The UNICEF Office of Innovation is currently seeking a high-level Consultant for the WASH Innovation Capacity Development Strategy. This 4-month remote assignment is anchored in the Sustainable WASH Innovation Hub in Copenhagen, Denmark. In 2026, as climate change and rapid urbanization strain global water systems, UNICEF is prioritizing “Innovation Capacity”—equipping global teams and national partners with the tools to implement cutting-edge water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) technologies and financing models.
This consultancy offers a unique opportunity to shape the global WASH agenda. The selected expert will bridge the gap between field-level humanitarian needs and the agility of the private sector, developing a roadmap for how UNICEF scales transformative solutions across its network of over 100 countries.
UNICEF Hiring WASH Innovation Consultant 2026 (Remote – Copenhagen) | High-Paying UN Strategy Role
Table of Contents
Background & Job Description
UNICEF is the world’s leading advocate for children, and its Office of Innovation serves as the organization’s engine for creative problem-solving. The Sustainable WASH Innovation Hub was established to accelerate bold partnerships and impactful technologies. It acts as a bridge between startups, researchers, and field-based practitioners to solve complex development challenges.
The purpose of this consultancy is to develop a comprehensive Capacity Development Strategy. While the Hub has a robust portfolio of innovations, there is a critical need to standardize how UNICEF teams, local governments, and businesses gain the knowledge and tools to adopt these innovations.
The Hub specifically focuses on blended financing—combining public and private funds—to bridge the critical funding gaps in the water sector. The consultant will ensure that UNICEF’s extensive global network is not just a recipient of technology, but a driver of innovative systems and market-based scaling approaches.
Key Responsibilities
The Consultant will follow a structured four-phase approach to deliver the strategy:
- Inception Phase: Developing a detailed work plan and methodology for the strategy development process.
- Diagnostic Phase (Consultation & Analysis): Engaging with key stakeholders, including UNICEF Regional and Country Offices, HQ divisions, INGOs, UN agencies, and the private sector.
- Strategy Development: Synthesizing inputs to create a framework that outlines how capacity will be built across different organizational levels.
- Final Strategy & Implementation Components: Delivering a final, actionable document that includes implementation timelines and resource requirements.
- Stakeholder Facilitation: Managing relationship-building with the WASH Hub Technical and Strategic Advisory Groups, which include academia, government leaders, and development partners.
Qualifications
Education & Certification
- Required: Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in WASH, Innovation, Strategic Management, Business Administration, Education, or Human-Centred Design.
- Alternative: A first university degree (Bachelor’s) combined with two additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master’s degree.
Experience
- Minimum Tenure: At least 8 years of relevant professional experience in innovation, service design, or organizational capacity development.
- Strategic Expertise: Demonstrated success in developing organizational strategies or learning systems within complex, multi-stakeholder institutions.
- Sectoral Knowledge: Experience working with WASH sector partners, UN agencies, or governments is highly desirable.
- Finance Advantage: Knowledge of blended financing and market-based scaling is considered a strong competitive advantage.
Technical Competencies
- Analytical Skills: Proven ability to synthesize complex data into clear, actionable strategy documents.
- Facilitation: Strong cross-cultural communication skills, particularly in the context of Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).
- Languages: Fluency in English is mandatory. Knowledge of another UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is an asset.
Why Apply for This Position
- Global Influence: This strategy will dictate how innovation is scaled across the largest WASH network in the world, impacting children in over 100 countries.
- Remote Flexibility: The role is based in Copenhagen but offers fully remote flexibility, allowing for a global candidate pool.
- Prestige & Networking: You will collaborate with the UNICEF Center of Excellence for WASH and top-tier global actors in academia and the private sector.
- Professional Growth: Developing a strategy for an organization of UNICEF’s scale provides a definitive “Gold Standard” line for any high-level consultancy CV.
Application Tips & Insights
- The Financial Proposal is Mandatory: UNICEF will not consider any application that lacks the Consultancy Financial Offer template. This must be an all-inclusive fee for the 4-month duration.
- Provide Strategy Samples: The technical assessment heavily favors candidates who include links or attachments of prior strategy development work. Ensure your samples demonstrate an ability to “synthesize complex inputs.”
- Focus on Scaling: UNICEF is currently obsessed with “Scaling for Impact.” In your proposal, emphasize how your capacity-building strategy will move beyond pilot projects to reach national-level scale.
- Highlight LMIC Experience: While based in a European office, the Hub’s impact is in the Global South. Highlight any experience working in fragile or humanitarian settings.
Additional Information
- Duration: 4 Months.
- Duty Station: Copenhagen (Remote).
- Payment: Based on the successful submission of agreed-upon deliverables.
- Application Deadline: 12 March 2026 (Romance Standard Time).
- Equal Opportunity: UNICEF encourages applications from women, people with disabilities, and neurodivergent candidates.
How to Apply
- Review the ToR: Carefully read the Capacity Development Strategy ToR .pdf provided in the job listing.
- Prepare the Technical Proposal: Include your CV, strategy samples, and a methodology for the four phases.
- Complete the Financial Proposal: Use the Consultancy Financial Offer template and provide an all-inclusive fee.
- Submit via Portal: Go to the UNICEF Careers Portal and click “Apply Now.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I apply if I don’t live in Denmark? A: Yes. Although the duty station is Copenhagen, the listing explicitly states the position is remote.
Q: Is there a specific format for the strategy work samples? A: No, but they should be concise and clearly demonstrate your ability to design capacity-building frameworks or organizational learning systems.
Q: What is the “Level: Consultancy” equivalent? A: Based on the requirement of 8+ years of experience, this is equivalent to a Senior Consultant (P-4 level) in the UN system.
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