UNICEF works in some of the worldโs toughest places, to reach the worldโs most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.ย
Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.ย
And we never give up.ย
For every child, hope.
Ensuring that all children have access to safe and affordable drinking water, as well as adequate sanitation and hygiene (WASH), is crucial for achieving a range of development goals related to health, nutrition and education. The Childrenโs Climate Risk Index (CCRI) report first published by UNICEF in 2021, revealed that nearly all children are exposed to at least one major climate and environmental hazard, shock or stress, and that nearly half of all children (approximately 1 billion) live in countries at extremely high risk. It also indicated that many children lived in areas with high water vulnerability, low levels of safe drinking water services, and high risk of water stress, drought, and decline of groundwater resources. This problem compounds other vulnerabilities. For example, flooding damages water and sanitation infrastructure, which often leads to contamination of water supplies and unsafe discharge of faecal waste into the environment, which can increase waterborne diseases. Relatedly, food insecurity is predicted to increase as the climate crisis worsens, leading to failed crops and increased food prices, which could affect the diversity of childrenโs diets in many communities.
In the Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) access to water, sanitation and hygiene is compromised due to unique set of constraints such as small size and large geographic spread. Pacific Island countries are also exposed to a wide range of natural hazards, including earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, landslides, floods, drought, and cyclones, and are threatened by the impacts of climate change, including sea level rise, increased saltwater intrusion and coastal erosion and reduced freshwater availability. Water is scarce and more unpredictable due to extreme weather events. These impacts throughout the water cycle threaten sustainable development, biodiversity, and peopleโs access to water and sanitation.
How can you make a difference?ย
Please apply and join a team of three consult/evaluators who will conduct a formative evaluation of climate and disaster-resilient WASH programming in the Pacific Island Countries. The purpose of evaluation is two-fold: to foster learning and improvement of climate and disaster-resilient programming, and to examine and strengthen the accountabilities of UNICEF Pacific. Hence the evaluation aims to assess the readiness to implement climate and disaster-resilient programmes in the WASH sector in the 14 PICTs covered by the UNICEF Pacific Office, and to increase accountability by assessing the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of climate and disaster-resilient WASH programmes in selected PICTs (Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu).
Objectives: Specifically, the evaluation aims to assess UNICEF work in support of governments at the national and subnational levels to:
Strengthen capacities to ensure improved climate-resilient, safely managed, and sustainable WASH services and to adopt safe hygiene practices. Improve the coverage, quality and resilience of WASH services in schools and health care facilities Enhance capacities to plan for and coordinate quality climate-resilient WASH response emergency preparedness.Please refer to the ToR (ย TOR_Evaluation of climate resilient WASH.pdf) for further information on the deliverables and the timelines.ย
GUIDANCE FOR APPLICANTS:ย ย
Each individual applicant should prepare an application package as follows:
Indicate whether he/she wants to be considered for the team leader role, or for team member/subject specialist. Submit an evaluation matrix/table that is populated with the three objectives, and revisions to the questions and sub-questions. The evaluation matrix should indicate data collection methods, tools to be used, and data sources. It will be assessed to determine the applicants understanding of the evaluation and suitability for the assignment. Submit a separate financial proposal in US dollars. The proposal should be all inclusive lumpsum indicating the following: (i) applicants professional fees (rate per day) multiplied by the level of effort to accomplish the task (in number of days)12; (iii) living expenses for the days that the consultant is working away from his/her base; (iii) air tickets (economy round trip ticket to Suva and two (2) other Pacific countries13; and, (iv) other travel-related costs (visas, terminal fees, etc.). Detailed CV of the applicant, with the entries that are relevant to the evaluation presented in bold or highlighted text. Submit one evaluation report, and one other evaluation or communication product (e.g., policy brief, database, interactive PowerPoint presentation, etc.), solely authored or lead authored by the applicant to showcase the ability to organize her/his work and/or to communicate evaluation findings, conclusions, and recommendations effectively. An evaluation report that was assessed highly by GEROS or a similar system will be an added advantage.Travel and equipment: Selected consultants will be responsible for making travel arrangements for themselves, which is economy class via the most direct and economical route. Also, each consultant is expected to have his/her own laptop, mobile phone, and other relevant equipment that is required for executing the assignment.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will haveโฆย
UNICEF Pacific Office will contract with up to 4 individuals, experienced evaluation professionals who will assume the role of team leader, or team member with skills as stipulated below.
The team leader should have the following qualifications and attributes:
Advanced university degree (masterโs degree or higher), in one or more of the disciplines relevant to evaluation (social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, etc.) Comprehensive evaluation experience as team leader, with strong skills and expertise in evaluation theory and conceptual frameworks, and a minimum of 12 years of post-masterโs experience in evaluation practice An excellent understanding of evaluation principles and methodologies, including experience in applied qualitative and quantitative research and analytical techniques, tool development and adaptation with translation, Track record of conducting similar or related strategic programme evaluations or evaluative reviews, and/or evaluative review of similar programmes supported by UN or UNICEF, implemented in various contexts, including humanitarian or fragility contexts, and an awareness of human rights (incl. child rights), gender equality and equity in evaluation and UNEG norms and standards. Good knowledge of UNICEF programming strategies, field work, procedures and organizational culture Readiness to travel to the stipulated PICTs selected for primary data collection, and to undertake domestic travel in target countries, where required Excellent in English languages skills (oral communication, reading documents, writing formal reports), demonstrated in reports where the proposed team leader was the first author Demonstration of capacity to manage teams, conduct evaluations, and complete deliverables in a timely manner. A work record in East Asia and the Pacific, successful execution of a contract with UNICEF evaluation function (at any level) is an added advantageDesired knowledge, skills, competencies and experience for the team members of the core team is as follows:
Advanced university degree, masterโs degree or higher, in the field related to water, sanitation and hygiene with academic qualifications (i.e., civil engineering, mechanical engineering, sanitary engineering, social sciences or combination). Subject matter expertise and or a practitioner in the fields of WASH, including hygiene and behaviour change approaches, community-led total sanitation (CLTS), WASH in schools Credible international expert with at least 8 years of post-masterโs professional experience in planning, implementation, management, monitoring of integrated water, sanitation and hygiene programmes in developing countries Strong qualifications in quantitative and qualitative data collection methods and analysis Readiness to travel to the PICTs stipulated for primary data collection, and to undertake domestic travel in target countries, where required Excellent in English languages skills (oral communication, reading documents, writing formal reports), ability to prepare high-quality reports.Eligibility for individual members of the evaluation team: Former UNICEF staff or consultants that have worked on WASH and/or climate programmes may apply for this consultancy if they meet the technical qualifications for skills. However, any prior involvement with UNICEF should be declared during the contracting stage so that prospective team can be vetted and cleared of possible conflicts of interest.
For every Child, you demonstrateโฆย
UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).ย
To view our competency framework, please visit ย here.ย
UNICEF is here to serve the worldโs 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 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.ย
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.ย ย
Remarks:ย ย
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.ย
Individuals engaged under a consultancy will not be considered โstaff membersโ under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEFโs 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. Consultants 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.ย
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.ย