Two National WASH Consultants to provide technical assistance on the implementation and quality assurance of EU Funded Water, Sanitation and Healthcare Waste Management assistance, 242 w/ds

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.

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 favorable 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.

To contribute to the progressive realization of the Rights of the Child and Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), UNICEF Tajikistan introduced a WASH in Institutions component as part of the Country Program of cooperation with the Government of Tajikistan. The introduction of this element is in response to the request from the government to support the design and implementation of the national WASH programme and a assurance that improvement of WASH infrastructure in social institutions, coupled with hygiene promotion interventions, will contribute to reducing infant deaths, preventing communicable diseases among children.

There is significant gap of access to WASH in HCFs. Referring to the WHO-UNICEF JMP data available for 2020, only 24.1% of the HCFs have basic access to drinking water supply. The data is missing on access to sanitation, hygiene, waste management and cleaning environment. According to UNCEF Tajikistan, as of 2020, out of 73 maternities / maternity departments within Central District Hospitals (CDHs – secondary level HCFs), 47 facilities (65%) do not meet the required WASH standards. Most challenging situation with access to WASH is in 3,500 rural medical centers (primary health care level). Up to 80% of these facilities have limited or no access to WASH services. Consumables that are key to effective IPC such as soap, hand sanitizers and chlorine are not always available.

There has been a substantial reduction in the under-five mortality rate (U5MR), (from 107 in 1990 to 33 per 1,000 live births in 2017, and infant mortality rate (IMR) from 84 in 1990 to 27 per 1,000 live births in 20171), but children under five years of age continue to die from preventable causes. Ministry of Health and Social Protection (MoHSP) statistics state that in 2016 around 77% of deaths of children under five years of age occurred among children younger than twelve months, and 87% of neonatal death occurred during the first week of life. Many of these deaths are attributable to causes related to poor Quality of Care (QoC) and Health Care Associated Infections (HCAI) that remain largely under-reported, resulting from an unsafe environment including inadequate WASH at HCFs.

Tajikistan still facing challenges on increasing expenditures on health that has impacted negatively on the quality of health care nationwide. Problems facing the health care system include obsolete infrastructure and equipment, poor accountability at the HCF level on the application of approved standards and protocols, and inadequate capacity of health care workers to provide quality care. The issues are similar for allocation of budget for WASH in schools which creates a big challenge of operations and maintenance of WASH facilities in institutions.

In the framework of EU-funded Health Development Programme, 2020 – 2025, UNICEF has committed to respond to critical WASH and HWM needs in the context of COVID-19 on equipping 1,500 primary health care (PHC) facilities at sub-district level with basic WASH and HWM needs and provision of sustainable WASH services in 50 HCFs at secondary / district level, e.g., district level hospitals (maternity, paediatrics and surgery departments), infectious disease hospitals, laboratories across the country.

In line with the UNICEF global supplies requirements / guidelines, the UNICEF WASH construction work requires the expertise of an Engineer to manage all technical matters associated with the projects which includes designs, specifications, bill of quantities, tendering, monitoring of construction works, certification of payment to contractors etc.

Presently, the WASH section requires this technical capacity during the assessment and implementation stages, thus in a need to hire an Engineer with strong expertise on WASH in Health Care Facilities and construction to provide expert advice and oversee the management of construction works in compliance with national and international standards

How can you make a difference?

Under the overall oversight and under the direct supervision of the Chief WASH, the consultant (WASH in HCF) will work closely with contracted companies and government entities on the planning and implementation of the WASH in HCF component of the project in HCF. The consultant will provide on-going technical guidance and support to government engineering entities / private consulting firms to carry out assessments, designing of WASH facilities at HCF, bill of quantities, etc. for the construction work and assure quality of all processes pertaining to the WASH in HCF construction and equipment supply standards. The consultant will also play a key role in facilitating the verification of works carried out and processing of contractor’s payments in close coordination with UNICEF WASH Team.

DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT:

Please see overall project scope as annexed to understand linkages to the assignment.

This assignment has two main components:

The core responsibilities of the consultant are to provide technical support to UNICEF and MoHSP in terms of quality assurance of the implementation phase specifically on the WASH and HWM in Primary and Secondary Health Care component of the project.

The consultant will start with supporting the UNICEF WASH team during the bidding process of the construction works and determine technical capacities on WASH. Furthermore, it will include working closely with the contracted firms to ensure timely construction of the planned WASH facilities in the targeted HCFs and provision of equipment as per the agreed standards. The consultant will also support the certification process of the completed work in compliance with the agreed scope of work and standards and in close coordination with relevant stakeholders.

DUTY STATION/DURATION:

Duration: 242 w/ds - 11 months (March 2023 – February 2024)

Duty station: Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Supervisor: Chief WASH, UNICEF Tajikistan

The main tasks to be performed by the consultant are:

• Provide support to the WASH section with review of the already developed designs and BoQs of the WASH facilities in targeted HCFs and working with the design engineering firm to update the documents before tendering.

• Supervise the quality of infrastructural works in secondary HCFs carried out by the contracted engineering firms in line with agreed standards. Additionally, also ensure timely delivery and installation of the WASH and HWM equipment at secondary health care facilities

• Work closely with selected vendors to ensure installation of Handwashing stations with full functionality and other HWM equipment as per the standards in the targeted PHCs

• Closely coordinate with the design and author supervision firm to ensure monitoring is timely done and reports are shared with UNICEF.

• Provide technical input to the preparation of ToR/tender for Request for Proposals (RFP) and facilitating timely launch of the RFP; pre-biding technical briefing, site visits and technical assistance to the Procurement department in responding to any complaints/clarifications required from bidders in line with related guidance, laws and regulations.

• Provide technical support on WASH in HCF for the evaluation of tenders, compilation of final bid evaluation result and throughout the bidding and contractor selection process while ensuring conformity with UNICEF supply rules.

• In coordination with UNICEF Chief WASH, organize regular meetings with the contracted engineering firms and technical focal points from the relevant government ministries and department to ensure agreed quality of work and timely completion of activities.

• Establish a periodic reporting schedule for supervising engineers (of the contracted firms), review progress report documents, certify contractors bill presented by the entity responsible for technical supervision and photo documentation of implementation of works in close coordination with UNICEF and MoHSP.

• Reviewing any changes in the scope of work that may arise during implementation, assuring proper documentation, approval and reporting.

• Work closely with UNICEF team and advise on payment requests submitted by contractors that have been duly certified by the supervising engineer in order to be submitted for processing of payment;

• Follow up with supervising engineers on the process of project implementation from: initial site hand over, to substantial completion and temporary acceptance of the work, through Defects Liability Period, to completion and final acceptance of the works;

• Provide on-demand support to the contractors and project team throughout the duration of this assignment as required on the specific aspects related to the WASH in HCF such as water source, supply system and network in HCFs, suitable equipment, designs of toilets and bathing facilities in line with IPC rules, engineering challenges and hygiene aspects pertaining to IPC etc.

• Contribute to writing periodic and ad-hoc donor reporting.

• Any other tasks as necessary.

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

• Education: A university degree in one of the following fields is required, civil engineering, sanitary and environmental engineering, sanitation engineering or another relevant technical field.
• Work Experience: a minimum of eight years of professional work experience of in Water, Sanitation and Health Care Waste Management Infrastructure in Health Care Facilities within the Government or providing similar consultancy services to international organization focusing on WASH in HCFs. Previous work experience with UNICEF is preferred.
• 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 proficiency in Tajik and Russian (written and oral) while knowledge of English is an advantage.

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 as well as travel and subsistence costs, as applicable.
5. Applications without a financial proposal will not be considered.

Applications must be received in the system by 9 March 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.