WASH Officer

Organizational Context

UNICEF operates with a strong ground presence and partnerships across multiple sectors in Syria, aiming to reach vulnerable children and families. Upholding humanitarian principles, UNICEF supports integrated programming to improve access to critical basic services in high-need areas. The organization prioritizes accountability to affected populations, integrating gender, child safeguarding, and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse into its programmes, ensuring children are reached regardless of their location.

Job Purpose

This role supports UNICEF's Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) response in Aleppo and/or Idleb Governorates, Syria. The primary aim is to ensure crisis-affected populations have equitable access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene services, while simultaneously strengthening emergency preparedness and response capabilities. The position involves close coordination with local authorities, WASH sector partners, NGOs, community representatives, and UN agencies. Key functions include evidence-based planning, sound financial and supply management, monitoring, reporting, and integrating gender and equity considerations to improve service continuity, resource efficiency, local capacity, and timely life-saving assistance.

Responsibilities

The UNV WASH Officer, under supervision, will ensure accurate and up-to-date information for WASH programme design, implementation, management, monitoring, and evaluation. This includes drafting WASH programme budgets and enhancing emergency preparedness. The role involves monitoring UNICEF inputs, local conditions, resources, supply flow, and programme status to improve efficiency and effectiveness through an evidence-based approach. Responsibilities also include ensuring the appropriateness of financial, administrative, and supply documentation, verifying expenditures, and resolving discrepancies. Collaboration with the Monitoring & Evaluation office to maintain a gender and equity focus in data collection and reporting is crucial. The officer will analyze data, prepare progress reports, draft work plan changes, and assist in identifying necessary supplies and equipment for both development and emergency activities, including preparing technical studies and designs.

Work Experience

A minimum of three years of progressively responsible professional experience in WASH engineering, including programming and engineering works, is required. Experience in humanitarian response is considered an asset. Experience working with UN agencies, NGOs, or government institutions in emergency or fragile contexts is highly desirable. Familiarity with WASH programming principles, including emergency responses, data analysis, reporting, budgeting, financial control, and supply processes is expected.

Skills

Key competencies include accountability, adaptability, flexibility, judgment, decision-making, planning, organizing, professionalism, and self-management. Technical expertise areas include energy and environment, engineering and construction, and procurement and contracting. Strong coordination, communication, and interpersonal skills are essential, along with the ability to work effectively in insecure and high-pressure environments.

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