Re-advert: Nat. Cons. to provide Tech. Assistance to MOH and Min. of Education in Revision of WASH for Health Care Facilities and Schools (extended till 9 March)

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TOR in Russian for review:  ToR Nat. consultant WASH Standards Rus extension.doc

Background
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.

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 government to support the design and implementation of the national WASH programme and a believe that improvement of WASH infrastructure in social institutions, coupled with hygiene promotion intervention, will contribute to reducing infant deaths, preventing communicable diseases among children.

Tajikistan has been using WASH standards and guidelines for Health Care Facilities (HCFs) and schools that are outdated. There is no availability of targeted studies or assessments reflecting on the effectiveness of use of these standards highlighting key gaps in practice and learning from experience. However, there is some evidence base put together through assessments carried out by different organisation on broader WASH standards and its compliance in the country^[1].

[1] http://www.tajwss.tj/new/images/Report_standards_norms_final_report.pdf

PURPOSE: Under the overall oversight of the Chief, Health and Nutrition, direct supervision of WASH Specialist (internati Professional), the National Consultant for WASH Standards Review will provide technical guidance and support to the Ministry of Health and Social Protection (MoHSP) and Ministry of Education and Science (MoES), specifically Sanitary and Epidemiological Services, Construction Department and other governmental counterparts to review and update the WASH standards for primary and secondary health care facilities  and schools guided by global standard and contextualisation needs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

• Work with MoHSP and MoES to identify a representative sample of health care facilities (HCFs) and schools respectively, in order to carry out Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with relevant staff of the HCFs and schools and relevant departments (using a questionnaire agreed by the relevant departments in the Ministry, sector partners and UNICEF) to understand effectiveness of the current WASH standards in HCFs and challenges associated with it. Subsequently, produce a report to be shared with relevant stakeholders.
• Hold consultations, using the findings of the assessment, with representatives of relevant ministries and departments to share analysis of the assessment carried out and targeted recommendations revision of standards.
• Based on the consultations, provide support to UNICEF in terms of identify a right mix of program and technical focal points in coordination for:
  • Health Care Facilities with the MoHSP, and UNICEF and provide advisory support in creation of a working group consisting the representatives of the MoHSP, State Committee on Architecture and Construction (CoCA), Ministry of Energy and Water Resources (MoEWR), SUE KMK, other relevant Ministries, Agencies and Departments.
  • Schools with MoES, MoES Construction Department, MoES Pre-Primary and General Secondary Education Department, MoES Budget Forecast and Financial Analysis Department, SUE KMK and other relevant Ministries, Agencies and Departments.
  • The notification of the TWG will be led by UNICEF;

• Provision of technical support in kicking-off the planning meeting and setting up the Working Group (decision maker + technical staff from each relevant governmental entity);
• Support UNICEF and assigned staff from MoHSP and MoES with collecting and collating of all legal documents on WASH standards in HCFs and schools, conduct a desk research of these documents and generate the analysis brief on the current state of affairs, gaps and challenges;
• Review of the WASH standards documentation and prepared the review report in consultation with the members of the Working Group that contains key findings, conclusions and recommendations;
• Provide  logistical and advisory support in consultation process, in organizing and facilitating the workshop with key stakeholders to collect information and feedback on the Review Report of WASH Standards;
• Provide required support to the Working Group to address / incorporate comments obtained from key stakeholders.

KEY DELIVERABLES and PAYMENT SCHEDULE: 

Note: Due to COIVD-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. No. of meetings with the stakeholders);
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.

Estimated duration of contract and remuneration: The assignment will be carried out in 70 working days spread over a period ranging from March – July 2021. 

Location: Dushanbe, Tajikistan.  

Supervision: The national consultant will receives ongoing and day-to-day supervision from the WASH Specialist (IP), UNICEF Tajikistan.

Reporting to: WASH Specialist (IP), UNICEF Tajikistan

Insurances: UNICEF does not provide or arrange life or health insurance coverage for consultants and individual contractors, and consultants and individual contractors are not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to United Nations staff members. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for assuming all costs related to required inoculations, vaccinations and medical examinations.  
Consultants and individual contractors are fully responsible for arranging, at their own expense, such life, health and other forms of insurance covering the period of their services as they consider appropriate. The responsibility of UNICEF is limited solely to the payment of compensation for service-incurred death, injury or illness as per the provisions detailed below. 

Recourse: UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines. 

Ethical considerations: Adequate measures should be taken to ensure that the process responds to quality and ethical requirements. The contracted consultant should be sensitive to beliefs, manners, and customs and act with integrity and honesty in their relationships with all stakeholders. It should also protect the anonymity and confidentiality of individual information. 

Mandatory trainings: Consultants and individual contractors, regardless of contract duration, must complete the applicable mandatory trainings. The link will be provided during the selection process for the successful candidates.

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

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: 

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

Work Experience: a minimum of five years of professional work experience in the field of IPC, WASH, Environmental Sanitation, application of National IPC, WASH in HCF and Schools Standards in the country context. Experience working with top management of national ministries and local authorities, experience in designing, reviewing the policy documents and conducting social researches would be an advantage.

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 the Tajik and Russian languages required.  Basic working knowledge of English is an asset.

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 Tajik Somoni per deliverable, stating also the timeframe for completion of deliverable and/or daily rate in Tajik Somoni.
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 “National Consultancy to provide Technical Assistance to Ministry of Health and Social Protection (MoHSP) and Ministry of Education and Science (MoES) in review and revision of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) for Health Care Facilities (HCFs) and Schools” Applications must be received in the system by the March 9, 2021 (extension) at our website: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index.php

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.

Criteria	Weight	Max. Point
TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION (max. 70 points)	70%	70
Overall Response (20 points)
Understanding of tasks, objectives and completeness and coherence of response		10
Overall match between the TOR requirements and proposal		10
Proposed work plan (10 points)
Quality of proposed work plan		10
Technical Capacity (40 points)
Education: A university degree in one of the following fields is required: public health, civil engineering, water engineering, sanitation engineering or another relevant technical field.		10
Work Experience: a minimum of five years of professional work experience in the field of IPC, WASH, Environmental Sanitation, application of National IPC, WASH in HCF and Schools Standards in the country context. Experience working with top management of national ministries and local authorities, experience in designing, reviewing the policy documents and conducting social researches would be an advantage.		10
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.		10
Excellent proficiency in Tajik and Russian (written and oral) while knowledge of English is an advantage.		10
FINANCIAL PROPOSAL (max. 30 points) (daily rate)	30%	30
TOTAL SCORE (max. 100 points)

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

Financial Proposal. Please provide a rate all-inclusive price (in TJS) for delivery of professional services in accordance with the assignments described under this TOR.

FP Rating = (Lowest Priced Offer / Price of the Offer Being Reviewed) x 100

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.

View our competency framework at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

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.

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.

Remarks:
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.