Individual Contractor, WASH Officer, Belém, Brazil

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Application deadline 2 years ago: Monday 9 Aug 2021 at 02:55 UTC

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Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Background & Rationale

UNICEF initiated Water, Sanitation and Hygiene - WASH Programming in 2020 to provide a response to the COVID pandemic. In this regard UNICEF developed a policy note with important recommendations highlighting the links between WASH and COVID, including major WASH gaps in terms of WASH sector coordination and WASH services in health and education services.

As part of the response over 2020/21, UNICEF initiated two major strategies:

  1. Supporting WASH Sector Coordination in Pará and Amazon states, as part of DFID support, and

  2. SAFE strategy to provide direct support to hotspot municipalities, including Water, Sanitation and Hygiene - and Infection, Prevention and Control – WASH-IPC training for education and health managers, self-assessment tools and delivery of critical WASH supplies when needed.

In order to ensure a timely response and to contribute to limit the human to human transmission of COVID-19 in existing hotspots and future high-transmission areas, UNICEF Brazil, in alignment with its COVID-19 response plan, seeks to develop a community-led response approach by developing and strengthening partnership with civil society organizations, complementary to UNICEF’s support to States and Cities services.

UNICEF COVID-19 Pillar 1 aims to limit the human to human transmission through a comprehensive package of activities:

  • Training of small vulnerable municipalities participating in the Selo platform on WASH-IPC measures and standards to prevent and mitigate COVID-19 transmission
  • WASH-IPC in functioning schools located in high-transmission areas, providing supplies, services and briefing to teaching staffs and children to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission in coordination/support of state and municipal Education Departments.
  • In support Municipal/technical services, identification of public places, public building and transport hubs (bus, taxi, port …) for installation of handwashing facilities (no touch system) in collaboration with private sector.
  • Implementation of users feedback collection and analysis system.

UNICEF, as highlighted in its Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action, is fully committed to support Government-led coordination efforts through provision of leadership and participation in WASH sector coordination.

Moving forward, in the second semester of 2021 UNICEF is looking to continue the implementation of these strategies, while systematizing tools and lessons learned, and setting the scene for more systematic interventions to address the WASH needs. This includes the integration of WASH in Schools as one of the 7 systemic result of SELO.

Purpose

In support of UNICEF Territory Program Coordinator, working closely with UNICEF Health and Education teams, and in close collaboration with both State and Municipal authorities, the purpose of this position is to provide an expert-level support on strenghtening the water and sanitation sector coordination at States and Cities level in Amazon region and in the design, implementation, coordination and monitoring of UNICEF WASH-IPC response in high-transmission areas;

This consultant will focus on the following strategic lines:

  1. Continue to implement and support sector coordination and systematize lessons learned

  2. Act as principal focal point for the delivery of the SAFE strategy at territory level, ensuring that these interventions are adequately delivered and tracked as part of UNICEF’s humanitarian response

  3. Support the development of UNCIEF WASH programming with a focus on the SELO UNICEF systematic result related to WASH in schools.

Expected results:

The following key end results will be supported by the expert during the eight-month contract:

  • Government-led coordination of COVID-19 related WASH-IPC response, including hygiene promotion, is operational, effective and includes multisectoral and private partners in the states of Amazonas and Pará, and the cities of Manaus and Belém, and on the development of sustainable strategies seeking to engage the private sector and all relevant actors (e.g. academia, civil society) in joint programs of actions dedicated to secure WASH access to vulnerable communities and specifc groups, schools and health care facilities, and strenghten the resilience of the sector to future crises.
  • A map of high-transmission areas in the Territory is produced every two-weeks at the lowest scale possible
  • Provided technical assistance to UNICEF team in PA, AM and MA, regarding WASH/SAFE strategy particularly in WASH in schools component, both in the COVID-19 response and Selo UNICEF initiative.

  • A training is rolled out on WSH-IPC measures for Selo municipalities

  • Partnership are operational and allow to deliver the defined package of activities in high-transmission areas in their respective Territories
  • Agreement with Municipalities where partners operate are updated or prepared to facilitate partners’ work
  • Supplies required for each partner are identified and delivered
  • Partners are briefed on the response protocol, from the rapid assessment phase to population feedback mechanism, and supported to launch activities in high-transmission areas

  • Education team and partners supported with technical assistance and operational strategies on WASH measures for safe reopening of schools

  • A framework of partners’ activities monitoring is developed and implemented
  • Lessons learned are captured in a systematic way to allow the adaptation of the response

MAIN ACTIVITIES

Advocacy and coordination

  • Support WASH sector actors to design, implement and coordinate quality behaviour change initiative at community level, including RCCE and dedicated actions related to WASH for the safe reopening of schools;
  • Knowledge management – support key actors in measuring results and in identifying lessons learned for further scaling and application of policy coordination platforms.

WASH Sector strengthening

  • Support the leadership of the WASH sector coordination, so to contribute to implement and monitor the progress of the existing or future WASH state and/or municipal development plans (Plano Municipal de Saneamento Básico);
  • Support the estimation of spatial and temporal gaps, overlaps and coverage of Sector activities and projects;
  • In collaboration with the WASH Sector coordinator and local Cities actors, develop long-term strategies to engage with private sector actors, facilitate and report their contribution to the sector’s goals achievements.

SELO UNICEF WASH component

  • Contribute to the development/establishment of WASH-related outcome and output results, as well as related strategies, through analysis of WASH sector needs and priorities;
  • Provide technical and administrative support throughout all stages of programming processes by executing/administering a variety of technical programme transactions, preparing materials/documentations, complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support progress towards the WASH-related outcome and/or output results in the country programme;
  • Prepare required documentations/materials to facilitate review and approval processes.

COVID-19, humanitarian response and emergency preparedness

  • Establish and maintain information databases that consolidate, analyze and report/disseminate information critical to decision making regarding the progress and implementation of the four key COVID-19 areas of response: Preserve the health and well-being of all people, including the most vulnerable, by meeting their basic water, sanitation and hygiene needs, Intensify awareness-raising campaigns for infection prevention and control (IPC) and the efficient use of water in the home and in public spaces, Ensure the continuity and safety of water and sanitation services, Provide technical and financial support to utilities;
  • In coordination with the Education departments, support sector lead institutions in developing and implementing a back to safe school strategies in the Cities of Manaus, Belem and Sao Luis, including the development of new approaches to engage the private sector in committing to provide long-term well-defined support to the Education sector;
  • In coordination with the Health departments, coordinate the implementation of activities dedicated to improving infection prevention and control in healthcare facilities in the Cities of Manaus and Belem, particularly those serving the poorest neighborhoods.

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

  • Assist in the preparation of learning/knowledge products, covering innovative approaches and good practices, to support overall WASH sector development;
  • Participate as a resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients.

The consultancy holder is expected to have responsibilities similar as a Program Specialist encompassing the following:

  • Overall accountability for quality and timely implementation of the project.
  • Provide overall WASH expertise and support to UNICEF Territory teams in the Amazon

  • Support and strengthen WASH policy and programme coordination at State and Municipal levels, ensuring the operational mechanism is activated and institutionalized engaging a wide set of actors, using WASH sector coordination tools and standards to align and coordinate actions;

  • Technical support to government and non-government organizations at the regional and municipal levels in the planning, development, and implementation stages of the programmes/projects.
  • Contribute to the development/establishment of WASH in Schools systemic result and indicators in SELO UNICEF strategy as well as related strategies, through analysis of WASH sector needs and priorities.
  • Adaptation of UNICEF WASH/IPC training modules for roll-out with Selo municipalities
  • Support to education team in the design and monitoring of WASH in Schools initiative with State and Municipal Secretaries of Education (CONSED and UNDIME) to support school-level needs assessment and action planning for the safe re-opening of schools

  • Preparation and monitoring of PCAs/SSFAs/HPDs with partners.

  • Conduct timely monitoring analysis of the SAFE strategy progress and impact and provide timely changes/adaptation and remediation action as appropriate, after consultation with his/her supervisor.
  • Effective communication and networking between partners and UNICEF Territories Offices.
  • Ensure positive relationship with partners, responding to their needs of information and facilitating their work in the communities ensuring permanent information sharing with local authorities.
  • Provide periodical situation analysis report (inputs for daily, weekly and monthly), activity monitoring reports, etc., as scheduled by his/her supervisor.

  • Provides inputs to UNICEF planning and reporting documents.

  • Final documentation of the experience with programme results achieved, lessons learned and further application as well as contribution to donors’ reports.

Deliverable 01:

  • Monthly report detailing: (1) situation of children and adolescents in WASH and Covid-19 pandemic contexts with data variables as specified by UNICEF; (2) advances in the coordinated response; (3) Need assessment of SELO municipalities on WASH-IPC measures and standards in COVID context, (4) Implementation of WASH-IPC training module, (5) Support to Education team on WASH in Schools initiative with State and Municipal Secretaries of Education, (6) challenges encountered; (7) priority actions for the subsequent month.

Specific products:

  • WASH in schools knowledge survey for SELO municipalities developed
  • WASH in schools training modules for SELO municipalities finalized

  • HAC indicators updated and monitoring mechanism stablished.

  • Partnership agreements finalized

Deliverable 02:

  • Monthly report detailing: (1) situation of children and adolescents in WASH and Covid-19 pandemic contexts with data variables as specified by UNICEF; (2) advances in the coordinated response; (3) challenges encountered; (4) priority actions for the subsequent month; 5) regular project management meetings held and share findings, results and notes with UNICEF management.

Deliverable 03:

  • Monthly report detailing: (1) situation of children and adolescents in WASH and Covid-19 pandemic contexts with data variables as specified by UNICEF; (2) advances in the coordinated response; (3) challenges encountered; (4) priority actions for the subsequent month; 5) regular project management meetings held and share findings, results and notes with UNICEF management.

Deliverable 04:

  • Monthly report detailing: (1) situation of children and adolescents in WASH and Covid-19 pandemic contexts with data variables as specified by UNICEF; (2) advances in the coordinated response; (3) challenges encountered; (4) priority actions for the subsequent month; 5) regular project management meetings held and share findings, results and notes with UNICEF management.

Deliverable 05:

  • Monthly report detailing: (1) situation of children and adolescents in WASH and Covid-19 pandemic contexts with data variables as specified by UNICEF; (2) advances in the coordinated response; (3) challenges encountered; (4) priority actions for the subsequent month; 5) regular project management meetings held and share findings, results and notes with UNICEF management.

Deliverable 06:

  • Monthly report detailing: (1) situation of children and adolescents in WASH and Covid-19 pandemic contexts with data variables as specified by UNICEF; (2) advances in the coordinated response; (3) challenges encountered; (4) priority actions for the subsequent month; 5) regular project management meetings held and share findings, results and notes with UNICEF management.

Deliverable 07:

  • Monthly report detailing: (1) situation of children and adolescents in WASH and Covid-19 pandemic contexts with data variables as specified by UNICEF; (2) advances in the coordinated response; (3) challenges encountered; (4) priority actions for the subsequent month; 5) regular project management meetings held and share findings, results and notes with UNICEF management.

Duration: 30 days for each product

Deadline: monthly deliverable

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

  • In accordance with UNICEF priorities, the supervisor and consultant will discuss and consolidate the Work Plan, establishing the products and competencies, which will be evaluated during and at the end of the consulting process. The monthly reports shall be subject to review and approval by UNICEF after delivery by the Consultant. If needed, revisions and alterations may be requested by UNICEF related to quality and technical depth parameters. Only after final clearance from the UNICEF Brazil, will the payment be processed.
  • Activity reports should be submitted with frequency lists of meetings and/or events, minutes of meetings with referrals agreed, photographic record with permission to use image according to UNICEF standard and life histories.
  • If the product's delivery date is at the weekend or on a public holiday, it must be delivered on the next following business day.
  • UNICEF reserves the right to terminate the contract and/or withhold all or a portion of payment if the rules and the regulations regarding confidentiality, ethics and procedures of UNICEF and the partners are not followed, the performance is unsatisfactory, or work/deliverables are incomplete, not delivered or fail to meet the deadlines.

Key competences, technical background, and experience required Deadline

  • Understands key water, sanitation and hygiene technical issues to be able to: engage with sector participants; make full use of their experience and knowledge; guide strategy and plans; communicate and advocate on important issues.
  • Have a technical expertise in risk communication, community engagement and hygiene promotion, to be able to engage with a wide range of actors, including primarily the private sector, but also the academia and civil society organizations.

  • Languages: Portuguese; Spanish or English an added value.

Qualifications, experience and skills

  • University degree, in a subject area relevant to the sector: water and sanitation program management, hygiene promotion, public health.
  • Extensive work experience relevant to this consultancy may be considered as a replacement for formal qualifications.

  • At least 2 years on position requiring multipartners coordination, networking, monitoring and evaluation.

  • Experience of emergency humanitarian response an asset.

  • Strong organizational, analytical and project management skills.

  • Strong Capacity to work in a high paced environment and to deliver quality and timely results.

  • High sense of confidentiality, initiative and good judgment.
  • Ability to work effectively with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

  • Training and experience using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other software such as SharePoint.

  • Experience on using Project Management tools.

General Conditions: Procedures and Logistics

  • The individual contractor will work at Field Office (Belém) with frequent travel to Manaus and Sao Luis FO.

  • UNICEF will provide all equipment and stationery needed for fulfilling the consultancy.

  • No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the Individual Contractor.
  • Individual Contractor will not have supervisory responsibilities or authority on UNICEF budget.
  • Any type of transportation that might be needed, except for the day-today dislocation, shall be provided by the UNICEF (for example, internal flight/road dislocation. Such movement shall be object of authorization by the contract supervisor in the UNICEF).

Payment of fee

  • The payment will be based on submission of agreed deliverables.
  • UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

Insurance and health coverage

  • The contractor is fully responsible for arranging, at his or her own expenses, such life, health and other forms of insurance covering the term of the contract as he or she considers appropriate.

  • The contractor is not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to UNICEF and United Nations staff members.

Restrictions

  • Individual contractors may not receive training at the expense of UNICEF. Notwithstanding, consultants and individual contracts must complete the applicable mandatory trainings.
  • In case of government officials, the contract cannot be issued without prior written clearance by the Government​, or unless on leave without pay.

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.

Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: unicef.org