UNICEF WCARO - Consultant WASH Snapshots for West & Central Africa Regional and Global Rural Water Supply

2017 JMP Update and SDG Baselines: WASH Snapshots for West & Central Africa Regional and Global Rural Water Supply

1. Background and Context

Based exclusively on data from national censuses and nationally representative household sample surveys, the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply and Sanitation (JMP) reported annually on the progress towards the MDG drinking water and sanitation target. Following the approval of the SDG, including the revised definition of indicators and measurement methodology, the UNICEF-WHO Joint Water and Sanitation Monitoring Programme JMP) remains  the mandated institution for global monitoring and reporting on the WASH SDGs. Equitable and sustainable safely managed water and sanitation services are at the core of the SDGs 6.1 ad 6.2, which is a change from the previously used MDG global water and sanitation indicators; considerable efforts have been put since to develop national baselines over 2016 and early 2017. New SDG WASH Baselines have just been published by the JMP in July 2017. 

The JMP 2015 update drew upon 1,982 national data sources, covering the years 1990-2015; with the revised definition of the indicators, the JMP undertook a global data drive and facilitated intensive country consultation to expand the global data base. As a result the JMP global database has been significantly expanded to incorporate the additional data required for SDG monitoring including information on safely managed service levels which comes mainly from administrative sources. The 2017 JMP database has more than doubled to include 4,710 data inputs, 3,408 of which were used to produce estimates. Nearly five times as many administrative data inputs were used for the 2017 update and household surveys now comprise only 42 per cent of the JMP global database.  Most of these data sources were collected directly from published reports of national authorities, including statistical offices, ministries, and regulators. Regional programmes such as the WHO/UNECE Protocol for Water and Health in the European Region, the Statistical Office of the European Union (EUROSTAT), the International Benchmarking Network (IB-NET), and the MDG+ initiative for Arabic countries were also important resources in compiling national data on drinking water quality and wastewater treatment.  Most recently JMP is developing baseline estimates for access to WASH in Schools which will be published in the summer of 2018.

The WHO-UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) estimated that in 2015, 38% of the West and Central Africa Region (WCAR) population (181 million people) remained with no access to at least a basic water supply, representing 21% of the global total without access. A far greater proportion 76% (351 million people) did not have access to basic sanitation.  The proportion of the Sub Saharan Africa population with access to safely managed drinking water supply was 24% compared to the global figure of 71%. There are not yet estimates for access to safely managed sanitation for most countries in WCAR but it is likely to be very low. There is therefore much work to do in WCAR to tackle issues around access to basic WASH services and the more challenging issue of achieving the criteria for safely managed services.

Since 2012, both ROSA and EAPRO regions have developed separate in-depth regional analysis snapshots that have been used widely in national/international events for advocacy and for highlighting overall regional progress as well as key areas of attention in WASH in by regions. The just recently published 2017 JMP baselines provide estimates of global, regional and national water supply and sanitation coverage; using this as a basis, but also using other data sources on other key WASH programme areas as WASH in Schools, MHM etc. 

UNICEF WCARO has been requested for support from ECCAS and ECOWAS to support the analysis of the SDG6.1 and 6.2 baselines for the countries in their regions as an input into regional policy and advocacy initiatives related to the Integrated Water Resources Management Plans (PARGIRE in French) and policies like the ECOWAS Child Policy.  This support is aligned with UNICEF new Strategic Plan 2018-2021, WASH Strategy 2016-2030, and the WCAR Key results for Children which include policy and public advocacy around ending open defecation in both communities and institutions- schools and health care facilities.

Using the new JMP data as a basis, the aim is to develop specific analysis and regional updates highlighting trends and status of the hygiene, water supply and sanitation indicators for households and in schools for West Africa (ECOWAS countries), Central Africa (ECCAS countries) and a third snapshot on Rural Water Supply globally by SDG regions. 

2. Justification

The purpose of this consultancy is hence to prepare regional analysis and updates following the release of the 2017 Joint Monitoring Programme baseline estimates for Water Supply and Sanitation for West Africa, Central Africa, and Global Rural Water Supply; this will include i) an analysis of the latest statistics, as published in the 2017 JMP report, new WASH in Schools baselines (2018), as well other recent WASH global/regional data sources, ii) develop 3 separate 2017 snapshots on a) West Africa (ECOWAS countries) water supply, sanitation and hygiene in households and schools including country specific equity trees, b) Central Africa (ECCAS countries) water supply, sanitation and hygiene including country specific equity trees, and c) Rural Water Supply globally disaggregated by SDG region with in-depth analysis on service levels and wealth quintiles ; this may also require the design / layout of the previous snapshots to be adjusted; the final document will be published online and disseminated widely, including in upcoming country/regional and global level events such as High-level meetings of the Economic Communities, Stockholm Water Week, Africa Water Week event planned for October 2018 and other advocacy events.

3. Purpose and Objective

The purpose of the consultancy is to develop specific analysis and regional updates highlighting trends and status of the hygiene, water supply and sanitation indicators for households and schools, with a focus on equity for West Africa (ECOWAS countries), Central Africa (ECCAS countries) and a third snapshot on Rural Water Supply globally by SDG regions.

The objective of the consultancy is to produce:

1. a total of 3 high quality, representational snapshot documents on the latest status and trends with highlights on specificities and challenges for the following thematic areas:
   1. water, sanitation and hygiene sub-sectors for households and schools in West Africa sub-Region (14 Countries);
   2. water, sanitation and hygiene sub-sectors for households and schools in Central Africa sub-Region (11 countries);
   3. rural water supply sub-sector for all SDG regions and wealth quintiles.
2. a total of 6 country specific national and sub-national equity profiles using multi-year JMP and other data sources to show changes in the trend around some of the key in-equity dimensions of such as geography, ethnicity, language, education, wealth etc.  Two country equity profiles should be produced for each snapshot (West Africa, Central Africa, and Rural Water).

The consultant should use similar format to the EAPRO 2017 JMP Snapshot products (available as annex).  Given the emphasis on equity the consultant is requested to use the available multi-year data to the extent possible to show trends in the various dimensions of existing in-equities (urban-rural, rich-poor, education level and or ethnicity) through regional and or country national & sub-national level graphs. These documents will provide an authoritative baseline and reference point for stimulating further investments in these sectors, and to facilitate shift toward more equity sensitive monitoring & reporting. These documents will be widely used in key sector events, in support of highlighting key aspects of water supply and sanitation in the both regions, presentation in a clear "reader friendly manner" using a mix of text, graph and charts.

4. Activities, Tasks, Outputs and Deliverables

A summary of the proposed tasks and deliverables against a timeline is provided below:

5. End Products/ Final deliverables

• Final version of:
• Snapshots for a) West Africa (ECOWAS countries) b) Central Africa (ECCAS Countries) and c) Rural Water Supply
• Final Version of Country Equity profile (2 pages max.) for each country, depending on data availability and quality (6 total- 2 countries per snapshot)
• Power point Presentations for each snapshot (West Africa, Central Africa, Rural Water Supply)
• Full set in PDF and Word file format with all final version of the documents to WCARO/ Dakar offices, including data tables and graphs in excel format.

6. Supervision of the Contract:

The consultancy will be supervised by the Regional Adviser, WASH at WCARO.

Overall guidance and supervisory support will be provided by the Regional Advisor, UNICEF WCARO; in addition, the consultant will be working closely and receiving guidance with WASH Specialists- WCARO and UNICEF WASH Chiefs from the equity profile countries, as well as receiving guidance and support from the global JMP team and the UNICEF WASH Programme Division in NY.  Regular exchanges between the Regional Adviser and consultant - at inception, review of progress, review of draft documents and revisions, draft layouts, artwork and overall quality of final product, will take place through regular e-mail exchanges and skype calls.

7. Work and Payment schedule

Anticipate 48 working days over 15 June 2018 till 15 October 2018. Estimate is based on 10 working days per snapshot (30 total) and 3 days per country equity profile (18 total). 

The consultant will be paid in two lump sum payments:  50% upon completion of the first draft and 50% remaining amount upon completion of the assignment to the satisfaction of the supervisor. All necessary details on specific tasks, expected deliverables and the timeframe for completion of deliverables during the contract period are provided in Section 4 above.

7.1. Main tasks: Data analysis & consolidation findings

Task Detail: 

1. Collect 2017 JMP data update, 2018 WASH in Schools baselines, and other relevant recent data / statistics for households and schools

2. Develop the content of the three "snapshots", primarily consisting of maps, tables, charts and graphs, with a minimum of supporting text and in reader friendly manner.

3. Develop the content for Country Equity profile- 6 Total (2 per Snapshot)

Timelines:

End June 2018  

7.2. Main tasks: Presentation & Reporting

Task Detail: 

1. Following EAPRO format / template, prepare the first, second and final version of the documents, ensure feedback from peer review incorporated in final version.

2. Update or develop 3 PowerPoint presentations (15-20 slides) covering the content of each snapshot

3. Supply all final documents in Word, excel and PDF file format, (in high resolution for printing and in low resolution for web publishing) and  PowerPoint presentations 

Deliverables:

1. First draft of the documents as above.
2. Final version of 3 snapshots
3. Final Version of Country Equity profile (2 pages max.) for each country. 6 Total.
4. PowerPoint Presentations for 3 snapshots

Timelines:

-  End July 2018 for the first drafts

-  Mid- September 2018 for Final versions

8. Qualifications and Specialized Knowledge/experience required

Based on the Terms of Reference that outlines tasks, expected deliverables and the required skills set, a vacancy announcement will be put out inviting potential individual candidates to express interest by submitting their Expression of Interest (EoI), outlining:

1. their qualification and technical capacity,
2. relevant work experience for undertaking this assignment,
3. the proposed methodology (including plans for any in-country visits and methodology for an  in-depth country analysis based on secondary data/information)
4. a detailed workplan;

Selected candidates will be requested to submit a financial proposal.

This consultancy requires the following specific qualifications:

• An advanced degree in a water and sanitation, public health, statistics or related field.

8. Conditions of Work

• UNICEF will support the consultant in carrying out the duties outlined above, including but not limited to all background documents on the programme.
• After the contract is initiated, the consultant may, within reason and with the prior written approval of UNICEF, adjust line items within the proposed and approved budget, so long as doing so does not increase the total cost of contract.
• UNICEF will pay contract fees only upon satisfaction of services provided.

• Consultancy is Home-based. There is no travel involved in this consultancy.  This consultancy can be performed from any location with good internet connectivity.  The consultant will provide his/her own work space, computers, software, office equipment and internet connection. Contact with the supervisors will be through (conference) calls, Skype and email.

9. Remarks:

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

Payment will only be made for work satisfactorily completed and accepted by UNICEF.