International consultancy to provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the population of Tajikistan (MoHSPP) on the development of National Water Safety

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,

Key WASH indicators for Tajikistan remains less than optimal. Tajikistan is a member of the High-Level Panel on Water launched by the World Bank and the United Nations and has announced its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG-6) to “Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”. Tajikistan also committed to achievement of the SDGs and recognized the access to WASH in schools and health facilities as important favourable conditions for sustainable development in its National Development Strategy 2030, National Water Sector Strategy (2020 – 2030) and Water and Sanitation Plans and National Programme for Children that are in the process of development and endorsement. The Law of the Republic of Tajikistan "On Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation", adopted on July 19, 2019, establishes the legal, organizational, economic and social foundations for the provision of drinking water and sanitation, state guarantees for meeting the needs for drinking water, sanitation, as well as their quality and safety. However the regulatory environment on ensuring compliance to set standards and optimum functionality of the infrastructure continues to be a challenge.

How can you make a difference?

Under the overall oversight of the Chief, Health and Nutrition, direct supervision of WASH Specialist (international Professional), the Consultant will provide technical guidance and support to the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and more specifically to the Sanitary Epidemiological and Surveillance (SES) Department on the development of National Water Safety Strategy that further defines and reiterates the emphasis laid on drinking water quality and its safety in the National Water Strategy (Policy) of Tajikistan. The consultant is also expected to coordinate with other relevant ministries that has key roles on service provision, policy and regulation including Ministry of Energy and Water Resources (MoEWR) and Khojagii Manziliyu Kommunali (SUE-KMK).

DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

1.Conduct an inception meeting with MoHSPP, MoEWR and SUE-KMK and establish full understanding of the required expectation regarding the scope of the assignment and develop a detailed workplan.

2.Carry out bilateral meetings/consultations with UNICEF and other key government and development partners to gather information on key actions on water safety, available policy frameworks, plans and implementation challenges.

3.Conduct an in-depth desk review of the available literature and materials relating to water supply system and water safety in Tajikistan.

4.Develop a national level Water Safety strategy through close consultations with MoHSP, MoEWR, SUE-KMK, Vodokanals (water utilities) and WASH actors. This should also include development of a costed action plan for the safety of public water supply systems with specific focus on O&M.

5.Submission of final strategy that is reviewed and accepted by UNICEF and MoHSPP and making a presentation to relevant stakeholders.

KEY DELIVERABLES/TIMEFRAME/PAYMENT SCHEDULE:

Tasks/Milestone

Deliverables/Outputs

Number of days

Payment schedule

1. Conduct an inception meeting with MoHSPP, MoEWR and SUE-KMK and establish full understanding of the required expectation regarding the scope of the assignment and develop a detailed workplan.

Inception report covering outline, methodology, resources required, workplan, timelines, objectives, outcomes, activities, key indicators and process to be followed for the delivery of all parts of the assignment on the basis of the discussion with SUE-KMK and UNICEF.

2 days

10% payment upon submission of the inception report.

2. Carry out bilateral meetings/consultations with UNICEF and other key government and development partners to gather information on key actions on water safety, available policy frameworks, plans and implementation challenges.

Minutes of bilateral discussions with key stakeholders and a joint summary highlighting key aspects of the discussions and important take away points in terms of suggested revisions.

3 days

3. Conduct an in-depth desk review of the available literature and materials relating to water supply system and water safety in Tajikistan.

4. Detailed review of all documents including National policies, strategies, relevant regulatory documents (relevant SanPiNs[1]), standards, relevant project documents and studies/researches by development sector partners on water supply and water quality/safety in Tajikistan is conducted

5. Findings of the review are shared and key areas of discussion to gather feedback are presented to relevant stakeholders

15 days

30% payment upon discussion and submission of the detailed review and analysis

4. Develop a national level Water Safety strategy through close consultations with MoHSP, MoEWR, SUE-KMK, Vodokanals (water utilities) and WASH actors. This should also include development of a costed action plan for the safety of public water supply systems with specific focus on O&M.

5. Draft of the water safety strategy (on agreed structure) and costed plan for the safety of public water supply systems with MoHSPP, MoEWR, SUE-KMK and other relevant Government departments and development partners is shared.

6. Joint meetings are conducted and feedback is gathered to make relevant clarifications and final changes.

10 days

60% upon submission of final strategy and acceptance by UNICEF and MoHSPP.

5. Submission of final strategy that is reviewed and accepted by UNICEF and MoHSPP and making a presentation to relevant stakeholders.

6. Final presentation to key stakeholders

7. Final strategy (on agreed structure) is shared that is accepted by UNICEF and MoHSPP.

3 days

Note: Due to COVID 19, the work and deliverables are subject to change. Consultant need to be flexible to adjust to any unforeseen adjustments that might occur during the implementation

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results:

The evaluation of the results will be based on:

1. Technical and professional competence (quality of the products delivered to UNICEF);
2. Scope of work (e.g. clarity of work plan);
3. Quality of work (quality of methodology, draft, and final report);
4. Quantity of work (completing the tasks indicated in the table above within the set timeframe)

In addition, such indicators as work relations, responsibility, drive for results, and communication will be taken into account during the evaluation of the Consultant’s work.

For more details, pls. refer to TOR: 02.ToR_Int_Consultant_National_Water_Safety_Strategy_FINAL_ENG.docx

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

Education: An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: public health, water quality, water engineering, water resource management, or another relevant technical field.

Work Experience: a minimum of 5 years’ experience at a senior level working on strategy development particularly on supporting the governments in the WASH sector. Previous experience in developing water safety plans and strategies will be an asset.

Competencies: Strong analytical and conceptual thinking. Excellent writing skills. Excellent communication and presentation skills with stakeholders and the ability to work under pressure and commitment to work to a tight timeframe.

Language: Excellent working knowledge and communication in English is required. Knowledge of Tajik (Farsi) and Russian is an asset and preferable

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

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 to become a part of the organization.

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:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.