Contract Duration – 8 months

Working arrangement: office based with travel

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TERMS OF REFERENCE

Groundwater arsenic contamination remains one of Bangladesh’s most critical environmental and public health challenges, affecting around 20 million of the population through long-term exposure to contaminated drinking water. In coastal regions, salinity intrusion into both groundwater and surface water sources further exacerbates water insecurity, while seasonal drought and declining groundwater tables contribute to acute dry-season scarcity across many parts of the country. These interconnected hydrogeological and climate-induced challenges significantly constrain the availability of safe and sustainable drinking water services for vulnerable populations.

Despite of the challenges, Bangladesh has made substantial progress in expanding access to basic drinking water sources, with approximately 99 per cent of households reporting access (Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, 2025). However, only 39.3 per cent of the population has access to safely managed drinking water services, defined as water from an improved source that is located on premises, available when needed, and free from faecal and chemical contamination, including arsenic within national standards (≤50 ppb). This highlights persistent challenges related to water quality, reliability, and service sustainability.

To address these challenges, rural piped water supply systems have been identified as a sustainable and climate resilient solution for arsenic and salinity-prone areas, managed by community and local institutions. During 2023–2024, UNICEF Bangladesh, through technical support from Esolve International and financing from SIDA, developed detailed engineering designs and Bills of Quantities (BoQs) for 21 Rural Piped Water Supply (RPWS) schemes in climate-vulnerable and arsenic-affected areas. These designs were subsequently handed over to the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) for implementation.

In view of the current financing constraints faced by the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE), UNICEF is committed to providing targeted technical assistance to support the implementation of two priority surface water based piped water supply systems in Chapainawabganj and Khulna districts. These areas are critically affected by arsenic contamination, salinity intrusion, and seasonal groundwater depletion.

Beyond immediate infrastructure development, the initiative is designed to strengthen DPHE’s institutional capacity in planning, design, implementation, and sustainable operation of surface water supply systems. The proposed interventions will serve as model schemes, demonstrating context-appropriate, climate-resilient, and scalable solutions that can be replicated and expanded by DPHE using government resources.

To ensure high-quality implementation, robust technical oversight, and long-term sustainability, UNICEF proposes to engage a National WASH Consultant - Water Supply and Capacity Building Expert. This role will focus on transferring technical knowledge, enhancing systems and processes, and supporting DPHE in establishing standards and practices for future scale-up.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: [attach TOR here]

Minimum requirements:

Education: Master degree in one of the following fields is required: civil engineering, environmental engineering, hydrogeology, water chemistry, or other technical field
Work Experience: Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in WASH-related program management, particularly in planning, monitoring, data management, and reporting. At least 5 years in rural water supply implementation in Bangladesh
Language Requirements: Good communication skills in Bangla and English
Knowledge/Expertise/Skills:
- Proven experience in, construction supervision of water systems, water quality management and chlorination, community-based management of piped systems
- Experience working with DPHE or similar government institutions preferred
- Expertise in the design and management of large water supply projects
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, 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) (upload the financial template to be completed)

Remarks:

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-Water Supply and Capacity Building Expert (Nationals only - office based with travel)