Consultancy for WASH in Schools, UNICEF Papua New Guinea

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive, and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

For every child, CLEAN WATER

With over 850 indigenous languages and one of the most ethnically diverse populations, widespread poverty, and gender inequality make it hard for many children to realize their rights. In Papua New Guinea (PNG), UNICEF’s works effectively both ‘upstream’ (with governments) and ‘downstream’ (at the grassroots level) to carry out its mission through a programme of cooperation jointly developed with the government guides our work in the country.

How can you make a difference?

This consultancy assignment supports the WASH components of the Education in Emergencies Response and Recovery Plan (EERRP) funded by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and the Australian Government (AHC).

The purpose is to support and oversee UNICEF activities and interventions in the National Capital District (NCD), Lae Urban (Morobe Province), Madang Urban (Madang Province), (Western Province), Telefomin and Vanimo (Sandaun Province) and North, Central and South Bougainville (Autonomous Region of Bougainville, ARoB) ensuring WASH in Schools institutional contracts and partnerships construction and rehabilitation work is completed in line with the agreed design and specifications. This position will verify and certify the construction and rehabilitation works in close coordination with the National Department of Education (NDoE) and Provincial and District Authorities. The position will further provide WASH technical assistance to develop gender sensitive WASH infrastructure, BOQs, quality assurance and support the ongoing coordination and reporting against the EERRP outcomes and indicators. The consultant will be required to liaise with a wide range of partners demonstrating transparency, leadership, and ethical conduct. Regular travel to program sites is required.

Scope of Work

Under the direct supervision of Chief of WASH and with close guidance of Chief of Education, the consultant will work closely with implementing partners and Government counterparts on the WASH in School programme planning, implementation, monitoring and coordination and quality control of construction works to ensure that all construction and rehabilitation activities are completed on time, certified and handed over to the institutions and communities.

S/he will provide technical guidance and support to the institutional contractors, implementing partners, national and provincial counterparts on design and implementation of WASH in Schools construction/rehabilitation works in line with the WASH in school policy and standards.

The consultant will be responsible for completing the following specific tasks:

1. Assist the NDoE in utilising data from the WASH in Schools rapid audit to monitor school sites through inspections and progress updates on target schools ensuring alignment with the NDoE WaSH Policy and Minimum Standards.
2. Provide technical assistance for construction of WASH infrastructure in target schools, ECE Centres and Inclusive Education Resource Centres in ARoB, Lae, Madang, NCD, Western, Vanimo and Telefomin.
3. Ensure mainstreaming of inclusion with particular focus on gender, disability and remoteness.
4. Ensure effective and targeted capacity building in Schools for NDoE and PDoE Officers, School Boards of Management, Head Teachers and Teachers in line with EERRP indicators and Humanitarian Program Documents (HPDs).
5. Support implementing partner with efficient and ethical procurement and installation of materials required for construction.
6. Certify WASH facilities construction and rehabilitation in schools.
7. Coordinate with NDoE provincial and district authorities joint monitoring of WASH in Schools construction and rehabilitation activities.
8. Monitor performance of the implementing partners and provide feedback on delays and bottlenecks for timely delivery of WASH facilities.
9. Conduct, chair and minute bi-weekly meetings with implementing partners and track progress against targets.
10. Attend Education in Emergencies Technical Working Committee (EiE TWC) meetings, WaSH Cluster and Education Clusters providing regular updates and presentations on progress against EERRP program indicators as well as relevant challenges and achievements.
11. Supervise and guide the work of the WaSH National Consultant in their monitoring, reporting, and liaising with partners and NDoE.
12. Contribute to annual and quarterly reporting for GPE and AHC. Attend fortnightly update meetings with AHC.
13. Provide UNICEF Communications Team with monthly content and photographs (obtained with consent) in the form of stories of impact, social media posts and media briefs.
14. Contribute to UNICEF COVID-19 monthly updates, Humanitarian Program Monitoring (HPM) and other ad hoc reporting requests as required.
15. Support program financial management through regular HPD and budget updates for WaSH.
16. Conduct a minimum of 12 provincial monitoring visits.

As a champion for every child, you will have…

• Bachelors or Advanced University degree in Civil Engineering/Architecture/Construction

*A first university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and additional professional work experiences may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree.

• Minimum of ten years of professional work experience in construction with a focus on WASH in schools, capacity building, design, cost, supervise, training/mentoring, quality assurance, communication, program monitoring and evaluation.

Specific Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• Building construction industry for low and middle-income countries.
• Construction or installation of sanitation and hygiene facilities including handwashing stations, and menstrual hygiene management rooms/spaces, in schools.
• Construction of rural sanitation for low- and middle-income countries, including sustainability.
• Construction of Rural water supply for low- and middle-income countries - including water safety, sustainability, Participatory planning and implementation of the development projects.

For every Child, you demonstrate… our core values of Commitment, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability.

This position is a short-term assignment and doesn’t give rise to a long-term permanent post with the organization.

Applicants are required to include in their applications a financial proposal which includes a lumpsum amount for consultancy fees, local transportation and other miscellaneous costs. Breakdown or details of the fee will be much appreciated.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

UNICEF does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, or orientation).

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.