International Wash Consultant at UNICEF

Job Number: 514886
Work Type: Consultancy

Purpose of Assignment

• Cholera is transmitted through food or water contaminated with toxigenic Vibrio cholera. A 2012 review of cholera's global burden estimated that 1.4 billion people are at risk for cholera, with 2.9 million cases and 95,000 related deaths in endemic regions annually (Ali & al, 2015). The burden of cholera is disproportionately borne by the young, with children under five having the highest incidence of cholera and contributing almost half of the mortality (Ali & al, 2015). UNICEF is committed to reduce under five mortality while the West Africa region has shown little progress up to now.
• Since 2009, the UNICEF regional office pays special attention to cholera issues in the region. Since 2013, the UNICEF regional office has entered in a partnership with ECHO as part of a regional program to contribute to the elimination of cholera in the region. In April 2017, UNICEF has signed a new contract agreement with ECHO for a total amount of around 1 million euros where most of the action is happening in cholera affected countries such a Nigeria representing 47% of cholera in the WCARO region and 98% of West Africa influencing negatively neighboring countries. This consultant will support activities implemented under ECHO in Nigeria in 2018.

Major Tasks to be Accomplished
Estimated time required completing tasks. Attach additional sheets, if necessary, to describe assignments:

The following objectives and activities will be expected (following the ECHO project framework):

• Cholera emergency response and preparedness:
  • Establish water quality monitoring and reporting mechanism using capacity available in the field.
  • Provide immediate support to FOs where there is a cholera outbreak including undertaking rapid needs assessment during outbreak.
  • Monitoring of cholera emergency activities and reporting using existing systems and mechanisms while suggesting and implementing improvements and as required.
• Cholera supply:
  • Evaluate supply needs and request accordingly in coordination with the supply section.
  • Collect and analyze information and advice on contingency cholera stocks and partners capacity to implement supply management plans.
• Monitoring:
  • Monitoring of epidemiological data and information sharing
  • Support NCDC to improve monitoring of cholera epidemiological data
  • In coordination with WASH staffs and partners, complete monitoring template of WASH project for cholera hotspots in Nigeria
• Advocacy:
  • Develop concept note to support UNICEF fund raising in Nigeria for cholera elimination and prevention (at national level and in cholera hotspots)
  • Collect and document success stories and impact studies on cholera in Nigeria and share with the WASH section for review and sharing and as required.
  • Develop advocacy material to donors and partners stressing the fact that an adequate response to cholera would need to factor in longer term needs that aim at eliminating the disease
• Strategy:
  • Liaise with NCDC, FMoH, FMoW to define the needs and priority in the fight against cholera
  • Review UNICEF strategy in the fight against cholera in Nigeria (short and long-term) and suggest improvements.

End Product/Deliverables:

• Water quality monitoring and reporting mechanism
• Monthly progress report with achievements as well as bottlenecks along with way forward
• Cholera supplies (items) managed and distributed
• Epidemiological data collected, analyzed and shared analysis to improve the response
• Monitoring template of WASH project for cholera hotspots response in Nigeria
• Concept note to support UNICEF fund raising in Nigeria for cholera elimination and prevention
• Success stories and impact studies on cholera in Nigeria

Requirements
Academic qualifications or specialized knowledge/experience and competencies required:

• Master's Degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Public Health or a related field;
• At least five years experience in the WASH sector in developing countries;
• At least two years experience on cholera (response, preparedness, prevention)
• Knowledge of WASH-Epidemiology integrated approach and/or the regional shield and sword strategy against cholera is desired.
• Experience in training facilitation, scientific studies, advocacy,  coordination, project management and implementation will be evaluated
• Understanding of institutional mandates and operations of UNICEF preferred;
• Prior experience of working in West Africa region is advantageous;
• Speaking and writing English is mandatory; any other UN language is an asset.