National Consultant (WASH Sector Coordination); Dhaka; Only for Bangladeshi

Under this assignment, some of the expected tasks include: • Strengthen coordination among WASH sector actors in Bangladesh. (WASH related line ministries and line departments of GoB, development partners, INGOs, National NGOs, Research Organizations, Academia & Development Partners); • Organize sector coordination meetings regularly (LCG, Thematic Group, National Forum for WSS, Technical Support Committee, Policy Support Committee etc.) • Prepare working documents, meeting notes, office order for National Forum for WSS to get endorsement of proposed re-constituted sector thematic group (8); • Facilitate preparation plan of action and TOR for each sector thematic group. • Provide secretarial support to PSB for revision of Sector Development Plan (SDP) 2011-2025, water sanitation policy 1998 and development of operation & maintenance strategy for WASH facilities with technical and financial support from UNICEF • Facilitate organizing WASHBAT national workshop and its adoption through issuance of GoB circular for its implementation. • Dissemination of policy and strategy documents among the stakeholder professional and Local Government Institutes (LGIs) representatives through organizing workshop/ seminar/ conference at division, district and national level; • Provide implementation support for activities related to UNICEF engagement with the private sector in the WASH sector; • Identification and support for capacity building initiatives for sector professionals on different thematic issues related to WASH

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Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

The Government of Bangladesh WASH Sector Development Plan (2011 – 2025) identifies  lack of coordination, poor harmonization and disparities in sectoral approaches, strategies for implementation, monitoring and information management by various stakeholders as key challenges of the sector. The WASH SDP further notes that the project-based nature of most interventions is the primary limiting factor to scaling-up of successful interventions. In an attempt to address this key challenge, the Government of Bangladesh established and operated a Policy Support Branch (PSB) under Water Wing of the Local Government Division of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development & Cooperatives (MoLGRD&C) tasked with implementing the SDP in relation to sectoral policy development and policy coordination. Its other responsibilities related to this includes establishment of sector thematic groups to enhance sectoral coordination and the use of common approaches, monitoring tools for programme interventions. 

The PSB is tasked with facilitating sectoral coordination and development, revision of policy and strategy document to foster an  enabling environment for WASH sector. As part of its strategic upstream support to the sector, the GOB-UNICEF 2019-2020 Rolling work plan includes provision of technical assistance for some PSB activities viz.  harnessing the required political will, generating technical and policy level stakeholder buy in, re-establishing and operationalizing the defunct thematic groups, resource mobilization and technical support for the implementation of sector wide strategies and approaches. However, Government created this branch under the Water Supply wing of Local Government Division (LGD). Currently only senior level staff from the Local Government Division is assigned without any other manpower to carryout gigantic takes of WASH sector development and coordination. In this connection UNICEF is supporting PSB to enhancing its capacity for sector coordination and capacity building of sector stakeholders by providing a full-time consultant who will be housed in PSB, DPHE.  

Under this assignment, some of the expected tasks include:

• Strengthen coordination among WASH sector actors in Bangladesh. (WASH related line ministries and line departments of GoB, development partners, INGOs, National NGOs, Research Organizations, Academia & Development Partners);
• Organize sector coordination meetings regularly (LCG, Thematic Group, National Forum for WSS, Technical Support Committee, Policy Support Committee etc.)
• Prepare working documents, meeting notes, office order for National Forum for WSS to get endorsement of proposed re-constituted sector thematic group (8);
• Facilitate preparation plan of action and TOR for each sector thematic group.
• Provide secretarial support to PSB for revision of Sector Development Plan (SDP) 2011-2025, water sanitation policy 1998 and development of operation & maintenance strategy for WASH facilities with technical and financial support from UNICEF 
• Facilitate organizing WASHBAT national workshop and its adoption through issuance of GoB circular for its implementation.
• Dissemination of policy and strategy documents among the stakeholder professional and Local Government Institutes (LGIs) representatives through organizing workshop/ seminar/ conference at division, district and national level;
• Provide implementation support for activities related to UNICEF engagement with the private sector in the WASH sector;
• Identification and support for capacity building initiatives for sector professionals on different thematic issues related to WASH.

Deliverables/Outputs

1. Sector coordination meetings held regularly (at least 2 LCG meetings, 2 thematic Group meetings for each thematic groups, 1 National Forum for WSS meeting, 1 technical Support Committee, 1 Policy Support Committee meetings etc.) by developing PSB action plan/meeting calendar, issuing meeting notice/circular, meeting minutes, working paper etc. in time.
2. Plan of action and TOR for each 8 newly constituted sector thematic groups finalized and endorsed by Joint Secretary PSB
3. PSB take lead for revision of Sector Development Plan (SDP) 2011-2025, water sanitation policy 1998 and development of operation & maintenance strategy for WASH facilities with technical and financial support from UNICEF by issuing meeting notices, meeting minutes and facilitating organization of working committee meetings,  preparing ToR/ Expression of Interest (EoI), Request for Proposal (RFP) for hiring agencies to carry out above assignment, provide necessary information and data as and when required, provide feedback on the draft document
4. WASHBAT national workshop organized (Prepare participants list, Invitation card, distribution invitation card, venue selection, logistic arrangement & other), facilitate gathering consolidated feedback from LGD and PSB on the final document obtained and adopted through issuance of GoB circular from the Ministry for its dissemination and implementation
5. PSB/WaterAid supported in revision of the pro-poor strategy for WSS sector in Bangladesh by organizing working group meetings, stakeholders consultations and issuances of meeting circulars, minutes and arranging Water Sanitation Forum meeting and issuance of government order for its endorsement and dissemination
6. National action plan for IRF-FSM implementation (Paurashava, City Corporation, Mega City and Rural Areas) developed by ITN/working committee and by organization meetings, preparing meeting minutes, providing consolidated feedback from LGD and PSB on the document
7. National MHM strategy for Bangladesh developed with technical and finical assistance from UNICEF by organization meetings, preparing meeting minutes, providing consolidated feedback from LGD and PSB on the document
8. Dissemination of key policies and strategies document revised/developed by PSB among the stakeholders and representatives of LGIs through printing and proof reading of the document, organizing workshop/ seminar/ conference at division, district and national level
9. Any other WSS related duties and responsibilities assigned by the management

Education/Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• Advanced university degree in one of the following areas: Social Science or Public Health Engineering, Business Administration or a field relevant to WASH related development assistance.
• At least 5 years’ experience in development field, preferably in the water and sanitation sector (UN or development agency, donor, government regulatory body, academic institution or the private sector);
• Well conversant with policies and strategies of the water supply and sanitation sector in Bangladesh;
• Extensive experience in organizing and facilitating meetings/workshops/seminars;
• Familiarization with the policy environment of Bangladesh, the challenges within the WASH sector and the capacities of various stakeholders, would be considered an asset.
• Good interpersonal, leadership and management skills in implementing multi-party development projects.
• Well conversant with the development programme aspects of water supply and sanitation;
• Working experience with donors funded Government projects/organization/international NGOs
• Good written and spoken English.
• Computer skills especially in word processing, spreadsheet and PowerPoint presentation is preferred.
• Good written and spoken English.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

The competencies required for this post are….

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

• Duration : 9 Months
• Fees: 1,80,000/- (One lakh eighty thousand) per month as lumpsum.
• Duty Station : Dhaka
• Travel & DSA : Will provided at actual as per policy.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.