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National Consultancy - Assessment of water hand pump spare parts shop performance and the implementation of Water Safety Planning (only for nationals of Guinea-Bissau)

Bissau

  • Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund
  • Location: Bissau
  • Grade: Consultancy - Consultant - Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Operations and Administrations
    • Environment
    • Security and Safety
    • Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)
    • WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene)
    • Water Resource Management
  • Closing Date: Closed

The UNICEF Guinea Bissau CO is seeking a national consultant for the assessment of water hand pump spare parts shop performance and the implementation of Water Safety Planning.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, hope

How can you make a difference?

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

The annual WASH work plan of UNICEF Guinea-Bissau aims to increase access to drinking water.

In 2016, the WASH section, together with the government, carried out an exhaustive assessment and reorganization of the available data on access to water and sanitation. With clear gaps identified and precise geo-referenced data, it was decided to move to the smartphone-based mapping of water points functionality. 6 NGOs in different parts of the country were engaged in their area to assess the functional status of all water points, assign a serial number and visually mark them.

This process is now being complemented through a survey of the functionality of water points and water quality testing in schools in all eight regions.

To date, 6,279 water points have been visited, of which 1,747 are boreholes equipped with hand pumps. Of these 53% are functional, 13% work, but have minor problems, 32% are inoperative and 2% of the water points have been abandoned or no longer exist. The issue of access to safe water is therefore not a matter of lack of infrastructure, but the lack of maintenance.

Four key issues were identified as the main causes for the failure of the pumps.

1. Lack of information on non-functional pumps and their location.

2. Unavailability of spare parts in the country, especially at the regional level.

3. Unavailability of pump mechanics due to engagement in other remunerated activities or difficulties to be contacted or to travel to communities.

4. Mechanics unknown to the communities or lack of community confidence in mechanics.

Concerning water quality, 1,310 water points used for drinking were tested, of which 56% were positive for the presence of coliforms- Looking further at the presence of the coliform related to the type of water point the data shows  70% of coliforms presence in protected dug wells, in 85,3% unprotected dug wells,  9% in piped water and 11% in boreholes with pumps.

The results of these tests highlight the need for greater awareness of the need for proper care of water during collection, transport and storage both at the water point and at the household, especially in communities with limited access to safe water points.

Marketing of handpump spare parts and mechanics

UNICEF, in coordination with the government, acquired parts to be used as spare stock, in a process where the commercialization of parts is carried out by private retailers in 3 selected locations (in Mansoa for the Oio region, in Bafatá for the Bafatá and Gabú regions, and Buba for the Quinara and Tombali regions) selling mostly spare parts for INKAR and Vergnet Hydro-India pumps. The issue of parts availability was solved when the spare part shops opened in 2018. UNICEF also provided additional support to the mechanics in the form of uniforms and motorized vehicles to ease their displacements to provide services in communities. Considering this latest development, UNICEF now intends to carry out an analysis of these interventions to draw up a detailed report on the functionality of the stores, taking stock of parts, identify existing constraints on the marketing of parts and the provision of repair services and discuss with the mechanic's ways of registering repaired water points.

Implementation of Water Safety Planning (WSP)

With the support of the UNICEF Regional Office for West and Central Africa, UNICEF Guinea-Bissau launched a pilot initiative to train and implement WSP in 3 communities in Bafatá in a first phase that was later extended to 145 communities (finalized) and around 100 in progress. The approach based on the CLTS model aims to test the water points and the water consumed at household and to use the test results to impulse an awakening reaction that leads to the adoption of measures of protection and storage of the water from the collection point to the final consumption. Regular follow-up of implementing partners aims to facilitate the process of adopting positive behaviour and providing technical support on the solutions adapted to local reality and in carrying out final testing to assess the efficiency of the process.

ACTIVITIES, TASKS, DELIVERABLES & TIMELINES

The main objectives of this contract are:

  1. Develop an analysis of the operation of the spare part stores, of the relations with the mechanics and establish a balance of the parts transferred, sold and reacquired, as well as analyze the interest of the dealers in continuing this activity and report any constraints.
  2. Collect and report on the current operation of the preventive maintenance and repair services provided by the pump mechanics together with the communities, gather an impression on the operation of the shops and on possible ways of registering repaired water points.
  3.  Analyze and report the progress in the implementation of WSP in the regions of Bafatá, Gabú, Oio and Tombali through the collection of testimonies from implementing partners and communities. Elaborate an analysis that included the suggestions for improvement, as well as the innovations and adaptations, found or possible according to the views of the involved.

Deliverables

Main deliverables to be considered under this assignment:

a)  Two weeks: Methodological proposal and implementation planning, which should consider the planning of the account field trips and desk-review.

b) Five weeks: A preliminary report summary (max. 5 pages) of the field visit findings for discussion with UNICEF and the DGRH.

c) Eight weeks:  Final report, which includes the collection of land and the balance of the stock of the parts transferred, sold, and purchased, incorporating all comments and suggestions from UNICEF and DGRH 1 week before the end of the contract

d)  Eight weeks: A report containing the consultant’s assessment of the impact of the implementation of the Water Safety Planning and Management approach.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

  • Academic training in the fields of Hydraulic Engineering, Project Management, Social Sciences linked to community practices.
  • Proven experience in the Water, Hygiene and Sanitation sector, and in the preparation of technical documents.
  • Basic knowledge of narrative, descriptive, financial and information reports related to Water, Hygiene and Sanitation.
  • Basic knowledge of the operation of water pumps moved by human motricity as well as of the distribution network of spare parts and the role of sectoral mechanics.
  • Proficiency in Portuguese (working language), knowledge of, Creole, French and English are an advantage.

CONDITIONS OF WORK

The duration of the contract is 2 months from the start date.

The contract resulting from these terms of reference shall comply with the following conditions:

- The nature of the contract shall be temporary and part-time. The consultant is expected to perform all the work independently, following the highest professional standards.

- The consultant will be asked to respect and protect the confidentiality of all information obtained as a result of his services and services or in accordance with his services and services and will not disclose this information to third parties without prior written consent of UNICEF, unless it is required to do so by any applicable law or regulation or is specifically authorized to do so under this Regulation or by any separate agreement; especially where the provision of such information is the object or part of the service provided by the consultant.

-  All transport on the national territory will be organized by the UNICEF. The consultant will plan the trips well in advance and will keep a record of worked days, visited locations, people contacted and their respective contacts that should be attached to the final report.

-  Given the current COVID-19 pandemic, the consultant will have to follow the strict protocol for preventing infections that will be provided by UNICEF.

Payment terms

The payment of the fees shall be based on the presentation of satisfactory agreed and validated deliverables. So, 40% of the fees will be paid two weeks after the beginning of the contract depending on the submission and validation of the methodological proposal and work plan and desk-review findings. The remaining 60% will be paid after submission and validation of the final reports.  UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the results presented do not meet the required standard or in case of delays in the presentation of the results.

IMPORTANT: As a rule, the fees payable to a consultant must follow the principle of best value (obtain the desired result at the lowest possible cost). Therefore, the candidates are required to indicate their fees for the services to be provided. To be considered, candidates MUST submit their financial proposals when apply.

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.

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.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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

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.

This vacancy is now closed.
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