WASH Consultant for the Assessment of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Conditions in Primary Schools in Belize (For Belize 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, hope.

Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) is linked to goals 2, 3, and 6 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which focus on clean, safe water, and sanitation for all with access to good health, nutrition, and hygiene. Belize’s Growth and Sustainable Development Strategy is aligned with the SDG’s and critical success factor 3 ensures healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all ages.

Quality of and access to education and skills-development opportunities are limited – especially for the most marginalized children and young people, including girls, children with disabilities, and children impacted by emergencies. Additionally, accessing learning for the most vulnerable, both urban and rural poor especially girls who constitute 51% of out of school population at the secondary level remains a challenge. The situation of WASH and Menstrual Hygiene Management is particularly difficult for girls in primary and secondary school who are menstruating. In 2018, UNICEF conducted the first Menstrual Health Management (MHM) study in Belize. The report shows that gender inequality and discriminatory social norms, cultural taboos, poverty and lack of basic services often cause girls’ and women’s menstrual hygiene needs to go unmet, especially for those living in rural communities. In collaboration with WASH, the MHM study revealed a pressing need for improved latrine design and the increased availability of supplies like pads and tampons, and trash cans in the stalls, so girls can practice good menstrual hygiene and to ensure privacy. The report also underscored the lack of adequate water supply and need for more bathroom facilities, as well as hygiene awareness and sensitivity training in schools to avoid the embarrassment, even bullying, some menstruating girls face.

Access to safe drinking water is challenging in many parts of Belize, particularly rural areas and the Southside of Belize City. The last WASH in Schools Assessment and Evaluation took place in 2011 and stated that over 20% of schools report an unreliable water supply and 25% must use untreated water for their students and staff. In terms of sanitation, only 30% of Belize’s schools meet the internationally accepted standard of one toilet per 25 girls; only 33% meet the standard for boys of 50 boys per toilet. Only 13% of our schools provide bathroom access to children with physical disabilities. Basic cleaning materials, like toilet paper and soap, are not always available. 40% of the schools surveyed do not provide toilet paper and almost 30% do not have any soap for the children to use while washing hands.

There is a data gap on WASH in schools. Unless there is a shift, SDG 6 will not be achieved in Belize. This is also a major concern in the context of the pandemic where WASH is essential for safe educational environments.

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology (MoECST) under the advice of Ministry of Health & Wellness (MOHW) decreed in April 2020 the partial suspension of lessons according to specific risk criteria that affect educational centers. This affected more than 101,224 students from public schools. The closure affected 598 schools.

MoECST had to develop and implement a series of strategies to maintain the right to education and safer conditions for the student population. Schools were provided with a comprehensive document that highlighted these strategies for the safe reopening of school. This was accompanied by a Green Light Check List as a user-friendly document for administrators to use to prepare for inspection. This process exposed the lack of basic WASH materials and infrastructure in schools. Many administrators had to procure materials and upgrade facilities to receive the Green Light. In most instances, MoECST, private sectors and other organizations had to assist the schools in this process.

However, there is still a need to properly install and upgrade infrastructure of several educational centers, especially in access to WASH for the children of Belize. In this context, UNICEF, in coordination with the MoECST and the WASH Multisectoral Body, has included a specific area of work for emergency response in its Rolling Work Plan with the Government of Belize for 2022-2023. The WASH Multi-Sectoral Body (MSB) was developed from a Technical Working Group (TWG), which was convened in 2016 to address interventions in the schools and communities in Rural Belize. The TWG was formed after the MOHW requested assistance from UNICEF in the development of a WASH proposal to complement the water systems in Belize Rural. The purpose of the WASH Multi-Sectoral Body is for the enhancement of partnerships to promote the advancement, leveraging of resources, knowledge, and expertise in WASH.

The objective of this consultancy is to provide an updated and accurate picture of the situation of WASH conditions in the 310 primary schools throughout Belize. This project will be led by MoECST with support from UNICEF and technical assistance of the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI). Additionally, it is expected to coordinate actions with the relevant authorities and entities namely with the MOHW, National Emergency Management Organization, the Belize Red Cross and other organizations that sit on the WASH Multisectoral Body.

Having received the data from the MoECST (WASH Project Evaluation Southern Belize, 2011 & National Assessment of WASH in Belizean Schools) endorsed by the circuit supervisions of the 6 Center Managers, some data are available on the number of educational centers that have some deficiency in this service. In late 2021 and early 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with Baylor University supported MoESCT in a study that focused on water analysis in schools; a Knowledge, Attitude, Practices study was also completed. Results from this CDC study will complement the UNICEF WASH Assessment in all primary schools. MOHW is a key collaborator since they were lead in data collection and lab analysis. Data from preliminary assessments/studies completed in 2021, 2022 will be available to complement this assessment.

How can you make a difference?

General objective:

Undertake a baseline study on the existence, functionality, and management system of the WASH facilities in all primary schools in Belize.

Specific Objectives:

• Develop a methodology for self-assessment of the existence, functionality and operation and maintenance/management system of water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities of all primary schools in Belize
• Develop data gathering tools (questionnaires) addressing the target group (school management).
• Build capacity on data gathering tools and process in school principals or staff responsible to provide information
• Supervise the data gathering phase, to include spot checks and physical interviews at 18 most vulnerable rural/urban schools (2 schools from Corozal, Orange Walk and Stann Creek districts and 4 schools from Belize, Cayo and Toledo districts) and provide desk support for school management if needed.
• Analyze the data gathered and draw general conclusions & recommendations.
• Provide report documenting the overall process.

Key Expected Results:

No.****Expected Product****Activities****Contents and Requirements****Indicator and Achievement1.Work plan and methodologyDelivery of document with the plan and data gathering methodology for the baselineWork plan that indicates milestones for data gather instrument methodology, desk support, data reception, analysis and reporting.

Working methodology

Document delivered and approved (comprehensive of working plan and working methodology)2.Data gathering instruments Development and approvedDevelopment of questionnaires, sending to Technical Assistance for feedback, adjust them Questionnaires approved3.Capacity BuildingDelivery of Training for School Principals or delegated staff on the use of questionnaires. 4.Data received and database cleanedData is received, database supervised in order to clean it from errors. Check and verify information. Database completed and cleaned5.Data analyzed and conclusions drawnBased on the data received, the information is analyzed and showed in a communicative manner Analysis made, conclusions drafted.6.Report on the process, conclusions and recommendationsDelivery of a report with the data analyzed and conclusions & recommendationsIt must adhere to conditions set forth in the terms of reference.All educational centers by area with technical recommendation

Management and quality assurance section.

The assessment being conducted will have the oversight of the WASH Multisectoral Body which includes members from MoESCT, MOHW, Belize Red Cross, NEMO and other stakeholders in WASH, Chief Education Officer and 6 Center Managers, ECD/ Education Officer UNICEF, Education Consultant, UNICEF and Technical assistance from Regional WASH Consultant Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI)

Primary responsibilities include:

• Advise and take decisions on the scope, timing and resources for Assessment and Evaluation
• Support with the lists of contacts, data and information to be shared with the Consultant
• Contributing to quality assurance through comments and feedback on draft deliverables. Engagement in the drafting of Report
• Engagement in the assessment and evaluation processes and sharing relevant documents and updates with their organizations;
• Identification of the participants for the key Informants interviews;
• Provide inputs contributing to quality assurance of deliverables through comments on draft deliverables;

Payment Schedule

Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed deliverables which receive satisfactory quality review. In general, individual contracts shall not allow for fee advances.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in public policy, public health, water and sanitation, environmental science or related field *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in:
  • Conceptualization and design of a methodology for data gathering and analysis -Design of data gathering tools (questionnaires / surveys)
  • Design of online surveys using smartphone-cloud platforms (KOBO, m-water, AKVO flow, google forms, etc)
  • Database management
  • Previous experience in the development of similar survey methodology is a must
  • Proven ability in coordination of research, dialogue and synthesis of complex information in strategic reports;
  • Previous experience with the WASH and education sector is an advantage.
  • Ability to work independently and respond to feedback in a timely and professional manner;
  • Experience working with UNICEF or other UN Agency would be an asset;
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Administrative Matters

The work will be performed on a hybrid modality (presential and remotely). The consultant will provide own materials, and ICT equipment.

Conditions of Service

Before commencing work, a consultant or individual contractor shall submit a statement of good health and take full responsibility for the accuracy of that statement, including confirmation that he or she has been informed of the inoculations required for the country or countries to which travel is authorized. Consultants and individual contractors shall assume all costs that may occur in relation to the statement of good health. Consultants and individual contractors are required to certify that they are covered by medical/health insurance.

Recourse

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant. Performance indicators against which the satisfactory conclusion of this contract will be assessed include: timeliness/quality of submission and responsiveness to UNICEF and counterpart feedback.

Title Rights

All materials created by the Contractor which bears a direct relation to, or is made in order to perform, this contract and any intellectual property rights thereof, including but not limited to patents, copyright and trademarks, shall be jointly owned by UNICEF and the Contractor. At the request of UNICEF, the Contractor shall assist in securing such property rights and transferring them to UNICEF in compliance with the requirements of the law governing such rights. Any third-party usage shall require written permission from both parties.

Trainings

Consultants and Individual contractors, even those working from home, must complete the following online courses prior to signature of contract. All certificates should be presented as part of the contract:

• Ethics and Integrity at UNICEF
• Prevention of Sexual Harassment & Abuse of Authority
• Sexual Exploitation Abuse (PSEA)

Consultants and Individual Contractors must complete the following course before commencement of any travel on behalf of UNICEF.

• BSAFE Security Training

Any consultant or individual contractor who is issued a UNICEF email address must complete the following courses no later than 30 days after signature of contract.

• UNICEF Information Security Awareness Course
• Fraud Awareness

How To Apply

Prospective consultants should apply through UNICEF jobs website No later than August 4th, 2022. The application package should include the following:

• A cover letter;
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae
• A proposal with a detailed all inclusive budget of estimated travel costs.
• Samples of Similar past projects/assignments

Evaluation Criteria

The evaluation of the technical and financial proposals will have a maximum of 100 points, 70 points corresponding to the technical proposal and 30 points to the financial proposal.

The Proposals will be evaluated according to the following criteria: experience of the consultant, logic of the methodology, experience of the assigned work team and price of the offer.

Technical proposals obtaining a minimum of 60 points will be considered for the evaluation of the financial proposal.

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 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.