Job Description
WASH Cluster Coordinator, Addis Ababa (Temporary Assistance), Ethiopia
Title WASH Cluster Coordinator, Addis Ababa (Temporary Assistance) Purpose Coordinate Emergency WASH Cluster and lead related activities in Addis Ababa Expected fee Remuneration is based on a L-3 Staff Member Location Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Duration 12 months. Reporting to UNICEF WASH Chief Addis Ababa
Background
The prevailing emergency situation relating to the current drought now extends from Somali Region to lowland Oromia, and parts of Afar, Tigray and SNNPR. In Dollo Ado, Somali Region, the migration of an estimated 120,000 refugees from Somalia adds an additional set of challenges. Benishangul Gumuz is also experiencing a refugee crisis with an estimated 15,000 additional refuges from Sudan who have moved into Ethiopia to escape conflict. UNICEF is also continuing related preparedness and response measures relating to the threat of AWD/cholera, in all these regions, as well as Amhara.
Justification
As a whole, the situation described above requires multiple WASH inputs, including our support via UNHCR in the context of refugees, and programmatic support to the nutrition, health and education sectors. As WASH cluster lead, UNICEF also has additional responsibilities for standard setting, coordination, information sharing and reporting.
Whilst the country is currently in an acute emergency phase, the impact of drought is likely continue to affect many communities throughout 2012, as coping strategies have been exhausted leaving them vulnerable to further shocks. Furthermore, the impact of increased climate variability, environmental degradation and competition for resources related to demographic pressure will result, inevitable, in further emergencies. UNICEF must therefore strengthen WASH capacity for preparedness (in the context of Disaster risk management) and emergency response, taking into account its overriding Cluster Responsibilities.
With UNICEF WASH staff largely focusing on programmatic interventions in multiple Regions, UNICEF WASH needs to strengthen its internal capacity to fulfill its Cluster responsibilities with an experienced professional (temporary staff member), for a period of 12 months. Currently some of this work is being undertaken through a short term consultant. Reflecting the fact that the Cluster role includes regular support to WASH Ministries and support to the Federal WASH Emergency Task Force, the incumbent will be based from Addis Ababa.
Objective
Working with Government, NGOs, private sector companies and UNICEF Zonal offices, ensure that UNICEF's key responsibilities as WASH Cluster lead are fulfilled, with a specific focus on (i) standard setting (ii) monitoring performance (iii) sector coordination (iv) provider of last resort, in the context of UNICEF's Core Commitments for Children (CCCs) in Emergencies.
Specific Tasks
The WASH Cluster Coordinator's major tasks comprise the following;
Working with UNICEF's Emergency Programme Specialist (an International Staff member at L3 level with a focus on programming rather than cluster co-ordination), MoWE, MoH, MoEd, UN OCHA, and selected NGOs, review Cluster performance and derive practical recommendations to strengthen both the cluster and UNICEF's inputs as WASH Cluster Lead
Lead UNICEF activities to strengthen the Cluster in terms of technical assistance, training, capacity building supplies and systems development. This may include aspects of financial management for related funding streams.
Devise and introduce simple systems to monitor both Cluster and UNICEF performance against agreed deliverables, focusing on the CCCs.
Support the development of standby arrangements, Long Term Arrangements (pre agreed contracts), pre-positioning and other strategies to ensure UNICEF can discharge its responsibilities as Provider of Last Resort.
Working with UNICEF WASH emergency staff and UN OCHA, ensure that the WASH Emergency Task Force (ETF) is regularly informed by updated, relevant information. This includes a biweekly WASH update circulated to al ETF members and UNICEF's emergency team
Co-Chair bi-weekly WASH Emergency Task Force Meetings, ensuring that action points are agreed and followed up by all concerned
Participate in other relevant emergency coordination meetings relating to WASH Emergencies (for example, by UNHCR, EHNRI, WHO, DRMFSS, UN OCHA)
As necessary, support UNICEF field staff with emergency planning, rapid assessment and immediate response with a focus on both WASH and related Environmental / public health concerns.
Methodology
The consultant will join and work very closely with UNICEF WASH Emergency staff in Addis Ababa (L3, NOB, Consultants), and WASH Project Officers and Emergency Staff in the Field. He/she will also work very closely with the Emergency Preparedness and Response Unit, MoWE, especially concerning the WASH ETF, and with EHNRI relating to AWD/cholera.
Expected Deliverables
Monthly work plan and progress report
Detailed report, prepared with Govt and selected NGOs, on WASH Cluster Performance in 2011 and practical recommendations on how to strengthen it, and UNICEF's related work in particular
Detailed Action Plan and related activity reports, concerning the strengthening of the WASH Cluster and UNICEF as cluster lead, building on the recommendations outlines in Point 2 above.
Systems introduced to monitor and report Cluster performance and UNICEF's responsibilities as Cluster lead.
Standby arrangements (based on NGO partnership agreements), LTAs and prepositioned items in place in order than UNICEF can fulfil its responsibilities as Cluster lead.
Bi-weekly WASH updates (tables, maps and other data) provided to UNICEF, ETF members, UN OCHA, to inform weekly emergency task force meetings.
Regular minutes of WASH ETF meetings detailing agreed actions and related responsibilities.
Notes / information derived from other meetings as listed above (under 'Tasks').
Field support detailed in related trip reports.
Reporting
The consultant will be supervised by Chief of WASH, UNICEF Addis Ababa.
Expected Background and Minimum Experience
Education
Masters in a WASH or Public Health related field
Competency Profile
Minimum of five years emergency, including significant emergency experience; plus:
Experience of working in a multi-sector, multi-partner (UN, Government, NGO) environment;
Experience of operationalizing the WASH Cluster concept;
Experience of WASH in an emergency context, including WASH service delivery and a range of related public health issues, including AWD / cholera
Able to use initiative, analyse complex problems and their underlying causes, and develop practical solutions with a focus on institutions and related capacity and systems
Very strong communication (oral and written)and interpersonal skills
Very strong planning and organisational skills
Able to work under pressure, meeting deadlines
Sufficiently experienced to deploy to the field to support, if necessary lead, an Emergency WASH response
General Conditions:
The Temporary Assistant will work from UNICEF Addis Ababa
The Temporary assistant will be provided with a UNICEF laptop / CDMA. Top up cards for CDMA and a cell phone will be reimbursed up to established cost ceilings.
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No Fee
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