Head, Global Policy and Innovation

The Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) was established in 1990 and mandated by name in United Nations General Assembly resolution A/RES/45/181.The WSSCC Secretariat is hosted by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and aims to accelerate the achievement of sustainable sanitation, hygiene and water services for all people, with special attention to the unserved poor, by enhancing collaboration and coordination of all sector stakeholders. The WSSCC Secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland. More information on WSSCC can be found on the website at www.wsscc.org.

• Under the guidance of the Deputy Executive Director, leads the development of the Council’s global advocacy strategy especially in regards to the promotion of sanitation and hygiene as a means to achieve SDG 6.2 but and other related sustainable development goals.
• Leads the policy dialogue between the Council and global partners, raising the profile of sanitation and hygiene issues and their relevance to the broad sustainable development agenda and promoting the opportunities for working with the council. 
• Based on evidence learned and innovations generated by the Council's in-country work, raise the awareness of water sanitation and hygiene within the main global actors involved in the implementation of the sustainable development goals, including the UN System.
• Advocates for a better global understanding of the linkages between the water sanitation and hygiene targets of the sustainable development goal 6, and related SDGs.
• Engages with these organisations on high-level policy dialogue aiming at improving the use of partner institutions and intergovernmental organisations understanding of the sector and the advantage of the integrated approach promoted by the Council.
• On critical topics of global relevance, contributes to the establishment of the Council's policies, and then ensures that staff within the Council, and its membership, are cognizant of these policies and can speak consistently on these critical topics.
• In consultation with the Deputy Executive Director, builds the evidence and engagement from and with regional and national partners supporting the regional units’ advocacy and policy dialogue work.
• Manages the Policy and Innovation department setting the tone for policy innovation that questions existing models, structures and approaches while generating evidence-based results that attracts new, and sustains existing, partners. 
• Prepares periodic budget projections for the division for consideration by the Executive Director. Once a resource allocation is approved, is responsible for overseeing its implementation in accordance with the rules and procedures of UNOPS. 
• Ensures WSSCC methodology and lessons learnt are known and understood by relevant intergovernmental and non-governmental institutions, gather feedback from interlocutors and ensure it is taken into account by WSSCC operations
• Participates in high-level debates, workshops, and other global fora, ensuring that the voice of the Council, based on the concrete experience of its country operations, and the active participation of its membership, is understood and recognized.
• At the request of the Executive Director, represents WSSCC in global ministerial and other high-level events
• Leads the global lessons learnt exercises and innovation stemming from WSSCC and other organizations with potential for global reach. 

• University Master's degree in social sciences, environmental policy, public health, international affairs, political sciences, development or related field is required.

• Minimum ten (10) years of relevant professional experience in international development or policy and advocacy, innovation or programme/project management or related sectors is required.

• Fluency in both written and spoken English is required. Working knowledge of French is desirable.   

• Ability to drive and encourage a team to come up with innovative solutions and recognize and reward those who take initiative and act in a creative manner.
• Ability to facilitate the institutionalization of change initiatives.
• Strong knowledge and skills in approaches to strengthening national policies for equity and translating those policies into action.
• Strong desire to push creative concepts and identify key opportunities for advancing the policy, innovation and advocacy strengths, and the partnership building of the Council.
• Good knowledge of global initiatives to address health and sanitation, in particular, familiarity with WSSCC intervention
• Excellent writing and analytical skills; Ability to draft clear and concise communications and to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen, Denmark, time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for assessment will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

APPLICANTS SHOULD SUBMIT A COVER LETTER.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.