National Consultant for WASH Monitoring, Vientiane, Lao PDR, 12 months

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For every child, the right to support

The WASH programme seeks to recruit a National Consultant for WASH Monitoring to support the implementation of school latrines and water supply systems in communities, schools and health centers.  Under the direct supervision of the WASH Chief and WASH Specialists, and in close collaboration with Provincial Health Department, Provincial/District Nam Saat, Provincial Education & Sports Service (PESS), District Education and Sports Bureau (DESB), Provincial unit for construction development and administration (PUCDA) and District unit for construction development and administration (DUCDA).

How can you make a difference? 

The consultant will be responsible for the overall management of the construction components in targeted Provinces, capacity building in operation and maintenance and water safety planning, and sub-national monitoring and planning for WASH, including support to monitor the soft component of WASH in Schools. The assignment will include the following key tasks:

Construction

• In consultation with all partners involved in the construction of school WASH facilities, water supply systems in communities and WASH in emergencies when required, the consultant will provide input/feedback where required to ensure successful implementation as per scope of work and design specifications.
• Prepare work plans with a timeframe for monitoring latrines’ construction in primary schools and community water supply systems and sanitation.
• Provide guidance in preparation of existing technical specifications for bidding documents, Bill of Quantities (BoQ) and ensure the technical quality of the construction documents, in close collaboration with the UNICEF Supply Officer, WASH Specialists, Provincial Nam Saat, PESS/DESB and PUCDA/DUCDA.
• Supervise and monitor at different stages the construction of school latrines, water supply systems including boreholes, gravity fed systems, catchment protection and rainwater harvesting and other water sources in selected schools to ensure compliance with the design documents, specifications, bill of quantities, construction standards (using a checklist), and timely completion.
• Effectively communicate all issues pertaining to the implementation process to provincial counterparts and UNICEF. Systematically record any deviations from the original work plan and other actions by contractors.

Capacity Building

• Provide recommendations and corrective actions in a timely manner of any constraints identified in the implementation process (weekly reports) and support training on Operation & Maintenance and Water Safety Planning.

Monitoring and Planning

• Provide financial transaction support (DCT submissions like FACE & ICE forms) to the provincial and district line departments for the implementation of projects.
• Undertake field monitoring in target provinces/districts, provide information on progress, update the WASH database, and inputs to donor reports as required.
• Undertake screening for environmental and social safeguards (ESS) for project sites and develop environmental and social safeguard management plans where required.
• Support Nam Saat with the development of a costed District-level WASH plans.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Terms of Reference here:  TOR National Consultant for WASH monitoring in 2026 VA.pdf

Financial Proposal Template to be filled by the consultant:  Financial Proposal Template-updated Oct 2024.doc

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Advanced degree or equivalent experience in Environmental Public Health, Civil Engineering, Hydro(geo)logy, Water Management, Sanitation Engineering, or related field.

• Work Experience: At least 10 years of relevant work experience in project coordination or management, preferably in climate-related projects with international financing institutions.
• Skills: Strong knowledge of project management tools; Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills; Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and project management software; Excellent oral and written Lao and English skills.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Lao.

Desirables:

• Proven experience in liaising with government bodies, donors, and consulting firms
• Proven experience working in climate and/or social sectors (WASH, Education, Nutrition, Health, Child Protection)
• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility jobs-near-me.org UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:  

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.