WASH Specialist (NO-3)
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
Awasa, Sidama Region, ET
Role description
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is seeking a qualified and experienced WASH Specialist (NO-3) to support the development, management and implementation of its Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme in Ethiopia. Based in Awasa, Ethiopia , the successful candidate will provide technical guidance and programme management support to strengthen WASH interventions and achieve programme results for children and communities.
The role focuses on evidence-based programme development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, emergency preparedness, partnership coordination and capacity building in collaboration with government institutions and other stakeholders.
Job Overview
Hiring Organization: United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Position: WASH Specialist Job Grade: NO-3 Job Category: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Job Number: 596841 Duty Station: Awasa, Ethiopia Contract Type: Fixed-Term Appointment Employment Type: Full-time Date Advertised: November 5, 2026 Application Deadline: November 19, 2026
About UNICEF
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to protect children's rights, support their survival and development, and help them reach their full potential.
UNICEF works with governments, partners and communities to deliver essential services and improve the well-being of children, particularly those facing disadvantage and humanitarian challenges.
Purpose of the Position
The WASH Specialist will support the development, preparation, management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the WASH programme within UNICEF's country programme.
The position provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programme cycle to facilitate effective implementation and achievement of WASH-related results.
Key Responsibilities
The WASH Specialist will:
Support the development of evidence-based WASH policies, strategies, donor proposals, work plans and integrated programme designs aligned with national priorities and UNICEF strategies. Monitor programme performance, conduct evaluations and reviews, track resources and budgets, document lessons learned, and prepare progress reports for management and donors. Provide technical guidance to government institutions, NGOs, UN partners and other stakeholders to strengthen WASH programme implementation. Conduct field monitoring, identify implementation challenges and bottlenecks, and recommend appropriate solutions. Strengthen emergency WASH preparedness through coordination, preparedness planning, supply management and support for emergency response mechanisms. Promote collaboration with government counterparts, development partners and other stakeholders. Support advocacy, resource mobilization, fundraising and inter-agency coordination. Promote innovation, research, knowledge sharing, capacity assessments and institutional strengthening to improve WASH sector outcomes.
Required Qualifications and Experience
Education
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Social Science, Behavioral Science, Public Health, Sanitary Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Health, Water Resources Engineering or another relevant field.
Work Experience
At least five years of relevant professional experience in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), programme management, public health, humanitarian response, monitoring and evaluation, capacity building, policy and advocacy, partnership development, knowledge management, emergency preparedness or related areas.
Technical Skills and Competencies
Demonstrated expertise in:
WASH programming and programme management. Monitoring and evaluation. Reporting and documentation. Knowledge management. Humanitarian response.
Language Requirements
Fluency in English is required.
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
Additional assets include:
Knowledge of another official United Nations language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language. Advanced WASH training. Experience in humanitarian coordination. Knowledge of rural water systems. Experience in menstrual hygiene management and WASH programmes. Relevant country-level experience, particularly in development, fragile and humanitarian contexts.
UNICEF Core Values and Competencies
The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate UNICEF's core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS).
The required competencies include:
Builds and maintains partnerships. Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness. Drives to achieve results for impact. Innovates and embraces change. Manages ambiguity and complexity. Thinks and acts strategically. Works collaboratively with others. Nurtures, leads and manages people.
The role focuses on evidence-based programme development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, emergency preparedness, partnership coordination and capacity building in collaboration with government institutions and other stakeholders.
Job Overview
Hiring Organization: United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Position: WASH Specialist Job Grade: NO-3 Job Category: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Job Number: 596841 Duty Station: Awasa, Ethiopia Contract Type: Fixed-Term Appointment Employment Type: Full-time Date Advertised: November 5, 2026 Application Deadline: November 19, 2026
About UNICEF
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to protect children's rights, support their survival and development, and help them reach their full potential.
UNICEF works with governments, partners and communities to deliver essential services and improve the well-being of children, particularly those facing disadvantage and humanitarian challenges.
Purpose of the Position
The WASH Specialist will support the development, preparation, management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the WASH programme within UNICEF's country programme.
The position provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programme cycle to facilitate effective implementation and achievement of WASH-related results.
Key Responsibilities
The WASH Specialist will:
Support the development of evidence-based WASH policies, strategies, donor proposals, work plans and integrated programme designs aligned with national priorities and UNICEF strategies. Monitor programme performance, conduct evaluations and reviews, track resources and budgets, document lessons learned, and prepare progress reports for management and donors. Provide technical guidance to government institutions, NGOs, UN partners and other stakeholders to strengthen WASH programme implementation. Conduct field monitoring, identify implementation challenges and bottlenecks, and recommend appropriate solutions. Strengthen emergency WASH preparedness through coordination, preparedness planning, supply management and support for emergency response mechanisms. Promote collaboration with government counterparts, development partners and other stakeholders. Support advocacy, resource mobilization, fundraising and inter-agency coordination. Promote innovation, research, knowledge sharing, capacity assessments and institutional strengthening to improve WASH sector outcomes.
Required Qualifications and Experience
Education
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Social Science, Behavioral Science, Public Health, Sanitary Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Health, Water Resources Engineering or another relevant field.
Work Experience
At least five years of relevant professional experience in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), programme management, public health, humanitarian response, monitoring and evaluation, capacity building, policy and advocacy, partnership development, knowledge management, emergency preparedness or related areas.
Technical Skills and Competencies
Demonstrated expertise in:
WASH programming and programme management. Monitoring and evaluation. Reporting and documentation. Knowledge management. Humanitarian response.
Language Requirements
Fluency in English is required.
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
Additional assets include:
Knowledge of another official United Nations language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language. Advanced WASH training. Experience in humanitarian coordination. Knowledge of rural water systems. Experience in menstrual hygiene management and WASH programmes. Relevant country-level experience, particularly in development, fragile and humanitarian contexts.
UNICEF Core Values and Competencies
The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate UNICEF's core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS).
The required competencies include:
Builds and maintains partnerships. Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness. Drives to achieve results for impact. Innovates and embraces change. Manages ambiguity and complexity. Thinks and acts strategically. Works collaboratively with others. Nurtures, leads and manages people.