Local recruitment: WASH & CCES Policy, Advocacy and Networking Expert via DevNetJobsIndia

Title of the Consultancy: – WASH & CCES Policy, Advocacy and Networking expert

No. of Position: – 1 position

DUTY STATION: Bengaluru, Karnataka State

DURATION OF CONSULTANCY: 1^st July 2023 to 31s Dec 2025.

CLOSING DATE: 12^h June- 2023

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

UNICEF’s WASH & CCES Policy, Advocacy and Networking expert functions are critical in driving evidence-based policy, advocacy and funding decisions that bring innovative WASH solutions to scale. It also includes collaboration and networking with various departments, civil society organizations, corporate social responsibility, academic institutions, etc. Furthermore, conceiving and building partnerships, strengthening advocacy capacity, and supporting policymakers in sustainable solutions for equity and climate resilience in WASH. The selected consultant will provide professional and technical expertise to design, plan, administer, monitor, and evaluate WASH program/project activities, analyzing data and reporting progress to achieve planned objectives aligned with the country program’s goals, strategy, and rolling work plans. Through this work, the consultant will help drive policy change, network, build partnerships, and advocate for the importance of WASH programs in improving the lives of communities

The incumbent will be accountable for professional technical contribution to programme/project design, planning, administration, policy, evidence-based advocacy, administration, monitoring and evaluation of WASH programme/project activities, data analysis and progress reporting, and commitment for enhancement of teamwork and capacity building, in support of achievement of planned objectives of the work plan, aligned with country programme goals and strategy.

Scope of Work:

For over 70 years, UNICEF has been working in 190 countries and territories to ensure the survival, protection, and development of children. Its work includes promoting child health and nutrition, providing access to clean water and sanitation, offering quality education to all children, and protecting them from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. The Hyderabad Field Office of UNICEF supports the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana in all of these areas.

Meeting the global commitment to fulfill every child’s right to water, sanitation, and hygiene is an ongoing challenge at policy, administrative, and community levels. While all three states have achieved Open Defecation Free (ODF) status in 2019 based on baseline data from 2012-2013, they are now focused on becoming ODF plus based on government of India and state guidelines by 2024. Similarly, the states have made good progress regarding coverage of WASH facilities and services in institutions such as Anganwadis, schools, and health care facilities. According to UDISE 19-20, more than 90% of schools were covered with functional toilets, and as per JJM MIS as of October 10, 2021, all schools are covered with drinking water at their premises.

The government of India and states have issued numerous guidelines for WASH programs, and there is potential for improvement in focusing on processes and outcomes. While financial considerations and activities drive WASH programs, there is room for greater emphasis on monitoring outputs and outcomes, as well as prioritizing Social Behaviour Change Communication interventions. Additionally, it is important to prioritize hygiene behaviours such as safe disposal of child faeces, handwashing with soap, Menstrual Hygiene Management, and more. To achieve these goals, the departments and institutions responsible for WASH facilities and services need more skills and knowledge to achieve their goals. They should work on developing sector strategies and policies, creating useful information, training important people, tracking outcomes, maintaining Open Defecation Free status, providing safe water to rural homes, managing waste, promoting good hygiene habits, and more.

Rationale

To successfully achieve SBM and JJM goals and SDG 6, it is crucial for states to have strong institutions capable of planning, implementing, and overseeing WASH programs. This requires large-scale sensitization and capacity-building interventions among relevant officers, grassroots functionaries, and communities, as well as dedicated human and financial resources. To achieve and sustain WASH outcomes, assistance to the state through partnership, collaboration and, continuous advocacy and knowledge-sharing with relevant ministries and departments are necessary.

To provide support, a Policy, advocacy and networking expert is proposed.   The expert can assist states in developing relevant policies, strategies, knowledge products, and monitoring systems for creating safe and sustainable WASH facilities at the household and institutional level. S/he can build state capacities to implement various guidelines through appropriate frameworks, tools, trainings, and state and select district-level workshops that deliver gender-responsive and quality WASH packages. S/he can also help build the capacities of staff and consultants/partners for effective service delivery, promoting child-friendly technologies, sustainable operation and management of WASH facilities, hygiene behaviours, and more. With these efforts, the states can be equipped with the necessary skills and resources to meet their WASH targets within set deadlines

Objectives

The policy, advocacy and networking expert will work to achieve the following objectives:

1. Map and review ongoing policy initiatives in relevant areas and identify opportunities for partnership and joint advocacy.
2. Identify policy-related priorities and recommend/undertake most effective methods of advocacy.
3. Provide accurate, complete, and up-to-date information for effective budget preparation, program and project design, implementation, management, and evaluation, including emergency preparedness and response.
4. Enhance program efficiency and effectiveness by providing effective implementation follow-up.
5. Timely prepare progress reports and project work plans and provide effective technical assistance in the drafting of Country Program Recommendation and other project documentation, with specific attention to gender/sex disaggregation of relevant indicators.
6. Ensure appropriateness and completeness of financial and supply documentation, as well as adherence to established allotments.
7. Promote knowledge sharing with counterparts, WASH sector stakeholders, donors, and media.
8. Achieve effective communication and networking through partnerships and collaborations.

Major tasks to be accomplished:

All the tasks will be carried out under the guidance and direction of the WASH Specialist (OIC), UNICEF HFO, and will be essentially aimed at assisting him/her to ensure delivery of results for WASH, CCES and allied sectors.

Support for policymakers and regulators and other stakeholders for the implementation of WASH and CCES programming:

Provide technical advice and support to ministries, departments, on the various mechanisms to design, implement, and supervise WASH and CCES programming; Design strategies and tools (e.g., toolkits) to support various stakeholders, especially policymakers, to implement WASH and CCES policy reforms; Assist partners in identifying opportunities for collaboration on WASH and CCES projects, including participation in national and global platforms like UN conventions, etc.

Programme/Project Management and Program Efficiency and Effectiveness

Ensure the availability of accurate, complete and up-to-date information required for effective WASH and CCES programme and project design, implementation, management, monitoring and evaluation. Draft sound WASH and CCES programme budgets for review by the supervisor, including concrete steps to enhance emergency preparedness and response. Enhance programme efficiency and effectiveness through evidence based approach and implementation follow-on, including monitoring UNICEF inputs, local conditions and resources, flow of supply and non-supply and emergency assistance, WASH and CCES programme status.

Networking and Partnership Building; and Work Plan and Programme Documentation:

Build and sustain close working partnerships with government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate programme implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve WASH and CCES output results. Research information on potential donors and prepare resource mobilization materials and briefs for fund raising and partnership development purposes.

Ensure the effective communication and networking developed and maintained through partnership and collaboration. Draft communication and information materials for WASH and CCES programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fund-raising for WASH and CCES. Participate in inter-agency meetings on UNDAF planning, to integrate and harmonize UNICEF output results and implementation strategies with UNDAF development and planning processes.

Ensure the appropriateness of financial, administrative and supply documentation; verify that WASH and CCES programme expenditures are within allotments and that data is consistent with the programme information and database (e.g., SAP). Follow up on queries or initiate corrective action on discrepancies. Collaborate with Monitoring & Evaluation office on maintaining a gender & equity focus on WASH data collection and reporting. Analyse collected data and information and prepare progress reports; draft changes in WASH and CCES project work plans and assist in identification of required supplies and equipment (for both development and emergency orientated activities) as well as in the drafting of Country Programme Recommendation and other programme documentation, assuring accuracy and consistency with established rules, regulations and plans of action.

Evidence based advocacy and knowledge Sharing

Compile WASH programme implementation, preparedness, training and orientation materials to promote knowledge sharing with counterparts, WASH sectoral stakeholders, donors and media. Draft updates for WASH and CCES in the situation analysis, to inform the development of WASH-related outcome and output results. Research and report on trends in WASH and CCES, for use in programme development, management, monitoring, and evaluation. Which will be used for the advocacy with various stakeholders.

For detailed information, please check the complete version of the advert attached below

  P11 Form Personal History P11 Form.docx