National Consultant: Sanitation Business Support Consultancy (Only Ghanaian Nationals are eligible to apply)

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.

UNICEF Ghana has since 2015 been supporting the government of Ghana to roll out Market Based Sanitation (MBS) interventions under the Sanitation Marketing Programme as one of the pillars of the Rural Sanitation Model and Strategy (RSMS) to accelerate access to basic sanitation. The Sanitation Marketing(SanMark) programme has various components namely Technology Support, Business and Entrepreneurship, Sales and Marketing. In this regard, various models have been designed and implemented at national, sub-national and community levels to enhance sanitation service delivery.

Over 1,000 artisans and 4,000 Community Technical Volunteers (CTVs) have been trained and are currently supporting household latrine construction in 46 UNICEF supported programme districts across 8 regions and have collectively constructed over 20,000 latrines since 2017. Similarly, 508 sales agents were in 2019 trained to lead latrine promotional activities in communities. The sales agent model is however evolving, and more targeted engagements will have to be made to make them fully operational. The programme also supported first ever sanitation expos event piloted across programme districts and established Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) in beneficiary communities to help mobilize individual savings towards latrine acquisition. Through the Ghana Enterprise Agency, (formally National Board for Small Scale Industries, NBSSI), Business Partnership Meetings (BPM) have been held in the districts to nurture sanitation enterprises and service providers. These interventions have been facilitated in partnership with relevant state, private sector and CSO actors.

How can you make a difference?

The purpose of the assignment is to provide technical assistance to selected MMDAs to implement various sanitation business and service delivery models that would increase latrine uptake.

Tasks to be Completed

The Consultant will work with the support of the UNICEF Team, national, regional and districts partners to accomplish the following tasks in 10 selected districts:

1. Undertake a desk review of relevant programme documents and hold discussions with key stakeholders as input into the development of the methodology and workplan for the assignment

• • Review existing programme documents for deeper appreciation of the SanMark programme and to inform Consultant’s approach to the assignment
  • Design methodology and work plan for the assignment
  • Hold meetings with UNICEF team for a joint review of the deliverables, methodology and workplan for the assignment
  • Submit inception report

2. Support Municipal and District Assemblies to implement Sales and Marketing Systems to increase demand for latrine products and services

• • Review the existing sales promotion model and provide practical recommendations for sales agents to work with sanitation entrepreneurs
  • Develop materials and build capacity of MMDAs to roll out training program for sales agents on the revised sales promotion model
  • Coordinate MMDAs’ implementation of sales activities and establishment of networking platforms for sales agents and sanitation entrepreneurs

3. Facilitate the piloting of sanitation business and service delivery models to enhance private sector led latrine construction at the district level

• • Review existing sanitation business models such as the local Artisan Model and District Manufacturer model and service delivery models such as the focal point , network, one stop shop and turnkey and develop practical steps and strategies to roll them out in the selected municipalities and districts learning from both international and national experiences
  • Engage with Municipalities and districts to adapt the models to suit the local context
  • Train selected MMDAs to roll out implementation of sanitation service models and provide technical support for the selection of MSMEs
  • Assist GEA to develop and implement a structured coaching and mentoring programme for the sanitation MSMEs

4. Support MDAs and MMDAs, to establish or strengthen networking and coordination platforms for private sector actors in Sanitation

• • Facilitate establishment of association of artisans incorporating models of enterprise group savings and loans where appropriate
  • Work with MMDAs to review Business Partnership Meetings (BPMs) and develop a revised and structured framework for BPMs
• • Develop a PPP framework for sanitation service delivery at MMDA level
  • Support MMDAs to launch the PPP framework and invite private sector to support the district ODF agenda

5. Support MMDAs to strengthen use of BaSIS for tracking services delivered by sanitation MSMEs

• • Assist with the development of simple tools / forms for use by MSMEs to record and track their sales and other business transactions
  • Assist MMDAs to build capacities of sanitation MSMEs to use tools / forms in selected districts
  • Provide technical assistance to MMDAs to use BaSIS to track activities of MSMEs and trained latrine artisans

6. Review the community-based financing scheme (CBFS) including the VSLA model and provide practical recommendations for the uptake of latrines.

• • Assess Community Savings Groups (including VSLAs) and their drive towards sanitation and make recommendations for improvement
  • Review and update booklets and templates for planning sanitation and hygiene improvements as well as IEC materials for sanitation and hygiene promotion among Community Savings Groups
  • Develop a model for Field Facilitators to establish and grow Community Savings Groups (including VSLAs) ensuring the use of Village Agents and integration into the CLTS process
  • Work with MMDAs to roll out the revised model including Household Sanitation Improvement and Financing Planning for all households in CLTS communities
  7. Review and improve local business ventures that support sanitation and hygiene activities of Village Savings and Loans Associations
• • Develop a growth and results oriented progression plan for VSLAs to improve their socio-economic status with a focus on sanitation and hygiene
  • Develop and test guidelines for VSLA related businesses to promote handwashing with accompanying IEC materials
  • Design an effective system for local private sector led production, supply and management of VSLA tool kits

8. Provide technical assistance to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and the Ghana Enterprise Agency (GEA) to convert activities implemented under tasks 2-7 into expected programme outcomes and develop an associated incentive scheme for the effective delivery of programme outcomes

• Develop monitoring framework / checklist for sanitation businesses and assist districts to use it to assess implementation and undertake remedial action
• Together with districts establish an incentive scheme for businesses to deliver results
• Facilitate quarterly virtual review meetings with implementing partners
• Undertake field level monitoring of implementation of activities
• Document service delivery models based on implementation
• Conduct exit meetings with MDAs and MMDAs
• Prepare and submit completion report

Deliverables

• Work plan for the assignment developed
• Methodology for the assignment developed
• Inception report submitted
• Sales Agent operational model developed
• Sales Agents and Sanitation entrepreneurs from 10 districts trained in the operational model
• 10 districts commence sales activities and establish networking platforms at electoral area level
• 10 districts call for EOIs for sanitation businesses support and compile list of interested sanitation businesses in the district
• Training held for sanitation businesses on business models
• System for coaching and mentoring developed for sanitation businesses and GEA staff trained
• GEA provides coaching and mentoring to sanitation businesses
• At least one association of artisans established per district
• 10 districts develop a detailed annual plan for Business Partnership meetings and commence quarterly meetings
• 10 districts launch a PPP framework for sanitation and sign MoUs with private sector to support the district wide ODF agenda
• Report on assessment of VSLAs and their drive towards sanitation with recommendations for improvement
• VSLA booklets and templates for Household Sanitation Improvement and Financing Planning developed for use at community wide level
• Districts trained on revised VSLA model
• Districts commence the use of the model in CLTS communities
• Step by step guide for roll out of the Village Agent model including integration with the CLTS implementation
• RBF progression plan for VSLAs
• Guidelines for VSLA businesses to promote handwashing with accompanying IEC materials
• VSLA related business tested in 10 districts
• Strategy for local supply and management of VSLA tool kits involving communities, districts and private sector
• Business networking platforms (including PPP network, PPP network meetings, BPMs and Sales network meetings) established in each of the ten districts
• At least 60% of trained sales agents sell a minimum of 5 latrines every quarter
• At least 5 functional sanitation businesses established per district

1. 1 Network systems – aggregator service delivery model
2. 1 One stop shop model
3. 1 Turnkey service provider
4. 2 Focal service delivery model

• At least one association of sanitation businesses operational in 10 districts
• At least one sanitation business implements MoU with district to support the district wide ODF agenda under the PPP framework
• 80% of communities undergoing CLTS implementation establish community savings groups using revised guidelines
• At least 3 Village Agents identified, trained and supported to establish and coordinate activities of VSLAs in 10 districts
• 10 districts with functional local supply and management models for VSLA boxes and logistics
• Documented service delivery models with operational modalities based on implementation
• Exit meetings conduct with MDAs and MMDAs
• Completion report submitted

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

• An Advanced University Degree in Business, Marketing, Engineering, Planning, Environmental Management, Public Health, Project Management or related area.
• Relevant experience in marketing will be acceptable for applicants without a qualification in business or marketing
• A minimum of five years progressive professional experience preferably in sanitation and hygiene related areas.
• Hands on experience and knowledge of CLTS and Sanitation Marketing are required
• Demonstrated experience in the field of small business, macro finance, business promotion, product sales, etc. will be an asset.
• Ability to operate computer Microsoft office programs (MS Word, Excel and Power Point)
• Experience in delivering and facilitating training
• Experience with working with staff of government agencies and departments including decentralized institutions will be an advantage

In addition, must possess the following skills

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail and data accuracy
• Strong interpersonal skills and teamwork skills
• Strong planning and organizing skills
• Ability to present and convey results of analyses to various audiences

Refer to the attached TOR for details of the assignment. TOR for National Consultant- Sanitation Business Support.pdf

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:

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.