Consultancy: GTFCC Cholera WASH Working Group Coordinator - WASH, PD - NYHQ, Requisition# 504595

The purpose of this consultancy is to support the coordination of the GTFCC WASH working group.

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Background & Rationale

Cholera is an acute enteric infection caused by the ingestion of bacterium Vibrio cholerae present in faecally contaminated water or food. Primarily linked to insufficient access to safe water and proper sanitation, its impact can be even more dramatic in areas where basic environmental infrastructures are disrupted or have been destroyed. Countries facing complex emergencies are particularly vulnerable to cholera outbreaks. Massive displacement of IDPs or refugees to overcrowded settings, where the provision of potable water and sanitation is challenging, adds to the risk.

The Global Task Force on Cholera Control (GTFCC) was launched in 1992 following the adoption of resolution 44.6 by the Forty-fourth World Health Assembly (WHA). The aim was to reduce mortality and morbidity associated with the disease and to address the social and economic consequences of cholera. The GTFCC is a network of governmental and non-governmental organizations, UN agencies, and scientific partner institutions that helps coordinate activities for cholera control. The GTFCC is administered by the WHO through its Department of Pandemic and Epidemic Diseases (PED). In 2011, the WHA resolution 64.15 recommended to the WHO to revitalize the GTFCC, which had become relatively inactive. The GTFCC was revitalized in 2014. As part of the revitalization process, a secretariat has been set up and several working groups were created, including a WASH working group. The GTFCC Secretariat based at WHO in Geneva coordinates the activities of the different Working Groups.  In 2017, UNICEF took over the chairmanship of the WASH working groupThe GTFCC Working Groups provide technical expertise on cholera specific topics to provide evidence based guidance on cholera control. Receiving support from the GTFCC Secretariat, the WGs are expected to:

1. Coordinate technical guidance
2. Develop standards and guidance documents
3. Identify research needs, agree on research agenda and develop protocols.

UNICEF is looking for a consultant to support the coordination of the GTFCC WASH working group, in collaboration with the GTFCC secretariat as well as WASH working group members.

Purpose

The purpose of this consultancy is to support the coordination of the GTFCC WASH working group.

Expected results: (measurable results) 

• The GTFCC WASH working group activities are implemented according to the action plan developed in March 2017:
  • Ensure good collaboration with the GTFCC Secretariat based at WHO
  • Follow up on action points developed following the 2017 Dakar meeting
  • Promote participation of all members of the group
  • Formulate a communication plan for the working group in collaboration with the GTFCC Secretariat
  • Lead on the development of two technical documents:

• WASH programme guidance for outbreak settings
• WASH programme guidance for endemic settings

• • Facilitate the implementation of all action points with key group members in collaboration with the GTFCC Secretariat
• The WASH working group is adequately represented in key events:
  • Prepare the WASH WG presentations at key events (GTFCC annual meeting in June 2017; GTFCC advocacy meeting in September 2017)
  • Lead on the preparation of the 2018 WASH WG meeting (in collaboration with the GTFCC secretariat)
  • Represent the GTFCC WASH working group in relevant external events
• The WASH working group is well integrated in the overall GTFCC:
  • Ensure good coordination with the GTFCC Secretariat including through the organisation of monthly coordination calls
  • Identify and promote areas of collaboration with other GTFCC working groups
  • Coordinate the WASH sector’s input in OCV requests to the GTFCC OCV stockpile

Duty Station

Home based with regular travel to New York UNICEF headquarters.

Timeframe

Start date:  1 June 2017                     

End date:    15 May 2018

Key competences, technical background, and experience required Deadline

• Advanced university degree in one of the following disciplines: International relations, Business administration, Public Health, Civil engineering, Geology, Hydrology, or a field relevant to global public health.
• Five years solid professional work experience at the Mid- level, including significant field experience, in the UN or other international or national humanitarian organizations, national government or the private sector. 
• Experience in coordinating collaborative initiatives with multiple partners is required.
• Field experience in a cholera outbreak response is an asset.
• Communicates, works and networks effectively with a wide range of people to reach broad consensus on a well-coordinated response, and demonstrates leadership where required
• Thinks and acts strategically and ensures that working group activities are prioritised and aligned within the WASH working group strategy
• Fluency in English is required. Fluency in French or Arabic is an asset.

To view our competency framework, please click here. 

Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above (including travel and daily subsistence allowance, if applicable).  Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.