Job Summary
- Type: contract
- Location: Harare
- Category: WASH
- Closing Date: 2026-09-11
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct an economics of sanitation study for Zimbabwe.
- Assess the economic and wider societal costs of inadequate and unsafe sanitation.
- Analyse sanitation-related health, nutrition, environmental, education and social impacts.
- Assess sanitation costs, benefits and financing options.
- Develop a national sanitation investment case.
- Estimate investment requirements for achieving national sanitation and SDG 6.2 commitments.
- Undertake quantitative analysis, scenario modelling and sensitivity analysis.
- Assess sanitation-health-nutrition pathways.
- Analyse sanitation services across rural, peri-urban and urban contexts.
- Consider the full sanitation service chain.
- Translate technical findings into policy briefs and senior-level financing messages.
- Support government validation processes.
- Facilitate the transfer of economic models to relevant national institutions.
Requirements
- A Master’s degree or advanced university degree in Economics , Health Economics, Development Economics, Public Finance, Environmental Economics or a closely related discipline.
- At least 10 years of experience conducting economic research in developing countries .
- Demonstrated experience applying economic valuation methodologies to WASH, health, nutrition, environmental or infrastructure sectors.
- Experience developing national investment cases, conducting cost-benefit analyses or undertaking public expenditure reviews for governments or development partners.
- Experience researching rural and/or urban sanitation in developing-country contexts.
- Demonstrated expertise in economics of sanitation, WASH costing, cost-benefit analysis, public expenditure analysis or infrastructure investment appraisal.
- Experience with sanitation-health-nutrition analysis.
- Experience working across rural, urban and peri-urban sanitation contexts.
- Strong quantitative and analytical skills, including scenario modelling and sensitivity analysis.
- Experience in Zimbabwe or Southern Africa is highly desirable.
- Demonstrated ability to convert technical economic analysis into clear policy and financing recommendations.
- Experience facilitating government validation processes and transferring economic models to national institutions.
- Familiarity with the World Bank ESI methodology and current SDG/JMP sanitation classifications is desirable.
- English: Fluent. Knowledge of relevant Zimbabwean languages is an advantage for primary consultations.
- Shona: Knowledge is an additional advantage.
How to Apply
Job Code: 595490
About the Company
UNICEF, originally the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, officially United Nations Children's Fund since 1953, is an agency of the United Nations responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. The organization is one of the most widely known and visible social welfare entities globally, operating in 192 countries and territories. UNICEF's activities include providing immunizations and disease prevention, administering treatment for children and mothers with HIV, enhancing childhood and maternal nutrition, improving sanitation, promoting education, and providing emergency relief in response to disasters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications are typically required for a Sanitation Economist Consultant role in Zimbabwe?
A master’s degree in economics, public health, environmental engineering, or a related field is usually expected, with coursework or research focused on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). Professional certifications such as Certified Economist or membership in the Zimbabwe Institute of Chartered Accountants can strengthen an application.
What are the common day-to-day responsibilities of this consultant position?
The role involves conducting economic analyses of sanitation interventions, preparing cost‑benefit and affordability assessments for national investment cases, and drafting policy briefs for government stakeholders. You will also coordinate data collection with local ministries, NGOs, and community groups, and present findings at technical workshops.
How does the local work culture in Zimbabwe influence expectations for this role?
Workplaces value punctuality, respect for hierarchical structures, and strong interpersonal communication, especially when engaging with government officials and community leaders. Flexibility is important, as field visits may require travel to rural areas with limited infrastructure, and adaptability to changing project timelines is expected.
What career progression or growth paths can someone expect after working as a Sanitation Economist Consultant?
Successful consultants often move into senior advisory roles within UNICEF, other international agencies, or government ministries overseeing WASH policy. Experience gained can also lead to positions as program managers, policy analysts, or independent consultants specializing in sanitation economics.
What typical benefits are offered for such consultancy contracts in Zimbabwe?
Consultants usually receive leave entitlements proportional to contract length, access to medical aid schemes through the employer or a stipend for private coverage, and pension or provident fund contributions where applicable. Additional benefits may include travel allowances, accommodation support for field work, and professional development opportunities.
How should a job seeker apply and what do employers in Zimbabwe look for in candidates?
Applications are typically submitted online via the UNICEF careers portal, requiring a detailed CV, cover letter highlighting relevant WASH economics experience, and references. Employers prioritize demonstrable analytical skills, familiarity with Zimbabwe’s sanitation sector, and the ability to communicate complex economic concepts clearly to non‑technical audiences.