JOB VACANCY FOR WASH IN EMERGENCY (WinE) in GHANA

Technical Assistance for WASH in Emergency Cluster Coordination and Capacity Building for Coordination, Planning and response

Based in Accra, Ghana

Summary / Terms of Reference 

UNICEF, Ghana

Terms of Reference 

Reference: Activity No. 38.2 – WASH AWP (2012 – 2013)

Purpose	To build capacity for Cluster Coordination and improved WASH in Emergency (WinE) Co-ordination, Planning and Response at National and Regional Level
Expected fee	To be determined (International Consultant)
Location	Accra with occasional travel to regional level – mainly 5 focus regions (Central, Northern, Upper East, Upper West and Volta Regions), and Districts yet to be confirmed
Duration	6 months
Start Date	1 August 2013
Reporting to	Chief of WASH

Background

In recent years, many of the focus districts of the GoG –UNICEF WASH programme, especially in the 3 Northern regions have experienced alternate occurrences of droughts and flash flooding. Recent trends in the micro-climate in these areas, and in indeed, across the West African sub-region suggest that this state of affairs may become more regular, if not more severe.

The poor sanitation conditions in major cities across the country have also led to frequent, almost annual cholera outbreaks, which have claimed more than 100 lives between January 2011 and April 2012.

These unfortunate events, coupled with the existence of isolated security flash points, due to ethnic/ chieftaincy disputes, as well as, the occasional influx of refugees from neighbouring West African States, require prompt, well-coordinated, and effective response in the area of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), in order to avert further suffering of displaced persons, especially women, children, the aged and other vulnerable groups.

Justification

The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) is mandated to lead any disaster related emergency at the national, regional and district levels, with co-ordination support from the appropriate local government structures i.e. Regional Security Committees (RegSec’s) and District Security Committees (DiSec’s).

Typically, the co-ordinating bodies at the regional and district levels draw on the expertise of sector agencies and decentralised departments, to address specific concerns within the emergency response related to their areas of expertise.

Thus, a formal structure exists within the regional and district administrations to mobilise resources and specialised support for specific emergency/ disaster related efforts and co-ordination, including in response in the area of WASH. The structure at the national level, however, is unclear.

Currently, the capacity for the effective co-ordination of emergency response and planning is low within the sector, particularly within the lead statutory agencies. This state of affairs has often led to late and dis-jointed response initiatives, which are ineffective and inefficient. The lack of capacity also often places an inordinate responsibility on development partners in leading response initiatives.

Lessons from recent flooding events and cholera outbreaks (2007 -2010), suggest that specialised capacity for effective WASH response coordination and implementation during emergencies, needs to be further enhanced, both at the national and regional levels. This will provide direction for more effective response at the district levels.

In 2012, UNICEF provided technical assistance for an initiative to define mechanisms for coordination of WASH in Emergency at national and sub-national level, and to build critical capacity for more effective planning, response and coordination.

This assignment is based on the recommendations made from that assignment, and is aimed specifically, at providing support for cluster coordination and developing related WinE capacity, including:

•                  Emergency assessments/ appraisal methodologies;

•                  Identification key / priority actions, in line with Standards, Ethics and Best practices;

•        Response planning and co-ordination, including initial response and transition into programmatic response for sustainability; and

•                  Monitoring and Evaluation.

Objective

This assignment is aimed at building sustainable national and regional level capacity on the WASH aspects of emergency management, particularly in terms of the most likely events, in the areas including the above identified, and to facilitate understanding of the cluster approach. Particularly, it is aimed at building capacity in WASH cluster coordination within the lead Ministries and training of core WinE teams at the national and regional levels.

The specific objectives of the exercise are as follows:

•                  Capacity for the effective coordination of the newly constituted National WinE technical Working Group/ Cluster coordination capacity built within 2 sector lead Ministries through mentorship and coaching programme.

•                  Core national and regional WASH experts (WinE Teams) trained in the management of emergencies including rapid assessments, co-ordination, information management, planning and implementation of key WASH interventions, primarily, in the Central, Northern, Upper East, and Upper West Regions.

Specific Tasks

The major activities to be carried out would include, but would not be limited to, the following:

o   Provision of technical assistance for the establishment of the WASH cluster coordination and MIS functions within the Water Directorate (MWRWH) and the Environmental Health and Sanitation Directorate (MLGRD). This would essentially involve the adoption of a consultative process to:

§  Identify and designate one of the lead Ministries as the Secretariat to facilitate the activities of the national WinE technical Working Group (and therefore WASH cluster coordination)[1], through a consultative process.

§  Coach and mentor designated officers within the 2 lead Ministries, as acting Cluster Coordinator, in WASH cluster coordination, and the management of information in emergencies.

o   Organisation of training workshops at national and regional level for core expert teams (WinE Teams) on the identified areas, which would factor in lessons from previous emergency experiences. The training sessions will also facilitate a working understanding of the Cluster Mechanism, and key roles and functions within the mechanism. The training, which will cover all 10 regions of the country will be held as three (3) zonal sessions for the Southern, Middle and Northern Belts as follows:

§  Southern – Western Region, Central Region, Greater Accra Region, Volta Region

§  Middle – Eastern Region, Ashanti Region, Brong Ahafo Region

§  Northern – Northern Upper East Region, Upper West Region

The training workshops will be organized by the two sector lead ministries i.e. Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing (MWRWH and Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD).

o   Working sessions with sector groups and experts to enhance the functionality of the WASH co-ordination structures/ arrangements at the national and regional levels including an effective Information Management System.

These activities should be scheduled logically to achieve the set objectives, based on exigencies on the ground.

Expected Deliverables

It is expected that the assignment will span over six (6) calendar months (including reporting). The minimum outputs expected from the assignment include the following;

•                  Designation of main and back-up WASH cluster coordination functions among the 2 lead Ministries and setting up of Secretariat for national WinE technical Working Group, through a consultative process, assessment of existing capacity for effective management of the secretariat’s functions, and development of an appropriate capacity enhancement plan (factoring in this assignment) (by the end of Month 1).

•                  Capacity building of main actor of the lead Ministries through coaching and mentorship programme (by the end of Month 6) including:

o   Key coordination, planning and response roles and responsibilities; and mechanisms for alert systems, planning, co-ordination and fund raising.

o   Establishment and management of Information Management Systems based on existing systems within the sector, as far as practicable (at least, development of framework, identifying applicable tools and systems).

•                  Training of national and regional level WinE Teams (by the end of Month 4).

Output reporting will include Monthly Progress Reports and specific reports on the national and regional WinE training sessions. The Final Assignment Report shall be submitted to the Chief of WASH in hard, as well as electronic format by the end of the fourth month. The raw data shall be delivered on a CD along with coding where necessary.

Summary of Tasks and Deliverables

Task	Deliverable	Time Frame
Designation of main and back-up WASH cluster coordination functions/ technical Assistance for setting up functions of National WinE Technical Working Group among the 2 lead Ministries through a consultative process.	•        Monthly Progress Reports. Report for month 1 should capture the role arrangement i.e. main and back-up cluster coordination  functions between 2 lead Ministries	Months 1 - 5
Organisation of training workshops at national and regional level for WinE Teams on the identified areas. The training sessions will essentially facilitate a working   understanding of the Cluster Mechanism, and key roles and functions within the mechanism.	•         Training of WinE Teams at national level and in the Central, Northern, Upper East, Upper West and Volta Regions.	By Month 4
Capacity building of main actor of the lead Ministries through coaching and mentorship programme: •      Key coordination, planning, co-ordination and response roles and responsibilities. •      Establishment and management of Information Management Systems based on existing systems within the sector, as far as practicable.	•         WinE Secretariat set up within lead Ministries set up with adequate  capacity for cluster coordination  and emergency information management	By Month 6
	•         Final Assignment Report
Total		6 Months

Reporting

The specialist shall report directly to the Chief of WASH section, UNICEF, with copies to the Director, Water Directorate, Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing (MWRWH), and the Director, Environmental Health and Sanitation Directorate (EHSD) of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD). He shall also work in close collaboration with the Emergency focal Point for WinE, UNICEF- Ghana, and programme geographical area focal points, as well as, the Emergency focal points I the two lead Ministries.

He/ she shall provide a detailed Work Plan, outlining activities to be carried out for discussion with the Chief of WASH and the emergency focal person for the WASH section on the commencement of the assignment.

Changes in the scope of work and output emanating from the working sessions with sector partners and statutory, which would significantly affect the output of the assignment or the resources required should be brought to the attention of the emergency focal person for WASH section.

Key Collaborators (List not exhaustive)

Key collaborating agencies will include national Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Water and Sanitation Sector Working Group, Water Directorate of the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing (MWRWH), Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) (at national level and in the focus regions), Ghana Water Company (GWC), Ghana Urban Water Ltd. (GUWL) (at national level and in the focus regions), Environmental Health and Sanitation Directorate (EHSD) of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD), Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS), WaterAid, Plan Ghana, CoCRWDP, New Energy, Rural Aid, Pronet South, Pronet –North, Afram Plains Development Organisation (APDO).

Payment Terms

Payment in respect of the exercise will be effected as follows:

• 20% of the fees for the assignment will be paid on submission of the 1^st Monthly Report
• A Further 30% will be paid on submission of the 3^rd Monthly Report (at the end of the 3^rd Month).
• 30% of the cost of the assignment will be paid on submission of the 5^th Monthly Report (at the end of the 5^th Month).
• The final 20% will be paid on the finalisation and approval of the Final Report.

Expected background and Experience

The specialist must have:

·        Advanced university degree – An advanced university degree in Water and Sanitation/ Civil Engineering, Public Health, Project Management, Sociology or any WASH/ Programme/ Emergency Management related discipline.

·        A minimum of 10years post qualification experience in emergency prevention and response management, particularly in relation to the WASH sector and/or Public Health.

·        Experience in capacity building for WASH in Emergencies.

·        A good working knowledge of the cluster approach, and experience in the design, implementation and management of related systems would be a clear added advantage. 

·        Fluency in writing, reading and speaking English.

·        Strong track record in relating and networking and analytical skills.

·        Ability to operate computer Microsoft office programs (MS Word, Excel, Power Point and Access), is essential.

General Conditions: Procedures and Logistics

Ø  The consultant will work from the UNICEF office in Accra, with limited office support. In particular, the consultant will have her or his own computer facilities and transport facilities for commuting to office. 

Ø  The assignment cost will include Professional Fees, and Daily Subsistence Allowances (DSAs). The consultant will also be entitled to DSA for travel outside Accra at the prevailing UN rates (estimated maximum 20 nights). Fees will be paid based on the achievement of the indicated deliverables

Ø  All equipment and logistics hiring requirements, however, should be discussed and cleared with the emergency focal person for WASH section.

Ø  The consultant should provide his/her stationery and office materials/ consumables – computer, data storage devices, paper etc.

Ø  The consultant will have access to UNICEF transport along with UNICEF Security Radio when in the field on official travel   Transportation will also be provided for official meetings (within official working hours) within Accra, based on prior notification.

Ø  In case of air travel for any field missions the airfare and terminal expenses for the consultant’s flight will be paid by UNICEF.

Policy both parties should be aware of:

Ø  Under the consultancy agreements, a month is defined as 21 working days, and fees are prorated accordingly.  Consultants are not paid for weekends or public holidays.

Ø  Consultants are not entitled to payment of overtime.  All remuneration must be within the contract agreement.

Ø  No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant or Contractor.

Ø  For international consultants outside the duty station, signed contracts must be sent by fax or email.  Signed contract copy or written agreement must be received by the office before Travel Authorisation is issued.

Ø  No consultant may travel without a signed travel authorisation prior to the commencement of the journey to the duty station.

Ø  Unless authorised, UNICEF will buy the tickets of the consultant.  In exceptional cases, the consultant may be authorised to buy their travel tickets and shall be reimbursed at the “most economical and direct route” but this must be agreed to beforehand. All travel will be in economy class.

Ø  Consultants will not have supervisory responsibilities or authority on UNICEF budget.

Ø  Consultant will be required to sign the Health statement for consultants/Individual contractor prior to taking up the assignment, and to document that they have appropriate health insurance, (no medical evacuation since this consultancy is based in Accra).

Ø  The Form 'Designation, change or revocation of beneficiary' must be completed by the consultant upon arrival, at the HR Section.

Ø  **** Please consult with HR on entitlements as many are set by UNICEF rules.

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