Consultants at the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

Job Number: 509904 | Vacancy Link
Work Type: Consultancy

Background

• The Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Reform Programme (WSSSRP) III and the Water Supply and Sanitation Components of the Niger Delta Support Programme (NDSP) are part of the overall efforts in the consolidation of the ongoing reforms in the WASH Sector.
• These projects are implemented under the Joint Management Agreement between the European Union and UNICEF, within the framework of FGN-led reforms in the Water Supply and Sanitation Sector.
• These projects cover 16 LGAs across 8 States, namely; Adamawa, Ekiti and Plateau (WSSSRP III), and, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo and Rivers (NDSP) States of Nigeria.
• WASH services are critical to communities and save lives in both routine and emergency situations. Natural hazards can compromise WASH infrastructures and service delivery and this interruption of WASH services can impact negatively on the number of affected people directly and even beyond the area of direct impact. Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) interventions are necessary to protect WASH investments and should therefore be integrated into a regular WASH development programming, rather than viewed as a separate or additional entity.
• The sustainability of WASH service delivery has been challenged severally by the devastating flood across the country with a very gruesome effect in 2012, where some of the facilities were completely submerged in the flood.
• Key lessons learnt include capacity building of community members to know how to bring back their WASH facilities to a functional level; building families and community resilience to be able to withstand the adverse effect of disaster.
• Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Resilience associated with Climate Change has been incorporated in each project design. Activities to build competence for disaster management, in DRR and Resilience, have been incorporated in the 2 projects (NDSP and WSSSRP III). This involves; ensuring that there are sound institutions and structures at all levels with requisite capacity to ensure preparedness for any disaster; and delivering WASH response services in a sustainable and acceptable manner.
• Within the implementation of these projects therefore, UNICEF seeks a technical support to reinforce capacities of RUWASSA and LGA WASH Departments on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Resilience to enable them prepare and sensitize communities on prevention and early recovery of damaged WASH facilities in the communities.
• The Consultant will also develop/adapt a WASH training package on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Resilience and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) to build capacity of WSSSRP III and NDSP supported RUWASSA, LGAs and communities for early recovery of water supply and sanitation facilities after disasters.

Expected Deliverables

• Detailed work plan for the implementation of the consultancy
• Disaster Risk reduction and Resilience training tools reviewed and customized;
• Reports of consultancy with the following results:
• 9 states (RUWASSA and LGA staff) sensitized and trained on DRR and Resilience
• Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Resilience action plan developed in each state with number of affected/vulnerable communities to be supported for DRR and Resilience.
• A Report of training participants, action plans, and action items from RUWASSA developed during the trainings;
• DRR experience documented and disseminated and National DRR Guidelines developed and validated as well as the training tools revised based on lessons learnt/ National work plan developed;

Qualifications or Specialized Knowledge/Experience Required

• Advanced University Degree or equivalent experience in Environmental Public Health, Civil Engineering, Programme Communication, Mechanical Engineering, Geology, Hydrogeology, or Sanitation Engineering, or other related field.
• Experience working with government agencies, local authorities, international organizations, NGOs and communities in the field of water, sanitation and participatory approaches in health and hygiene promotion.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience overseas including at least 2 years in the WASH sector under a humanitarian context, mainly in the DRR and Resilience;
• Good skills in training and supporting WASH partners and developing DRR Guidelines and plan
• Fluency in English (verbal and written). A good written and spoken skill in the language of the humanitarian operation and knowledge of another UN language is an asset.
• Capacity to provide short training/support to WASH partners

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Job Number: 509903
Work Type: Consultancy

Background

• The European Union in partnership with UNICEF within the framework of FGN reform programme in the WASH sector, recently launched the Niger Delta Support Programme targeting 5 states: Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo and Rivers. The total population of the five Niger Delta States benefiting from the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project is 21,896,399 (projected from the 2006 census figure of 18,125,689).
• The Niger Delta Region (NDR) of Nigeria is a unique region. As the world's third largest wetland, it is characterized by significant biological diversity as well as rich oil and gas reserves. The region is situated in the southern part of Nigeria and is bordered to the south by the Atlantic Ocean and to the East by Cameroon.
• The Niger Delta Region is mostly a flat, low-lying swampy basin, crisscrossed by a network of rivers and creeks and is prone to flooding. Because of its challenging environment, the regions population tends to cluster in small communities and villages. According to the Niger Delta Region Development Master Plan (NDRDMP) (published in 2005), there are a total of 13,329 settlements in the Niger Delta Region. 94% of these settlements are rural communities with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants.
• Typically, these rural communities consists of compounds, closely spaced groups of small buildings with a population of between 50 and 500 inhabitants most of whom are farmers, fisher-folks and traders. Most of these rural settlements lack essential amenities, such as health care facilities, market access, water supply, power supply, good transportation systems and access to improved sanitation. Approximately 70% of the population in the Niger Delta region lives below the poverty line.
• The communities of the region are challenged by environmental threats including overfishing, flooding, pollution and environmental degradation following oil exploration activities as well as man-made conflicts, largely stemming from the inequitable distribution of the wealth the region produces.
• Since the inception phase of WASH NDSP in the year 2013, the programme has faced a number of serious challenges such as:
  • High water table hindering household latrine uptake using affordable common latrine options;
  • Lack of low cost latrine options suitable for riverine area,
  • No dislodgement method in place in the riverine areas
  • No in-situ treatment options of sewage in septic tank:
  • Land tenure restrains non-landlords from constructing latrines
  • Little space for construction of sanitation facilities;
  • Low level of awareness among the people on benefits of safe sanitation and hygiene practices.
• Owing to the challenges highlighted above and many more, after three years of sanitation implementation and institutionalization in the area, no significant result has been achieved with respect to achieving ODF in triggered communities. Most households cannot construct safe and hygienic latrines because of the peculiarities of the Riverine environment. The few latrines built are communal latrines, so majority of the indigenes defecate in hanging latrines referred to as ‘Pier latrines which contaminates their drinking water sources and food especially during floods.
• Consequently this terms of reference is seeking an International Consultant who would undertake a study to address the issue of appropriate and affordable latrine options for riverine environment that is also acceptable to the communities in order to accelerate progress in access.

Purpose of the Assignment

• The overall objective is to contribute to achieving the sanitation targets under the sustainable development goals which states that, by 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations.
• Therefore, the purpose of the assignment is to understand the specific challenges and needs of the people in riverine communities when constructing and using sanitation facilities and use the knowledge to make recommendations and identify and design affordable latrine options or systems that address their need for improved and sustainable sanitation in the selected areas.

End Product/Deliverables

• Inception Report within two weeks detailing the methodology, work plan for the study including tools and instrument to be utilized within the study;
• Affordable options identified and adapted by stakeholders within 1 month
• Pilot project developed in at least 5 communities within 3 months
• Monthly Work Plan and Reports in line with the agreed format;
• 2 case studies developed and published
• Final report submitted

Qualifications or Specialized Knowledge/Experience Required

• At least a Master's Degree or comparable level in Architecture/Civil Engineering or Construction, Environmental Sanitation Engineering, Science/Environment or other related fields;
• Five years of relevant working experience in designing, computer aided design of various superstructures, mainly residential/household infrastructures in sub-Saharan developing countries;
• Research and programming experience in sanitation options with a good knowledge of riverine communities and marketing;
• Demonstrated skills and ability to work with the Government and Development partners and CBOs/NGOs
• Excellent in writing project document with UNICEF procedures;
• Ability to work independently in the field
• Knowledge in social sciences with a focus on behaviour changes in developing country;
• Good analytical and ability to think strategically;
• Excellent communication skills in English language