JOB DESCRIPTION
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.
Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.
And we never give up.
For every child, Access to safe water, adequate sanitation, and suitable hygiene
Key WASH indicators for Tajikistan remains less than optimal. Tajikistan is a member of the High-Level Panel on Water launched by the World Bank and the United Nations and has announced its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG-6) to “Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”. Tajikistan also committed to achievement of the SDGs and recognized the access to WASH in schools and health facilities as important favorable conditions for Sustainable Development in its National Development Strategy 2030, National Water Sector Strategy (2020 – 2030) and Water and Sanitation Plans and National Programme for Children that are in the process of development and endorsement.
To contribute to the progressive realization of the Rights of the Child and Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), UNICEF Tajikistan introduced a WASH in Institutions component as part of the Country Program of cooperation with the Government of Tajikistan. The introduction of this element is in response to the request from the government to support the design and implementation of the national WASH programme and an assurance that improvement of WASH infrastructure in social institutions, coupled with hygiene promotion interventions, will contribute to reducing infant deaths, preventing communicable diseases among children.
There is significant gap of access to WASH in HCFs. Referring to the WHO-UNICEF JMP data available for 2020, only 24.1% of the HCFs have basic access to drinking water supply. The data is missing on access to sanitation, hygiene, waste management and cleaning environment. According to UNCEF Tajikistan, as of 2020, out of 73 maternities / maternity departments within Central District Hospitals (CDHs – secondary level HCFs), 47 facilities (65%) do not meet the required WASH standards. Most challenging situation with access to WASH is in 3,500 rural medical centers (primary health care level). Up to 80% of these facilities have limited or no access to WASH services. Consumables that are key to effective IPC such as soap, hand sanitizers and chlorine are not always available.
There has been a substantial reduction in the under-five mortality rate (U5MR), (from 107 in 1990 to 33 per 1,000 live births in 2017, and infant mortality rate (IMR) from 84 in 1990 to 27 per 1,000 live births in 2017 ), but children under five years of age continue to die from preventable causes. Ministry of Health and Social Protection (MoHSP) statistics state that in 2016 around 77% of deaths of children under five years of age occurred among children younger than twelve months, and 87% of neonatal death occurred during the first week of life. Many of these deaths are attributable to causes related to poor Quality of Care (QoC) and Health Care Associated Infections (HCAI) that remain largely under-reported, resulting from an unsafe environment including inadequate WASH at HCFs .
Tajikistan still facing challenges on increasing expenditures on health that has impacted negatively on the quality of health care nationwide. Problems facing the health care system include obsolete infrastructure and equipment, poor accountability at the HCF level on the application of approved standards and protocols, and inadequate capacity of health care workers to provide quality care. The issues are similar for allocation of budget for WASH in schools which creates a big challenge of operations and maintenance of WASH facilities in institutions.
In line with the UNICEF global supplies requirements / guidelines, the UNICEF WASH construction work requires the expertise of an Engineer to manage all technical matters associated with the projects which includes designs, specifications, bill of quantities, tendering, monitoring of rehabilitation/construction works, certification of completed works etc.
Presently, the WASH section requires this technical capacity during the assessment and implementation stages, thus in a need to hire a WASH consultant (Engineer) with strong expertise on WASH in Health Care Facilities and construction to provide expert advice and oversee the management of rehabilitation/construction works in compliance with national and international standards.
How can you make a difference?
Under the overall oversight and under the direct supervision of the Chief of WASH, the WASH consultant (in 6 targeted Primary Health Care facilities) will work closely with contracted companies and government entities on the planning and implementation of the agreed scope of work. The consultant will provide on-going technical guidance and support to government engineering entities / private consulting firms (designing companies) to carry out assessments, designing of WASH facilities at targeted facilities, bill of quantities, cost-estimations etc. for the construction work and assure quality of all processes pertaining to the WASH in PHC rehabilitation/construction and equipment supply standards. The consultant will also play a key role in facilitating the verification of works carried out and processing of contractor’s payments in close coordination with UNICEF WASH Team.
The core responsibilities of the consultant are to provide technical support to UNICEF and MoHSP in terms of quality assurance of the implementation phase specifically on the WASH in Primary Health Care Facility component of the project. The consultant will start with supporting the UNICEF WASH team during the technical assessment process and design elaboration for the rehabilitation/construction works and determine technical capacities on WASH. Furthermore, it will include working closely with the contracted construction company to ensure timely construction of the planned WASH facilities in the targeted HCFs as per the agreed standards. The consultant will also support the certification process of the completed work in compliance with the agreed scope of work and standards and in close coordination with relevant stakeholders.
DUTY STATION/DURATION:
Duration: 176 working days, during the period December 2023-July 2024
Duty station: Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Supervisor: Chief WASH, UNICEF Tajikistan
The main tasks to be performed by the consultant are:
1. Provide support to the WASH section to organize pre bid meeting jointly with supply section. Based on need organize side visit to one of the facilities.
2. Provide technical support to WASH Section on revision of the technical documents of the construction companies, provide recommendations keeping in view scope of project and agreed standards .
3. Supervise the quality of infrastructural works in PHCs carried out by the contracted construction firms in line with agreed standards. Ensuring proper visibility of UNICEF and Donor is in place as per guidelines.
4. Closely coordinate with the technical supervision organization (CD of MOHSPP) to ensure monitoring is timely done and reports are shared with UNICEF.
5. Carry out monitoring visit to PHCs, supervise the implementation timeline, quality of works and construction materials use.
6. In coordination with UNICEF Chief of WASH, organize regular meetings with the contracted engineering firms and technical focal points from the relevant government ministries and department to ensure agreed quality of work and timely completion of activities.
7. Establish a periodic reporting schedule for supervising engineers (of the contracted firms), review progress report documents, certify contractors bill presented by the entity responsible for technical supervision and photo documentation of implementation of works in close coordination with UNICEF and MoHSP.
8. Reviewing any changes in the scope of work that may arise during implementation, assuring proper documentation, approval and reporting.
9. Work closely with UNICEF team and advise on payment requests submitted by contractors that have been duly certified by the supervising engineer to be submitted for processing of payment.
10. Follow up with supervising engineers on the process of project implementation from: initial site hand over, to substantial completion and temporary acceptance of the work, through Defects Liability Period, to completion and final acceptance of the works.
11. Contribute to writing periodic and ad-hoc donor reporting.
12. Any other tasks as necessary
| Tasks/Milestone: (in line with the scope elaborated in section-III) | Deliverables/Outputs: | Anticipated Timeline:176 working days, during the period December 2023-July 2024 | % of payment (maximum up to 5 payments |
| 1. Support WASH team to organize pre bidding meeting jointly with supply section. Based on need organize side visit to one of the facilities. | Provide list of participants, minutes of the meeting. | December 2023,(10 working days) | 10 % upon completion of the tasks 1-3 |
| 2. Advise and supervise the contracted construction firm on the specification, design and BoQ of the rehabilitation/construction work in targeted PHCs according to the approved standard.Coordination of the planned works with relevant government departments and getting approvals before beginning the work and later certification processes after completion. | Written feedback shared with UNICEF and contracted firm on the specification, design and costing of rehabilitation/construction works in PHCs. Copy of the letters of approval from relevant government departments before beginning the work provided. | December 2023-January,(10 working days) | |
| 3. Provide technical support to WASH Section on revision of the technical documents of the construction companies, provide recommendations keeping in view scope of project and agreed standards | Revision of the technical documents, recommend-dations and technical input keeping in view scope of project, agreed standards | December 2023-January 2024,(10 working days) | |
| 4. Carry out quality assurance of the WASH component of the project to ensure the rehabilitation/construction works are in line with the agreed standards.Ensuring proper visibility of UNICEF and Donor is in place as per guidelines. | Weekly update meetingsMonthly ReportsTrip reportsDesigns of visibility materialsPhoto report | January-July 2024, (25 working days) | 35 % upon completion of the tasks 4-6 |
| 5. In coordination with UNICEF WASH Officer and Chief of section, organize regular meetings with the contracted engineering firms and technical focal points from the relevant government ministries and department to ensure agreed quality of work and timely completion of activities.Based on need organize visits to the facilities jointly with construction department and/or with main architect of the district. | Minutes of the monthly meetings and action points.Trip report | January-March 2024,(25 working days) | |
| 6. Establish a periodic reporting schedule for supervising engineers (of the contacted firm), review progress report documents, certify contractors bill presented by the entity responsible for technical supervision and photo documentation of implementation of works in close coordination with UNICEF and MoHSP. | Reporting scheduleReview notes and feedbackCertification of completed works with updatesReviewed photo documentation and implementation reports | January-June 2024,(25 working days) | |
| 7. Reviewing any changes in the scope of work that may arise during implementation, assuring proper documentation, approval and reporting; | Review notes | January-June 2024,(10 working days) | 20 % upon completion of the tasks 7-9 |
| 8. Work closely with UNICEF team and advise on payment requests submitted by contractors that have been duly certified by the supervising engineer in order to be submitted for processing of payment. The work certified to be validated and confirmed as per the agreed WASH standards. | Payment recommendations based on certification process duly verified | February – July 2024,(15 working days) | |
| 9. Follow up with supervising engineers on the process of project implementation from: initial site hand over, to substantial completion and temporary acceptance of the work, through Defects Liability Period, to completion and final acceptance of the works relevant to WASH in PHCs component. | Meeting notes on progress highlighting satisfactory compliance of quality standards and schedule, concerns and follow ups required. | January-July 2024,(20 working days) | |
| 10. Provide on-demand support to the contractors and project team throughout the duration of this assignment as required on the specific aspects related to the WASH in PHCs such as water source, supply system and network, suitable equipment, designs of toilets and bathing facilities in line with standard etc. | Note on support provided including resources shared with UNICEF. | January-June 2024,(10 working days) | 35 % upon completion of the tasks 10-11 |
| 11. Contribute to writing periodic and ad-hoc donor reporting. | Reports | May-July 2024, (16 working days) | 35 % upon completion of the tasks 10-11 |
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
- Education: A university degree (bachelor or master) in one of the following fields is required: Civil engineering, sanitary and environmental engineering, sanitation engineering or another relevant technical field. The relevant master’s degree is an asset.
- Work experience: Minimum of 5 years of professional work experience in Water and Sanitation Infrastructure including in Health Care Facilities within the Government or providing similar consultancy services to international organizations focusing on WASH in HCFs. Previous work experience with UNICEF or international organization is preferred
- Competencies: Strong coordination skills, analytical and conceptual thinking. Ability to work with large teams and guide policy discussions. Excellent writing, communication, and presentation skills with stakeholders. Ability to work under pressure and commitment to work to tight timeframe.
- Languages: Excellent working knowledge and communication in the Tajik and Russian languages required. Working knowledge of English is an asset
Qualified candidates are requested to submit:
- Cover letter/application/CV/diploma.
- A technical proposal with the proposed methodology/approach to managing the project, showing understanding of tasks.
- Financial quote (separate from technical proposal in TJS) for the consultancy in per deliverable, also stating the timeframe for completion of deliverable and/or daily rate as well as transportation and subsistence costs as per Travel plan: 31 trips to Vahdat district (approximately 5 trips per month), DSA: Approx 35days, 10+ working hours per day, without overnight stay.
- Applications without technical and financial proposals will not be considered.
Applications must be received in the system by 21 November 2023 on our website.
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).
To view our competency framework, please visit here.
UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.
UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.
Remarks:
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.
The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.