UNICEF Vanuatu is seeking to engage the services of a WASH in Schools policy consultant to develop a comprehension policy adopted by the Government of Vanuatu under the National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP) 2016- 2030. This is to ensure there is a dedicated strategy towards improved health of students and universal access to water sanitation and hygiene services at school.
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For every child, access
Universal access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services is a Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) which includes schools. The government of Vanuatu has adopted these goals into the National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP) 2016-2030. In reference to school WASH, there is a clear objective to focus on improving the quality of education, under social objective 2 “An inclusive, equitable and quality education system with life-long learning for all” and social objectivate 3, “A healthy population that enjoys a high quality of physical, mental, spiritual and social well-being”.
The Vanuatu Education and Training Sector Strategy (VETSS) further details the contributions to the NSDP by the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET). Under the pillar of access and equity, there is a dedicated strategy to improved health of students and achieve universal access to water sanitation and hygiene services at school, under strategy 5: “Promote and mainstream Health Promotion Strategies (HPS) in schools, so that children have equitable access to HPS activities and equitable access to quality WASH facilities in schools”. The target set under this strategy is that 100% of schools implement HPS and have equitable access to quality WASH facilities in schools.
Advancing on the VETSS, the Ministry of Education and Training MoET in the subsequent corporate plans 2022-2026 outlines actions for advancing on this strategy which includes the strengthening of the enabling environment, with the development of a WASH in schools’ policy as one of the most pressing outputs, as there is currently no comprehensive health promotion or WASH in schools' policy available.
This need for a WASH in schools’ policy in Vanuatu also relates to the evaluation findings of the UNICEF WASH in schools' program across the Pacific. The evaluation report is currently covering multiple counties and a country specific evaluation brief is in the making to better inform individual countries. The key recommendations across the different countries are (a.) the development of a country specific Theory of Change based on situational analysis, (b.) strengthen the Monitoring and Evaluation framework and (c.) strengthen the evidence-based programming to informing scale up, (d.) strengthen gender and inclusiveness, (e.) strengthen the operation and maintenance (O&M) framework and (d.) strengthen the ownership trough participation of rights holders. The development of a policy will directly respond to these recommendations. A situational analysis and stakeholder consultation leading to a theory of change is the foundation of policy development processes, while a policy will address the institutional and implementation arrangements. The policy will have a dedicated section on the monitoring, evaluation and learning, while gender and inclusion are mainstreamed across the policy document.
The consultant will undertake this work on behalf of the Education Services Departments (ESD) within the MoET. The ESD will establish a steering committee to oversee the works plans and review the deliverables achieved by the consultant. Accordingly, the consultant will work under the guidance and overall supervision of UNICEF WASH specialist based on Port Vila, on behalf of the steering committee.
How can you make a difference?
1. Content of the policy
The content of this policy should cover, but is not limited to, the following components.
1. Situational analyses
a. The relevance of WASH at schools in Vanuatu, relating to health, domestic policies etc.
b. The current status of WASH at schools, and that of neighboring countries.
c. The national and international commitments made as the SDGs, NSDP, VETS etc.
d. Overview of evaluation finds of WASH/ WASH in schools’ program.
2. Vision, mission goals and objectives of the policy
3. Minimum requirements of WASH services at schools which includes, but is not limited to:
a. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene services.
b. Hygiene education activities.
c. Managerial requirements on operation, maintenance and cleaning.
4. Institutional arrangements, by defining the roles and responsibilities of the different stakeholders such as:
a. Roles of the different departments and units within the MoET.
b. Roles between national and the decentralized levels such as province, and schools.
c. Roles of the government and community level- particularly at the school level.
d. Roles of other contributing ministries such as; of Department of Water Resources (DoWR) within Ministry of Lands and Natural. Resources (MoLNR), Ministry of Health (MoH), Department of Local Authorities (DLA) within the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MoIA).
e. Contributions of development partners, NGOs and private sector.
5. Implementation arrangements highlighting key strategies and activities required to achieve the policy objectives.
6. Costs and Financing mechanisms, by defining broadly the different costs estimates and how different costings can be financed at the different levels.
7. Monitoring, evaluation and learning framework. Defining measurable indicators and method of data collection and verification. Process of sharing good practices and facilitate learning.
Description of the assignment
The consultant is expected to undertake the following activities.
1. Inception and Planning
The consultant is expected to start the assignment with a kick-off meeting at the MoET with presence of MoET and UNICEF. The MoET will establish an oversight committee, to whom the consultant will present the detailed workplan and test certain assumptions on this assignment during the meeting. After this meeting the consultant can submit the updated workplan in the inception report.
Deliverable: Inception report
2. Desk Review, Interviews and Field Visits
The consultant is expected to commence a desk review followed by interviews and a field visit.
The consultant is expected to review Vanuatu legislation, policies, strategies and guidelines related to this subject. UNICEF and MoET will support providing relevant documents. The consultant is expected to review international best practices on WASH and Schools health policies. This desk review should reveal the current status of WASH and health promotion in schools, identify gaps and highlight international best practices.
The consultant is expected to facilitate a stakeholder mapping with support of the MoET and UNICEF. UNICEF/MoET will bear the costs of this mapping exercise. The consultant is also expected to conduct interviews with relevant stakeholders at national level, province and schools level. At National level this would be with the different units within the MoET and with the departments of other Ministries as Public Health Department (PHD) of MoH, DoWR, and the DLA, as well as NGOs and development partners. In case a mini workshop is to be organized, MoET and UNICEF can cover the venue costs.
The consultant is expected to visit two provinces, including visiting two ECCEs, two primary and one secondary school per province. Provincial level authorities responsible for WASH in schools are to be interviewed. In case a mini workshop is proposed, UNICEF and the MoET can cover the costs of this workshop. The visited schools should identify the required guidance for a school to improve the WASH conditions.
The findings of this desk review, interviews and the field visit are to be documented in a report and presented to the WASH in schools steering committee members. This report should include a proposed chaptalization plan for the to be drafted policy.
The consultant is expected to collaborate with the agency responsible for concluding Vanuatu specific WASH in schools being undertaken by UNICEF. These evaluation findings should be reflected in the situational analysis.
Deliverable: WASH in schools in Vanuatu situational analysis report.
3. Policy drafting
The consultant is expected to draft the WASH in schools’ policy as per agreed chaptalization plan. The drafting process is expected to be an iterative process with review and feedback by UNICEF and MoET staff. Drafting sessions can be proposed with MoET and UNICEF present if required. After endorsement of the draft, the draft is to be presented to the steering committee for endorsement before a national level stakeholder consultation
Deliverable:
- Draft WASH in schools’ policy
- Draft WASH in schools implementation framework and budget.
4. Finalization of the policy with stakeholder consultations
After endorsement of the steering committee, a national level consultation with participation of the provinces is to be organized. The consultant is expected to develop the agenda, presentations and facilitate this consultation. UNICEF and MoET will organize the participation of stakeholders, the venue and will cover the costs associated.
The consultant is expected to incorporate feedback received during the consultation process and finalize the WASH in schools’ policy, implementation framework and budget. The consultant is expected to develop a WASH in schools policy brief, which is a summary of the key policy points, that can be used for popular use and dissemination after approval. MoET will facilitate final approval of the policy.
Deliverables:
- Stakeholder consultation report
- WASH in schools’ policy
- WASH in schools policy brief– (4 pager), summarizing the key points for popular use.
5. Administrative Issues
The consultant is expected to organize own working arrangements such as space, computer, stationery and communication means. UNICEF can offer space for conducting meetings. UNICEF can also support contacting and bringing together relevant stakeholders.
Costs associated with developing this policy, such as stationary, airline tickets, travel, accommodation and food for the consultant are to be included into the consultancy and are to be budgeted by the consultant and under the heading reimbursables.
Costs associated to government participation, venue hire, lunches will be covered by UNICEF and or the MoET.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
- Education: Advanced degree (Masters) in civil / environmental engineering, public / environmental health, education or related fields.
- A Bachelor’s degree plus 10 years of experience in lieu of a master’s degree is also acceptable
- Experience: At least 5 years of work experience in the field of WASH, public health, education sector. Experience in Vanuatu is an advantage.
- Proven experience in conducting policy dialogue, including situational analysis, policy drafting, facilitating dialogue preferably in the domain of health, WASH or education. Experience in working with government in collaboration with UN or INGOs is an advantage.
- Language: Fluency in English is required. Ability to speak French and Bislama is an added asset.
- Skills: Excellent communication and facilitation skills.
- Proven writing skills and publications made in the field of WASH, public health, education sector.
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).
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UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.
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:
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
This consultancy is only open for the Nationals of Vanuatu or individuals with valid work permits.
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.
The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.