Consultant to Conduct an Assessment of WASH Facilities in 10 Selected Schools and Preparation of Bill of Quantities for Rehabilitation at Save The Children

1. Background and Statement of the Problem

In Nigeria, there exists a high prevalence of water and sanitation related diseases, causing many people, children in particular, to fall ill or even die. Improved hygiene practices are essential if transmission routes of water and sanitation related diseases are to be cut. Whereas appropriate hygiene education can bring about the intention to change hygiene behavior. For most hygiene behaviors appropriate water and sanitation facilities are needed to allow people to transform intention to change into real change

Generally, many schools in Nigeria are without access to potable water, adequate sanitation, safe recreational facilities and school meal services. Introduction of sound sanitary habits and safe practices to the children early in life makes them imbibe the culture of cleanliness and safety. Children are future parents and what they learn is likely to be applied in the rest of their lives. This ensures the sustainability of sound sanitation practices. School Sanitation therefore provides the practical example of healthy living. (Policy guidelines on sanitation 2005)

After the family, schools are the most important places of learning for children; they have a central place in the community. Schools are a stimulating learning environment for children and stimulate or initiate change. If water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in schools are available, they can act as a model, and teachers can function as role models. Schools can also influence communities through outreach activities, since through their students, schools are in touch with a large proportion of the households in any given community.

WASH in Nigeria schools is generally poor as most schools lack potable water and adequate waste disposal facilities. Most schools are poorly lit, overcrowded without proper ventilation and are sited in areas that are noisy and hazardous due to road and human traffic. School buildings especially the public ones are often dilapidated, mouldy, and are usually in unkempt environment overgrown with weeds.The lack of separate and decent water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in schools discourages children, particularly girls, from attending school full time and forces some to drop out altogether.

In view of the above therefore, Save the Children International (SCI), Nigeria, is partnering with Reckitt Benckiser to undertake a Stop the Diarrhea programme in Shomolu LGA over the next four years. As part of implementing the WASH aspect of the programme, SCI Nigeria intends to engage a consultant to carry out a compressive assessment of WASH facilities especially the Sanitation facilities in Ten (10) selected Schools in Somolu LGA and Bariga LCDA

1. Project Information

Stop Diarrhea Initiatives (SDI) Project is funded by Reckitt Benckiser (RB) and is being implemented by Save the Children Nigeria in conjunction with Government of Nigeria to tackle diarrhea as a public health challenge and reduce the number of children who die from childhood preventable diseases. The project is being implemented in the entire communities, selected Schools and PHCs in Shomolu LGA and Bariga LCDA.

Save the Children in partnership with the Lagos State Government aim to fully implement the WHO/UNICEF 7 point plan as a Signature Programme in Shomolu LGA, the components of the plan are;

1. Rotavirus and Measles Vaccination

2. Promotion of early and exclusive breastfeeding and Vitamin A supplementation

3. Promotion of hand washing with soap

4. Improved water supply quantity and quality, including the treatment and safe storage of household water

5. Community wide sanitation promotion

6. Fluid replacement to prevent dehydration- Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS)

7. Zinc treatment

8. Objective

The objective of this consultancy is aimed at achieving the following;

• A child-friendly toilet devoid of all obstacles and appropriate to local cultural, social and environmental conditions at all time.

• Re-design the existing toilet to accommodate child friendly features and construction

• There is a cleaning and maintenance routine in operation that ensures water point security good hygiene

• Maintenance personnel availability- Cleaners and technicians

• Systems for the improvement and preservation of water

• Wastewater drainage systems to manage and dispose of human faeces

• Solid waste management, disposal and recycling systems and hand washing facilities

4. Scope of the Consultancy Services

The scope of the consultancy service is to accomplish the following activities and evaluation;

• A design of child friendly toilet that will accommodate all child friendly features to attract children using the toilet.

• Appropriateness of the design in line with Lagos state child friendly initiative

• Maintenance arrangements, including availability of spare parts

• Safe water handling and storage

• Categorize the toilets into various categories- Compartmentalisation

• Prepare Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation (BEME)

• Prepare Bill of Quantities (BOQ) for the rehabilitations/repairs of each fault or new amendments

• Ensure prompt compilation and submission to SCI of the assessment report or any other relevant report requested by SCI WASH Team.

5. Quality Assurance Plan

The consultant will ensure quality assurance in this work in both the actual assessment and technical report. This is to ensure basic understanding for a non-technical person.

6. Outputs and Deliverables

Consultants shall submit before the final copy, a first draft of the assessment report to SCI WASH unit that includes but not limited to the following;

• A well-structured technical dimensions, unit of measurements, and quantity/ load of work

• Corresponding bill of quantity (BOQ) for each identified repair and amendments

• Technical specification, make and efficiency of each item or materials to be replaced or applied for better performance

• Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation (BEME)

• Quantity and quality of water at each toilet

• Pictorial documentation of the status of each facility selected for repair or construction work

• School toilet history and management structure both super structure and sub- structure

• Duration of consultancy

This activity is expected to be completed within 15 working days all inclusive of report writing

1. Minimum educational and technical competencies of the consultant

A reputable Mechanical/Civil / Water Engineering consultant/firm with:

• Proven track record and a minimum of 20 years’ experience in water Engineering, Civil or building Engineering industry.
• Experience in water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) is mandatory
• Evidence of having supervised projects of equal or higher value within the last 2-3 years.
• The Consultant must have valid and documented tax clearance and insurance policy
• Evidence of previous experience working with SCI and other development and or donor organisations in a similar work area is an advantage.
• Knowledge of Child Safeguarding policy is a must