Intl. consultancy on development of tariff setting strategy for WASH, Dushanbe, Tajikistan, 5 m (deadline extended-14 Oct.2021)

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, 

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 favourable 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.

The State Unitary Enterprise SUE KMK is the main actor with the widest span of assets, but it coordinates with at least seven other ministries and agencies. Each of these agencies, in turn, has regional and district level structures. Dedicated coordination and cooperation structures exist only at the national level, while local structures typically work independently from one another. In the current operational model, SUE KMK is the owner, regulator, and operator of all drinking water services in Tajikistan. It is assigned as the authorized state body responsible for drinking water supply and municipal services, state control and supervision of drinking water supply, and water quality monitoring. Its functions are mainly economic, but also include some elements of public administration

How can you make a difference?

Under the overall oversight of the Chief, Health and Nutrition, direct supervision of WASH Specialist (international Professional), the Consultant will provide technical guidance and support to the State Unitary Enterprise – Khojagii Manziliyu Kommunali (SUE-KMK) on development of tariff setting strategy for water supply and sanitation services with emphasis on effective community engagement and at the same time assess and identify key areas of capacity development for improving community engagement and customer focus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

1. Carry out an inception meeting with SUE-KMK and establish full understanding of the required expectation regarding the scope of the assignment and develop a detailed workplan.
2. Review of existing tariffs and strategy set on pricing of water and sanitation services by SUE-KMK and other key documents on water pricing by UNDP and TAJWSS.
3. Carry out bilateral meetings/consultations with UNICEF and other key government and development partners to gather information on key challenges, bottlenecks and other factors involved that are hindering the full cost recovery.
4. Identify and review tariff models used by other countries in and out of the central Asian region with similar challenges and present to key stakeholders with potential recommendations.  
5. Develop relevant tools and carry out a capacity assessment of KMK on potential engagement with community and customer feedback/services mechanism.
6. Develop strategy on potential ways to set new tariffs for water supply and sanitation services to increase the full cost recovery and reduce losses to maintain quality of services. This will also have a key emphasis on community/customer engagement strategies that may potentially improve ownership, willingness to pay and support based on principles of demand and supply and trust between operator and consumer.
7. Submission of final report that is reviewed and accepted by UNICEF and SUE-KMK.

KEY DELIVERABLES/TIMEFRAME/PAYMENT SCHEDULE:

Note: Due to COVID 19, the work and deliverables are subject to change. Consultant need to be flexible to adjust to any unforeseen adjustments that might occur during the implementation

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results:

 The evaluation of the results will be based on:

1. Technical and professional competence (quality of the products delivered to UNICEF);
2. Scope of work (e.g. clarity of work plan);
3. Quality of work (quality of methodology, draft, and final report);
4. Quantity of work (completing the tasks indicated in the table above within the set timeframe)

In addition, such indicators as work relations, responsibility, drive for results, and communication will be taken into account during the evaluation of the Consultant’s work.

For  more details, pls. refer to TOR:  03.ToR_Int_Consultant_WatSan_Tariff_Setting_Strategy_KMK_FINAL_ENG.docx

 To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have:

Education: A university degree in one of the following fields is required: public health, civil engineering, water engineering, sanitation engineering, research, economics, business management, or another relevant technical field.

Work Experience: a minimum of 5 years of proven work experience in research and analysis of WASH development programs, review and evaluation of government strategies/workplans, quantitative and qualitative data analysis. Experience in undertaking reviews of public WASH tariffs, setting up tariff standards and development of tariff setting strategies.

Competencies:  Strong analytical and conceptual thinking. Excellent writing skills. Excellent communication and presentation skills with stakeholders and the ability to work under pressure and commitment to work to a tight timeframe.

Language:  Excellent working knowledge and communication in English is required. Knowledge of Tajik (Farsi) and Russian is an asset and preferable.

 REQUIREMENTS:

 Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Cover letter/application/CV.
2. A technical proposal with the proposed methodology/approach to managing the project, showing understanding of tasks.
3. Work plan.
4. Financial quote for the consultancy in USD per deliverable, stating also the timeframe for completion of deliverable and/or daily rate in USD
5. Examples of previous, relevant work related to the deliverables.
6. At least two references

Queries can be sent to: [email protected]  with subject line “Consultancy to provide technical assistance to State Unitary Enterprise – Khojagii Manziliyu Kommunali (SUE-KMK) on development of tariff setting strategy for water supply and sanitation services” Applications must be received in the system by 14 Oct. 2021 (extended) through UNICEF website.

Link to the vacancy: http://jobs.unicef.org/cw/en-us/job/543709?lApplicationSubSourceID=

Travel costs and DSA will be covered in accordance with UN rules and regulations. No other remunerations apply. As a general principle, the fees payable to a consultant or individual contractor follow the “best value for money” principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible cost.

Please note that consultants and individual contractors are responsible for assuming costs for obtaining visas and travel insurance.

EVALUATION PROCESS AND METHODS:

Individual consultants/contractors will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis methodology. The award of the Contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) having received the highest score out of a weighted set of technical and financial criteria.

During the selection, the ratio between the technical evaluation and commercial offer is 70 to 30.

Only candidates who obtain a minimum of 49 points in the Technical Criteria evaluation will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Financial Proposal:

Please provide an all-inclusive price for delivering professional services in accordance with the assignment described under this TOR.

 For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.