonstrated ability to take the initiative; drive and passion.
• Versatility, judgment, maturity, and the ability to work in a team. Ability to cope with stressful and difficult conditions, and political/cultural sensitivity.
• Analytical skills with ability to compile, analyse data and present results through tables and visual mapping.
• Negotiating, communication and advocacy skills.
• Good knowledge of computer management and applications.
• Ability to work in an international and multicultural environment.
• Sensitive to gender and equity issues and ability to design and mainstream gender and poverty-focused interventions.

Closing date for receipt of applications is cob 16 July 2009. This vacancy is for Indian nationals only. Only applications of short listed candidates will be acknowledged.

Applications consisting of a covering letter; an up-to-date CV and a completed Personal History form (which can be downloaded from https://www.unicef.org/india/PERSONAL_HISTORY_FORM_P11.doc) should be sent to devpro@pmsind.org within two weeks of publication of this advertisement.

In order to ensure that your application is sorted correctly, please clearly indicate the following on the subject line of your email application: “ Water & Environment Sanitation Specialist New Delhi “.