UN Consultant Jobs in Kenya 2013.
Terms of Reference – UNSOM/2013/045
Title: Comprehensive Assessment of Water Quality Monitoring Systems in Somalia
Organizational Unit: WASH
Type of Contract: Short Service Agreement (SSA)
Duration: 42 days
Duty Station: Nairobi with frequent travel to Somalia
Level: P3/NOC Equivalent
Background
Poor access to safe drinking water and lack of adequate sanitation facilities coupled with poor hygienic practices are major threats for the survival and development of children in Somalia. Overall, 71% of the population of Somalia do not have access to safe water supply and 77% do not have access to safe means of excreta disposal system. The low coverage confirms the extent to which the water, sanitation and hygiene sub-sectors have been affected by the conflict.
Due to its arid environment, many parts of Somalia rely heavily on water extracted from deep borehole water supply systems, shallow wells (protected and unprotected), seasonal rivers, underground storage tanks referred to as berkards and depressions referred to as pans. Drinking water sources are under increasing threat from contamination, with far-reaching consequences for the health of children and for the economic and social development of communities and the nation.
Deteriorating water quality threatens the gains made in improving access to drinking water. From 1990 to 2012 more than 2 million people have gained access to improved water sources, but not all of these new sources are necessarily safe. Unsafe handling and storage of water compounds the problem. Water drawn from safe sources may be contaminated by the time it is ultimately consumed in households. The chemical contamination of water supplies – both naturally occurring and from pollution – is a very serious problem. But more serious still is the microbiological contamination of drinking water supplies, especially from human faeces. Faecal contamination of drinking water is a major contributor to diarrhoeal disease, which kills hundreds of Somali children every year. As populations, pollution and environmental degradation increase, so will the chemical and microbiological contamination of water supplies. Drinking water quality is therefore a growing concern throughout Somalia.
As water quality problems become more serious and widespread, water quality monitoring becomes a more important component of national efforts in water sector. These efforts can be complemented by community-level surveillance systems, where regional and district authorities with support from NGOs and other service providers are empowered with the knowledge and tools necessary to monitor the quality of their own water sources. The UN and its partners are playing an increasingly active role in supporting government and communities in this important area
Study Objectives
To develop a strategy framework for water quality monitoring and management system in the three Regions of Somalia (South Central, Puntland and Somaliland) in collaboration and consultation with the line ministries of Federal Government of Somalia, line ministries of Somaliland and Puntland and strategic WASH cluster/sector partners.
Specific Tasks
• Conduct an assessment of the existing drinking water quality monitoring and management practices at national and zonal levels in Somalia through field visits to the selected regions and districts (Bossaso, Garowe, Hargeisa, and Mogadishu/Banadir) including other water and sanitation partners in the sector.
• Evaluate the existing water testing equipment used by various stakeholders, NGOs and other water and sanitation development partners, in terms of their reliability, accuracy, portability, robustness, number of water quality parameters it can measure, easiness to learn and use, availability of the consumables and reagents in country and the East African region. Recommend and specify standard water quality testing kit, consumables and reagents to be used; elaborating the number of water quality parameters it can do and what should be monitored and tested at different stages.
• Design and initiate the process of development of water quality standards for Somalia in collaboration with the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), regional authorities, WHO and water and sanitation partners in Somalia.
• Develop a strategy framework for water quality monitoring and management system, suggesting a definitive and hierarchical roles and responsibilities of key government institutions and stakeholders, existing capacities in country including academic institutions. This includes development of responsive water quality monitoring protocols for each level.
• Prepare and facilitate two workshops (i) inception workshop to confirm the existing situation on the ground; discuss the purpose and methodology of the assignment and share the key informant questionnaire; (II) exit workshop to share the finding and initial draft options for strategy frameworks and Water Quality monitoring systems.
Expected Deliverables
• Report of assessment of water quality monitoring situation (practices, assets and knowledge) in the following locations: Hargiesa, Bossaso, Garowe and Mogadishu including Universities in the respective locations.
• Report on the strategic framework for drinking water quality monitoring and management system in Somalia.
• Proceeding of meeting/workshops on the development of water quality guidelines for Somalia.
• Compile an operations manual on drinking water quality monitoring and management;
• Final Reports on the consultancy contract.
Scope of the Assessment
Water quality monitoring and surveillance had been implemented prior to the conflict in Somalia but fell in a state of disrepair soon after the conflict started. Some amount of monitoring and surveillance continued in the autonomous regions of Somaliland and the State of Puntland though. Given the current security context, the consultant may not be able to visit all project sites and all implementation zones due to issues of access.
In this regard, the consultant will be expected to provide an overview of the water quality monitoring and surveillance activities, based on a thorough in depth desk study, interviews/meeting with partners and stakeholders in Nairobi and accessible zones including Hargeisa, Bossaso, Mogadishu and support this with more in-depth insight into/assessment of sites to which field visits can be undertaken – South Central Somalia.
Work plan and tentative Time schedule
The consultant will be expected to sign a contract, by 15th October 2013, which will commit her/him to commission the actual study and providing the agreed upon services on agreed upon dates falling between 15th October and 13th December 2013.
The consultant shall be expected to confirm availability within this time frame and respond to the work plan and schedule provided below, indicating whether and how s/he can adhere to or improve on it. The consultant may propose alternative approaches to collecting information and to carrying out the study in consultation with a local Somali translator and or contextual expert. The proposed number of days for each task includes travel to the respective locations.
Qualification
The consultant should have the following qualifications:
• Advanced university degree preferably in microbiology, chemistry and related fields; public health, research methodology and related fields, with extensive work experience (at least 5 years) in developing countries.
• Proven knowledge of the water quality monitoring systems and strategies for strengthening of partnerships would be an added value.
• Experience with participatory processes and methods – ability to organize and facilitate planning workshops is an added advantage.
• Excellent analytical skills and proven ability to formulate and articulate ideas clearly in English (writing skills are critical);
• Experience of the cultural setting of Somalia and similar working environment, preferably with previous working experience at other sector policy levels.
• Ability to work with people from a broad range of cultures – willingness to work in difficult circumstances;
Conditions of work, Logistics Support and Security
The consultant will work in close collaboration with the WASH consortium. S/he will work under the direct guidance and overall supervision of the Water quality steering committee at Nairobi.
The consultant will be based in Nairobi, with extensive travel within Somalia. UNICEF shall provide office space in Nairobi and at the zonal offices. Accommodation and DSA will be covered while in Nairobi and in Somalia. DSA in Nairobi will not apply if the selected candidate is recruited from Nairobi. The consultant should preferably use his/her own laptop to carry out the required tasks.
No hazard/danger pay shall be paid to the consultant whilst in Somalia. The contract will provide the consultant with air ticket from and to the home country. The contract will also cover travel to/from and within Somalia. The contract will cover costs related to security matters.
Interested and qualified candidates should send their applications with updated UN Personal History Form (P.11) form, updated CV attaching copies of academic certificates to the email below. UN staff are requested to provide the last two Performance Evaluation Reports (PERs).
Applications submitted without a duly completed and signed Personal History Form (P11) will not be considered. Please indicate your expected fee for providing the services of the said assignment.
Applicants must quote the vacancy number and post title in the subject line of the application.
Application to be received by 9th October 2013.
Email to: somaliahrvacancies@unicef.org
Only short-listed applicants will be contacted
Terms of Reference – UNSOM/2013/045
Title: Comprehensive Assessment of Water Quality Monitoring Systems in Somalia
Organizational Unit: WASH
Type of Contract: Short Service Agreement (SSA)
Duration: 42 days
Duty Station: Nairobi with frequent travel to Somalia
Level: P3/NOC Equivalent
Background
Poor access to safe drinking water and lack of adequate sanitation facilities coupled with poor hygienic practices are major threats for the survival and development of children in Somalia. Overall, 71% of the population of Somalia do not have access to safe water supply and 77% do not have access to safe means of excreta disposal system. The low coverage confirms the extent to which the water, sanitation and hygiene sub-sectors have been affected by the conflict.
Due to its arid environment, many parts of Somalia rely heavily on water extracted from deep borehole water supply systems, shallow wells (protected and unprotected), seasonal rivers, underground storage tanks referred to as berkards and depressions referred to as pans. Drinking water sources are under increasing threat from contamination, with far-reaching consequences for the health of children and for the economic and social development of communities and the nation.
Deteriorating water quality threatens the gains made in improving access to drinking water. From 1990 to 2012 more than 2 million people have gained access to improved water sources, but not all of these new sources are necessarily safe. Unsafe handling and storage of water compounds the problem. Water drawn from safe sources may be contaminated by the time it is ultimately consumed in households. The chemical contamination of water supplies – both naturally occurring and from pollution – is a very serious problem. But more serious still is the microbiological contamination of drinking water supplies, especially from human faeces. Faecal contamination of drinking water is a major contributor to diarrhoeal disease, which kills hundreds of Somali children every year. As populations, pollution and environmental degradation increase, so will the chemical and microbiological contamination of water supplies. Drinking water quality is therefore a growing concern throughout Somalia.
As water quality problems become more serious and widespread, water quality monitoring becomes a more important component of national efforts in water sector. These efforts can be complemented by community-level surveillance systems, where regional and district authorities with support from NGOs and other service providers are empowered with the knowledge and tools necessary to monitor the quality of their own water sources. The UN and its partners are playing an increasingly active role in supporting government and communities in this important area
Study Objectives
To develop a strategy framework for water quality monitoring and management system in the three Regions of Somalia (South Central, Puntland and Somaliland) in collaboration and consultation with the line ministries of Federal Government of Somalia, line ministries of Somaliland and Puntland and strategic WASH cluster/sector partners.
Specific Tasks
• Conduct an assessment of the existing drinking water quality monitoring and management practices at national and zonal levels in Somalia through field visits to the selected regions and districts (Bossaso, Garowe, Hargeisa, and Mogadishu/Banadir) including other water and sanitation partners in the sector.
• Evaluate the existing water testing equipment used by various stakeholders, NGOs and other water and sanitation development partners, in terms of their reliability, accuracy, portability, robustness, number of water quality parameters it can measure, easiness to learn and use, availability of the consumables and reagents in country and the East African region. Recommend and specify standard water quality testing kit, consumables and reagents to be used; elaborating the number of water quality parameters it can do and what should be monitored and tested at different stages.
• Design and initiate the process of development of water quality standards for Somalia in collaboration with the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), regional authorities, WHO and water and sanitation partners in Somalia.
• Develop a strategy framework for water quality monitoring and management system, suggesting a definitive and hierarchical roles and responsibilities of key government institutions and stakeholders, existing capacities in country including academic institutions. This includes development of responsive water quality monitoring protocols for each level.
• Prepare and facilitate two workshops (i) inception workshop to confirm the existing situation on the ground; discuss the purpose and methodology of the assignment and share the key informant questionnaire; (II) exit workshop to share the finding and initial draft options for strategy frameworks and Water Quality monitoring systems.
Expected Deliverables
• Report of assessment of water quality monitoring situation (practices, assets and knowledge) in the following locations: Hargiesa, Bossaso, Garowe and Mogadishu including Universities in the respective locations.
• Report on the strategic framework for drinking water quality monitoring and management system in Somalia.
• Proceeding of meeting/workshops on the development of water quality guidelines for Somalia.
• Compile an operations manual on drinking water quality monitoring and management;
• Final Reports on the consultancy contract.
Scope of the Assessment
Water quality monitoring and surveillance had been implemented prior to the conflict in Somalia but fell in a state of disrepair soon after the conflict started. Some amount of monitoring and surveillance continued in the autonomous regions of Somaliland and the State of Puntland though. Given the current security context, the consultant may not be able to visit all project sites and all implementation zones due to issues of access.
In this regard, the consultant will be expected to provide an overview of the water quality monitoring and surveillance activities, based on a thorough in depth desk study, interviews/meeting with partners and stakeholders in Nairobi and accessible zones including Hargeisa, Bossaso, Mogadishu and support this with more in-depth insight into/assessment of sites to which field visits can be undertaken – South Central Somalia.
Work plan and tentative Time schedule
The consultant will be expected to sign a contract, by 15th October 2013, which will commit her/him to commission the actual study and providing the agreed upon services on agreed upon dates falling between 15th October and 13th December 2013.
The consultant shall be expected to confirm availability within this time frame and respond to the work plan and schedule provided below, indicating whether and how s/he can adhere to or improve on it. The consultant may propose alternative approaches to collecting information and to carrying out the study in consultation with a local Somali translator and or contextual expert. The proposed number of days for each task includes travel to the respective locations.
Qualification
The consultant should have the following qualifications:
• Advanced university degree preferably in microbiology, chemistry and related fields; public health, research methodology and related fields, with extensive work experience (at least 5 years) in developing countries.
• Proven knowledge of the water quality monitoring systems and strategies for strengthening of partnerships would be an added value.
• Experience with participatory processes and methods – ability to organize and facilitate planning workshops is an added advantage.
• Excellent analytical skills and proven ability to formulate and articulate ideas clearly in English (writing skills are critical);
• Experience of the cultural setting of Somalia and similar working environment, preferably with previous working experience at other sector policy levels.
• Ability to work with people from a broad range of cultures – willingness to work in difficult circumstances;
Conditions of work, Logistics Support and Security
The consultant will work in close collaboration with the WASH consortium. S/he will work under the direct guidance and overall supervision of the Water quality steering committee at Nairobi.
The consultant will be based in Nairobi, with extensive travel within Somalia. UNICEF shall provide office space in Nairobi and at the zonal offices. Accommodation and DSA will be covered while in Nairobi and in Somalia. DSA in Nairobi will not apply if the selected candidate is recruited from Nairobi. The consultant should preferably use his/her own laptop to carry out the required tasks.
No hazard/danger pay shall be paid to the consultant whilst in Somalia. The contract will provide the consultant with air ticket from and to the home country. The contract will also cover travel to/from and within Somalia. The contract will cover costs related to security matters.
Interested and qualified candidates should send their applications with updated UN Personal History Form (P.11) form, updated CV attaching copies of academic certificates to the email below. UN staff are requested to provide the last two Performance Evaluation Reports (PERs).
Applications submitted without a duly completed and signed Personal History Form (P11) will not be considered. Please indicate your expected fee for providing the services of the said assignment.
Applicants must quote the vacancy number and post title in the subject line of the application.
Application to be received by 9th October 2013.
Email to: somaliahrvacancies@unicef.org
Only short-listed applicants will be contacted
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