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For every child, Clean Water
UNICEF Pacific, in partnership with the Vanuatu Department of Water Resources (DoWR) and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), is seeking a dynamic and experiencedย International Technical Consultantย to support the implementation of theย National Implementation Plan (NIP)ย andย Capital Assistance Programme (CAP)ย under theย Water Sector Partnership (WSP) Phase II.
This is a unique opportunity to contribute to Vanuatuโs national goal ofย 100% access to safely managed drinking water by 2030, while building local capacity and strengthening sustainable water systems across rural communities, schools, and healthcare facilities.
How can you make a difference?ย
You will work closely with DoWR to strengthen technical and operational capacity, improve project documentation and delivery, and mentor government staff across all levels. Your work will directly support the design, implementation, and sustainability of water systems in communities, schools, and healthcare facilities.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strengthen NIP/CAP Implementation
Support and oversee the review and update of 100+ Drinking Water Safety and Security Plans (DWSSPs). Facilitate DWSSP and Area Administrator trainings across all six provinces. Ensure risk-based planning and proper documentation through NIP checklists and forms.2. Improve Feasibility and Design Processes
Provide technical oversight for feasibility studies, concept and detailed designs, BoQs, and cost estimates. Ensure integration of climate resilience and environmental assessments.3. Build Technical Capacity
Mentor DoWR and Ministry of Health staff on water system design, planning, and implementation. Conduct workshops and trainings on climate resilience, water safety, and technical tools (e.g., AutoCAD, EPANET, GIS).4. Strengthen Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting
Develop KPIs, reporting templates, and M&E frameworks. Support field monitoring visits and contribute to DoWR and MFAT/GCF reporting.5. Enhance Quality and Compliance
Develop a Construction Supervision Manual and QA/QC procedures. Create standardized templates for supervision, progress tracking, and contractor compliance.6. Support Operation & Maintenance
Develop user-friendly O&M manuals for various water systems (gravity-fed, desalination, rainwater harvesting). Train community-level operators and provincial staff.7. Provide Hands-On Technical Support
Review and validate external consultant designs. Collaborate with other technical advisors to ensure a unified strategy.8. Support Emergency WASH Response
Lead field assessments and contribute to emergency response planning and implementation.Cross-Cutting Themes
Monitor and improve training materials for community engagement and system sustainability. Ensureย Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI)ย is mainstreamed across all activitiesโfrom design to monitoring and procurement.Please refer to the ย ToR NIP CAP Vanuatu.pdfย for more information on the deliverables and the timelines.ย
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will haveโฆย
Education:
Bachelorโs degree in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Development StudiesExperience & Skills:
A minimum of five years of professional work experience in WASH-related programs specifically in rural WASH programs in particular planning, designing and implementing of water supply systems, WASH in institutions and WASH in emergencies Strong insight and facilitation skills for community mobilization, coordination and conducting trainings Knowledge of WASH-related technical guidelines, standards, and indicators Experience in monitoring and evaluation of WASH interventions Knowledge and previous work experiences in the Pacific Region with an advantageLanguage:
Fluency in English is required (oral and written) Knowledge of Bislama and French languages is an assetLocation: Vanuatu (with travel to provinces)ย
Application Instructions
Please submit:
A detailed CV and cover letter Aย separate financial proposalย (lump sum) with a breakdown of: Daily/monthly fees Travel (economy airfare) Living allowance (if applicable) Miscellaneous (visa, insurance, communications, etc.)Note: Field mission travel to outer islands will be reimbursed based on actual expenditures.
This is more than a consultancyโit's a chance to help shape the future of water access in the Pacific. If you're passionate about sustainable development, capacity building, and technical excellence, we encourage you to apply.
If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about childrenโs rights and making a lasting difference on childrenโs lives, one of the global leading entities on childrenโs rights would like to hear from you.
For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, Sustainability (CRITAS), and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
UNICEF is also proud of a diverse workforce who are profoundly committed to supporting the full realization of childrenโs rights, and in uplifting a rights-based approach in all that we do.
The UNICEF competencies required for this post areโฆ
(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 othersย
Click here to learn more about UNICEFโs values and competencies.
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.ย 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.
We offer aย wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks andย reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.ย
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.
Remarks:ย ย
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.ย
Individuals engaged under a consultancy will not be considered โstaff membersโ under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEFโs policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants. Consultants are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.ย
The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates 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 assignment. It does not apply to consultants 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 consultancy contracts.ย