Stretch Assignment: Three months, Banjul, The Gambia (Onsite)
Title: WASH Specialist
Level: NO2/P2/NO3/P3 – we encourage staff from all levels with the relevant experience to apply
Reports to: CSD Manager
Duration: Three months
Section: Programme Section, UNICEF Gambia
Location: Banjul, The Gambia
Dates/Duration: Stretch assignment from 15th September to 14th December 2025.
Eligibility: All Fixed-Term, Permanent or continuing appointment UNICEF staff members currently working in UNICEF worldwide.
Background
Since 2017, The Gambia has experienced significant socio-political transformation, marked by a democratic transition and wide-ranging reforms. According to the World Bank, the national poverty rate declined from 48.6 per cent in 2015 to 45.8 per cent in 2019. However, this progress was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2023 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index reveals that 41.7 per cent of the population, including children, remain multidimensionally poor, particularly in areas such as access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), nutrition, and education.
Access to basic water services improved slightly, rising from 79 per cent in 2015 to 81 per cent in 2020. Yet, disparities persist, with rural access at 69 per cent compared to 88 per cent in urban areas. Over the same period, access to basic sanitation remained nearly stagnant at 47 per cent, up only marginally from 46 per cent, and the country has yet to eliminate open defecation. Similarly, the proportion of households with basic handwashing facilities remained unchanged at 18 per cent in 2020. In the education sector, 83 per cent of schools meet national WASH standards, including gender- and disability-friendly facilities. Nonetheless, significant gaps remain between urban and rural schools.
By end 2025, the key priorities for the WASH programme include a support to the government and key WASH stakeholders for the organizing of a joint sector, update of community data for the review and dissemination of a costed ODF roadmap, finalization of the Climate Landscape Analysis for Children and development of an actionable costed workplan to support the dissemination and implementation of the key recommendations; monitoring of the ongoing construction works and handing over of the facilities; resource mobilization and reporting.
Purpose of the Position
The WASH Specialist reports to the CSD Manager for guidance and general supervision. The Specialist supports the development, preparation, management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the WASH programme with a focus on the key priorities listed above. The Specialist provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes, to facilitate the administration and achievement of the WASH-related output results in the country programme.
Refer to the TOR for more details of the stretch assignment TOR_WASH Officer_Specialist.docx.pdf
Duration
This stretch assignment will be for a period of three (3) months.
Key expected results
Ensure the accomplishment of the key priorities for the WASH programme including a support to the government and key WASH stakeholders for the organization of a joint sector, update of community data for the review and dissemination of a costed ODF roadmap, finalization of the Climate Landscape Analysis for Children and development of an actionable costed workplan to support the dissemination and implementation of the key recommendations; monitoring of the ongoing construction works and handing over of the facilities; resource mobilization and reporting.
Minimum Qualifications and Competencies
- At least five years of professional experience in WASH-related programmes, preferably in developing countries
- Experience in climate-resilient water supply programmes is often required
- Technical expertise in hydrogeology or drilling is considered an asset
- Additional experience in emergency response, sanitation marketing, system strengthening, or behavioural change communication is desirable
Funding arrangement
This is a temporary development opportunity and there will be no changes to the staff member’s status (position number, level, etc.).
The Office will cover the ticket for economy class travel and 100% of the UN DSA rate during the first 30 days, and 50% DSA for the remaining time.
Interested UNICEF staff should discuss this opportunity with their supervisor and seek the approval of their management before applying.
Candidates considered potentially well-matched for the stretch assignment will be contacted for an informal interview. Supervisors may also be contacted for references.
