Programme Specialist

This UNV assignment supports UNICEF’s Regional WASH (R-WASH) programme, a flagship GWP initiative implemented jointly with UNHCR, governments, private sector, and academic partners across fragile and conflict-affected settings in Ethiopia, Somalia, and Sudan. The programme focuses on:
• Climate-resilient, cost-effective WASH systems
• Sustainable water utilities and systems strengthening
• Social cohesion between refugees, IDPs, and host communities

A notable component includes Regional Managed Aquifer Recharge (R-MAR) pilots (e.g., Dollow, Somalia) to enhance groundwater storage and drought resilience.

The Programme Specialist supports effective management, technical quality, and delivery of regional WASH and Prospects programme activities. The role ensures alignment with approved workplans, budgets, donor requirements, and Environmental & Social Safeguards (ESS), while strengthening partnerships and institutional capacity.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Management & Coordination
• Support day-to-day implementation against workplans and budgets
• Follow up with country offices on progress, risks, and corrective actions
• Contribute to situation analyses, annual planning, and programme documentation

Technical Support & Quality Assurance
• Coordinate technical reviews (designs, ToRs, procurement documents, deliverables)
• Support compliance with Environmental & Social Safeguards (ESS)
• Strengthen partner and government technical capacity through training and knowledge exchange

Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting
• Support performance tracking systems and field missions
• Contribute to donor, annual, and results-based reports
• Document results, risks, lessons learned, and evaluation findings

Knowledge Management & Learning
• Capture and document best practices and lessons learned
• Support learning initiatives, communities of practice, and newsletters
• Collaborate with evaluation, communications, and partnerships teams

Policy, Systems & Partnerships
• Support policy analysis follow-up and systems-strengthening initiatives
• Track key action points with country offices and partners
• Strengthen collaboration with UN agencies, governments, private sector, and academia

Operational & Financial Support
• Support PMU operations including procurement and technical documentation
• Assist with financial tracking, allocations, and compliance
• Contribute to transition toward systems-based WASH approaches

Requirements

Education
• Master’s degree in Water Engineering, Environmental Engineering/Sciences, Civil Engineering, or related WASH field

Experience
• Minimum 7 years relevant experience in:
• Programme implementation, coordination, monitoring, and reporting
• WASH or related sectors in development or displacement-affected (HDP nexus) contexts

Languages
• English: Fluent (required)
• Arabic: Working knowledge (desirable)

Volunteer Living Allowance: currently US$ 3,830 to US$ 4,280

UN Volunteers serve full-time in their professional expertise, supported by a benefits package, including a monthly living allowance to ensure a secure standard of living at their duty stations. These allowances are not intended as compensation, reward, or salary for the volunteer's service.

Check out UNV's Entitlement Calculator on UVP, the Unified Volunteer Platform, and learn more.