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For every child, the right to dedication.
In Ghana, UNICEF cooperates with the Government and other partners to defend the rights of children and help them fulfill their potential. With offices in Accra and Tamale, the UNICEF team seeks to achieve results in strategic programme areas. The overall goal is for every child to survive and thrive, to live in a safe and clean environment, to learn, to be protected from violence and exploitation, and to have an equitable chance in life. The current Country Programme of cooperation is aligned with the Government priorities, the UN Sustainable Development Partnership (UNSDP) and Key Results for Children (KRCs) in the West and Central African Region (immunization, nutrition, learning outcomes, ending child marriage and ending open defecation). UNICEF main strategies include evidence-based advocacy, system strengthening, integrated programming across sectors, emergency preparedness and response, and innovation.
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Sanitation is vital to health, child development and socio-economic progress. Recognised as a human right by the United Nations in 2015, it is essential for the fulfilment of child rights and the achievement of good physical, mental and social well-being. Access to sanitation however continues to elude many in Ghana with evidence showing that progress towards universal basic sanitation is off track, unevenly distributed between regions and districts, and inadequate to eliminate inequalities and ensure access for the most vulnerable.
A key contributor to this situation is the absence of a comprehensive administrative data system for progress monitoring and agile decision making in line with the requirements of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs require data systems that monitor safe management of sanitation across the chain linking sanitation indicators to health data on sanitation related diseases such as diarrhoea, typhoid polio and worm infections. Safely Managed Sanitation (SMS) monitoring will also cover pathways through which faecal pathogens are released into the environment such as open defecation, poor hygiene and sanitation system failures along the service chain, such as unclean toilets which expose faecal matter, poorly contained pits and septic tanks that leak into open drains and drinking-water sources, spills during pit emptying or overflows, inadequate treatment and disposal of excreta or unsafe use of wastewater and sludge for agriculture. It will also cover evidence of faecal contamination in drinking water, food, fingers, feet and surfaces. In so doing, SMS monitoring will provide evidence to enhance programming on adoption of safe sanitation and hygiene behaviours as opposed to only monitoring access to sanitation and hygiene services. This will contribute to enhancing the impact of sanitation programmes.
Ghana currently relies on information on sanitation generated from surveys such as the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, Demographic and Health Survey, the Ghana Living Standards Survey and the Population and Housing Census which are conducted during different time frames. The information from these surveys is limited in scope and does not meet the full requirements for SDG Monitoring. As the surveys are not conducted regularly, sector practitioners tend to use broad estimates of progress generated by the Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) platform established globally by UNICEF and WHO.
The country is in dire need of a comprehensive administrative data system to support programming around safely managed sanitation. Whilst there are systems in existence, they do not cater for the full requirements of monitoring sustainable areawide climate resilient safely managed sanitation. Existing monitoring systems include the Basic Sanitation Information System with tools for collecting routine monitoring information from the implementation of Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) and construction of toilets by artisans and sanitation businesses. An application also exists for collecting routine information on environmental sanitation through the Expanded Sanitary Inspections and Compliance Enforcement approach. Two tools developed by WASH Sector Stakeholders, the Sanipath, a sanitation exposure assessment tool; and Icesspool for managing faecal sludge management also have the potential to provide data for SMS monitoring. The above tools cover different aspects of SMS monitoring with significant gaps in various areas such as climate resilience and sustainability of sanitation services.
As part of the African Sanitation Systems Strengthening programme covering five countries including Ghana, UNICEF has received catalytic funding to undertake multiple initiatives to ensure that standards, guidelines and frameworks exist to promote the delivery and regulation of safely managed sanitation. One of such initiatives is the development of standard tools for districts to monitor and provide status updates on Climate Resilient Safely Managed Sanitation. The tools will utilise surveys and routine monitoring to provide information that districts will use to monitor progress, facilitate target setting and enhance sanitation programming. In addition, the tools are expected to provide information that districts can use to develop excreta flow diagrams, spatial maps for faecal sludge management and micro-plans for climate resilient safely managed sanitation in varied contexts and settings. Across districts, the tools should help in benchmarking progress at specific times and enable comparative analysis to be made across districts.
This assignment to develop CRSMS Tools is one of two interrelated consultancies to improve sanitation programming at district level with the other focusing on the development of a Programme Activity Planning, Budgeting and Implementation Toolkit. Both consultants will receive support from an expert statistician who will be recruited on a long-term basis to provide targeted services to ensure that data produced from the use of the tools is statistically accurate and relevant for the sector’s needs.
As this assignment seeks to establish and integrate standard monitoring tools for CRSMS into sanitation programming in Ghana, the consultant will be expected to work with different stakeholders engaged in related interventions both within and outside the country. A multi-stakeholder team will be constituted to provide input into the development of the tools, monitor use of the tools and participate in subsequent reviews based on feedback from implementation.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, UNICEF seeks to procure the services of a consultant to develop standard tools for CRSMS monitoring. The consultancy contract will be signed in two phases with Phase II being subject to performance of the selected consultant, continued relevance of the assignment and availability of funds. The scope of work is outlined below.
Scope of Work:
Phase I
1. Undertake a desk review of existing CRSMS tools in Ghana as well as outside Ghana including complementary routine data monitoring systems used by other sectors in Ghana.
2. Develop a district sanitation update tool with reporting templates to enable districts undertake an assessment of Climate Resilient Safely Managed Sanitation on a district wide level in collaboration with the Ghana Statistical Service and stakeholders in the WASH Sector. The tool should provide information that is statistically accurate and which can serve as reference data for all stakeholders for that district for a defined period. The tool is expected to incorporate questions that will generate information for the development of the following reports:
a. Sanitation Access Levels per household with links to key housing data
b. Classification of communities on the ODF and SMS Ladder with information to facilitate sustainability checks
c. District Sanitation Status Assessment aligned with the National Sanitation Protocol
d. Production of Excreta Flow Diagrams for defined MMDA boundaries including rural and urban areas, electoral areas and area councils
e. District Sanitation Spatial Map with poverty, technology, and market-based sanitation markers
f. Photo documentation for evidence building and advocacy purposes
g. Framework for generating reports and sample reporting templates
3. Test the district sanitation update tool in three districts with different contexts and settings focusing on facilities, services and practices and document the findings of the assessment in a district CRSMS status report complete with all relevant appendices. The consultant is expected to make provision for pre-testing prior to conducting the full test survey. Testing should involve staff of the district assembly. The report should include baseline details for sub-district structures such as the area/zonal council, electoral area, health sub-district and education circuit. Also required are photo reports to be used for advocacy and training purposes.
Phase II
4. Develop step-by-step guides, workflows and data collection /reporting forms to facilitate routine monitoring of CRSMS through integration into activities implemented at district level. Key thematic areas of work for which this is required are:
a. Technology and Technical support to communities and skills building
b. Market based sanitation and business development
c. Sanitation Financing
d. Social and Behaviour Change
e. Regulation
5. Develop Manager resource guides, workflows and data collection/ reporting forms to facilitate monitoring of Areawide CRSMS at district level with tools for monitoring change (outcomes and impact) and ensuring sustainability of services at various levels: Key geographical areas for which this is required are:
a. Community level for Community Facilitators
b. Electoral Area for the Electoral Area Management Team
c. Area Council for Area Council Management Team
d. Rural Area-Wide for the Rural Sanitation Oversight Coordinators
e. Urban Area-wide/City wide for the Urban Sanitation Oversight Coordinators
f. District Level for the District Interagency Coordinating Committee on Sanitation (DICCS)
6. Develop standard tools for conducting annual programme assessments on CRSMS and reporting at district level with features that enable benchmarking with other districts in the country and consolidation into a national report on district progress on CRSMS
Requirements for Application
In applying for this assignment, interested persons are to provide a detailed methodology and workplan clearly depicting the duration over which each task is expected to be completed. The applicant is also required to present a price quotation which clearly states the expected man-days for each task, his/her daily professional fee, DSA and kilometric transportation rates for road transport.
Kindly click on the link to access the template for the financial proposa
Financial Proposal- CRSMS Consultancy.docx
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
- Education: Advanced Degree in Civil Engineering, Public Health Engineering, or related field
- Work Experience: At least 8 years of relevant work experience in WASH.
- Skills :
• Knowledge of Climate Resilient Safely Managed Sanitation
• Experience with the preparation of simple easy to follow programme implementation guides
• Experience in developing surveys, monitoring tools and programme workflows
- Language Requirements: Fluent in English
Desirable:
- Experience working with Government at both National and Decentralised level on sanitation programming
For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values
The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
(1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with others
Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.
UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.
UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
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Remarks:
As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.
UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.
Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.
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Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.
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