National Consultant for strengthening WASH Enabling Environment, Long Term consultancy on need-basis, Dushanbe, Tajikistan (deadline extended - May 27, 2022)

Consultant Programme & Policy Medical & Health

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

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 remain 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 the achievement of the SDGs and recognized the access to WASH in schools and health facilities as an important favorable condition 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. In terms of the progress on SDG 6, the Government of Tajikistan reports 55% access to safely managed water services which means water is available within premises, is available whenever required (24/7) and is free from bacteriological and priority chemical contamination, and 59% to safely managed sanitation which means toilet is not shared, excreta is safely disposed off in situ and or treated off-site. Irrespective of such high coverage declared by the GoT, the situation on the ground greatly contradicts.

Overall, the provision of drinking water and sanitation services in Tajikistan are characterized by institutional gaps, overlapping authorities, and a lack of financial stability adequate systems. The unavailability of robust WASH-related data is also an overarching gap that is hindering efficient planning and decision-making.

How can you make a difference?

Estimated duration**: on need- based during June 2022 - June 2024.

Duty station**: Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Supervisor: WASH Specialist (IP), UNICEF Tajikistan

Task to be Performed

Deliverable****(s)

Work Schedule

1. Revision of an Existing WASH related policy/strategy for its alignment with SDGs and human rights to water and sanitation

a. Inception meeting with UNICEF and relevant government lead department to develop clear understanding of the assignment and tasks with sequence

b. Inception report covering outline, methodology and process to be followed for the development

03 days

c. Review of an existing WASH related policy/strategy, facilitation of consultation with civil society, stakeholders, target groups, government departments and public representatives and development of revised policy/strategy draft

10 days

d. Revising the draft document based on the feedback and finalizing for onward submission to the relevant government department

e. Coordination and follow-up with MoEWR, KMK, MoES and MOHSP to submit the final documents to competent forum for approval.

10 days

f. Facilitation in processing the approved policy to be published in the official gazette.

05 days

g. Making presentations for advocacy and dissemination of new policies (per event)

02 days

2. Developing and approval of new WASH related policy/strategy with its alignment with SDGs and human rights to water and sanitation

a. Inception meeting with UNICEF to develop clear understanding of the assignment and tasks with sequence

b. Inception report covering outline, methodology and process to be followed for the development

03 days

c. Review of an existing WASH related policy/strategy, facilitation of consultation with civil society, stakeholders, target groups, government departments and public representatives and development of revised draft

15 days

d. Revising the draft document based on the feedback and finalizing for onward submission to the relevant government department

e. Coordination and follow-up with MoEWR, KMK, MoES and MOHSPP to submit the final documents to competent forum for approval.

10 days

f. Facilitation in processing the approved policy to be published in the official gazette.

10 days

g. Making presentations for advocacy and dissemination of new policies (per event)

02 days

3. Facilitation of WASH Joint Sector Review at national and provincial Level with help of WASHBAT and SDG-6 costing tool etc.

a. Conducting an inception meeting with UNICEF and lead government department regarding developing clear understanding of the tasks and submission of brief inception report, (report is required if JSR has been undertaken once before by consultant)

02 days

b. Producing an inception report based on the inception meeting. The inception report should include all tasks with elaboration on understanding of the assignment and milestones, (Applicable only if JSR is being undertaken first time in province by said consultant)

03 days

c. Preparation for WASH JSR including literature sourcing and review, development of facilitation method and handouts for use during consultation

03 days

d. Facilitation of Joint Sector Review using WASH Bottleneck Analysis Tool (WASHBAT) with due ownership of WASH sector stakeholders. All steps of WASHBAT are required to be followed. Different sub-activities are as below

• Initiation of discussion with relevant government and nomination of committee as per the WASHBAT process and ensuring invitations are sent in time to WASH sector partners including MoEWR, KMK, MoES, MOHSPP, MoF, CSOs, UN agencies and other relevant stakeholders etc.
• Facilitation of three-day consultative workshop using WASHBAT and SDG-6 costing tools etc.

03 days

e. Developing a consolidated JSR report incorporating the finding of the consultative process. Report should be submitted to UNICEF for review and to participating selected WASH sector partners for their feedback before finalization.

f. Presenting the finalized report to relevant Department/Ministry and other sectors partners for their endorsement

g. Getting the finalized JSR report endorsed from the competent government authority

10 days

4. Develop strategic vision for WASH sector development in a province or at national level, in consensus with the line departments, key stakeholder and political leadership and drafting of WASH sector Master plan

a. In line with the JSR report, develop outlines (contents) of the proposed WASH sector master plan document in consultation with MoEWR, KMK, MoES, MOHSPP and MoF, organizing and conducting a consultative meeting to finalize the outline of the sector plan

b. Conducting, planning, and organizing a one-day consultation meeting with steering committee to finalize the strategic vision and priorities for the sector plan

c. Sharing (electronically) the draft strategic vision and priority setting for WASH Sector Master Plan in line with findings of JSR in consultation with the steering committee to UNICEF to have their inputs before further consultation and endorsement.

d. Planning, organizing, and conducting a one-day consultation workshop with all line departments, academia CSOs, UN Agencies, private sector and all other relevant stakeholders) to agree on vision and phase wise priorities for WASH sector

e. Submission of the consultation report (electronic and hardcopy) along with agreed priorities in line with the findings of JSR process and the consultation process to the steering committee including UNICEF for approval

f. Development of WASH sector master plan draft, along with indicative yearly budget for 10 years, considering WASH JSR and steering committee advice

g. Development of M&E framework of WASH sector master plan

h. Presentation of draft to UNICEF for feedback and subsequently submission of draft to provincial federal government department.

i. Incorporating feedback to finalize the WASH sector master plan.

j. Follow-up for approval of WASH sector master plan from competent provincial government authority.

k. Making presentation of WASH sector master plan

20 days

5. Assess the status of WASH in a province (WASH sector status report) review of policy frameworks, available data, resources allocation and expenditure, operational environment including comprehensive stakeholder’s analysis, equity in resource distribution and access to services

a. WASH sector analysis and resource mapping

b. Developing and sharing of sector status report based on review of policy frameworks, available data, resources allocation and expenditure analysis, operational environment including comprehensive stakeholder’s analysis, equity in resource distribution and access to services

c. Consultations through planning, organizing, and conducting a one-day workshop with the sector partners on the findings of the sector status report

d. Finalization of the sector status report based on the comments and feedback from sector partners

f. Submitting of the finalized sector status report to the steering committee for endorsement and approval

20 days

6. Conduct capacity needs assessment of federal and provincial WASH departments and develop an overall capacity development plan for achieving the expected results of WASH Sector Master Plan

a. Development of tools for carrying out capacity needs assessment of federal or provincial WASH related departments

b. Conducting meetings with relevant ministries MoEWR, KMK, MoES, MOHSPP for finalizing of the tools for capacity needs assessment

c. Agreement with UNICEF of developed capacity assessment tools and undertaking proposed adjustments.

d. Conduct capacity assessment of the government departments through administration of developed tools and submission of capacity needs assessment report to the steering committee for approval / endorsement

e. Based on the assessment, preparation of capacity development plan in consultation with the relevant stakeholders

f. Submission of the capacity development plan to the steering committee for endorsement and made part of the sector plan

20 days

7. Conduct advocacy meeting with government officials and political leaders

a. Understand purpose of meeting and development of agenda

b. Literature review and preparation of presentations, handouts, or infographics

c. Facilitation of meeting

d. Developing minutes of meeting and brief report

05 days

8. Facilitation of meeting or consultative workshop with WASH sector stakeholders

a. Understand purpose of meeting/workshop and development of agenda along with facilitation technique

b. Facilitation of meeting/workshop as per agreed format

c. Developing minutes of meeting and brief report

03 days

9. Documentation of case study and best practices for the governments

a. Inception of the purpose of case study

b. Literature review and interviews of key personnel

c. Incorporations of High-resolution photographs, editorial proof reading and infographics if required, in agreement with UNICEF

d. Drafting of case study for comments by UNICEF and the relevant government department.

e. Incorporation of remarks and development of final draft.

f. Endorsement of UNICEF and approval of government.

10 days

10. Documenting budget and expenditure analysis at federal and provincial level

a. Conducting budget analysis of a province or at federal level from equity and universal access of safely managed WASH services

b. Documenting budget analysis report

c. Presentation of budget analysis report

05 Days

d. Conducting expenditure analysis of a province or at federal level from equity and universal access of safely managed WASH services

e. Documenting budget and expenditure analysis report

f. Presentation of budget analysis report

07 days

11. Travel costs and DSA

Travel costs and DSA will be covered in accordance with UN rules and regulations. No other remunerations apply.

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/output is incomplete, not delivered, or for failure to meet deadlines.

Due to COIVD19, the work and deliverables are subject to change. Consultancy company need to be flexible to adjust to any unforeseen adjustments that might occur during the implementation.

Anticipated Travel Itinerary: Activities would be throughout Tajikistan, mostly in provincial/area capital cities, with some consultation/feedback from the MoEWR, KMK, MoES and MoHSP

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

• Advanced University Degree in environmental studies, public health, civil engineering, social sciences, water economics or another relevant field of study
• At least 8 years of progressively responsible experience in program policy matters and interaction with government departments.
• At least 5 years of proven experience in similar work, in technical report writing and development of concise reports of workshops, meetings, discussion/consultation sessions in English (Russian and Tajik Preferable), for WASH sector.
• Extensive experience (at least 5 years) in policy drafting and technical strategy matters, especially in WASH
• Have good communication, facilitation, and narrative skills to produce efficient and formal reports and documents
• Past work experience with UN, especially UNICEF Tajikistan is advantageous
• Have proven experience of developing advocacy papers preferably around WASH

Competencies

• Have critical point of view on the current priority of WASH sector
• Communicates effectively to varied audiences, including during formal public speaking. Excellent writing skills.
• Sets high standards for quality of work and consistently achieves objectives/goals
• Have good leadership; co-ordinates group activities
• Strong analytical and conceptual thinking.

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

Supervisor and type of supervision - WASH Specialist, UNICEF Tajikistan:

1. Regular coordination on timelines, quality of the product, ensuring all relevant stakeholders are engaged
2. Regular coordination with relevant Ministries on day to day matters with at least one meeting fortnightly
3. Imparting continuous technical supervision to ensure that the scope of work is being adhered.

Application:

Interested candidates are asked to submit the following information by 27 May 2022 (deadline extended) through online system on our website:

1. Proposed methodology/approach to delivering the assignment
2. Expertise of individual to be assigned to the assignment (CVs to be included)
3. Portfolio. Please submit examples of previous work to demonstrate the above qualifications
4. Financial quote for the consultancy in Tajik Somoni per deliverable, also stating the timeframe for completion of deliverable and/or daily rate in Tajik Somoni.
5. Examples of previous, relevant work related to the deliverables.
6. At least two references
7. Applications without a financial quote will not be considered.

For further questions (if any) please refer to this e-mail: dushanbe@unicef.org with the subject line “National Consultant for strengthening WASH Enabling Environment, Long Term consultancy on need-basis, Dushanbe, Tajikistan”.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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.

Apply now

Added 2 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unicef.org