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Duty Station: Karachi - Pakistan Application Deadline: 19-Dec-2021

Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

Background Information - Pakistan

UNOPS Pakistan (Project Office) is part of the Bangladesh Multi Country Office in the Asia Region. UNOPS commenced operations in Pakistan in 1999 and significantly up-scaled activities from 2005 onwards to support populations affected by and vulnerable to earthquakes. In 2010, UNOPS opened a permanent office in Islamabad to support the Government of Pakistan and other partners to undertake humanitarian and reconstruction services, following the most devastating flood in the nation’s history.

UNOPS Pakistan has been implementing projects in the areas of early recovery and reconstruction of community infrastructure, project management, monitoring and evaluation, community development, fund management, human resources management, procurement and infrastructure design and implementation.

Supported strategically by a regional operational hub and UNOPS headquarters in Copenhagen and within the overarching framework of the ONE UN Programme, UNOPS Pakistan continues to deliver projects across the country under its core delivery practices of sustainable infrastructure, sustainable procurement, and sustainable project management.

With a steady growth of the project portfolio in recent years and a new strategic direction, UUNOPS in Pakistan is currently implementing projects in the following thematic areas: Green and Clean energy; Rule of Law; Health Procurement; and HR services.

Background Information - Job-specific

The WASH KP and Sindh project

Funded by USAID, the project “Improved Access to Water and Sanitation Services in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh” was initiated in September 2021. The project aims at improving access to clean and safe water, hygiene and sanitation and increasing the resilience of communities affected by floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh provinces. It is expected to last 5 years, until December 2026.

The project is articulated around three main components:

• Improve quality and reach of water supply services and increase access to community and household sanitation (Infrastructure);
• Provide more effective, gender-responsive and transparent WASH services through enhanced capacity of government and communities (Capacity Building);
• Reduce waterborne diseases and improve resilience of communities through improved community and household hygiene practices (Behavioral Change).

The project will start with a participatory needs assessment phase in coordination with all its stakeholders in view of identifying priorities and precising the specific outputs under each of the three components of the project.

Among the first positions to be hired, a Community Engagement Senior Officer, based in Karachi with frequent travels to Peshawar, will be part of the backbone of the new project team.

Functional Responsibilities

Functions / Key Results Expected

Under the supervision of the Project Manager or her/his Deputy, the Community Engagement Senior Officer will perform the following tasks:

The Community Engagement Senior Officer is moreover expected to actively promote gender equality across all her/his tasks.

1. Liaison with communities, community-based organizations and NGOs

• Under the guidance of the PM/DPM and WASH Specialist, identify and coordinate contacts with communities, community-based organisations (CBOs) and national and international NGOs active in water supply, sanitation and solid waste management in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh provinces.

2. Participative analysis of communities WASH needs, issues and priorities

• Conduct in-depth analyses of the communities practices, dynamics, needs, issues and priorities related to water supply, sanitation and solid waste management, using observatory and participatory methods (interviews, questionnaires, workshops, etc.), with a distinct focus on the practices, dynamics, needs, issues and priorities of women and girls, as well as those of vulnerable groups (refugees, people with disabilities, children and elderly, religious/etnic minorities, etc.).
• Map existing/potential stakeholders supporting those communities and review their activities.
• Draft structured, concise and comprehensive reports on findings.

3. Participative design and planning of WASH interventions with communities

• Involve the communities in the conception and planning of the interventions aiming at improving their access to qualitative water supply, sanitation and solid waste management services, as well as their hygiene practices, with a distinct focus on the involvement of women and girls and vulnerable groups.
• Ensure that participatory methods are used and that all community members can express their views.
• Facilitate arbitrations between needs, issues and priorities of different community members and groups and foster consensus on the interventions.
• Under the guidance and with the support of the PM/DPM and WASH Specialist, coordinate with the teams in charge of the Infrastructure and of the Capacity Building components of the project in order to include the practices, dynamics, needs, issues and priorities of the beneficiary communities in the interventions planned (construction/renovation of water supply, sanitation and solid waste management infrastructures, improvement in the services, etc.).
• Ensure that the views of the communities are correctly reflected in all the interventions, including the views of women and girls and those of the vulnerable groups.
• Facilitate direct exchanges between the communities and the teams in charge of the Infrastructure and Capacity Building components of the project when required.

4. Development of community engagement plans

• Research (inter)national best practices and success stories in similar contexts.
• In close coordination with the PM/DPM and the WASH Specialist, develop plans to engage the communities in:

i. The resolution of the needs, issues and priorities identified;

ii. The improvement of the hygiene practices (e.g. community-led total sanitation);

iii. The development of resilience to water supply, sanitation and solid waste management issues;

iv. The active participation in the implementation of project interventions (e.g. voluntary/remunerated work; construction of low-tech water treatment/ sanitation/solid waste management solutions; etc.).

v. The active participation in the operation and maintenance of the infrastructures and systems implemented in order to ensure their long-term sustainability (e.g. community-managed water supply schemes, revenue generation schemes to ensure maintenance, etc.).

• Ensure that women and girls and vulnerable groups are adequately taken into account in those plans to guarantee their representation and participation.
• Detail the methodology, timeframe, best channels and resources required to implement those plans.
• Under the guidance of the PM/DPM and the WASH Specialist, develop community engagement material ((on-the-job) trainings, workshops, etc.), using participative and engaging methods tailored to the target audiences.
• Develop measurement and evaluation tools to measure the effectiveness of the community engagement activities.

5. Procurement of community engagement services

• Participate in the preparation of tender documents for the provision of community engagement services; advising the PM and other team members on the best selection criteria and drafting documents in UNOPS e-sourcing procurement system.
• Participate in the related tender processes (conduct pre-bid meetings, provide clarifications to bidders, participate in bids opening, etc.), always acting in compliance with the provisions of the Procurement Manual.
• Participate in the evaluation of the related bids (conduct detailed and substantiated evaluations, verify and assess the references submitted by the bidders, etc.), always acting in full compliance with the provision of the Procurement Manual.

6. Implementation of community engagement interventions

• Conduct training of trainers courses to prepare the third-party community engagement services providers (NGOs, social enterprises, etc.) to deliver the interventions.
• Organise, schedule and coordinate the implementation of the community engagement interventions by the third-party services providers.
• Whenever required, directly implement key elements of the community engagement interventions.

7. Monitoring and reporting on project’s community engagement components

• Monitor the effectiveness of the community engagement activities and suggest adjustments of methodology and material based on the lessons learned from current practices.
• Conduct pre- and post-programme assessments to measure the involvement of the communities in the improvement of their access to qualitative water supply, sanitation and solid waste management services as well as their hygiene practices; and the effectiveness of the community engagement interventions. Report the data collected in a dashboard (with ICT support as required).
• Report timely and accurately on the progress of all the community engagement components of the project, with a focus on impact, quality, risks & issues, and lessons learned.

8. Grievance redressal mechanism setup and management

• Set up a system of grievance redressal mechanism allowing all stakeholders of the project (starting with the members of the beneficiary communities) to voice concerns, complaints and/or recommendations about any aspect of the project (quality; health and safety; behaviour and integrity of UNOPS, partners and government staff; gender mainstreaming; etc.) across all three components of the project (infrastructure, capacity building, and community engagement), and the project team to address, resolve and learn from those concerns, complaints and/or recommendations in a systematic way.
• Manage the grievance redressal mechanism (ensure that concerns, complaints and recommendations are systematically recorded, classified and directed to the relevant colleagues for analysis and resolution, ensure that the PM/DPM are informed immediately about any serious grievance). Analyze the types of grievances received and inform the PM/DPM and WASH Specialist about trends.

9. Personnel management

• Lead and motivate supervisees (Monitoring & Evaluation Assistant, Project Management Support Associate) and act as a role-model.
• Ensure that behavioural expectations of supervisees are established.
• Set performance objectives with supervisees and conduct performance reviews fairly, accurately and timely.
• Guide, mentor and coach supervisees through frequent exchanges, identify and nurture talents.
• Monitor safety and security of supervisees (in particular those working in the field) and comply with UNDSS standards at all times.

Impact of Results

The Community Engagement Senior Officer directly impacts the success of the community engagement components of the project by ensuring a close liaison with the communities, community-based organisations and NGOs; the quality, accuracy and inclusive nature of the analysis of the communities WASH needs, issues and priorities; the participatory and inclusive nature of all WASH interventions; the soundness of the community engagement plans developed; best value for money in the procurement of third-party community engagement services; passion and persistence in the implementation of community engagement interventions; accuracy and critical thinking in the monitoring and reporting; a beneficiary-centric, transparent and experience-based approach to the thanks to the setup and management of an effective grievance redressal mechanism; and leadership and motivation of the community engagement team.

Competencies

• Integrity & Inclusion: Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
• Leading Self & Others: Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others.Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
• Partnering: Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
• Result Orientation: Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
• Agility: Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
• Solution Focused: Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
• Effective Communication: Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

• Master Degree, preferably in Social Sciences, Sociology, Anthropology, Gender Studies, Development Studies, Public Health or equivalent.
• Bachelor Degree, preferably in Social Sciences, Sociology, Anthropology, Gender Studies, Development Studies, Public Health or equivalent plus 2 additional years of relevant experience in lieu of a Master Degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years of relevant experience in community engagement.
• Experience in gender and development is an asset.
• Experience with UN agencies, NGOs or governmental agencies active in water supply, sanitation and/or solid waste management in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa or Sindh province is an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Full professional knowledge of English is essential
• Fluency in Urdu and one or more Pakistan regional languages (in particular Pashto or Sindhi) is an advantage.

Contract type, level and duration

• Contract type: Individual Contract Agreement Agreement (ICA)
• Contract level: Local ICA Specialist (L-ICA 9)
• Contract duration: Ongoing subject to satisfactory performance, continued relevance of the role to the project and funding availability

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:

https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.

Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Mobility:

The position will be based in Karachi with frequent travels to Peshawar and occasional travels to Islamabad. Candidates are also expected to travel regularly across Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces for extended field trips.

Cover Letter:

Applicants are required to submit a Cover Letter with their applications. Applications without Cover Letter shall be discarded.

Gender mainstreaming:

In line with UNOPS’ global gender parity strategy, female candidates are especially encouraged to apply.