What's Happening?
UNICEF is actively seeking a WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) and Climate Change Expert to bolster its efforts in promoting child rights and well-being globally. This role is crucial for integrating climate and environmental resilience into national
systems and ensuring equitable access to essential services for children. The expert will contribute to UNICEF's Strategic Plan 2026–2029, specifically focusing on child survival, health, well-being, and climate and environmental resilience. The position involves technical reviews of national and subnational WASH policies, strategies, and investment plans, identifying gaps, and recommending measures to enhance equitable and sustainable service delivery. Furthermore, the expert will support the mainstreaming of climate risk and environmental sustainability into WASH programs and infrastructure, with a particular emphasis on climate-vulnerable communities and underserved areas. This initiative aligns with UNICEF's commitment to strengthening national systems and protecting children from climate and environmental risks.
Why It's Important?
This initiative is vital because climate change disproportionately affects children, particularly in developing countries. By integrating climate resilience into WASH services, UNICEF aims to safeguard children's health, education, and overall development from the impacts of environmental hazards like droughts, floods, and landslides. Strengthening national policies and infrastructure for climate-resilient WASH ensures long-term sustainability and access to critical resources. The focus on child-sensitive climate policies and evidence generation will inform better interventions and resource allocation, ultimately contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to health, sustainable communities, and partnerships. This expert role will help bridge the gap between global climate commitments and local implementation, ensuring that the most vulnerable populations, especially children, are protected and empowered to thrive in a changing climate.
What's Next?
The selected WASH and Climate Change Expert will undertake technical reviews and contribute to consultations on national and subnational WASH policies, strategies, and investment plans. They will provide technical inputs to strengthen WASH service delivery systems in both rural and urban contexts, focusing on regulation, monitoring, operations, and water quality management. A key responsibility will be to mainstream climate risk and environmental sustainability into WASH policies and programs, including conducting climate and environmental risk assessments. The expert will also support government and partner initiatives to build climate-resilient water supply and sanitation systems and contribute to UNICEF’s engagement in national climate policy and planning processes. This will involve identifying climate finance opportunities and producing high-quality technical knowledge products to inform policy and advocacy.
Beyond the Headlines
The recruitment of a WASH and Climate Change Expert by UNICEF highlights a growing recognition of the interconnectedness between climate change, public health, and child welfare. This move signifies a strategic shift towards proactive, integrated approaches that address environmental challenges as fundamental human rights issues. The emphasis on child-sensitive climate policies underscores an ethical imperative to protect future generations from the consequences of climate inaction. Furthermore, the role's focus on strengthening national systems and fostering partnerships reflects a broader trend in international development towards localized, collaborative solutions. This initiative could set a precedent for other international organizations to prioritize climate resilience within their core mandates, leading to more comprehensive and effective global efforts to mitigate climate change impacts and ensure equitable development.
