WASH Manager at UNICEF – Apply Now
Are you an experienced Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) professional looking to advance your career with one of the world's leading humanitarian organizations? UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) is currently recruiting for the position of WASH Manager. This prestigious opportunity is ideal for professionals with extensive experience in WASH programming, public health, infrastructure development, emergency response, and development sector leadership.
The successful candidate will lead the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of UNICEF's WASH programs while supporting efforts to improve access to safe water, sanitation facilities, and hygiene services for vulnerable communities.
Job Overview
Position: WASH Manager
Organization: UNICEF
Job Category: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
Employment Type: Full-Time
Organization Type: United Nations Agency
Location: Nigeria
Sector: Humanitarian Assistance, Public Health, Development, WASH
The WASH Manager will provide technical leadership and strategic direction for UNICEF’s WASH portfolio while ensuring that programs align with national priorities, UNICEF standards, and international best practices.
The position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to sustainable development goals and improve the health and well-being of children and communities.
About UNICEF
Founded in 1946, UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to protect the rights and well-being of children. The organization focuses on improving access to education, healthcare, nutrition, clean water, sanitation, child protection, and emergency relief services.
UNICEF collaborates with governments, development partners, civil society organizations, and local communities to create sustainable solutions that improve children's lives and strengthen community resilience.
Its WASH programs play a critical role in reducing disease, improving public health outcomes, and supporting safe and healthy environments for children and families.
About the WASH Programme
UNICEF’s WASH initiatives focus on:
- Expanding access to safe drinking water.
- Improving sanitation infrastructure.
- Promoting hygiene behavior change.
- Strengthening climate-resilient WASH systems.
- Supporting emergency and humanitarian response efforts.
- Enhancing institutional capacity for sustainable service delivery.
The organization works closely with governments and stakeholders to strengthen WASH systems and ensure equitable access to services, particularly in underserved communities.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
The WASH Manager will:
- Provide overall leadership for UNICEF's WASH programs.
- Develop strategic plans and implementation frameworks.
- Ensure program alignment with organizational goals and national priorities.
- Guide program innovation and continuous improvement.
- Support policy development and sector coordination.
Programme Management
Responsibilities include:
- Planning and managing WASH interventions.
- Monitoring project implementation and performance.
- Ensuring timely delivery of program objectives.
- Managing budgets and resource allocation.
- Supporting quality assurance and risk management processes.
Technical Oversight
The successful candidate will:
- Provide technical guidance on water supply systems.
- Support sanitation infrastructure projects.
- Promote hygiene behavior change initiatives.
- Strengthen climate-smart and resilient WASH systems.
- Ensure adherence to international technical standards.
Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement
The role involves:
- Building relationships with government agencies.
- Coordinating with donors and development partners.
- Supporting collaboration with civil society organizations.
- Participating in sector coordination mechanisms.
- Representing UNICEF at technical and strategic meetings.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting
Responsibilities also include:
- Monitoring program outcomes and impact indicators.
- Supporting evidence-based decision-making.
- Overseeing data collection and reporting systems.
- Preparing technical reports and donor updates.
- Documenting lessons learned and best practices.
Emergency Response Support
The WASH Manager will:
- Support humanitarian and emergency response activities.
- Coordinate emergency WASH interventions.
- Strengthen preparedness and resilience strategies.
- Ensure rapid response during crises and disease outbreaks.
Qualifications and Requirements
Interested applicants should possess:
- Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in:
- Civil Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Public Health
- Water Resources Management
- Environmental Sciences
- Sanitation Engineering
- Related disciplines
A first-level university degree combined with extensive relevant professional experience may also be considered.
Experience Requirements
Candidates should have:
- At least eight years of progressively responsible professional experience.
- Extensive experience in WASH programming and management.
- Experience working with development or humanitarian organizations.
- Strong background in project design, implementation, and evaluation.
- Experience engaging government agencies and development partners.
- Experience managing large-scale programs and multidisciplinary teams.
Previous experience with United Nations agencies or international NGOs will be an added advantage.
Required Skills and Competencies
Successful candidates should demonstrate:
Technical Competencies
- WASH systems design and management.
- Public health and sanitation expertise.
- Infrastructure planning and development.
- Emergency response and humanitarian programming.
- Monitoring and evaluation.
- Budget and financial management.
Leadership Competencies
- Strategic thinking and planning.
- Team leadership and supervision.
- Stakeholder engagement and partnership management.
- Negotiation and advocacy skills.
- Excellent communication and presentation abilities.
- Problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Why Work with UNICEF?
Working with UNICEF offers professionals the opportunity to contribute to one of the world's most respected humanitarian organizations.
Benefits include:
- Opportunity to improve the lives of children and vulnerable communities.
- Exposure to international development and humanitarian programs.
- Professional development and learning opportunities.
- Competitive compensation and benefits package.
- Collaboration with global experts and development partners.
- Opportunity to contribute to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Who Should Apply?
This position is ideal for:
- WASH Specialists
- Public Health Professionals
- Civil and Environmental Engineers
- Water Resources Experts
- Humanitarian Program Managers
- Development Sector Professionals
- Infrastructure Project Managers
- International Development Specialists
Professionals with strong technical expertise and leadership experience in WASH programming are encouraged to apply.
Application Process
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications through UNICEF’s official recruitment platform.
Applicants should ensure that their CV highlights relevant experience in WASH programming, project management, public health, infrastructure development, and stakeholder engagement.
Because UNICEF opportunities are highly competitive, early application is strongly encouraged.
Final Thoughts
The WASH Manager position at UNICEF presents an exceptional opportunity for experienced professionals to lead impactful programs that improve access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene services.
By joining UNICEF, successful candidates will contribute to sustainable development, public health improvements, and the well-being of children and families while advancing their careers within a globally recognized organization.
If you possess the technical expertise, leadership skills, and passion for humanitarian service required for this role, this could be the next major milestone in your professional journey.

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