Consultant, Equity Stocktake of WASH in Emergencies

Terms of Reference Equity Stocktake of WASH in Emergencies

1. Background

Recognising that disasters tend to have greatest impact on the most vulnerable in society, UNICEF’s WASH humanitarian focus on provision of basic services, protection and restoration of dignity amongst affectees is largely orientated toward the most disadvantaged and marginalised. The WASH sector has, over the years, produced various guidance documents, handbooks and is currently guided by the WASH Strategy 2006-2015. WASH in Emergencies (WiE) has also contributed to many other emergency related documents generated and led by other sectors or cross-cutting areas.

The reorientation of UNICEF’s thrust along equity lines offers an opportunity to take stock of both the response practices and the documentation available to guide programme staff and UNICEF’s implementing partners. Given the inclusion of WASH in many sectoral and cross-cutting documents and guidance, it is necessary to review a wide array of materials to ensure that equity is adequately reflected in WASH inclusions.

Equity is not the only cross-cutting area that has gained prominence within UNICEF in recent years. Whilst reviewing the materials and practices, it would be pragmatic to simultaneously determine if existing WASH guidance documents require updating and strengthening in regard to key cross-cutting areas including (but not limited to): gender; accountability to beneficiaries and community participation; disabilities; HIV/AIDS; environment and Climate Change; DRR; Child Protection; Adolescent Development and Participation and others.

The degree to which these gaps are notable in field level WiE activities is possible to divine from emergency proposals, reports, evaluations and associated documents when compared to the guidance notes and policies derived by respective sections / divisions. A review of these will allow the consultant to identify correlation with gaps noted above in policy and guidance material, further honing the recommendations for action.

1. Objective

The main objective of this consultancy is the identification of gaps within UNICEF WiE documents, guidelines and contributions to other sectoral / thematic documents (with a specific focus on compliance with the current equity agenda) and to make recommendations to address these.

1. Duty Station

The consultant can be based in any location having good internet access. The consultant will be expected to make two visits to UNICEF NYHQ country offices during the course of the consultancy for short periods. The first of around 4 days at the outset to collect materials and interact with WASH and non-WASH colleagues, with a second shorter visit of two days to present findings and recommendations, or may be possible to achieve via video conferencing facilities.

1. Methodology

a. Review of and familiarisation with existing WASH reference materials and emergency reports (donor / internal sitreps and evaluations) b. Collection of official and draft guidance and policy documents from other sectors and colleagues responsible for cross-cutting issues and preparedness (Early Warning – Early Action). c. Cross referencing of cross-sectoral / cross-cutting materials to identify gaps with a specific focus on equity d. Review a range of WiE documentation including proposals / donor reports / sitreps / evaluations / job descriptions and so forth to determine which of the gaps identified require the highest priority for action e. Make written recommendation on the gaps identified and the action proposed to rectify these on a priority basis f. Present the findings to the PD-WASH section

1. Activities and Outputs

Outputs/deliverables Estimated Duration (person days) Deadline Compilation and tabulation of existing WASH, non-WASH and a cross-section of recent emergency documentation (guidance/technical notes/policies/strategies/training modules/proposals/sitreps/reports etc..) (Excel format) 10 15th January 2012 Analysis and tabulation of gaps identified between documents including emergency documentation (Excel format) 5 15th February 2012 Identification of priority gaps and recommended action to address the same (Word format) 4 30th January 2012 Presentation of findings and recommendations to PD-WASH and other stakeholders 1 30th March 2012

TOTAL person days & amount payable 20

1. Travel

Date Destination Purpose Length (days) December 2011 / January 2012 exact date t.b.d. NYHQ Collect materials and research through interaction with WASH and non-WASH colleagues 6 March 2012 NYHQ Presentation of findings to PD-WASH (this may be possible via video conferencing facilities) 3

1. Duration:
   The consultancy will take place between 1st December and 31st March 2012.

2. Key skills and experience required:

The consultant should have the following skills and qualifications:- • Higher degree (PhD or Masters) in a field related to water, sanitation and/or public health • Minimum 10 years’ experience related to water/sanitation/health programmes in developing countries. • Extensive (greater than 5 years) experience of country-level humanitarian action in WASH • Computer literate, particularly in excel • Excellent communication and writing skills • Prior experience within UNICEF, preferably at NYHQ level both highly desirable

How to Apply:

Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter with subject line “Consultant, Equity stocktake of WASH in Emergency materials”, CV and P 11 form (which can be downloaded from our website at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html) to pdconsultants@unicef.org by 28 October, 2011. Please indicate your ability, and daily/monthly rate and availability to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a daily rate will not be considered.