Individual Contractor, WASH Sector Information Management Specialist, Brasilia, Brazil

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Background & Rationale

UNICEF Brazil is committed to continuing to deliver assistance to children across the areas affected by COVID-19 and will continue working with governments (Department of Social Development, Education, Health and WASH) at State and City levels and partners to ensure children, parents, care givers, communities in informal settlements, poor townships, rural indigenous areas and in need receive timely humanitarian assistance. The work of UNICEF contributes both to outbreak control and to mitigating the collateral socio-economic impacts of the pandemic, through adequate risk communication and, supporting the continuity of essential social services for children, women and vulnerable populations, among which access to water, sanitation and hygiene services are critical.

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

The Information Manager is a core Sector Coordination function. The purpose of this post is to manage the collection, analysis and sharing of information that is important for the SAFE implementation strategy regarding WASH interventions, and for the baseline of the WASH in schools, SELO´s systemic result, to make informed strategic decisions, draw lessons from the experience and develop sound technical and socially adapted strategies.

Expected results and Deliverables

The following key and results will be supported by the consultant during the seven-month contract:

1. Expected result: Contributed with the monitoring of SAFE strategy implementation in the hotspots identifies by Territory.

1.1. Deliverable: 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 the management team.

2. Expected result: 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, Maranhão e Pará, and the cities of Manaus, São Luis e Belém.

2.1. Deliverable: 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 the management team.

3. Expected result: Provided technical assistance to AM, MA and PA states to strengthen the monitoring and information system in order to address the gaps for vulnerable population.

3.1. Deliverable: 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 UNICEF response based in HAC indicators; (3) challenges encountered; (4) priority actions for the subsequent month; 5) participate in regular project management meetings held and share findings, results and notes with the management team.

4. Expected result: Developed a systematization of main results and measurables indicators regarding key hygiene practices, including handwashing with soap, are improved, reinforced, and sustained, particularly among vulnerable populations in at-risk communities.

4.1. Deliverable: 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 UNICEF response based in HAC indicators; (3) challenges encountered; (4) priority actions for the subsequent month; 5) regular project management meetings held and share findings, results and notes with the management team.

5. Expected result: Developed a proposal of measurement and monitoring strategy for systemic result of SELO related to WASH in Schools, as part of the monitoring Selo System, as well as the materials to train municipalities regarding this SR.

5.1. Deliverable: 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 UNICEF response; (3) challenges encountered; (4) priority actions for the subsequent month; 5) regular project management meetings held and share findings, results and notes with the management team.

6. Expected result: Designed the WASH in schools SELO training, including the perspective of municipal monitoring of indicator/implementation of the Systemic Result.

6.1. Deliverable: 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 UNICEF response mainly in HAC indicators; (3) challenges encountered; (4) priority actions for the subsequent month; 5) regular project management meetings held and share findings, results and notes with the management team. 6) Selo training in WASH component methodology

7. Expected result: Systematized the SAFE implementation, DFID2 project including strengthening of coordination mechanism in TAM, and Selo WASH component, identifying good practices, recommendations, and next steps.

7.1. Deliverable: Summary end of consultancy report detailing: Situation of children and adolescents in WASH and Covid-19 pandemic contexts with data variables as specified by UNICEF; (2) summary of accomplishments achieved during the consultancy; (3) summary of remaining challenges; (4) summary of recommended next steps for UNICEF’s consideration; 5) regular project management meetings held and share findings, results and notes with the management team; 6) Draft of donor report developed, per UNICEF guidelines.

Monthly Payment (% of the contract): 1/7 or 14,3 % monthly

Duration: 30 days for each deliverable

Deadline: last day of each contract month

MAIN ACTIVITIES

This post holders will work under the overall supervision of the WASH Sector Coordinator and closely within a team of experts. They will also support the coordination at state and municipal levels.

The post holders are expected to have responsibilities to build, lead and manage the WASH sector information, encompassing the following:

WASH Sector progress monitoring

• Undertake an initial assessment of the existing information management systems, processes and capacities of the WASH sector in Amazonas, Maranhão and Para, both at States and Cities levels;
• Define and set-up processes that are aligned with the requirements of the existing monitoring system (Sistema Nacional de Informações sobre Saneamento) and contribute to monitoring the progress of the PlanSaB in both States particularly the WASH in Schools component;

• Maintain Sector information databases up to date that consolidate, analyses and report/disseminate information critical to decision making;

• Use GIS mapping for map production and geographic data management;

• Support the development and analysis of needs assessment and monitoring programmes;
• Develop and strengthen information management capacity through tailored training.

COVID-19, humanitarian response, and emergency preparedness

• Defines and set-up processes to monitor the progress 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;
• Collect, analyze and provide key data in a systematic and regular way to the WASH sector coordination team to support the preparation of donor proposals, sector SitRep related to COVID-19 activities with emphasis on Humanitarian Action for Children - HAC indicators, targets and achievements;
• Support both the WASH sector and the WASH Working Group dedicated to the Venezuelan migration assistance for the development of an integrated adapted 5Ws (‘Who does What, Where, When and for Whom?’ databases) to enhance synergies and prevent duplication of actions;
• Support the estimation of spatial and temporal gaps, overlaps and coverage of Sector COVID-19 and humanitarian activities and projects;
• Manage an inventory of relevant documents related to the COVID-19 and humanitarian situation.

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

• Excellent knowledge of MS Excel or MS Access (e.g. pivot tables and functions); proven technical expertise for managing data capture and storage, for analysing diverse datasets, and presenting information in understandable tables, charts, graphs and reports; knowledge of establishing and managing basic websites; proven skills in using GIS and map-making packages, and in web design and software development are an asset.
• Languages: Fluency in Portuguese; Spanish and English are an asset.

Qualifications

• University degree in a subject area relevant to information management.
• Extensive work experience relevant to this post may be considered as a replacement for formal qualifications.

• Formal training in cluster information management an advantage.

  Experience

• At least 2 years progressively responsible development or humanitarian work experience with UN and/or NGO, including information management in the first phase of an emergency response.

• Extensive work experience outside the humanitarian sector which is relevant to this post will be considered as a replacement for humanitarian experience.

Key competences

• Builds and maintains partnerships

• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

• Drive to achieve results for impact

• Innovates and embraces change

• Manages ambiguity and complexity

• Thinks and acts strategically

• Works collaboratively with others

Core Values

1. Care

2. Respect

3. Integrity

4. Trust

5. Accountability

General Conditions: Procedures and Logistics

• UNICEF will not provide the individual contractor all required core equipment and material for fulfilling his duty, including computer.
• Expenses related to travels, if any, will be covered by UNICEF and paid to the Individual contractor as per UNICEF travel rules and regulations.

• 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.

Insurance and health coverage

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

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 individual contract.

  Restrictions

• Individual Contractor may not receive training at the expense of UNICEF. Notwithstanding, 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 is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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.