General
Description of assignment title: UN University Volunteer in Water and Sanitation Hygiene
Assignment country: Thailand
Expected start date: 01/03/2023
Sustainable Development Goal: 6. Clean water and sanitation
Volunteer category: International UN University Volunteer
DoA reserved for persons with disabilities: No
Host entity: UNICEF
Type: Onsite
Duration: 6 months
Number of assignments: 1
Duty stations: Bangkok
Details
Mission and objectives
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfilling their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. And we never give up.
In the East Asia and Pacific Region, UNICEF works to uphold the rights of all children. This means the rights of every child, irrespective of their nationality, gender, religion or ethnicity, to:
• survival – to basic healthcare, peace and security;
• development – to a good education, a loving home and adequate nutrition;
• protection – from abuse, neglect, trafficking, child labour and other forms of exploitation; and
• participation – to express opinions, be listened to and take part in making any decisions that affect them
Recognizing children, adolescents and youth have a right to participate in decisions that affect their lives, a right to a healthy and safe environment, and a right to protection from harm, UNICEF is calling for governments and businesses to address the climate crisis through reduction in greenhouse emissions, increased investment in children’s awareness and climate literacy, and by engaging young people in environmental and climate related policy making.
Context
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) recognize the multiple adverse effects of poor WASH services and affirms that improving access to quality water, sanitation and hygiene will be crucial to achieving many other SDGs, including those related to nutrition, health, education, poverty and economic growth, and gender equality. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) is at the center of this ambitious new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with a distinct sector goal (SDG 6) that aims to ‘Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all’ and with clear but ambitious sets of goals and targets
Improved sanitation is still unavailable for a significant proportion of households in Asia. Across the region, billions of people are without access to improved sanitation and progress varies widely across the region. Open defecation remains a challenge in East Asia and Pacific. Several countries in the region still have significant open defecation problems (above the world average of 12%). This increases health risks, affects individual dignity, and is an inequitable burden on the poor. Safety, especially for women, is also an issue associated with open defecation.
This UNV post will support further strengthening the regional office’s strategic partnerships, studies and analysis that will contribute to the development of viable and, as appropriate, innovative approaches in WASH that benefit country initiatives and an equity- focused agenda.
Task description
Under the direct supervision of WASH Specialist, the UN University Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
1 WASH programme management and technical support
• Research and report on trends in WASH, for use in programme development, management, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Support preparation of technical reports and inputs for programme preparation and documentation, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and relevance of information.
• Prepare required documentations/materials to facilitate review and approval processes
• Analyze collected data and information and prepare progress reports for management, donors and partners.
• Compile WASH programme implementation, preparedness, training and orientation materials to promote knowledge generation, management and sharing with counter-parts, WASH sectoral stakeholders, donors and media.
• Support the provision of technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners/donors on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices in WASH, to support programme implementation
2 Networking and partnership building
• Draft communication and information materials for WASH programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fund-raising for WASH.
Research information on potential donors and prepare resource mobilization materials and briefs for fund raising and partnership development purposes.
Coordinate with members of the development community, including NGOs, UN and bi-lateral agencies in the exchange of information relating to WASH sector.
3 Innovative approaches for climate resilient WASH, knowledge management and capacity building
• Support regular training of staff and partners on knowledge management through webinars and face-to-face meetings
• Promote, support and coordinate cross-country learning exchanges
• Support WASH team to organize capacity building initiatives in key programme areas.
• Collect and synthesize qualitative and quantitative information and data to support the establishment of comprehensive and evidence-based information for developing and planning the WASH component.
• Assist in creating and delivering learning opportunities for UNICEF WASH staff, to ensure our sector capacity remains up-to-date with latest developments.
• Collaborate with Monitoring & Evaluation office on maintaining a gender & equity focus in WASH data collection and reporting.
• Strengthen online presence of WASH through i.e. Enterprise Content Management (communication pages and collaboration sites), external facing sites and communities of practice (e.g. Yammer) and utilization of those platforms by WASH and non-WASH staff
• Collect and compile UNICEF knowledge for presentation on dissemination platforms including through a dedicated SharePoint
• Coordinate and facilitate the use of WASH templates, and strengthen quality assurance processes for all knowledge products
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:
• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for in-stance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
- Results/Expected Outputs
Progress Report of deliverables per assignment and agreed workplan.
• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed
Eligibility criteria
Age: 18 – 26
Additional eligibility criteria
This assignment is funded by the Agency for Voluntary Services (AVS) Hong Kong, therefore specific criteria apply:
Only candidates nominated by the participating universities and endorsed by the Steering Committee can be considered.
Nationality: Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
Donor priorities: –
Requirements
Required experience
0 years of experience in or demonstrated interest and/or experience (up to 2 years) in two years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required Health / WASH or social development program planning, communication for development, public advocacy or another related area.
Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded
Area(s) of expertise: Communication, Natural and life sciences, Social work
Driving license: –
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level: Secondary education
Competencies and values
• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented.
• Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations.
• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
• Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priori-ties and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender;
• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse back-grounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
• Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, re-mote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary;
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
Bangkok is one of the most prominent cities in South East Asia. Home to major international companies and organizations, including the UNESCAP and the main coordinating and headquarters for the UN in East Asia, Bangkok is an established hub for business and culture.
The Security Level is classified as Minimal (Level 1) as per the UN security management system. UNDSS advises UN Staff to exercise normal safety and security precautions. Driving, particularly at night, can be dangerous due to insufficient street lighting, stray animals, and poor-quality roads. Robbery, theft, assault, including gender-based violence does occur; crime is generally opportunistic.
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Reasonable accommodation
UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for UN Volunteers with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process and afterwards in your assignment.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
In addition to duty station-specific vaccine requirements, appointments are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the appointment. It does not apply to UN Volunteers who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their contracts.
