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 health.

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF Bangladesh supports the Government of Bangladesh in strengthening national systems and fostering an enabling environment for inclusive, equitable, safely managed and climate-resilient water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services. This support focuses on mobilising political commitment, securing stakeholder buy-in at technical and policy levels, reestablishing and operationalising the Sector Development Plan (SDP) 2026-2040 thematic groups, mobilising resources, and providing technical assistance for the implementation of sector-wide strategies and approaches. The purpose of this assignment is to provide technical support to the Policy Support Wing (PSW) of the Local Government Division (LGD), Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives (MoLGRD&C). The support will strengthen upstream WASH sector functions and enhance capacity for evidence-based policy development, planning, coordination and budgeting, with the aim of delivering improved, equitable, sustainable and climate-resilient WASH services, including in emergencies. The consultant will provide dedicated technical support to strengthen the PSW’s capacity for sector development and coordination, and to build the capacity of sector stakeholders. This will include supporting the review, development and dissemination of WASH sector policies, strategies, costed action plans, guidelines, standards and protocols. These instruments will reflect SDG 6 requirements, climate resilience and inclusion, enabling the effective delivery of quality, gender-responsive WASH services in community settings and institutions. The assignment will also strengthen government capacity in planning, budgeting, monitoring and sector financing, and foster cross-sectoral collaboration around WASH systems. In addition, the consultant will help strengthen coordination among WASH sector actors in Bangladesh, spanning five ministries and nine line departments and agencies. This will be achieved through the operationalisation of the Water Supply and Sanitation Forum, the Local Consultative Group (LCG) on WASH and Urban, the eight SDP thematic groups and other relevant coordination platforms. If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here Download File TMC0007281 External ToR.pdf

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

Minimum Requirements:

Education: Master’s Degree in social sciences, public Health, Business Administration or a field relevant to WASH related development assistance.

Work Experience: At least ten years working experience in development field, preferably in the water and sanitation sector (UN or development agency, donor, government regulatory body, academic institution or the private sector).

Skills: Well conversant with policies and strategies of the water supply and sanitation sector in Bangladesh.

Extensive experience in organizing and facilitating meetings/workshops/seminars;

Familiarization with the policy environment of Bangladesh, the challenges within the WASH sector and the capacities of various stakeholders, would be considered an asset.

Good interpersonal, leadership and management skills in implementing multi-party development projects.

Well conversant with the development programme aspects of water supply and sanitation;

Working experience with donors funded Government projects/ organization/ international NGOs.

Language Requirements: Good communication skills in Bangla and English

Desirables: Passion and commitment to UNICEF's mission and values

Previous experience in similar activities with the UN or INGOs, government.

Good background and skills in facilitating training, workshops, seminar, coaching, and mentoring others Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team and support unexpected tasks.

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) TMC0007281 Financial proposal.docx

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.

National WASH Consultant – WASH Sector Development, Policy and Coordination, Dhaka Bangladesh,WASH, 12 Months, Office based (With Travel) Nationals Only#596736