Result of Service

The above-mentioned meetings are well prepared and organized; - Documentation on climate resilience of water and sanitation systems and services and disaster and emergency preparedness and responsiveness of water and sanitation systems is prepared for relevant meetings; - Support successfully provided to the intergovernmental bodies under the Protocol on Water and Health. The above-mentioned outputs should be delivered in good quality and in a timely manner, under the guidance of the UNECE part of the joint secretariat of the Protocol on Water and Health, in accordance with the work plans and the decisions of the Meeting of the Parties.

Work Location

Palais des Nations, UNECE, Geneva

Expected duration

The contract is for the period 1 August to 31 October 2026

Duties and Responsibilities

The 1999 Protocol on Water and Health to the 1992 Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes aims to protect human health and well being by better water management, including the protection of water ecosystems, and by preventing, controlling and reducing water-related diseases. The Protocol is the first international agreement of its kind adopted specifically to attain an adequate supply of safe drinking water and adequate sanitation for everyone, and effectively protect water used as a source of drinking water. The secretariat functions for the Protocol are jointly carried out by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe). The programme of work of the Protocol on Water and Health for 2026-2028, adopted at the seventh session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol (Budapest, 5-7 November 2025), foresees several technical and policy activities to be implemented and events to be organized in 2026. These include meetings of intergovernmental bodies under the Protocol, technical workshops, capacity-building and development of technical documents. Under the general supervision of the Co-Secretary of the Protocol on Water and Health at UNECE and, for specific tasks, working in close cooperation with the Associate Environmental Affairs Officer servicing the Protocol and the Regional Adviser on Environment and Forests, the contractor will provide support to the servicing of intergovernmental bodies under the Protocol and to the work in thematic technical areas under the Protocol. In particular, the contractor will undertake the following tasks: * Support (development of concept note and substantive documents, correspondence, communication with lead Parties and other countries) the preparation of the 15th meeting of the Task Force on Target Setting and Reporting (scheduled for early November 2026) with a focus on the topic of disaster and emergency preparedness and responsiveness, including operational security aspects, of water and sanitation systems; * Support (preparation of documents, correspondence) the preparation of the 36th meeting of the Bureau (scheduled for early November 2026); * Support (communication with lead Parties and countries, communication with other consultant(s)) the development of a guide on strengthening the climate resilience of water and sanitation systems and services and the preparation of the meeting of the Expert Group on climate change (scheduled for September 2026); * Technical support to the secretariat in different thematic areas linked to emerging and current challenges of water and sanitation, such as disaster and emergency preparedness and responsiveness of water and sanitation systems, climate resilience of (drinking) water and sanitation systems and services, and ambient water quality, including emerging pollutants; * Support to the preparations to the 2026 United Nations Water Conference; * Supporting communication, website, preparation of presentations and speeches, fundraising and reporting to donors.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced degree in Water management, environmental science, environmental management, public health, international affairs, or related discipline is required. At least five (5) years of work experience in water management, water and sanitation, public health or environmental affairs is required. Out of these, two (2) years of experience within the United Nations Common System or in a similar international organization is desirable. Work or research experience in disaster and emergency preparedness of water and sanitation systems or ambient water quality or climate resilience of water and sanitation is desirable. Experience in organizing intergovernmental meetings is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Russian is desirable.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

Individual Contractor