UNICEF is looking for Individual Consultancy (WASH Emergency Cholera Response)

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1. Background & Justification

In 2018, Zimbabwe experienced a resurgence of cholera in 3 Districts, namely Harare, Chitungwiza and Chegutu. The first outbreak of cholera was confirmed on the 19^th of January 2018 in Chegutu, however the outbreak continued unabated until May 2018.

On 6 September 2018, the Minister of Health and Child Care declared another cholera outbreak. A total of 49 lives have been lost since the declaration on 6^thSeptember 2018.

A total of six provinces/cities are currently reporting cases, these include: Harare, Chitungwiza, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Midlands, Masvingo and Manicaland and total of 8068 cases of which 7,929 were suspected and 139 confirmed have been reported as at 1^st October 2018 with a CFR of 0.61% (WHO-MOHCC Sitrep No 27, 2 October 2018)

The majority of cases are in Harare (99%), with the suburbs of Glenview and Budiriro been the epicentre and having the highest number of suspected cases at 3,771 and 2,171 respectively.  Indications are that poor WASH facilities is an underlying factor of the cholera outbreak.

UNICEF  is contributing to the WASH response within the ESAG and has engaged five partners to support cholera preparedness and response programmes namely (i) Oxfam (Budiriro and Glenview), (ii) Welthungerhilfe (Chitungwiza, Epworth and Gokwe North), (iii)Goal (Mbare, Hatcliffe and Mabvuku/Tafara), (iv)  Mercy Corps (Manicaland Province) and (v) Christian Care (Masvingo province).Additionally, there are WASH Provincial Focal Agencies (PFAs) in the other at risk provinces (Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West, Mashonaland East, Matebeleland South and North) that are supporting surveillance and reporting activities.

UNICERF’s response within the national WASH cholera response plan aims to contribute to control of infections as well as prevention of the disease to new areas in order to save lives. As we are approaching the beginning of the rainy season (November), there is a possibility that the outbreak will have another peak at that period particularly critical because the country is endemic to cholera.

2.   Methodology & Expected Output

 The Emergency WASH Consultant will be based at UNICEF, Harare. He/she will offer support to the WASH Sector in monitoring and coordinating the emergency response interventions in the cholera affected towns and suburbs that UNICEF is responding to. Reporting to the Chief of WASH, the post will have the following expected outputs: –

• The position will be responsible for providing technical support to stakeholders in the sector to effectively plan, implement and monitor emergency WASH interventions.
• Responsible for UNICEF emergency response in Water and ensure affected populations have access to safe drinking water in sufficient quantities.
• Responsible for coordination of sectoral activities including liaison with national and local Government stakeholders and implementing partners.
• Support the overall WASH Sector Information and Coordination Forum (WSICF) and the Emergency Strategy Advisory Group (ESAG) in the execution of UNICEF Zimbabwe’s responsibilities for coordination and oversight of the WASH response.
• Ensure effective links with other Cluster/sector groups.
• Prepare relevant WASH emergency situation reports, donor reports, briefing documents etc. as and when necessary.
• Provide support to the Implementing Partners (IPs) to conduct emergency response interventions & monitor activities on the ground.
• Provide technical assistance to the Implementing Partners, Local Government Councils, Provincial and District Water and Sanitation Services Committees (PWSSCs and DWSSCs), the National Coordination Unit (NCU) and other relevant Government stakeholders for timely quality WASH assessments in towns and districts affected by emergencies.  Analyse findings and recommended actions on priorities, technical options, including operations and maintenance with involvement of communities.
• Work closely with other UNICEF Sections to ensure an integrated response and promotion of key water, sanitation and hygiene-related messages are conveyed to the affected population.
• Provide technical inputs and guidance to implementing partner and other stakeholders for the sustainable rehabilitation of piped water scheme, drilling and equipping of new boreholes
• Facilitate donor visits to the affected areas of intervention as and when required

3.        Major Tasks, Deliverables & Timeframe

                                                                                                                                                                                

Due Date (Month)

Ser No.

Major Task

Deliverable

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

% of professional consultancy fees

1

·        Conduct field visits, including donor visits, to affected location as directed by the supervisor and in coordination with the ESAG, implementing partners, local government councils and other government counterparts ·        Make recommendations and ensure dissemination of findings with the appropriate authorities for ·        Follow up on necessary action for improved implementation of the cholera response

9 consolidated Field Trip Report (1 report proposed per month but will depend on field realities) including issues, progress, recommendations and follow up actions

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

9 % of professional fees   18 Man days

Outcome: Implementation issues identified, documented and recommendations actioned

2

·        Obtain WASH response data from CoH, IPs, MoHCC ·        Collate and analyze data to identify trends in implementation and bottlenecks to implementation response ·        Undertake WASH assessments in collaboration with government and IPS in areas affected by emergencies ·        Collate lessons learnt and make inputs for donor reporting ·        Identity opportunities and ensure collaboration with other sectors (including but not limited to Health, Nutrition, Education)  for implementation of an integrated approach to WASH emergency response

9 Sitan Report for UNICEF (1 proposed per month but will depend on field realities) based on fortnightly data including achievement towards project outputs. The format of the report to be approved by the supervisor and to include any multi sectoral interventions undertaken

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

18 % of professional fees   36 Man days

Draft Inputs for donor reports (x3)

X

X

X

14 % of professional fees   28 man days

Outcome: Contribute to Improved accountability of response actions by all stakeholders including integration with other sectors and strengthened donor understanding of response

3

·        In collaboration with line ministries, coordinate and provide technical support to the WASH sector emergency response, including WSCIF, ESAG and other national level WASH sector Technical Working Groups and forum as and when required ·        Presenting UNICEF’s position and activities and dissemination/follow up of progress updates with stakeholders

9 Updates/presentations to ESAG monthly meeting 9 ESAG monthly minutes

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

9 % of professional fees   18Man days

Outcome: Strengthened Sector wide coordinated response to the cholera emergency

4

Provide overall technical guidance to Implementing partners, local councils and NCU to carry out programme delivery, formulate, implement and monitor planned WASH activities while ensuring alignment with the country strategies and Quality of rights-based approach. The candidate will specifically be required to;   ·        Monitor implementation of hardware activities that include but not limited to boreholes repairs, borehole drilling and rehabilitation of solar powered piped water schemes ·        Monitor the dissemination of key hygiene messages and pre and post distribution of hygiene kits and items

4 Post distribution monitoring matrix for hygiene items completed and consolidated for all IPs including analysis on uptake and recommendations made for more effective utilization if required

X

X

X

X

20 % of professional fees   40man days

3 completed monitoring matrix for hardware activities (format and submission times to be developed by consultant and approved by UNICEF)

X

X

X

12 % of professional fees   24 man days

Outcome: Evidence on utilization of hygiene items by beneficiaries available to inform programming

5

Promote effective Knowledge management and appropriate visibility (in collaboration with communication) through identification and sharing good practice, lessons learned, including providing draft Human Interest Story for reporting and advocacy purposes

Draft of Three human Interest Stories

X

X

X

9 % of professional fees   18 man days

6

·        Provide technical support to the WASH section in emergency preparedness and response plans, based on WASH emergency programmatic requirements

9 Supply tracking matrix (1 proposed per month but timing will depend on implementation)

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

9 % of professional fees   18 man days

·        Liaise with IPs on supplies received and distributed and emerging needs

Outcome: WASH has supplies data and information in a format useful to guide emergency planning and response

 

4. Consultancy Requirements

5.   Education

• • An advanced University degree in any of the following disciplines; Civil/ Environmental/ Water/ Mechanical Engineering, Public Health or other technical sciences related to the WASH field.

6. Work Experience

• • At least 5 years of field experience in management and technical assistance to WASH programmes in developing countries, including emergencies.
  • Knowledge & experience of WASH emergency activities & management of WASH Emergency response programmes
  • Solid technical background in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Infrastructure including coordination, monitoring and managerial skills
  • Demonstrable understanding and experience of gender equity issues and their relevance to humanitarian response work;
  • Strong report writing skills
  • In depth understanding of the WASH sector in Zimbabwe, particularly at provincial and district level
  • Strong demonstrated experience and knowledge in data analysis and monitoring
  • Possess strong interpersonal skills, organizational networking, the ability to communicate efficiently and effectively with a range of government and civil society partners
  • Possess initiative and a drive to achieve results and ability to work with minimal supervision
  • Demonstrated communication skills in English (both written and verbal) and Ndebele will be an added advantage
  • Ability to work effectively in multicultural environment
  • Previous experience in a UN agency will be an advantage
  • Technical expertise, knowledge and experience with solar power technology applied in water supply systems will be an added advantage

7. Other Consultancy Costs and Payment Modalities

 Payment will be done on a monthly basis, against the delivery of the monthly report and associated annexes.

In case consultant is absent, the monthly fee will be prorated based on the number of days worked in the month

Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) for field missions outside Harare will be paid according to UN rates and guidelines.

 

Application Procedure

If interested and available, please submit your application letter, CV, Technical proposal and an all-inclusive financial proposal clearly indicating the daily and monthly professional fees and travel related costs and any other miscellaneous costs.

Only shortlisted consultants will be contacted. UNICEF does not charge a fee during the recruitment process.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, and on any kind of harassment including sexual harassment and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.