Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Emergency Officer (HER Roster)

Mission and objectives

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favouritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated.

Context

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP) has established the Humanitarian Emergency Response (HER) Roster to support speedy recruitment of qualified and motivated UN Volunteers for potential emergency response assignments. Candidates will be pre-screened based on their qualifications, experience, and suitability for the specific thematic or functional areas described in this Description of Assignment (DoA). Shortlisted candidates may remain in the UNV HER Roster for up to 6 months and be contacted should an emergency arise. Inclusion in the UNV HER Roster does not guarantee recruitment as a UN Volunteer. Selection and recruitment timelines will depend on the emergency occurrence, availability of candidates, and final approval by the UN host entity in accordance with Conditions of Service for UN Volunteers. UNICEF Viet Nam is part of the United Nations Children’s Fund, which works in more than 190 countries and territories, and is a member of the United Nations system in Viet Nam. Guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, UNICEF has a universal mandate to promote and protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has worked in Viet Nam since 1975 as a trusted partner of the Government and other national and international partners. Today, UNICEF supports national efforts to ensure that all children in Viet Nam are safe from climate, disaster and environmental risks, healthy, educated, protected, heard, and able to reach their full potential. Under the UNICEF–Government of Viet Nam Country Programme 2027–2031, UNICEF places stronger emphasis on protecting children from climate, disaster and environmental risks, including through child-centred disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness, anticipatory action, response and recovery, and climate-resilient essential services. This focus responds to growing evidence that climate, disaster and environmental risks are no longer episodic events, but structural threats to children’s rights in Viet Nam. The country is increasingly exposed to typhoons, floods, landslides, drought, heatwaves, saltwater intrusion, disease outbreaks and environmental health risks. Recent emergencies, including Typhoon Yagi in 2024 and the severe storm and flood events in 2025, have demonstrated the scale of risks to children, families and essential services, including water, sanitation and hygiene, health, nutrition, education, child protection and social protection. Children from ethnic minority communities, children with disabilities, children in remote and disaster-prone areas, and children from poor households are often disproportionately affected. In this context, the WASH Emergency Officer will support UNICEF Viet Nam’s WASH emergency preparedness and response work during 2026–2027. Under the direct supervision of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Officer, the ​Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Emergency Officer​ will contribute to strengthening UNICEF’s operational readiness, risk analysis, early warning, emergency coordination, rapid assessments, preparedness tracking, documentation and response support for the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene sector. The assignment will help ensure timely, principled and child-centred humanitarian action in line with UNICEF’s Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action, while also strengthening linkages between emergency response, early recovery, disaster risk reduction and climate resilience programming.

Task Description

Under the direct supervision of the WASH Officer, and working through this function to support UNICEF Viet Nam’s office-wide WASH-related emergency preparedness and response work, the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Emergency Officer will provide operational, coordination, information management, documentation and capacity-building support to the Deputy Representative, WASH Programme, the Emergency Management Team and relevant UNICEF sections, as appropriate. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Task 1: Support emergency WASH assessments, response planning, technical implementation and learning in line with agreed work plans and budgets. 1.1. Work with national and provincial counterparts to conduct rapid and post-disaster WASH assessments and translate findings into response priorities. 1.2. Provide technical support for emergency WASH response activities, ensuring quality, accountability and alignment with UNICEF’s Core Commitments for Children. 1.3. Document key decisions, achievements, bottlenecks, lessons learned and good practices, and support After-Action Reviews and follow-up on agreed recommendations. Task 2: Coordinate WASH supply distribution and Cash Plus for WASH recovery support, ensuring timely delivery, accountability and feedback mechanisms. 2.1. Coordinate with partners, supply colleagues and local authorities to deliver WASH supplies during emergencies and prepare regular distribution updates. 2.2. Work with finance service providers and local authorities to implement Cash Plus for WASH recovery, including beneficiary communication, feedback and follow-up. Task 3: Support monitoring, community engagement and coordination for an inclusive and evidence-based WASH emergency response. 3.1. Conduct field monitoring visits, provide technical assistance and collect disaggregated data on beneficiary reach, needs and use of WASH assistance. 3.2. Engage local authorities, community leaders and affected communities to strengthen participation, ownership and accountability to women, children and people with disabilities. 3.3. Provide monitoring findings and technical inputs to WASH in Emergency coordination mechanisms to inform response planning and adjustments.

Competencies and values

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management

Living conditions and remarks

General Information: The Socialist Republic of Viet Nam is a vibrant and diverse country with a rich cultural heritage and a rapidly advancing economy. Over the past four decades, Viet Nam has undergone a profound transformation, emerging from a challenging past to become a dynamic, middle-income nation. Through the visionary Đổi Mới (Renovation) reforms initiated in 1986, Viet Nam has achieved remarkable economic progress and social development, positioning itself as a key player in the global market. Today, Viet Nam enjoys strong diplomatic ties with 189 nations and upholds a foreign policy of friendship and partnership, committed to fostering global peace, mutual respect, and sustainable development. The country is well-recognized for its commitment to growth, innovation, and international cooperation, making it a trusted and reliable partner on the global stage. Security: Viet Nam is a stable and safe country with a minimum of security threats. The Government (GoV) maintains tight control over the security environment. Armed conflict has not been present in 50 years. There are no terrorist groups, domestic or international currently known to be organized or operating in Viet Nam. Road Traffic Accidents and climate-induced disasters are the most important threats that the UN personnel should be aware of. Housing: There are plenty of choices in Ha Noi at different prices depending on the demand and budget. The UN Volunteer can choose to locate near the office to walk to work or choose to settle down far away from the office, in a more popular neighborhood. Schools & Childcare: Most of the international staff’s children attend international schools with an academic system that is widely recognised abroad. International schools often include kindergarten and pre-school classes (sometimes even a nursery) for younger kids. The school year in Viet Nam starts in August/ September every year and ends in May the next year, so kids can be admitted at the beginning of the Autumn (August) or Spring (January) semester. There are various schooling options available in major cities of Viet Nam. Work for spouses & partners: Work opportunities are available for spouses and partners. However, if hired by any organization, a work permit must be applied through the same hiring organisation. Entitlements of National UN Volunteer include Entry Lump Sum Allowance (USD350), Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) for National UN Volunteer Specialist in Hanoi, Viet Nam at VND 23,432,745*, Insurance Coverage (Comprehensive health, life, and malicious acts insurance); Annual Leave of 2.5 days per month; Access to UNV’s learning and career development resources; and Exit Lump Sum Allowance (USD120/1 month) payable upon successful completion of the assignment. For further information on the full entitlements, please refer to the following: • You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. • The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.