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Background & Justificati0n

Zimbabwe is currently experiencing a new cholera outbreak in Harare and other Districts. The outbreak was notified on 6 September 2018. As of September 19^th, 5,162 cases with 38 deaths deaths have been reported in Harare and an additional 11 districts. An estimated 20 per cent of the suspected and confirmed cases are children under five years of age. Most of the cases are being reported from the high-density suburbs of Glen View and Budiriro in Harare.

This situation has further increased the need for timely and improved information analysis, to ensure interventions are based on need, and gaps in the field are identified and addressed.  In addition, it is important to identify strategic interventions, and ensure that relevant timely information is communicated back to WASH partners, in a useful format to support action.

UNICEF is responsible to support the Humanitarian related coordination for the WASH sector in Zimbabwe, within the framework of the WASH Sector Coordination and Information Forum (WSCIF) and its Emergency Strategic Advisory Group (E-SAG), led by the Ministry of Environment Water and Climate / National Coordination Unit (MEWC/NCU).  Since its establishment in 2014, the ESAG has coordinated the preparedness and response for all humanitarian related interventions among WASH partners in Zimbabwe and it is within this coordination structure, and the framework of the Humanitarian Country Team, that the WASH sector has developed its sectoral strategy for the response to the ongoing cholera response. As such, UNICEF is responsible for supporting effective humanitarian coordination which includes information management. The proposed consultant will support WASH and where needed other office IM needs.

Objective (s)

The Information Management consultant will be a key member of the national WASH coordination team and play a vital role to support the office also in collecting, analysing, and sharing information that is important for UNICEF key sectors namely (Health, Education, Nutrition and Child Protection) stakeholders to make informed (evidence based) strategic decisions on :

Methodology & Expected Output

General :

• Report to the UNICEF Zimbabwe Chief of WASH and respond to the WASH partner’s needs for information ;
• Provide IM services for key decision making.  These services will include data collection, collation, mapping, analysis, and dissemination relevant to the needs of the cluster.  This may require building additional and appropriate capacity through the training of additional staff and managing, organising, and conducting these activities ;
• Contribute to periodical coordination and planning meetings, highlighting any significant gaps in humanitarian assistance ;
• In liaison with the Emergency Specialist, provide IM services to other UNICEF sectors (Health, Nutrition, Child Protection and Education) for key decision making.  These services will include data collection, collation, analysis, dissemination processes relevant to the needs of the sectors including maintaining 4Ws and map production.

Data Gathering, Tools and Process :

• Proactively gathering of information from other sectors which may be of use to the WASH sector for informing decisions, including movement of population, potential camp locations, outbreaks, water structures ;
• Identify barriers for information collection, collation, analysis and sharing to develop appropriate supportive strategies which includes convincing agencies of the purpose and importance of collecting and sharing data/information by providing a timely, added value service to all stakeholders ;
• Support the production / format of CO SitRep with inclusion maps/infographics and prioritized performance indicators.

Needs Assessment

• Organize and manage the data collection and input and initial analysis and presentation of data for the WASH sector ;
• Support and strengthen distance/field assessment mechanisms.

Monitoring :

• Maintain information on all current and potential partners, their capacities and areas of work ;
• Ensure the 4W matrix meets the needs of WASH partners ;
• Regular consultation with key partners, to ensure their regular input into the 4W matrix ;
• Maintain database of ‘Who does What Where When (4W)’and derivative products, such as maps ;
• Inventory of relevant common data sets, including population data disaggregated by age and sex ;
• Data on humanitarian requirements and contributions (financial, material, human – as appropriate) ;
• Gather and collate data on humanitarian response assistance, including feedback and/or issues raised by the affected population.Dissemination and Access to Information for WASH Stakeholders :
• Maintenance of information management system, including relevant documents on the humanitarian situation, i.e. mission reports, assessments, evaluations, etc. ;
• Share information in an appropriate way (i.e. not all stakeholders have access to the same type of information systems) using internet, e-mail groups, hard copies, verbal feedback at WASH coordination meetings and dissemination to affected communities as part of accountability to affected populations; consider translation into local languages as appropriate.Mapping :
• Produce maps of WASH 5W per location, water and sanitation infrastructure ;
• Map out WASH resources, needs and gaps as requested ;
• Map out other sector needs and gaps as requested.

Major Tasks, Deliverables & Timeframe

 Timeframe

The consultancy will begin in October 2018 and will run for 6 months

 Consultancy Requirements :

• Advanced University Degree in a relevant field or discipline such as Information Management, Information Systems or other related field ;
• Minimum of 5 years experience in the WASH sector  with strong knowledge of Information Management needs ;
• Willingness and ability to work in difficult environments, in often stressful time-critical situations ;
• Cultural and gender awareness and sensitivity ;

• Strong knowledge of Google Earth Excel and preferably MS Access or other databases ;
• Ability to present information in understandable tables, charts and graphs ;
• Knowledge of multi-variable mapping techniques ;
• Experience in web design and programming ;

• Data storage and file management expertise ;
• Assessment, survey, and monitoring and evaluation expertise ;
• Communications and technical writing using both graphic and narrative presentations ;
• Knowledge of ArcGIS or other mapping software an advantage ;
• Demonstrated team-building and communication skills ;
• Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills ;
• Excellent written and oral presentation skills.

Application Procedure

If interested and available, please submit your application letter, CV, Technical proposal and an all-inclusive financial proposal clearly indicating the  monthly professional fees and travel related costs (consultant may be required to travel outside Harare if needed – to a maximum of 5 days/month) and any other miscellaneous costs.

UNICEF promotes the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all children, including those with a disability. To ensure the safety of children, UNICEF has a zero tolerance policy towards Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and violations of child safeguarding principles. During the period of their service for UNICEF, staff, consultants and contractors shall refrain from any conduct that violates these policies and shall not engage in any conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations or UNICEF. This includes strict adherence to policies and instructions on the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and on Conduct Promoting the Protection and Safeguarding of Children, among other policies.

As part of this recruitment, UNICEF reserves the right to and will conduct background checks regarding impropriety in regard to sexual exploitation and abuse, child safeguarding violations, or other misconduct by potential candidates, consultants or contractors.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

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