International Consultant: Hand Hygiene for All Operational Guidelines, Accra (open to Non-Ghanaians only)

Contract

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For every child,

The latest Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2017/2018, indicates that only 48.5 percent of Ghana’s population (estimated to be 30 million) practice handwashing with soap. This shows steady progress, from 11.9 percent in 2011 (MICS, 2011) and 20.9 percent in 2014 (DHS, 2014). However, there is a need to urgently accelerate the rate of handwashing practice in the country, firstly to protect from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and secondly to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 which ends by 2030. This is critical, given the pivotal role handwashing with soap (HWWS) and hand hygiene (HH) plays in preventing the spread of COVID-19. In addition, HHWS is also one of the most effective measures in preventing diarrhea (estimated 45% - WHO 2004): in Ghana, an estimated 3,600 under five (U5) children die every year due to diarrhea (WHO 2015 – Global Health Observatory data repository: Ghana).

The COVID-19 pandemic was a jolting reminder that hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of a virus and also one of the simplest. Not only does hand hygiene protect us; it also stops transmission of infection to other people. The severity of the pandemic requires hand hygiene to be practiced by all and in all settings to control the spread. This includes households, public places such as transport hubs, markets and worship centres, institutions such as schools and health care facilities, jails, refugee camps etc.

The momentum created as a result of this pandemic has undoubtedly allowed Ghana to build on and make handwashing hygiene a social norm in this crisis period and during the recovery and post-recovery periods. This means making sustainable hand hygiene products and services such as improved handwashing facilities, regular supply of water, soap and hand sanitizers available and accessible for all at all times. Thus, a multi-faceted approach including mobilizing the private sectors, civil society organisations, academia, donors, religious leaders etc. is a pre-requisite for the success of HH4A.

In response to this challenge, the Government of Ghana needs to review the national handwashing strategy initially developed in 2011 to broaden and incorporate all of the emerging issues and opportunities to promote HH4A in the country.

How can you make a difference?

The main purpose of the assignment is to support the Government of Ghana in developing a National Hand Hygiene for All Cosated Strategy (NHH4ACS) covering access to hand hygiene in all contexts and settings during the COVID-19 crisis period, recovery and post-recovery periods. The NHH4ACS will provide government and sector stakeholders with an agreed strategy and and a road map for achieving hand hygiene for all.

Tasks To be Completed

The specific tasks for the development of national HH4ACS are:

1. Conduct review of global, regional, national literature, recent national hygiene strategies carried out in similar settings, programme documents, project reports and evaluation reports on hygiene in Ghana and prepare an inception report on the assignment
2. Undertake a programme assessment of Hand Hygiene interventions in Ghana and carry out broad consultations with various key actors, including Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies such as the MSWRs, Ministry of Health (MoH), Ministry of Education (MoE), Ministry of Interior, and the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), formerly National Board for Small Scale Industries, key donors, private sector, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), at national, regional and district level and prepare an assessment report clearly outlining (i) what is working well at both strategic and implementation levels; what is not working well and (ii) what needs improvement
3. Assess the capacity of collaborating institutions, particularly the (i) lead institution to implement the HH4AS and prepare a capacity gap assessment report and plan of action to address capacity gaps.
4. Develop a national HH4ACS with the following components ensuring sector participation right through the drafting, development and finalization stages.
5. Identify gaps for hygiene data and recommend hygiene data that can be integrated into existing systems like BaSIS, EMIS, DHIMS and the SIS to enable progress tracking on access to hygiene in the country.
6. Recommend key performance indicators on behaviour change to be included in the national, regional and district M&E systems.
7. Conduct a hand hygiene financing landscape and develop a resource mobilisation plan as an integral part of the Hand Hygiene strategy making provision for consultative discussions with development partners and potential investors including including non-traditional partners such as businesses, foundations, and philanthropists

Expected Deliverables

1. The inception report including defined scope of work submitted.
2. An assessment report including progress made, identified gaps and required improvements at both strategic and implementation levels submitted
3. Report on capacity gap assessment at national and subnational levels and accompanying plan of action submitted

4. A draft NHH4ACS with the following submitted:

   (i) a road map for hand hygiene in Ghana

   (ii) contingency plan including supplies and risk communication and community entry for hand hygiene service delivery during emergencies

   (iii) cost implementation plan for both development and emergency programming

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

• Advanced university degree in Environmental Health or a field relevant to international WASH Programme development. Additional training in Health Education or Communication for Development (Programme Communication) an asset.
• At least 8 years progressive experience with research or programming on handwashing with soap and be conversant with market-based hygiene and private sector engagement
• Previous experience in supporting countries in developing WASH related policies, strategies and implementation plans, especially in hygiene and sanitation
• Familiarity with the SDGs, the hand hygiene for all initiative (HH4A) and other related global trends and priorities, most up-to-date country experiences from developing countries.
• Strong analytical, writing and communication skills
• Ability to conduct online consultations
• Excellent interpersonal and professional skills in interacting with the government and development partners and other stakeholder
• Familiarity with the local social and cultural context is highly recommended

NB: Refer to the attached TOR for more details on the assignment WASH -ToR Int Consultant - National HH4A Costed Strategy.pdf

Application Procedure:

Interested candidates should apply on-line to the link provided indicating their daily professional fees in US dollars. In addition to the CV/Resume, candidates should attach a two-page note on how he/she intends to effectively accomplish this assignment within time frame.

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.

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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:

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.