Cold Climate Sanitation Expert UNICEF Ukraine

Background
Sanitation in cold climate regions presents unique technical, operational, and environmental challenges that require specialized solutions to ensure sustainable wastewater management. Traditional sanitation systems often fail under extreme temperatures, permafrost conditions, and prolonged ice cover, leading to environmental contamination and public health risks. Adequate wastewater treatment in such conditions requires innovative, energy-efficient, and scalable models tailored to local climatic and infrastructural realities.

In response to these challenges, UNICEF seeks an expert to support developing resilient cold climate sanitation solutions in Ukraine, including case studies of best practices and scalable models such as containerized wastewater treatment systems (CWTS) and waste stabilization ponds (WSPs). The expert will support ongoing research and implementation efforts, ensuring that sanitation technologies are optimized for efficiency, affordability, and sustainability in extreme weather conditions. This role is critical in advancing evidence-based approaches to sanitation in cold climates, strengthening resilience in water and sanitation services, and integrating cold climate sanitation into broader environmental and public health strategies.

For this position the following is required:

• Advanced university degree in Environmental Engineering, Public Health, Sanitation Engineering, or a related field.

• Minimum 8 years of experience in sanitation, wastewater management, or WASH-related projects.
• Proven expertise in designing, implementing, and evaluating sanitation systems adapted to cold climate conditions.
• Experience working with WASH sector stakeholders, government agencies, and international development organizations.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory and policy frameworks for sanitation and wastewater treatment.
• Familiarity with energy-efficient and decentralized wastewater treatment technologies (e.g., CWTS, WSPs, constructed wetlands).
   

If you do not meet these requirements, we would kindly like to ask you not to apply.

Please refer to the Terms of Reference (below) for more information on this position.

Candidates' CV's will be evaluated based on qualifications sent through based on the order in which they have been submitted.

If you are interested in the position, please respond as soon as possible, but at the latest before Tuesday 11th of March at noon CET via drrs@rvo.nl. Please send your CV, a short motivation, and mention your availability (potential start date and length of time period) in your message.

We strongly encourage a diverse set of candidates to apply, as we are committed to fostering gender diversity and inclusion in DRRS. Moreover, we stimulate national experts to become part of our database and to apply for vacancies. Please visit our website and become part of our network.

At RVO we are fully committed to creating a safe and respectful work environment. We have a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment (PSEAH). All deployees/experts must adhere to the Code of Conduct, which outlines ethical standards and behaviors expected within our organization. Successful candidates will be required to uphold these principles and participate in mandatory PSEAH and CoC training as part of their onboarding process.