International WASH Consultant – Climate and Environment

Background:

Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change in the world due to its geographical location in the low-lying Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta with dense network of rivers. Approximately 60 per cent of the country is susceptible to floods, where 25-30 per cent of the area becomes inundated annually. It is estimated that between 50,000 and 200,000 people are displaced each year due to river erosion.

Given this situation, UNICEF Bangladesh has included Climate Change Adaptation as one of its headline results in its Programme Strategy Notes (2017-2020) and in sectoral PSN 2026-2026 to be considered within the next Country Programme Document.  UNICEF’s active participation in existing coordination mechanisms is needed – both for improving the responsiveness to children’s needs and priorities of the substantial CCA/CCM investments of development partners as well as UNICEF Bangladesh’s own positioning.

Purpose of Assignment:

As part of the UNICEF component of this project, UNICEF is seeking the services of an international consultant to analyze incoming data, design a climate resilience service delivery model, and contribute expert-content into the institutional framework and policy review undertaken with the Policy Support Branch (PSB) of Local Government Division (LGD) and Department of Public Health and Engineering (DPHE) under Ministry of Local Government Rural Development & Cooperatives (MoLGRD&C), Ministries of Education, Environment, Health and Woman Affairs.

This role seeks an international consultant who can provide comparative perspectives on global best practices and state-of-the-art practices for WASH, education, health and nutrition sector. To improve enabling environment for climate-resilient WASH (CRW), provide sector coordination support on the issue for policy coherence, knowledge exchange and evidence generation. The complexity of these multiple deliverable components requires a candidate with ability to provide advanced analytic approaches and strong leadership skills across policy, information system, and coordination of field implementation. To ensure the widest and greatest impact of this work, the candidate is required to have English writing skills at the level of international publications and policy documents.

The work will include (but not be limited to):

• Conduct update for WASHBAT on climate (in preparation: climate risk assessment as per GWP/UNICEF tool, depending on funding). Development of Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) rationale for integration into hygiene, sanitation and water.
• Act as secretariat for the LCG sub- working group on climate and DRR and convene and co-chair meetings, lead development of knowledge products and workplans;
• Facilitate participation of section in online CRW training across the section and support as needed;
• Implement recommendations for climate resilient WASH (monitoring, rationale development, stakeholder engagement (to be received from ROSA);
• Support coordination regarding Gazipur COVID-19 response and its deliverables and reporting (Policy landscape analysis on medical waste management. Piloting WASHFIT tool Waste flow diagram, training stakeholders on waste management and environmental cleanliness and documentation of approach, develop joint action plans with Gazipur City Corporation based on the findings of the Situation Analysis to strengthen joint accountabilities)
• Youth-led identification of priorities for CCA and DRR
• Support sections in preparing programmes for adaptation to climate change and environment issues in the upcoming CPD as outlined in the PSNs.
• Support other sectors in analysis of CC impacts on their sector, results and impacts on child wellbeing
• Development of joint concepts (climate change education, green schools, environmental literacy);
• Advocate for including child-focused sectors and youth voices in the NDC and NAP;
• Organize meetings regarding WASH policy, youth engagement and COP
• Managing and coordinating Climate Change impacts and Environment pilot projects development and implementation.

Work Assignment Overview:

Minimum Qualifications/Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

Masters in Institutional development, public policy, business, geography and the environment, WASH.

• At least 10 years of working experience with climate change, global WASH or Sustainable Development functional areas.
• At least 4 years of experience of demonstrated project design and project management.
• Demonstrated experience publishing academic and policy reports.
• Familiar with children’s rights and gender in the context of climate change adaptation and mitigation. Previous experience within UNICEF is an asset
• Working experience with coordinating multi-partner projects
• Working experience with donor agencies
• Working experience in Bangladesh

Duration:              176 working days spread over 8 months period

Work Modality:      Home Based/Office Based: (50% home-based to be discussed based on ongoing pandemic)

Payment Terms:    Payment will be made upon successful completion of each deliverable according to schedule and certification from                                   supervisor

Travel & DSA:       Travel and DSA will be paid at actual based on UNICEF guideline (if applicable)