UN-Water is the United Nations (UN) inter-agency coordination mechanism for all freshwater related issues. It was formally established in 2003 building on a long history of collaboration in the UN family. It currently counts 35 UN agencies and organizations as Members and 48 international Partners. UN-Water complements and adds value to existing UN initiatives by facilitating synergies and joint efforts among the implementing agencies. In doing so, UN-Water seeks to: (a) improve the coherence in UN system actions at all levels, and in particular at the country level; (b) contribute to the global policy debate on water-related issues through active participation in global policy fora and events and the production of assessments and policy briefs; (c) contribute to increased knowledge on water-related issues through relevant monitoring and reporting mechanisms and by serving as an entry point for water-related indicators, data and information; and (d) identify emerging issues related to global water challenges and provide a platform for UN system strategic discussions on how to prepare for and cope with them more effectively. For further information: www.unwater.org.
In the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, countries have committed to engage in systematic follow-up and review of progress towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which calls for robust and credible monitoring and reporting systems. The UN-Water Integrated Monitoring Initiative for SDG 6 (IMI-SDG6) supports countries in monitoring water- and sanitation-related issues and in compiling country data to report on global progress towards SDG 6. By bringing together the United Nations organizations that are custodians of the various SDG 6 global indicators, IMI-SDG6 enables synergies across these organizations as well as a harmonization of methodologies and requests for data, leading to more efficient outreach and a reduced reporting burden. At the national level, IMI-SDG6 also promotes intersectoral collaboration and consolidation of existing capacities and data across organizations. For further information: www.sdg6monitoring.org.
Given the high degree of interagency coordination needed, the UN-Water Technical Advisory Unit serves as the secretariat to the IMI-SDG6 Steering Committee and IMI-SDG6 Coordination Team, and provides overall administrative, communications and outreach support and facilitates coordination across all components of the Initiative.
The position is part of the UN-Water Technical Advisory Unit and works under the direct supervision of the UN-Water Global Monitoring Officer. The functional responsibilities broadly fall under the following areas: 1) coordination IMI-SDG6; 2) technical backstopping and analysis; 3) communication of global monitoring for water and sanitation; and 4) IMI-SDG6 regional and country level activities.
Specific duties include but are not limited to:
Coordination of IMI-SDG6
- Provide technical input to the IMI-SDG6 Steering Committee and Coordination Team. Organize relevant meetings for updates and to identify needs and gaps as required.
- Oversee the annual IMI-SDG6 progress and financial reporting.
- Review and provide input as needed to the annual IMI-SDG6 work-planning and budgeting.
- Backstop and provide coordinated communication around the periodic global data collection exercises (Data Drives) with UN custodian agencies.
- Provide inputs to the planning, budgeting, and implementation of joint and crosscutting activities.
Technical support and analysis
- Lead the ongoing maintenance, outreach and further technical development of the SDG6 Data Portal.
- Provide inputs to the periodic review and update of methodologies and technical review of reports of IMI-SDG6 Indicator Teams.
- Coordinate the crosscutting analysis of SDG 6 data for national, regional, and global audiences and for reports to UN-Water and to donors.
- Lead the development and testing of a joint spatial framework for SDG 6 data (e.g., water basins).
Communication of global monitoring for water and sanitation
- Oversee and monitor the implementation of the IMI-SDG6 outreach strategy and associated materials.
- Provide technical input to the development and outreach of periodic global indicator reports and SDG 6 synthesis/summary reports.
- Represent, participate & contribute to the organization of SDG 6 monitoring events in different fora.
- Lead the ongoing maintenance, outreach and further development of the UN-Water SDG 6 monitoring webpages and associated online platforms.
IMI-SDG6 regional and country level activities
In close coordination with the UN-Water Task Force on Country-level Engagement and with the UN-Water SDG 6 Capacity Development Initiative:
- Contribute to the country and regional level work in the IMI-SDG6 global capacity building and data collection, including the liaison with the UN Country Teams, national focal points and inter-sectoral monitoring teams.
- Oversee the maintenance of the focal point network and database.
- Provide capacity building training and/or support to countries on cross-cutting issues in SDG 6 monitoring.
Work implies frequent interaction with the following:
Staff in the IMI-SDG6 Steering Committee and Coordination Team and UN-Water Management Team; relevant personnel in UNOPS; relevant staff in UN-Water Members and Partners; country overall focal points for SDG 6 monitoring.
How to apply
For more information and to apply, please visit UNOPS Jobs