Consultancy - Multi country WASH Emergency consultant (technical assistance to 5 Spanish speaking countries), LACRO, Panama City (5 Months)

Consultant Programme & Policy Medical & Health

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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, commitment

How can you make a difference?

Background

UNICEF promotes the rights and welfare of all children and adolescents in everything we do. Together with our allies, we work in 190 countries and territories to transform this commitment into practical actions that benefit all children, especially focusing our efforts on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded, worldwide.

The UNICEF Latin America and Caribbean Regional Office is based in in Panama, operating in 36 territories, including 24 country offices.

UNICEF works to put the rights and well-being of the most disadvantaged children at the heart of the social, political, and economic agenda, in line with our equity focus, working across our organization and with our partners in government, civil society and the private sector to support shifts in public policy, fuel social engagement, and increase investment for children.

For more information about UNICEF and its work. (www.unicef.org/lac)..)

Purpose of the Assignment

Under the overall guidance of the UNICEF Regional Office for Latin America and Caribbean (LACRO) WASH Specialist, the purpose of this consultancy is to support UNICEF country offices and the WASH sector to be prepared for humanitarian crisis and ensure a well-coordinated, strategic, adequate, coherent, and effective preparedness and response by the WASH actors at country level in WASH in support of the Governments in Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Paraguay and Dominican Republic.

Specific Tasks

The consultant, in a non emergency response context, has the double role of strengthening UNICEF office capacity in preparedness and planning of a response and the role and joint responsibility with UNICEF, partners and all WASH in emergency actors at the national level for the efficient management and functioning of the WASH sector in emergency preparedness encompassing the following 3 non-negotiable activities described below:

1. Support UNICEF Country Offices (COs) to keep their Emergency Preparedness Platform (EPP) updated for the WASH sector.
2. Support the establishment of an appropriate coordination mechanism (including basic information management) of the WASH sector for emergency preparedness and response in countries that do not have one yet, based on the Global WASH Cluster 6+1 functions and WASH-LAC Group minimum requirements for WASH sector coordination (Appendix 1).
3. Strengthen already existing sectoral national/sub national coordination ensuring fulfilment of the minimum coordination requirements for the WASH sector through increased preparedness.

Strategic activities 2 and 3 above include the following sub activities:

• Dynamise the WASH in emergency actors to conduct regular coordination meetings ensuring that the group represents all key groups of interest of the WASH sector
• Revise and provide recommendations to the national emergency response plans from National Disaster Agency, from the Ministry of Health and from the National Water Agency.
• Support the national WASH coordination group in developping a comprehensive response plan and at least a Contingency Plan for Hurricanes, floods, droughts, public health emergencies, etc.
• Ensure that the national WASH in emergency platforms counts with all the minimum cluster coordination tools (see toolkit box) and/or contextualized tools by UNICEF LACRO/WASH LAC Group
• Support WASH actors’ training on the use of the assessment tool(s)

In case of being deployed to the field for an emergency response or having to support remotely the country that responds to an emergency, AND IF the consultant is being given the role of Cluster lead or co-lead, he/she will:

• Support the government in leading or co-leading the coordination of the WASH sector and respond to the coordination platform participants’ needs;
• Ensure assesssment tools are agreed upon and used by actors and support compilation and analysis of the data for prioritization of the activities and areas of intervention
• Build complementarity of partner actions avoiding duplication and gaps by using appropriate tools;
• Ensure adequate resources are mobilized and are equitably allocated for the effective functioning of the cluster and its response;
• Ensure effective and comprehensive integration of relevant cross-cutting issues, including age, gender, environment and HIV/AIDs;
• Maintain flexibility within the cluster/platform to respond to changes in the operating environment, evolving requirements, capacities and participation;
• Effectively use and transfer information to, from and between cluster/platform participants and other stakeholders, lead on the preparation of SitRep inputs emphasising on plans/targets/ achievements.
• Interact with other clusters (including through inter-cluster coordination fora), humanitarian actors, government counterparts, and relevant authorities for operational planning, engagement and active contribution of operational partners;
• Ensure that the WASH platform actors/cluster actors are accountable to the affected population through effective and inclusive consultative and feedback mechanisms.
• Monitor/assess performance of the 6 + 1 core cluster functions and lead/c-lead the adjustments that are needed. Once a year the cluster should conduct a Cluster Coordination performance Monitoring (CCPM) Where there is both a national and a sub-national cluster, the consultant will ensure that there is effective communication, reporting, engagement and coordination between the two levels

In case of being deployed to the field for an emergency response or having to support remotely the country that responds to an emergency, AND IF the consultant is being given the role of implementing or supporting UNICEF programatic response, he/she will:

• Be accountable for the overall performance of UNICEF’s response in the WASH sector and the accomplishment of WASH related Core Commitments for Children (CCC)
• Evaluate needs in collaboration with the WASH cluster and in coordination with other UNICEF key sectors and analyse the data and propose prioritization of activities accordingly
• Deliver UNICEF emergency WASH programme in line with the CCCs and the Programme Document,
• Report efficiently (SitRep, etc), rigorously and with transparency in compliance with the established guidelines and procedures
• Provide inputs to other sectors’ or CO sitreps as required.
• Attend WASH cluster meetings and report to the WASH cluster as any other cluster member and based on needs attend other sector’s cluster meetings.

Regarding accountabilities, duties and tasks in a humanitarian response phase:

ACCOUNTABILITIES, DUTIES & TASKS IN A RESPONSE PHASE

The consultant/ WASH Cluster Coordinator or co-lead is accountable to:

• The Affected populations through agreed mechanisms
• the UNICEF Representative in country and will be managed by the Representative/Deputy Representative or other delegated manager as appropriate.
• The participants of the country led cluster, who will in turn ensure that they deliver on their agreed minimum commitments (see IASC Reference Module for Cluster Coordination at the Country Level, November 2012)
• The Inter-cluster coordination bodies established by the HCT/UNOCHA

The Core cluster functions:

• Supporting service delivery
• Provide a platform to ensure that service delivery is driven by the agreed strategic priorities
• Develop mechanisms to eliminate duplication of service delivery

Informing strategic decision-making of the HC/HCT for the humanitarian response

• • Needs assessment and gap analysis (across other sectors and within the sector) • Analysis to identify and address (emerging) gaps, obstacles, duplication, and cross-cutting issues. • Prioritization, grounded in response analysis

Planning and strategy development

• Develop sectoral plans, objectives and indicators directly support realization of the HC/HCT strategic priorities
• Application and adherence to existing standards and guidelines
• Clarify funding requirements, prioritization, and cluster contributions to HC’s overall humanitarian funding considerations (Flash Appeal, CAP, ERF/CHF, CERF)

Advocacy

• Identify advocacy concerns to contribute to HC and HCT messaging and action
• Undertaking advocacy activities on behalf of cluster participants and the affected population
• Monitoring and reporting the implementation of the cluster strategy and results; recommending corrective action where necessary
• Contingency planning/preparedness for recurrent disasters whenever feasible and relevant.

• Accountability to affected populations

  Expected Results [measurable]

At least 3 countries or territories have increased their completion of the minimum coordination requirements

Deliverables

Description

Duration [in days]

Expected deadline

- Chile.1. Chile Emergency Preparedness Platform is updated for WASH

- Costa Rica.1. Develop a road map and a workplan for the follow up of the agreements with AyA and MEC.

- Ecuador.1. A Humanitarian Programme Document is developed between UNICEF and COOPI. A joint guidance is developed with PLAN International for alternative implementation modalities for resilient WASH in schools

- Paraguay.1. Paraguay Emergency Preparedness Platform is updated for WASH

- Dom. Rep.1. Develop a guidance for the appropriate management of WASH facilities and hygiene practices in migration detention centers

22

30th June 2023

- Chile.2. WASH Actors mapping

- Costa Rica.2. A guidance is developed for the WASH interventions in the migration response (mobile stations, transit points, etc.) and for WASH in schools

- Ecuador.2. Develop the HPC as a preparedness measure by securing partners in the different priority areas of the country.Paraguay.2. Elaborate ToR for risk-informed programming (GRIP) With focus on children and climate change

- Dom. Rep.2. Deliver a workshop on coordination to activate the subnational platforms

22

31st July 2023

- Chile.3. Develop a draft of the implementation strategy of WASH in reception spaces and informal settlements

- Costa Rica.3. Costa Rica Emergency Preparedness Platform is updated for WASH

- Ecuador.3. Deliver a WASH in Emergency training (including GRIP introduction, sectoral coordination, WASH emergency response) to strength local capacities and reactivate the cluster.

- Paraguay.3. Training delivered on vector control, safely manage water, etc.

- Dom. Rep.3. Rep Dom Emergency Preparedness Platform is updated for WASH

22

31st August 2023

- Chile.4. Develop a strategy for UNICEF Chile’s Office multi hazard WASH response

30th September 2023

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum Requirements and Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor or master’s degree in a subject area relevant to WASH preparedness and emergency response.
• Extensive work experience relevant to this post will be considered as a replacement for formal qualifications.
• Formal training in cluster coordination/Info management an advantage.

Work Experience

• At least 5 years work experience in preparedness, risk reduction, humanitarian response and contingency plans
• At least 7 years progressively responsible humanitarian work experience with UN and/or NGO, including programme management and/or coordination in the first phase of a major emergency response relevant to the cluster
• Experience working with UNICEF and in the countries to be supported is desirable/an advantage

Languages

• Fluency in Spanish is required. Knowledge of English is an asset.

Technical knowledge

• Understands key technical issues of the cluster well enough to be able to: engage with cluster participants; make full use of their experience and knowledge; guide strategy and plans; communicate and advocate on important issues.
• Extensive knowledge of UNICEF programme work in the LAC Region in the areas of WASH or emergency is an asset

Other skills and attributes

Core competencies:

• Understands the rationale behind Humanitarian Reform, its main components and recent developments including the Transformative Agenda.
• Understands, uses, and adapts the tools, mechanisms, and processes developed as part of Humanitarian Reform and/or adjusted by UNICEF regional office / WASH LAC Group (www.washlac.com)
• Demonstrates commitment to Humanitarian Principles: https://docs.unocha.org/sites/dms/Documents/OOM-humanitarianprinciples_eng_June12.pdf
• Demonstrates commitment to Principles of Partnership: http://www.globalhumanitarianplatform.org/doc00003804.doc
• Communicates, works, and networks effectively with a wide range of people to reach broad consensus on a well-coordinated response plan, contingency plan and humanitarian response implementation when required, and demonstrates leadership where required
• Can apply the basics of the Information Tool kit and communicate/train WASH actors to them
• Thinks and acts strategically and ensures that cluster activities are prioritised and aligned within an agreed strategy
• Demonstrates commitment to the cluster and independence from employing organisation
• Builds, motivates, and leads the cluster coordination team
• Successful track-record in presenting complex issues to various stake holders effectively, sensitively, and within professional poise

Professional Skills

• Ability to build trust, develop, and maintain effective working relationships with respect for diversity
• Commitment to the UNICEF’s values and guiding principles
• Communicates effectively and adapts communication style to various audiences, actively listens to perspectives of stakeholders and team members; interpreting messages and respond appropriately; speaking and writing clearly and efficient; and makes presentations in public with confidence
• Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results
• Fosters innovation and empowers management
• Excellent oral and written communications skills, as well as analytical skills, with an exemplary ability to identify problems and propose solutions
• Strategic thinking and decision-making skills, with a commitment to excellence
• Strong interpersonal, teamwork, and self-management skills, as well as mature judgment
• Ability to perform under pressure

Administrative details

Supervision

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the regional WASH specialist and in close collaboration with the country offices of Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Paraguay and Dominican Republic.

Workplace

This is a home-based consultancy

Duration

This contract is expected to start in May 2023 with an estimated duration of 5 months.

Insurance

The selected consultant must demonstrate a proof of medical insurance prior to the beginning of the consultancy and must be valid for the entire duration of the contract. In duty stations where UNICEF provides medical evacuation, the medical insurance that the contractor holds should include provisions for medical evacuation.

How to Apply

Application should be submitted online and should include: Resume, Cover Letter and Financial proposal. Qualified candidates are requested to submit daily, monthly and total fees in their financial proposal.

Travel

Travel is foreseen during this assignment

• Travel will be covered by UNICEF as per policy.
• Travel costs will be estimated and added to the contract once they are determined based on UNICEF Financial Rules and Regulations.
• For agreed country visits, the contractor/consultant will be responsible in administering their own travel. UNICEF will reimburse travel related expenses based on actual costs or on the below criteria whichever is lower and upon presentation of receipts.
• Any travel involved should be budgeted according to UN Travel Standards as a ceiling.
• UN Secretariat Administrative Instruction on Official Travel, ST/AI/2013/3: Sect. 4, para. 4.2, numerals (d) and (e)
• For information on Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA), can be found on the International Civil Service Commission website (all countries and destinations can be found by navigating on the map).

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

*****

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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.

Remarks:

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

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.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.

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Added 11 months ago - Updated 11 months ago - Source: unicef.org