Consultant: Assessment of private sector engagement in climate-resilient WASH & energy initiatives responding to the needs of children & youth including those with disabilities, Pretoria, So

Contract

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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, HEALTH.

The South African government has already adopted a broad range of policies and strategies to respond to the negative impact of climate on social, environmental and infrastructural services. The 2022 and 2023 floods experienced in several provinces including Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal is a confirmation that climate variability is already causing havoc to human livelihoods, as well as the environment. During the flooding homes, roads, schools, healthcare facilities, energy, and water and sanitation infrastructure and systems were destroyed. In 2022 the UNCT and UNICF specifically pledged a combined budget of over US$733,000 to respond to the disaster. With the current and unpredicted status, it might mean that more families and children will continue to be exposed to high levels of distress, trauma, depression, food insecurities, water and risks of infections. The adverse effects in South Africa have been similarly felt in other countries in the Southern Africa, projecting the region’s vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. In fact, most bottom-up and top-down studies suggest that damages from climate change will be higher in Africa than in any other region in the world. This is underscored in the results from Regional Integrated model of Climate and the Economy (RICE) model which projected that as a percent of GDP, climate damages in Africa are 10 per cent higher than India (the next most exposed country). In the Sahel region, complex protracted crisis combined with high demographic growth, gender inequality and deteriorating livelihoods and food security due to challenging climatic conditions and armed conflict. In the nine Southern Africa countries, more than 11 million people are experiencing crisis or emergency levels of food insecurity, due to deepening drought and climate crisis. Climate change and environmental degradation are contributing to displacement and migration, with Sub-Saharan Africa recording 86 million internal climate migrants.

Figure 1 highlights some of these known climate-related factors such as heat stress, extreme weather events, vector-borne diseases and under-nutrition, and how they lead to differential health outcomes for children. Therefore, while the region has made significant progress towards achievement of SDG6 targets, some of the adverse effects of climate change and impacts especially on children, are linked to increased exposure to high temperatures, water-borne pathogens and dehydration.

UNICEF South Africa

Why children and youth centred climate-resilient initiatives are critical for South Africa

United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) commits all signatory states to protecting the right of every child to a safe, healthy environment in which to develop and grow. Findings from Climate, Energy and Environment Landscape Analysis (CEELAC) that UNICEF South Africa recently conducted show that very few of these policies explicitly reference children (UNICEF, 2023). This lagging policies perpetuate the disproportionate vulnerability of South African children – where its multidimensional feature is shaped largely by the physical, social, and emotional changes which generally occurs over the course of childhood. These changes are intensified in children where sensitivity is heightened during the early stages of development and by their general lack of agency and voice. All this points to the urgency to prioritize and provide space for youth and children in the decision-making on climate.

How can you make a difference?

This is a national consultancy.

In terms of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) UNICEF shares the vision that every child realizes their human right to safe water, dignified sanitation and the right to grow up in a safe and sustainable climate and environment. On several occasions climate is the cause of massive displacement, as well as a reduction in access to basic social services such as drinking water, sanitation and energy and such displacement would have an adverse impact on persons with disabilities due to their condition and lack of assistive devices among the poorest of them. It is reported that an estimated 663 million people remain without access to safe water. It has also been estimated that 2.4 billion lack access to basic sanitation with nearly 1,000 children under age 5 dying every day, due to diarrheal diseases and poor hygiene conditions.

With the compounding adverse effects of climate on WASH in South Africa, it is important to specify climate-resilient strategies and programmes to address the needs of vulnerable individuals especially children and youth. Such programming allows for ring-fencing but also, identification of deficits, in the budget. However, not a single organization or even sector will be able to individually manage the complexity and scale of the current global crises which include environmental threats. Fast-tracking children and youth centred results, therefore, requires organizations such as UNICEF to include private sector organizations in their partnership efforts.

While UNICEF has continuously engaged with the private sector in addition to other organizations, the role of private sector has become more critical in the plight to curb the negative impact of extreme weather events through partnerships in the redesigning and modeling of new WASH technologies. These technologies can include water systems that can withstand cyclones and saltwater contamination; strengthening school structures and supporting preparedness drills; supporting community health systems in risk-prone areas; and prepositioning supplies ahead of major weather events. Main purpose objective for this assignment is to asess extent to which private sector is engaging on climate-resilient WASH and energy technologies in South Africa that are responsive to children- and youth- needs and mainstream children and youth with disabilities.

The South African government recently conducted research to assess accessibility of education and services for children and young people with disabilities. This assignment is complimentary with this work and seeks to identify WASH and energy opportunities for youth including those with disabilities. Inclusion of the latter group of beneficiaries is important for steering full integration of disability-friendly WASH technologies in the climate-resilience scope of work. The assignment aligns with Output 3 of UNICEF’s WASH and Climate Programme within Health and Nutrition which. In the TOR, children-and youth-responsive programmes are inclusive of WASH and environmental initiatives embedding climate-resilience and which, while addressing issues affecting children’s well-being, also promote youth participation as service providers of, or as economic incubation, in climate-resilient technologies. For the purpose of this TOR, the services will be limited to WASH and energy, although one of the deliverables specifically requires inclusion of other sectorial issues linked to WASH, for instance, health, nutrition and HIV which directly affect children, including those in schools, ECDs and HCFs.

Outputs/Deliverables:

The following deliverables are expected from the service provider:

Scoping report: scanning the involvement of private sector in WASH and energy initiatives that respond to climate-induced issues that affect children and youth, including those with disabilities.

• The exercise reviews and maps climate-induced issues provoking the need for support from WASH and environment, health and HIV, and nutrition sectors.
• The review further identifies different types of existing projects and financial investments, as well as the remaining gaps on, private sector-led mitigative and adaptative responses, models and projects, aimed at responding to the needs of children and youth in the following districts of South Africa: Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo.

Develop a database of Youth-Led Climate-Resilient WASH and Energy Economic Empowerment Opportunities (YCWEEEP):

• Present statistics of children’s needs in the sectors (WASH and environment, health and HIV, and nutrition), the existing youth skills and placement gaps, in each of the four districts.
• Identify and advocate for youth placement opportunities including training aimed at increasing opportunities for WASH and energy incubation programmes.

Design a new portal or make linkages and connect the new database to existing dashboard or portal such as YOMA which is a digital marketplace where youth can build their futures by actively engaging in social impact tasks as well as learning to earning opportunities. The portal or if found more fitting, the link placed onto the YOMA platform will specifically present youth WASH and energy skills while presenting gaps which the private sector can potentially finance.

• Based on previous assessments, the portal should highlight opportunities for youth employment and training in climate-smart and resilient technologies (for construction and refurbishment programmes).
• These opportunities should be aligned to the information of potential private sector sponsors.
• The consultant should also clearly map out steps required for youth to access funding for respective projects.
• Where relevant, after its design, the consultant should ensure that the portal is linked to other existing UNICEF (such as YOMA) and government national and environmental databases, for instance the Community Explorer which is a tool supporting policy and planning.

This is a national consultancy.

Tasks

Deliverable/output

Timeline

• Review documents incl government policies and strategies addressing youth opportunities (long & short terms) in WASH and energy
• Access UNICEF and other reports such as CEELAC presenting WASH related sectors or areas requiring urgent response for the well-being of children and youth. [To cover education, health, and nutrition]
• Present an inception and work plan to UNICEF and relevant partners

Inception and scoping report

10 days

• Review reports and present database on existing programmes
• Organize individual, focus group meetings including visits to at least two youth projects in the selected districts, implementing partners, relevant government departments
• Set up progress update meetings with UNICEF and partners

Draft database on Youth-Led Climate-Resilient WASH and Energy Economic Empowerment Opportunities

20 days

• Document information to be uploaded on the YOMA or other portal or links
• Consultations with UNICEF, including IT and Innovation and other key partners prior to upload of relevant information and details of potential funders
• Prepare a PPT for UNICEF’s use

Design a new portal or make connections with existing dashboard or portal

15 days

• Organize meetings and present to UNICEF and partners

Validation meeting

5 days

• Finalize documentation of the programme/report

Final report submitted

5 days

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

• An university degree water, sanitation, hygiene, environment, climate, disability, schools, government policies, private sector
• A minimum of five (5) of relevant professional experience in the water, climate and environment, youth sectors
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another local language is an asset
• Specialized skills and/or training if needed: The individual must have a good understanding and familiarity with South Africa’s water sector (water, sanitation and hygiene) within the context of climate change. Knowledge of policies, strategies, SETAs and other processes currently implemented to guide the process of creating youth economic opportunities is an added advantage. Familiarity with integration of climate into government, private sector and civil society programmes in South Africa. The individual to be granted this project must have experience in managing systems or holistic projects. The assignment requires demonstration of previous experience in conducting systemic assessments although not necessarily specific to youth or disability projects. The consultant should however demonstrate a good understanding, and is supportive of children and youth programmes especially those targeting disabled individuals.

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.