For every child, the right to Access
On 24 June 2026, two major earthquakes (7.2 and 7.5 magnitude) struck north-central Venezuela, causing widespread damage to critical infrastructure and basic services across several states. UNICEF estimates that 1.8 million people, including 680,000 children, require humanitarian assistance, and plans to reach approximately 280,000 people through its emergency response.
As the WASH response expands, the volume of operational information generated (by government counterparts, UN agencies, NGOs and other partners) increased significantly. Timely collection, analysis and dissemination of information on partner activities, geographical coverage, service gaps, population needs and response progress is urgently required for operational decision-making and advocacy.
Current UNICEF WASH capacity is focused on coordination, technical support and response implementation. As the response transitions from emergency assistance towards recovery and restoration of basic services, UNICEF is supporting government institutions to rehabilitate and restore essential WASH infrastructure in affected areas.
Existing staff do not have sufficient dedicated capacity to manage the increasing requirements associated with a large-scale, multi-state emergency response. The scale of the planned interventions requires dedicated technical field capacity to monitor implementation progress, support engineering supervision, coordinate with government counterparts and ensure the quality and functionality of rehabilitation works. The Urban WASH Officer will provide day-to-day technical oversight and field monitoring of WASH infrastructure interventions, helping ensure timely completion and operationalization of services for affected populations.
How can you make a difference?
The WASH Officer reports to the WASH Specialist and provides technical, operational and field-level support for the implementation, monitoring and supervision of urban WASH recovery interventions in earthquake-affected areas.
The incumbent will support the rehabilitation and restoration of water supply, sanitation and hygiene services through regular field monitoring, coordination with government counterparts, service providers, contractors and implementing partners. The position plays a key role in ensuring the quality, timeliness and compliance of infrastructure interventions, including community water systems, health facilities, schools and urban WASH infrastructure implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Water (MINAGUAS) and other relevant authorities.
Key functions/responsibilities include
Minimum requirements
Knowledge of urban WASH infrastructure and restoration of water supply is required.
Demonstrated skills in WASH related situation analysis and field monitoring are required.
Excellent stakeholder management skills are required.
Desirables
- Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian) is desirable.
- Additional relevant post-graduate courses that complement/supplement the main degree are a strong asset.
- Relevant emergency response experience is highly desirable.
- Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.
For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
(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 others
This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is either a role with direct contact with children, a role that works directly with identifiable children's data, a safeguarding response role, or an assessed risk role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) apply.
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. 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.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. 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.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments are conditional on the selected candidates’ willingness to comply with current or future vaccination requirements, should UNICEF mandate it for personnel. Failure to comply with such requirements, where applicable and without a duly approved medical exemption from the relevant UN authority, will result in the cancellation of the selection or may lead to other administrative measures, including separation from service.
Remarks
As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.
UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.
Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.
UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants' bank account information.
Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.
Visa residence requirements: i.e. UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.