UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to care.

How can you make a difference?

The purpose of this assignment is to support UNICEF and government partners in strengthening the enabling environment for safely managed sanitation financing in Nepal by assessing the sanitation financing landscape, identifying viable financing mechanisms and partnerships, addressing policy and institutional barriers, and developing practical approaches for mobilizing, tracking, and scaling sanitation investments.

To strengthen the national enabling environment for sanitation financing and support integration of sustainable financing mechanisms within the National Sanitation Flagship Programme (NSFP) and national WASH sector policies, strategies and financing frameworks the consultant will assume this assignment with following scope of works:

Assess the national sanitation financing landscape and establish a baseline.
Develop appropriate sanitation financing mechanisms.
Strengthen national Level Financing partnerships and institutional engagement.
Develop national scale-up and replication framework.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: External TOR - TMC0007934.pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have...

Minimum requirements:

Education: Advanced university degree (Master's or higher) in Economics, Public Finance, Development Finance, Public Policy, Civil Engineering, Sanitation Engineering, Development Studies, or related field

Work Experience:

At least 15 years of relevant professional experience in WASH, sanitation financing, public or development finance, infrastructure financing or related fields, including at least five years supporting government institutions in policy development, financing strategies, investment planning or systems strengthening. Experience in Nepal’s sanitation sector is strongly preferred. Demonstrated experience undertaking financing assessments, policy analyses, stakeholder consultations, and developing financing mechanisms and implementation frameworks. Strong understanding of Nepal's WASH sector, public financial management systems, sanitation service chains, and institutional arrangements with excellent analytical, report writing, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
Experience in sanitation financing, fecal sludge management, blended finance, climate finance, results-based financing, municipal finance, PPPs, and engagement with development finance institutions, commercial banks, donors, or private investors will be an asset. Previous experience with UNICEF, UN agencies, development banks, or similar international organizations is highly desirable.

Skills:

Strong expertise in WASH systems strengthening with demonstrated experience in policy analysis, financing assessments, investment planning, resource mobilization, and development of innovative financing mechanisms in the federal context of Nepal
Good understanding of Nepal's WASH sector, sanitation service chain, FSM, and sector financing frameworks.
Excellent analytical, stakeholder engagement, facilitation, report writing, and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with government, development partners, financial institutions, and private sector stakeholders.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications is required.

Language Requirements: Fluency in written and spoken Nepali and English is required. Nepali is required for effective coordination with provincial and local governments, schools, communities and implementing partners, while English is required for preparation of technical documentation, analytical reports, presentations, meeting records and communication with UNICEF.
Desirables:

Experience in sanitation and WASH financing, including innovate financing mechanisms (blended finance, climate finance, results-based financing, PPPs, and municipal
Engagement with financial institutions and development partners; and familiarity with Nepal's sanitation policies, financing frameworks, and sector coordination mechanisms and federalism of Nepal.
Previous experience with UNICEF, UN agencies, or international development organizations is an advantage

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):

An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
Cover letter
A separate financial proposal (only acceptable in the format of the linked template) Financial proposal template - TMC0007934.docx
A detailed technical proposal: Candidates should submit a concise technical proposal explaining their understanding of the assignment, proposed approach for supporting WASH system strengthening for sanitation financing, investment readiness and market development.

Remarks: If the TOR or financial proposal documents are not downloadable on certain recruitment platforms, please visit our official page Vacancies | UNICEF Careers.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

Consultant for Safely Managed Sanitation Policy, Financing and Systems Strengthening in Nepal, Kathmandu, 7 months, Office based, Nationals only