National Consultant - secretariat between PIG & PIU, ADB funded Additional Financing Urban WASH Project led by Dushanbe Vodokanal, 144 w/ds, Dushanbe, Tajikistan (for Tajik nationals only)

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, Access to safe water, adequate sanitation, and suitable hygiene

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF Tajikistan has partnered with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to support the additional financing component through technical assistance modality targeting institutional strengthening and building the enabling environment (EE).

The additional financing component will be targeting; (i) the rehabilitation of water supply network in the remaining 12 DMAs established in the Shomansur district under the ongoing project and construct additional facilities at water source locations (wells, pumping stations) as well as rehabilitation of existing reservoir, etc.; and (ii) replacement of further portions of the main sewerage pipeline (Ayni and Muhammad collectors) and expansion of the network to unserved areas such as Karotegin and Zebunisso areas. Climate-proofing measures identified during project design will increase resilience of water supply services and sanitation systems The additional financing will provide additional support to the ongoing institutional strengthening activities to improve the O&M and financial management, billing, and commercial practices. It will continue supporting the establishment of a performance-oriented management information system with the use of SCADA system for operational efficiency and geographic information system (GIS) for asset management and for efficient monitoring of DMAs and improved operational and business efficient service delivery by the State Unitary Enterprise Dushanbevodokanal (DVK). The additional financing will improve network management and leak detection practices and foster the use of performance-based interventions for asset inventory, leak detection, and small replacement works carried out by both VDK teams and small private service operators. It will also build the capacity of DVK on COVID-19 Emergency response and immediate actions and WASH awareness and WASH targeted programs and measures for vulnerable people and women. The establishment of a women's training and empowerment center is proposed as a specific project gender-focused output. The center will provide vocational, leadership, and business skills trainings to create the necessary opportunities to help women realize their full potential and improve employment opportunities for women working in VDK, City Administration, and other groups. It will also encourage the education and skills training of young women. Moreover, the center will provide counseling, rehabilitation, and shelter services for victims of gender-based violence. UNICEF will mainly be supporting the institutional strengthening component through Technical Assistance modality and specific activities as planned and agreed with ADB.

PURPOSE:

Under the overall oversight of the Chief of WASH, the Consultant will act as Secretariat for monthly coordination meetings chaired by DVK between the PIG & PIU (and quarterly meetings chaired by the City Administration with other projects) to address overlaps, and identify gaps, and at the same time be the T/A provider of last resort. Additionally, the consultant will also work closely with DVK, City Government and all consultants as per the planned schedule of activities in close coordination with the UNICEF WASH Team.

DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT:

1. Coordinate on regular basis with DVK, PIU, PIG and Dushanbe city administration to ensure smooth delivery of the planned project, to minimize overlaps between stakeholders involved and identify key gaps.

2. Follow up on identified gaps and identify suitable mitigation strategies and solutions in close coordination with UNICEF.

3. Conduct regular progress review and share reports with relevant stakeholder.

4. Work with UNICEF focal point on the progress of all planned activities under the KSTA and liaise with relevant stakeholder involved with the overall delivery of the additional financing component.

5. Liaise closely with the focal point at the UNICEF regional office to provide support on coordination in the other targeted countries with guidance of the Head of WASH program.

6. Provide inputs for the preparation of other consultancies as specified in the work plan and work with the consultants while maintaining a close collaboration with the DVK and City Government. Key activities of the KSTA include:

- Carry out a city-wide inclusive sanitation (CWIS) assessment, leading to the generation of a faecal flow diagram for the city and prioritization of the faecal exposure risks to be addressed.

- Assessment of water quality lab for DVK and development of a costed improvement plan

- Development of internal policy and protocols on water safety for DVK that are in line with the national water safety strategy

- Carry out a water safety risk assessment in Dushanbe

- Development of a water safety plan for the city of Dushanbe.

7. Any other tasks as necessary

DUTY STATION/DURATION:

Duration: 144 w/ds (July 2023 – December 2023)

Duty station: Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Supervisor: Chief WASH, UNICEF Tajikistan

Work Assignment

1. Coordinate on regular basis with DVK, PIU, PIG, Dushanbe city administration, MoHSP and MoEWR to ensure smooth delivery of the planned project, to minimize overlaps between stakeholders involved and identify key gaps;
2. Follow up on identified gaps and identify suitable mitigation strategies and solutions in close coordination with UNICEF;
3. Work with UNICEF focal point on the progress of all planned activities under the KSTA and liaise with relevant stakeholder involved with the overall delivery of the additional financing component;
4. Provide inputs for the preparation of other consultancies as specified in the work plan and work with the consultants/firms while maintaining a close collaboration with the DVK and City Government. Key activities of the KSTA include;

• Carry out a city-wide inclusive sanitation (CWIS) assessment, leading to the generation of a faecal flow diagram for the city and prioritization of the faecal exposure risks to be addressed.

• Assessment of water quality lab for DVK and development of a costed improvement plan

• Development of internal policy and protocols on water safety for DVK that are in line with the national water safety strategy

• Carry out a water safety risk assessment in Dushanbe

• Development of a water safety plan for the city of Dushanbe.

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

• Education: University degree in civil engineering, sanitary and environmental engineering, urban development and planning, water resource management, environmental studies, public health, business management and development or another relevant technical field;
• Work experience: At least 6 years proven experience in similar work especially engagement in the WASH sector is required. Experience in Urban WASH projects is preferred. Additionally, extensive experience in coordinating with the government is highly regarded. Past work experience with UN and ADB financed projects is advantageous;
• Skills: Strong coordination skills, analytical and conceptual thinking. Ability to work with the government and ability to effectively coordinate and show progress. Excellent writing, communication, and presentation skills with stakeholders. Ability to work under pressure and commitment to work to tight timeframe.
• Languages: Excellent working knowledge and communication in the Tajik and Russian languages required. Working knowledge of English is an asset.

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Cover letter/application/CV.
2. A technical proposal with the proposed methodology/approach to managing the project, showing understanding of tasks.
3. Examples of previous, relevant work related to the deliverables undertaken in the last two years (at least 2 relevant examples).
4. Financial quote (separate from technical proposal in TJS) for the consultancy in per deliverable, also stating the timeframe for completion of deliverable and/or daily rate.
5. Applications without a financial proposal will not be considered.

Applications must be received in the system by 25 June 2023 on our website.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.