CONSULTANCY POSITION
Capacity Building and Monitoring for WASH Results
VACANCY#: UNICEF/MLW/2014/023
- BACKGROUND
UNICEF Country Office has been successful in mobilizing a huge amount of financial resources for WASH programme in Malawi. With funding from EU, DFID, NatComs and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, WASH section is now managing a large and growing WASH programme worth more than US$ 52 million. Consequently, the overall programme deliverables have more than quadrupled as compared to the previous years. Furthermore, the call for accurate accounting for and attribution of WASH results to our donor partners has not been greater in the current economic context. To deliver on these ambitious targets effectively, efficiently and accountably, the capacity and competence of WASH monitoring has to be proportionally strengthened.
A recent evaluation of the Government of Netherlands and UNICEF partnership programme identified inadequate capacities for monitoring database posing a major challenge for achieving accountable and sustainable results for WASH. This finding was also confirmed in the 2013 joint Annual Review (Government of Malawi & UNICEF) which identified that the lack of reliable monitoring and evaluation database were resulting in poor planning, implementation and coordination at all levels. Most importantly, the absence of a strong monitoring database means that accounting for and reporting on results will remain challenging; and this would in turn constrain UNICEF’s sector leadership role in evidence-based advocacy; and could also undermine relations with our donor partners.
Consequently, there is now an urgent need to provide targeted capacity building support to implementing partners to strengthen the monitoring for WASH. The ultimate aim is to ensure that resources for WASH services are accounted for and are utilized in a sustainable manner.
WASH section needs the service of a specialized technical assistant in building capacities and strengthening the MONITORING database, particularly at district level. The technical support is an intensive and time-bound activity which shall be delivered within a stipulated period of 11 months. In view of our WASH scale-up programme and the need for a robust monitoring database, the service of the Consultant is urgently required.
UNICEF Malawi is therefore seeking to hire an individual international consultant to support in strengthening capacities for operationalizing a robust and accountable monitoring database for WASH Results
- SCOPE OF WORK
The Consultant will be located in the WASH section and report to WASH Section Chief. Duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:
i. Assist in establishing a monitoring database for quality assurance, monitoring progress and reporting on WASH results. The database should be user-friendly to input and manage,
ii. Support the harmonization of the monitoring interface of UNICEF and implementing partners,
iii. Undertake monitoring field visits to verify the progress( i&ii, above) , especially on facilities such as water points and sanitation facilities in communities and institutions,
iv. Generate maps (e.g. GIS/Atlas map) of WASH facilities to improve accountability and attribution to UNICEF and donor partners, including identifying facilities by GPS coordinates, year of construction and their status,
v. Provide targeted capacity building support to implementing partners to accelerating WASH implementation, especially in planning, procurement and contract management for drilling and sanitation facilities in communities and institutions,
vi. Support section in consolidation of work plans and reports , including donor reports, by providing accurate and up-to-date monitoring information on WASH results,
vii. Analyse field data, including progress against planned results, value for money and innovative approaches, especially for water supply and sanitation facilities,
viii. Consultancy reports: Inception, Monthly work plan and Progress, and Final completion.
ix. Any related activity relevant to the objective of the TOR, details will be confirmed at the inception phase.
- EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE
ü Advanced university degree in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Hydrogeology, or a field relevant to international WASH related development assistance.
ü 5 years of experience in WASH database management, GIS and capacity building,
ü Additional experience in planning and contract management for water supply and other WASH projects,
ü Experience in the UN or other international development organization, national government or the private sector. Field work experience.
ü Excellent analytical, conceptual and writing skills;
ü Strong facilitation and coordination skills, including participatory group discussion;
ü Excellent command of English, both written and oral;
ü Strong communication, advocacy and negotiation skills.
ü Familiarity with WASH programme in Malawi or similar countries in the region is an advantage.
- DURATION 11 Months
How to apply:
- METHOD OF APPLICATION
Qualified candidates are requested to submit a technical and financial proposal which at a minimum should include sections on: the consultants profile and CV; introduction; outline of the methodology to be employed and list of relevant projects delivered and Personal History Form (P-11 form) (which can be downloaded from our website at
http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html). Attach copies of certificates.
Applications should be sent on or before 20 June 2014 to the following address:hrmalawi@unicef.org
NOTE:
· UNICEF is committed to gender equality in its mandate and its staff. Well qualified candidates, particularly females are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Only shortlisted applicants will be acknowledged.
- Applications sent through the post office or hand delivered is not accepted.
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