Job: WASH Associate

Location: Erbil
Deadline: Monday, 28 October 2013

The Iraq Operation of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Iraq invites qualified candidates to apply for the following vacancy:

Functional Title & Grade: WASH Associate; G-6

Contractual Status: Temporary Appointment (initially 3 months with possible extension)

Duty Station: - Dohuk, Iraq (1 vacancy) Suleymaniya, Iraq (1 vacancy)

Date of Issue: 22 October 2013

Deadline for applications: 28 October 2013

INTERNAL/EXTERNAL VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT OPERATIONAL CONTEXT AND RESPONSIBILITIES

With over 200,000 Syrian refugees registered since May 2012 Iraq looks set to continue receiving large numbers of refugees, especially in the Northern Kurdistan Region. Based on 2012 trends, humanitarian agencies estimate that there could be up to 350,000 Syrian refugees living in camps or scattered across various Iraqi towns and cities by the end of 2013. The planned response aims to ensure a consistent level of assistance to all refugees in need, while further strengthening the protection capacity already in place.

UNHCR continues to coordinate the humanitarian response in close collaboration with the Government of Iraq, other UN Agencies, international and local NGOs. Overall, local authorities have demonstrated their growing willingness to allow some Syrians to settle among host communities. Where the strain on host communities is considered too high, however, there will nonetheless be a need to expand the capacity of the existing camps and establish new camps, particularly for vulnerable refugees who have no other means of subsistence.

The area of WASH is particularly affected by the influx of Syrians in a country which is still recovering from the effects of its recent war.

Under the direct supervision of WASH Officer the incumbent will perform the following functions:

A. Strategy and Policy:

1. Support the implementation of UNHCR's Strategic Plan.
2. Assist in the development of new policies and strategies for UNHCR in key aspects of WASH.
3. Assist in development, review, update and dissemination of internationally accepted standards, policies, and guidelines within UNHCR and among partners; adapt accordingly to the unique situation of UNHCR's people of concern.
4. Represent UNHCR in relevant meetings and conferences when requested.

B. Advocacy:

1. Advocate for access to refugees, IDPs, returnees and other persons of concern to UNHCR to WASH services including support for inclusion of persons of concern in national and regional plans and proposals.

C. Technical Assistance:

1. Provide technical guidance and support to IPs on all water, sanitation and hygiene promotion related issues, to ensure quality, cost-effectiveness, sustainability and environmental soundness in their implantation and in accordance with UNHCR policies and priorities.

2. Act as a focal point on water, sanitation and hygiene promotion issues within UNHCR and liaise with UN related agencies and governmental and non governmental counterparts.

3. Review performance, monitor development and evaluate approaches adopted by partners in water, sanitation and hygiene promotion and related sectors i.e. natural resources management, environment assessment, technical capacity of implementing partners etc. and formulate appropriate designs and corrective measures as deemed necessary.

4. Ensure regular, up to date assessments of beneficiary needs related to water and sanitation services are undertaken and formulate project submissions to respond to these needs in collaboration with appropriate authorities, implementing partners and UNHCR program and technical sectors at all levels.

5. Ensure that mechanisms to promote and monitor the performance of UNHCR's partners on water, sanitation and hygiene promotion activities in the refugee camps/ host community are in place and that there is a coordinated delivery of WASH services to beneficiaries that meet UNHCR standards of assistance.

6. Review on a regular basis the quantity and quality of water and sanitation services offered in the camps and host community and ensure the maintenance of records of water, sanitation and hygiene promotion performance indicators for all locations.

7. Put measures in place to ensure that regular and accurate reports that analyse the challenges encountered in providing water, sanitation and hygiene promotion services for beneficiaries are prepared and circulated and that periodic reports required by UNHCR at all levels are submitted in

8. Make provisions for the installation of WASH services in any new camp or camp extension identified for the settlement of refugees.

9. Supervise and monitor the implementation of water and sanitation projects administered by UNHCR, directly by the office or indirectly through NGOs partners and facilitate the implementation of appropriate strategies.

10. Provide other duties as required.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

Academic background and experience

• University degree in water and sanitation engineering / water resources development
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible functions in water/sanitary engineering or a related field.
• Proven ability to deal with multiple tasks in courteous and service-oriented manner in demanding working condition that often has short deadlines.
• Ability to coordinate a range of diverse actors and activities to achieve a common objective in the area of WASH is essential.
• Demonstrated experience in organizing and conducting training activities and information campaigns in the areas of environmental sanitation, natural resources management, water quality, bore-hole drilling, vector control and appropriate technologies are important elements for this post.
• Proven technical expertise in area of WASH assessment including surveys, programme implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and coordination is required.
• Exposure to UNHCR mandate, its priorities and principles.
• Knowledge and experience of working with local partner agencies with a capacity to provide formal and informal training.

• Ability towards analytical and creative thinking for rapid solutions.
• Good communicator with strong interpersonal and negotiations skills to deal with persons of various cultural and educational backgrounds.
• High ethical and professional standards.
• Team player with service oriented attitudes.
• Proficiency in basic computer software such as MS Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, water modeling software, GIS.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of English and Arabic (written / oral / comprehension) is essential.

Other

• Experience and professional training in one of irrigation, site planning, or shelter with a good understanding of the main issues in the other two sectors.
• Applied knowledge in UNHCR programme management, project formulation, programme cycles and reporting standards.
• Previous exposure to cluster approach, preferably both at the global policy level and at field level.
• Expertise in planning, formulation, implementation, monitoring and reporting on humanitarian operations. Interested applicants should forward the UN history form (P-11) with a covering letter in English explaining their interest in the position to: e-mail: irqerbad@unhcr.org

Please indicate the post title you are applying for in the subject. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted, and engagement is needed immediately.

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