Consultancy /SSA at UNICEF

UNICEF is seeking a consultant to provide technical support for WASH in schools programming. Application deadline : 18 February 2011

WASH SECTION

I. Background

Fulfilling every child’s right to water, sanitation and hygiene education remains a major challenge for policymakers, school administrators and communities in many countries. In a group of surveyed developing countries, less than half of primary schools have access to safe water and just over a third have adequate sanitation.

UNICEF, in collaboration with several partners including CARE, Dubai Cares, Emory University Center for Global Safe Water, IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre, Save the Children, Water Advocates, WaterAid, Water For People and the WHO launched a Call to Action for WASH in Schools campaign in 2010. The Call to Action for WASH in Schools calls on decision-makers to increase investments and on concerned stakeholders to plan and act in cooperation – so that all children go to a school with child-friendly water, sanitation and hygiene facilities through a six point action plan.

The UNICEF Sanitation and Hygiene Team has coordinated and guided a group of organizations (implementers, advocates, researchers, donors, US government and multilaterals) involved at the Call to Action for WASH in Schools. In addition to launch of Call to Action (www.unicef.org/wash/.schools) at several international platforms, UNICEF hosted two meetings with the partners to strategically engage with WASH in Schools programming. As a result of those meetings, UNICEF was asked to lead the WASH in Schools coalition through webinars, calls and meetings. WASH in Schools established several working groups to enhance the advocacy efforts; with the Knowledge group being led by Emory University and CARE; Mapping group led by the Alliance of Religions and Conservation; Information Management group led by IRC, Advocacy group led by UNICEF and Partnership Management group led by Water Advocates. UNICEF compiled and disseminated the follow-up reports from the meetings as well as updates from each of the working groups.

UNICEF and its WASH in Schools partners are committed to strengthen the advocacy efforts on WASH in Schools in 2011.

II. Purpose

The purpose of this consultancy is to assist in strengthening advocacy efforts on WASH in Schools at the global level by facilitating logistics, following-up, reporting and evaluating web-based discussions of the WASH in Schools coalition, and by supporting development of technical guidance materials (WASH in Schools in Emergencies Tool Kit) and capacity building initiatives as required to be disseminated among target audiences.

III. Duty Station and duration

The consultant will be based and hired locally in NY and will work for 148 days between 21st of February to 30th of September 2011.

IV. Activities, outputs, duration and deadlines

The consultant is expected to

1. Provide logistical, technical, communication support to WASH in Schools coalition. Estimated work load per month is (12 days a month, 12days * 6months = Total 72 days)
a. Support setting up agenda of WASH in Schools coalition network meetings through regular communication with WASH in Schools coalition members. (web based or face to face).
b. Organize logistics of the web based discussion with members of the WASH in Schools coalition.
c. Keep and disseminate minutes of WASH in Schools coalition meetings/ to ensure constant communication among partners.
d. Prepare and share a monthly WASH in Schools news bulletin with WASH in Schools coalition. Gather relevant WASH in Schools updates from partners through email communication/website search etc. and place them at www.unicef.org/wash/schools website
e. Map out who does what on WASH in Schools programming: Gather information on the WASH in Schools activities of coalition member’s and carry out basic analysis on the data available.
f. Assist overall evaluation of the WASH in Schools coalition activities. etc.

2. Provide support to development of programming guidance and capacity building initiatives for WASH in Schools program (10 days a month, 10days * 4 months = Total 40 days)
a. Support activities leading up to the development of the WASH in Schools in Emergencies toolkit: Specifically providing support in to the development of related documentation, liaison with the community of practice and logistics relating to the roll out of the WASH in Schools in Emergencies toolkit.

3. Maintain WASH presence on the internet and intranet (3 days a month over 6 months: Total 18 days)
a. Contribute postings to the WASH blog, communities of practice, etc.
b. Update WASH in Schools micro-site on www.unicef.org/unicef/schools using RedDot
c. Maintain and update the WASH in Schools Intranet site using RedDot

4. Provide drafting, coordination and logistical support as required to Global Handwashing Day.
a. Contribute written content to WASH UNICEF website.
b. Support updating of GHD 2010/2011 activities online.
c. Provide drafting support to document/edit reports/stories from country offices.

Time Table
Between 21st of February – 30th September 2011
Activity Time
1 Facilitate logistics of the WASH in Schools Coalition Activities (3 days a week 12 days a month- 72 days) February to August 2011
2 Provide support to the development of programming guidance (WASH in Schools in Emergencies Toolkit) and capacity building initiatives for WASH program ( 10 days a month for 4 months, Total 40 days) February- May 2011
3 Maintain WASH presence on the internet and intranet (3 days a month for 6 months, Total 18 days) February to July 2011
4 Provide drafting, coordination and logistical support as required to Global Hand washing Day. (Total 18 days)
February to August 2011

V. Key Skills and Experience required

- Minimum relevant working experience of 2 years
- Advanced University degree in engineering, public health or social sciences
- Strong communication skills (written and oral)
- Experience with website management
- Understanding of the work of the UN, and UNICEF an advantage.

Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV and P 11 form (which can be downloaded from our website ) to Esta dirección electrónica esta protegida contra spambots. Es necesario activar Javascript para visualizarla with subject line “TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR WASH V2” by 18 February 2011. Please indicate your ability, availability and daily rate to undertake the terms of reference above. Submissions made without a daily rate will not be considered.

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