WASH Administrative Officer in UN Volunteers

About the organization

UNICEF supports children and their families in conflict by providing access to health care, nutrition, education, safe drinking water, sanitation, hygiene and protection.

In Ukraine, UNICEF works with government entities, communities and partners to strengthen water and sanitation systems, especially in regions affected by full-scale drought. war.

Context

UNICEF has been working in Ukraine since 1997, supporting the government in strengthening water supply and sanitation systems. Building on the experience of working during the conflict in Donbas since 2014, in 2022 UNICEF expanded the WASH response by opening 6 field offices (Kyiv, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Lviv, Odesa, Poltava).

The WASH program has evolved from purely emergency interventions to a strategic, integrated approach which combines:

• urgent humanitarian response in areas of active hostilities;

• restoration and modernization of water supply and heating systems;

• strengthening of institutional capacity and environmental sustainability;

• investment in energy efficiency, "climate-smart" infrastructure, water security planning, groundwater monitoring and involvement of youth in environmental actions.

The field office of UNICEF in Odesa manages a portfolio of WASH projects in the amount of 10–20 million dollars. USA, supporting more than 20 water utilities and heat utilities in Odesa, Mykolaiv and Kherson regions.

This UN Youth Volunteer appointment will strengthen the WASH team in Odesa to implement:

• emergency projects in the water, sanitation and heat sector of Mykolaiv and Kherson regions;

• restorative projects in individual communities Odesa and Mykolaiv regions.

Main duties

1. Development and planning of programs

• Preparation of updates for the analysis of the situation in the WASH sector (WASH component of situation analysis) for the formation of relevant program results (outcome/output).

• Preparation of technical reports and contributions to program documentation, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and relevance of information.

• Technical and administrative support at all stages of the program cycle:

  • preparation of materials and documentation;

  • implementation/administration of software transactions;

  • observance of internal procedures and use of corporate management systems.

• Preparation of necessary documents/materials for internal approvals and approvals.

2. Technical and operational support for program implementation

• Participation in field visits and surveys, gathering information and preparing short reports for partners/stakeholders.

• Promptly informing the manager about critical issues, bottlenecks and potential problems for timely response.

• Providing technical and operational support:

  • state bodies,

  • NGOs and partners of the UN system,

  • other partners and donors CountryOffice
    regarding the application and understanding of UNICEF WASH policies, strategies, procedures and best practices.

3. Humanitarian Preparedness and Response in WASH

• Preparation and processing of requisitions (requisitions) for the purchase of goods, services, long-term agreements and partnership agreements so that UNICEF is ready to fulfill obligations in the event of an emergency.

• Learning and understanding of UNICEF emergency response procedures.

• As needed - performing support roles in emergency response and emergency & early recovery.

Candidate Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, social sciences, behavior change communication, sanitary engineering or other related technical field.

• Master’s degree in these fields is an advantage.

Experience

• Minimum 1 month of professional experience in WASH programs or related fields (possible through internship, volunteering, first project roles).

• Basic knowledge of:

  • rural water supply in low- and middle-income countries (security water, system sustainability);

  • urban sanitation (faecal sludge management, decentralized sewage treatment, sanitation service chains, safe disposal);

  • WASH in schools and health care facilities (standards, gender-sensitive and accessible services, IPC measures);

  • hand hygiene with soap and menstrual management hygiene.

• Basic knowledge of project/program management: planning, implementation, monitoring.

• Desirable: experience in WASH project monitoring and evaluation, field monitoring, data collection and report preparation.

Languages

• Ukrainian — fluent (required).

• Fluent English (required) to work with documentation and communication with international colleagues.

Professional skills

• Familiarity with digital platforms and knowledge management tools (e.g. SharePoint, dashboards).

• Ability to prepare analytical notes and short reports for internal stakeholders.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office; knowledge of data visualization tools will be an advantage.

• Self-organization, ability to work independently, set priorities and meet deadlines.

• Ability to work inclusively in a multi-stakeholder environment.

• Awareness of security issues and willingness to follow field protocols.

Terms of participation and compensation (National UN Youth Volunteer)

• Format: National UN Youth Volunteer, full time.

• Location: m. Odesa, field office of UNICEF (UN Premises).

• Duration: 12 months if possibletyu continuation (if there is funding, operational need and proper performance).

Financial support:

• Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA): approximately 1,270 USD/month. (equivalent in UAH) to cover the costs of housing, utilities and daily expenses. The amount includes Well-Being Differentials as long as the workplaces in Ukraine are classified as “E” on the ICSC scale.

• One-time payment upon joining: 400 USD.

Insurance and Leave:

• Medical insurance for UN Volunteer and eligible dependents (according to policy UNV) manager).

• Hospital: up to 30 days of certified leave + 7 days of uncertified leave per year.