International Consultant (Urban Sanitation), Accra, Ghana

UNICEF Ghana seeks the services of a committed and experienced professional to provide technical support and take the lead in finalisation of the project on Improving Sanitation Access in Urban Ghana. This will involve coordinating activities with government, civil society, consultants, contractors and other stakeholders. The individual will be engaged as international consultant for 11 months. He/she will be based in Accra with some local field travels. Only non-Ghanaians are eligible to apply.

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

For every child, improving urban sanitation

Ghana is facing significant challenges in terms of urban sanitation, according to the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey 2014, 7% of urban households in Ghana have no toilet facility and still use bush or open field for defecation, and 68% of households share their toilet with more than one household (51% share with five or more households). At present there is no urban sanitation strategy for Ghana, and a range of different approaches are being trialled by numerous stakeholders. A range challenges

To address the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to urban sanitation in Ghana, UNICEF received funding from the Government of the Netherlands to support the Government of Ghana (GoG) in developing and implementing a national urban strategy under the Improving Sanitation Access in Urban Ghana project. The implementation and strategy development focuses on the following five components:

• Sanitation demand creation and behaviour change;
• Supply chain and service delivery, business development and assessing finance options;
• Appropriate, low-cost sanitation and waste water treatment technology options;
• WASH governance/ enabling environment; and
• Monitoring & evaluation.

The project focuses in three Metropolitan and Municipal Assemblies (MMAs), Ashaiman, Tamale and Ho. Key activities completed to date include completion of a baseline study, development of sanitation technology options manual, GIS-mapping of WASH facilities, assessment of existing waste water treatment facilities/services, affordability study, training of artisans (masons) on toilet technology options and triggering communities for demand generation using three different approaches, trained sanitation artisans and entrepreneurs in business skill development, to equip them to deliver sanitation services to households.

On-going activities include review of Metropolitan/Municipal Environmental Sanitation Strategy & Action Plans (MESSAPs) for the three project areas, developing an urban Open Defecation Free (ODF) verification protocol, finalising guidelines for sanitation marketing, business & financing, and formation of mutual savings and loan associations (MSLA). Activities that are due to start are training on wastewater/faecal sludge treatment technology for municipal engineers and planners, a sanitation fair in each MMA and dialogue for the development of the urban sanitation model/strategy.

The project is due to be completed by the end of 2018, at which point a range of results should be achieved, including 300,000 people across the three MMAs having improved access to sanitation and practicing handwashing with soap, 9,000 children in basic schools have access to improved WASH infrastructure and software, and the finalisation of a sectoral urban sanitation strategy based on this experience and sectoral dialogue.

How can you make a difference?

The consultant will be responsible for coordinating activities to finalise all critical activities in the completion of the above described project. This will involve coordinating activities with government, civil society, consultants, contractors and other stakeholders. The consultant shall also regularly update the WASH Specialist (Sanitation and Knowledge Management) on progress of implementation as it pertains to both grant implementation plans and targets.

Under the general guidance of the WASH Specialist (Sanitation and Knowledge Management) the Urban Sanitation Consultant will support implementation of the urban sanitation project. He/she will be responsible for:

• Ensure accurate monthly reporting on project deliverables against planned activities and incorporate data on expenditure generated by the WASH Specialist
• Ensuring key project targets are being reliably monitored (including periodic field visits), and reviewing progress against project targets, providing revised estimates of results as appropriate and presenting credible causes and associated evidence
• Develop draft terms of reference as agreed with the WASH Specialist (Sanitation and Knowledge Management), and follow through to contract signatures; as the grants lead consultant provide subsequent oversight on these activities which are likely to involve six TORs in total, including:
  • MMA capacity assessment and strengthening
  • Support to MMAs on establishing PPP mechanisms for sanitation
  • Urban sanitation social norms
  • End of project survey and evaluation
  • Annual MESSAP review mechanisms
  • Sanitation financing mechanisms
• Coordinate with UNICEF staff working in other sectors in order to deliver successful programme implementation, notably with Communications for Development on social norms interaction, Social Policy in relation to pro-poor financing techniques and External Communications on advocacy
• Ensure suitable management and implementation of civil society partners, including regular review of implementation against project plans and targets
• Development of new partnerships with civil society and other relevant stakeholders to achieve intended objectives
• Development of an advocacy strategy as a result of experiences from project implementation and findings of associated research, engaging with media and other communications channels
• Ensure the coordination of consultants and activities with external stakeholders for the completion of the urban sanitation strategy in a timely manner
• Liaise with the WASH Harmonised Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) focal person to ensure suitable programme monitoring and financial review of partners is completed
• Provide support in preparation and completion of donor visits
• Lead the development of annual donor reports for 2018 and final report for project end
• Ensure regular review of programme implementation status and communicate challenges to WASH Specialist (Sanitation and Knowledge Management)

These tasks are indicative and might be adjusted in discussion with the WASH Specialist (Sanitation and Knowledge Management) at the commencement of the assignment, or as appropriate based on project implementation status.

The consultant is expected to deliver the following:

• Draft monthly project progress report
• Monthly project results presented and revised projections of results presented where applicable
• Monthly partner, consultant and contractor status report, including implementation plans for timely completion of activities
• Finalised Terms of Reference (minimum of six)
• Finalised Urban Sanitation Strategy
• Urban sanitation advocacy strategy and description of associated activities
• Monthly status of project field visits and partner reviews
• 2018 and project end donor reports

To qualify as a/an [champion or advocate] for every child you will have…

• Advanced university degree in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Sanitary Engineering, Public Health, Civil Engineering or a field relevant to international WASH related development assistance
• Advanced technical knowledge of the theories, principles and methods in the following areas; Centralized and decentralized household waste water collection, treatment and disposal; water and soil pollution and impacts; communication for behavior change and information technology
• Eight years of progressively responsible professional work experience in the UN or other international development organization, national government or the private sector
• General knowledge of global human rights and gender issues, specifically relating to children and women, and the current UNICEF position and approaches. UNICEF policies and strategy to address WASH issues, including those relating to conflicts, natural disasters, recovery and disaster risk reduction and environment
• Additional experience in project management is required in addition to the following:
  • Very good planning and organizing skill and strong drive for result
  • Ability to formulate strategies and concepts
  • Innovation and Analytical skills
  • Effective coordination skills, networking and influencing
  • Good communication and report writing skills

For every Child, you demonstrate…

Our core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

Applicants should submit a CV and Cover Letter in application for the position. Please propose your daily or monthly fees in USD