Field Associate (WASH Integration), Lilongwe, Malawi

Deadline for Applications

May 18, 2026

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

B

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Family

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

UNOPS LICA6

Target Start Date

2026-07-01

Terms of Reference

General BackgroundUNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the

UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and coordinate

international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee

problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights

and well-being of refugees. It strives to support States to ensure

that everyone forced to flee can exercise the right to seek asylum

and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return

home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third

country (www.unhcr.org).The UNHCR Multi-Country Office for

Representation in Zambia, covers Malawi and Zimbabwe national

offices, and the representational office in Lusaka. UNHCR supports

the Governments of the three countries to provide an enabling

protection environment that allows asylum seekers, refugees and

former refugees to be protected, be self-reliant and achieve

durable solutions.Malawi hosts over 60,500 refugees,

asylum-seekers, and other forcibly displaced persons, mainly in

Dzaleka Camp and surrounding host communities. Malawi is a state

party to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, as well

as the 1969 OAU Convention. The national framework includes

reservations which underpin the encampment policy, with Dzaleka

designated as the official residence for persons of concern.The

national legal framework is governed by the Refugee Act of 1989,

currently under review to align with international standards.UNHCR

Malawi, operating under the Zambia Multi-Country Office (MCO),

focuses on strengthening government-led systems and integrated

service delivery. Within this framework, WASH programming is

transitioning toward sustainable, climate-resilient solutions.The

Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) Innovation Pilot introduces

innovative groundwater recharge approaches to improve

sustainability of water resources. The Water Reticulation Project

focuses on improving efficiency and reliability of water supply

systems within the camp.These interventions require strong

technical oversight, monitoring, and coordination to ensure quality

implementation and sustainability, aligned with UNHCR WASH

standards and a rights-based, community-centered

approach.Occupational Safety and Health ConsiderationsTo view

occupational safety and health considerations, please visit:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travelPurpose and Scope of AssignmentThe

position will report to the Head of National Office in Lilongwe and

in close coordination with the Operations Associate and the

Programme Officer. The position will support WASH infrastructure

interventions including MAR and water reticulation projects. The

incumbent will contribute across the full programme management

cycle, including needs assessment, technical design, implementation

planning, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. S/he will support

the application of results-based management approaches, ensuring

that WASH interventions are informed by data, aligned with

strategic priorities, and adapted to evolving operational and

environmental conditions. The incumbent will work closely with

district authorities, implementing partners, contractors, and

communities to ensure effective planning, implementation, and

monitoring.Given the cross-cutting nature of WASH interventions,

the incumbent will support technical design, procurement processes,

construction supervision, monitoring frameworks, and evaluation

activities.The incumbent will support WASH related activities in

the Dzaleka refugee camp, working closely with the multi-functional

team from the Zambia MCO including colleagues from protection,

supply and programme. The role will ensure strong coordination

between UNHCR, partners, government entities, and communities,

while contributing to reporting, programme monitoring, and project

design. The incumbent will support the integration of WASH

programming within broader multi-sectoral interventions, including

protection, health, and community-based programming, ensuring

coherence and complementarity across sectors. S/he will follow a

rights-based and community focused approach to programme design and

implementation. The incumbent will follow the five principles for

protection, accountability and WASH as outlined in UNHCR's WASH

Manual. The incumbent will provide regular updates and support

donor reporting requirements.Position PurposeThe Field Associate

(WASH Integration) will support the end-to-end management of WASH

programmes under the MAR Innovation and JSB projects, including

planning, design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. The

role will contribute to evidence-based decision-making through data

analysis, performance tracking, and reporting, ensuring alignment

with UNHCR standards and results-based management principles.The

incumbent will ensure technical quality assurance, sustainability,

and compliance of WASH infrastructure interventions, while

strengthening coordination with stakeholders and promoting

community engagement through inclusive and accountability-driven

approaches. The position will also support risk-informed

programming, donor reporting, and documentation of lessons learned

to enhance programme effectiveness and sustainability.Specific

duties and responsibilities· Support implementation of MAR

and JSB WASH activities.· Provide technical support on

design, cost estimation, and Bills of Quantities to ensure quality,

cost-effectiveness, sustainability and environmental sound WASH

interventions.-Support validation of technical designs, ensuring

compliance with UNHCR standards, environmental safeguards, and

climate-resilient approaches.-Contribute to lifecycle cost analysis

and sustainability planning of WASH infrastructure.· Support

procurement processes and contract management.· Conduct

field monitoring and verification of WASH projects and related

interventions, maintain the records of WASH performance indicators

and support the review of performance.- Analyse monitoring data and

performance indicators to support evidence-based decision-making

and adaptive programme management.· Track progress and

prepare reports for internal and donor requirements.· Liaise

with partners, contractors, and government stakeholders.·

Promote community participation and strengthen accountability

mechanisms.· Support Water User Associations and capacity

building activities.· Contribute to data collection,

analysis, and reporting.· Support overall programme design,

planning, and documentation of lessons learned.· Maintain

proper documentation and reporting systems.. Participate in general

field monitoring of activities and periodic reporting.- Provide

project management support for UNHCR WASH activities employing

typical PM tools for design control, procurement, implementation

and monitoring, and contract administration including evaluations

to support progress certificates.- Facilitate integration of WASH

interventions with protection, health, and community-based

programming.· Any other duties assigned.CANDIDATE MINIMUM

REQUIREMENTS, SELECTION CRITERIA7. Required qualifications,

language(s) and work experience:Degree:Required |X|Agriculture,

Civil Engineering, Environment, Natural Resources Management,

Hydrology, Project management, Public Health, Community Dvpt/Social

Work, Social Sciences, Urban Planning, Water resource development,

Water/Sanitation ManagementField of expertise,

competencies:· WASH infrastructure and engineering·

Project management and field operations· Stakeholder

coordination and liaison· Monitoring and evaluation·

Community engagement and capacity buildingRequired/Mandatory

Competencies· Operational knowledge, field experience and

monitoring for displaced populations.· Knowledge of refugee

protection.· Demonstrated ability to coordinate

multi-stakeholder projects.· Knowledge of inclusion and

integrated programming.· Excellent communication and

reporting skills.· Familiarity with national

systems.· Proficiency in data collection and M&E

tools.Desirable Competencies· Experience working with

refugee populations.· Ability to train and mentor

partners.· Experience engaging with government.·

Proven experience in WASH programming.· Ability to support

monitoring missions.Minimum years of work experience:3 years

(Diploma) or 2 years (Bachelor)Language: Required: English

Desirable: Chichewa

Standard Job Description

Required Languages

,

,

Desired Languages

English

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Certifications

Work Experience

Other information

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted and may be required

to sit for written test and/or oral interview. Written test may/or

may not be part of the selection process.This position doesn't

require a functional clearance RemoteNo"

Tags

aid coordination

humanitarian assistance

refugee protection

water and sanitation

water resources development

Skills

WASH Infrastructure and Engineering

Project Management

Stakeholder Coordination and Liaison

Monitoring and Evaluation

Community Engagement and Capacity Building

English

Chichewa

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