Type of Assignment: National UN Volunteer
Project Title: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
Duration: One year initial (with possibility of extension)
Location/Country: Tamale, Ghana
Expected Starting Date: ASAP

Brief Project Description:
In Ghana, diarrhea is one of the main causes of childhood deaths; the other ones being malaria, respiratory infections, and malnutrition. The prevention of diarrhea is linked to water, sanitation and hygiene. Ghana has already achieved the Millennium Development Goal target for access to improved water sources (82 per cent national 93 per cent urban and 77 per cent rural).

The Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) component of the UNICEF Ghana CP has two key results: (a) over half of the population have sustainable and equitable access to and use of basic sanitation services underpinned by improved hygiene practices and sustainable water services; (b) sector policies, strategies, knowledge-base, systems and human resources capacity at national level and in the five most deprived regions and improved for enabling decentralized, scaled-up, sustainable and pro-poor WASH interventions. The WASH component focuses on increasing access to improved sanitation and water services to disadvantaged communities and strengthening the enabling environment to achieve these results. Water and sanitation services in schools and health centres in 5 deprived regions will be improved and access to improved water and sanitation services, will be provided to underserved and recently freed dracunculiasis endemic communities. The WASH programme has adopted the Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) strategy and Sanitation Marketing Strategy for improving hygiene and sanitation.

The WASH Officer (National UNV) post is needed to assist with follow up on the CLTS processes at community level' in support of the scaling up of sanitation coverage and improvements in hygiene practice in the 20 districts in the three northern regions (10 in Northern Region, 5 in Upper East Region and 5 in Upper West Region)

Host Agency/Host Institute: UNICEF Ghana/Tamale Field Office

Organizational Context:
The UNICEF Ghana Country Programme has the overall goal to support the Government of Ghana in realizing the survival, development and protection of children in an equitable and sustained manner. The CP has six programme components, including the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Programme. The WASH programme target five most deprived regions in terms of WASH indicators: Northern Region, Upper East Region, Upper West Region, Central Region and Volta Region. UNICEF has a Field Office in Tamale, responsible for programme implementation in the three northern regions. The Country Office is based in Accra

Type of Assignment Place: Assignment with family

Description of Duties:
Under the direct supervision of WASH Specialist, UNICEF Tamale Field Office, the UNV Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

Programme/Project Management:

•  Ensure the availability at the Field Office of accurate, complete and up-to-date information required for effective WASH programme and project design, implementation, management, monitoring and evaluation. Draft sound WASH programme action plans and budgets for review by the supervisor
•  Update situation on improved sanitation coverage in the three northern regions
•  Update progress against regional and district targets for achieving ODF status in NR, UWR, UER and the 20 target districts

Project Efficiency and Effectiveness:

•  Enhance project efficiency and effectiveness through implementation follow-up, including field monitoring of UNICEF inputs, local conditions and resources, flow of supply and non-supply assistance and WASH project status in the focus regions

Work Plan and Project Documentation:

•  Provide inputs and technical support to implementing partners in the focus Regions to collate, analyze data and information and prepare progress reports; draft changes in WASH project work plans and assist in identification of required supplies and equipment as well as project work plans and assist in identification of required supplies and equipment as well as in the drafting of Country Programme Recommended and other project documentation, assuring accuracy and consistency with established rules, regulations and plans of action

Project Implementation Information and Data:

•  Ensure the appropriateness of financial, administrative and supply documentation at Field Office level; verify that WASH project expenditures are within allotments and that data is consistent with the project information and database . Follow up on queries or initiate corrective action on discrepancies

Knowledge Sharing:

•  Complie WASH project implementation training and orientation materials to promote knowledge sharing with Country Office and Field Office colleagues as well as with implementing partners

Communication and Networking:

•  Ensure the effective communication and networking developed and maintained through partnership and collaboration at Field Office Level
•  Collaborates with Operations staff to implement internal controls systems and resolve day-to-day issues or discrepancies in financial or supply management
•  Team with Ghana Health Services and other implementing partners to exchange information on WASH project implementation and status as well as movement and distribution of supplies
•  Coordinate with members of the development community, including NGOs and CBOs, UN and bilateral agencies in the exchange of information relating to WASH sector

Furthermore, UNV volunteers are encouraged to:

•  Strengthening their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and taking active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark IVD);
•  Getting acquainted with and building on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
•  Reflecting on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
•  Contributing articles/write-ups on field experiences and submitting them to UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc;
•  Assisting with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UNV Volunteers;
•  Promoting or advising local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encouraging relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible

Results/Expected Output:
The key end results are:

•  Accurate, complete and up-to-date information made available at Field Office level for effective budget preparation, programme and project design implementation, management and evaluation;
•  Project efficiency and effectiveness enhanced through effective implementation, field monitoring and supervision in the focus Regions
•  Progress reports and project work plans timely prepared, and effective technical assistance provided to implementing partners in the focus Regions in the identification of required supplies and equipment, and in the drafting of project documentation
•  Appropriateness and completeness of financial and supply documentation at Field Office level as well as adherence to established allotments ensured
•  Knowledge sharing with Country Office and Field Office colleagues, as well as with implementing partners promoted
•  Effective communication and networking achieved through partnership and collaboration at Field Office level
•  A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during your assignment such as specific qualification of mobilized volunteers, activities, capacities

Living Conditions: The UNV will provide own accommodation and subsistance, including commuting from home to office. UNICEF will provide transport and DSA at prevailing UN rates for official travel outside the duty station

Conditions of Service: A 24-month contract; monthly volunteer living allowance (VLA) intended to over housing, basic needs and utilities, equivalent to GH¢664.00, setting-in-grant (if applicable); life, health, and permanent disability insurance; return airfares (if applicable); resettlement allowance for satisfactory service

Qualification Required & Experience

The following are the qualifications and competencies required:

•  Education: University degree in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Public Health, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Geology, Hydrology, or a field relevant to international WASH related development assistance. Additional training in Health Education or Communication for Development (Programme Communication), an asset
•  Work Experience: One year of relevant professional work experience. Experience working in the UN or other international development organization, and field with experience an asset. Background or familiarity with Emergency
•  Language Proficiency: Fluency in English and local languages of the three Northern Regions (Northern Region, Upper East Region, and Upper West Region). A good knowledge of local working languages of the target districts is an asset

Competency Profile

Core Values (Required):

•  Commitment
•  Diversity and Inclusion
•  Integrity

Core Competencies (Required):

•  Communication (II)
•  Working with People (I)
•  Drive for Results (I)

Functional Competencies (Required):

•  Formulating Strategies and Concepts (I)
•  Analyzing (II)
•  Applying Technical Expertise (II)
•  Learning and Researching (II)
•  Planning and Organizing (II)

Location: Tamale

How To Apply For The Job

Applications and CVs should be sent to

The Attention of the UNV Office
UNDP Office, Ring Road, Accra

or

P. O. Box 1423
Accra

Description of Assignment approved by UNDP/PR/CD or UNV Country Office Teams/Support Officer: Hannah Ghanson: Programme/Operations Assistant

Closing Date: 10 March 2013