State Consultant Water Sanitation and Hygiene in Health via DevNetJobsIndia

Last Date of Application: 17 January 2023

BACKGROUND / RATIONALE

Delivering quality, people-centred health care for all demands improved water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities, services in health care facilities (HCFs). Provisioning adequate quality water, access to sanitation facilities and appropriate hygiene behaviour, bio-medical waste management, environmental cleanliness, climate resilient health care facilities is very much significant in health systems mostly for Infection Prevention and Control (IPC). Health care associated infections (HAI) are a constant risk to care seekers, health staff and communities. Weak, poorly functioning WASH and IPC programmes result in a vicious cycle of widespread infection, antibiotic use, misuse and spread of anti-microbial resistance (AMR). Effective WASH and IPC will reduce the spread of all types of infections – including resistant ones.

As per SRS 2020, in Chhattisgarh 10.6 percent of children die within first year that is 11.1 percent at rural and 8.5 percent in urban.  Neonatal mortality rate (less than 29 days) in Chhattisgarh is 26 and ranges from 20 in urban and 28 in rural.  Early neo-natal mortality rate, i.e., number of infant deaths less than seven days of life per thousand live births, forms an important component of infant mortality rate and more specifically of the neo-natal mortality rate. In Chhattisgarh the early neo-natal mortality rate has been estimated at 20 and ranges from 20 in rural areas to 18 in urban areas. The peri-natal mortality rate (PMR – the number of still births and infant deaths of less than 7 days) in Chhattisgarh has been estimated to be 26 and ranges from 26 in rural areas to 24 in urban areas. Maternal mortality at 160 per 100000 live births annually, is also a major contributor of new-born death (MMR-bulletin2017-19).

In Chhattisgarh, 68.8% of the IMR (SRS Statistical report 2020) is due to neo natal mortality and sepsis being the major cause for these deaths and potential Health Care Associated Infections (HCAIs) directly associated with infection due to poor WASH in health care institutions. As per Lancet 2000, up to 50% of total Health Care Associated Infection (HCAIs) could be prevented, majorly through effective WASH in health measures. The optimum impact of saving a child is ensured through providing safe and infection free environment around birth, i.e. at health centres.

To ensure infection free environment in health care facilities, UNICEF is providing technical and handholding support to enhance WASH in health facilities (HF) especially focussing on labour room, SNCU, ANC/PNC (Ante Natal and Post Natal Care) wards etc. in both the HPD in the state, based on request of Directorate of Health, Govt. of Chhattisgarh improved WASH facilities are part of infection control. As part of this initiative, National Health Mission (NHM)CG and UNICEF will build capacity of health professionals in both the HPDs including District Hospitals (DH), Community Health centres (CHC), Primary Health Centres (PHC), Health and Wellness Centres (HWC), and all Sub Health centres (SHC). Special focus will be given to Kayakalp in order to develop costed plans with the aim to improve WASH in healthcare facilities, the LaQshay (Labour Room Quality Improvement Initiative) and National Program on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH).

UNICEF have successfully tested the initiative across three aspirational districts (Dantewada, Bijapur, Sukma) of Chhattisgarh. In 2021-22 several tools, knowledge products, training modules have already been developed and rolled out in DH, CHCs, PHCs of three districts. In 2023-2024 UNICEF would roll out the same initiative across all HCFs in Dantewada, Bijapur and Sukma and two more districts (tentatively Mahasamund and Narayanpur, will be finalised in consultation with NHM). Further there would be focus on climate resilient (Clean and Green) HCFs. UNICEF also wants to keep its advocacy efforts to roll-out the initiative across the state.

All activities would be around a) Institution strengthening b) capacity building c) evidence generation through advocacy d) partnership. This assignment will be able to contribute to the output 3 of Chhattisgarh WASH RWP for 2023-24.

PURPOSE OF ASSIGNMENT

Purpose of this assignment is to support National Health Mission (NHM)-CG in developing capacities of Health Care Staff for improvement of WASH facilities in Health Centres in two districts. Special focus will be on point of care quality improvement (PoCQI) such as at labour rooms, post-natal wards, Special New-Born Care Units (SNCUs), ANC/PNC units, Paediatric wards and Out Patient Departments (OPD). Further there would be focus on climate resilient (Clean and Green) HCFs. Documentation and sharing of these initiatives will further help to scale up across the State.

The purpose of this assignment is to hire the services of a technical consultant/expert to strengthen the WASH infrastructure, services and practices around infection control in HCFs. The expert will also strengthen the infection control and bio-medical waste facilities in five selected districts in collaboration with CHMO and district administration.

In 2024 the person will also support in rolling out the key policies, guidelines, and initiatives through planning, implementation, monitoring of the progress regarding infection control in the state. The focus of consultant will be on institutionalization of infection control measures and clean green HCFs within NHM. The person will support the district and state NHM to build the capacity at state, district, and block officials.

OBJECTIVE/S

The key objectives of this consultancy include:

• Technical support to state and districts in development and rolling of costed WASH in health facility and services improvement plan with special with focus on equity and climate-resilient (clean and green) components.
• To create and capacitate State/District resource group/master trainers and engage in supporting capacity building of health care providers and outreach workers on BMW, IPC and Clean & Green HCFs.
• To facilitate District Health Society’s meeting in all the intervention districts and discussed the gaps in implementation of WASH in health program as per key action points with recommendations.
• Support in developing and roll-out of climate-resilient WASH in Health Care Facilities checklist/case examples/advocacy note in selected districts
• Support in instituting monitoring mechanism for climate-resilient (clean and green) HCFs
• Document learnings and draft plan for operationalization of improvement with NHM Implementers and policy makers for improved action and resourcing for WASH in Health and contribute to state-wide Scale up

MAJOR TASKS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED

First phase of the TOR would be from 1 Feb 2023 to 31 Jan 2024 (12 months) and second phase from 1 Feb 2024 to 31 Jan 2025 (12 months).

• Major Task # 1 – To provide technical support to NHM and five districts in planning and rolling out of WASH in Health program in Chhattisgarh with special with focus on equity and climate-resilient (clean and green) components. (25 %)
• Major Task # 2 – To support and facilitate the experience sharing and capacity building on WASH in HF. (25 %)
• Major Task # 3– Support in planning and monitoring of WASH interventions in HCFs focusing clean and green components. (25%)
• Major Task # 4 – Documentation and development of knowledge products. (25%)

DELIVERABLES AND DEADLINES

Specific service / outputs to be delivered at a specific time as per stated objectives and performance / quality requirements.

DUTY STATION

The consultant will be based in Raipur. The consultant will be required to travel approximately 4-5 days every month within the state to complete each set of deliverables. The consultant is expected to participate in the state level review and planning meetings, district level review meetings in priority districts, field monitoring visits and to document case studies and success stories. The consultant would also be required to travel in special case outside the State, if such travel would contribute to the achievement of the assignment, as approved by the Supervisor. The consultant would be required to make own arrangement for travel and stay during travel.

SUPERVISOR

She / He will be working under the direct supervision of UNICEF WASH Specialist and with day-to-day functioning under the MD NHM / Director of Health Services, Govt. of Chhattisgarh.

OFFICIAL TRAVEL INVOLVED (ITINERARY AND DURATION)

Travel to the districts to oversee implementation and monitoring of communication   activities. approx. – 4 / 5 days per month to districts in Chhattisgarh.

ESTIMATED DURATION OF CONTRACT (PART TIME / FULL TIME)

1 Feb 2023 – 31 January 2025 (24 months)

Phase 1: 1 February 2023- 31 January 2024

Phase 2: 1 February 2024- 31 January 2025

The contract for Phase 2 will be renewed for the consultant basis a performance review and availability of funds

QUALIFICATIONS / SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE / EXPERIENCE/ COMPETENCIES (CORE/TECHNICAL/FUNCTIONAL) / LANGUAGE SKILLS REQUIRED FOR THE ASSIGNMENT (Please use as applicable)

• Post graduate degree in Public Health / Business Administration/ Social Work / Mechanical or civil engineering, specialized knowledge and experience of at least 05 years in quality assurance in public health programmes; out of which, at least 2 years relevant WASH in Health field experience, including ability to undertake capacity building for WASH in health care centers
• Experience of working with Government and/or International Agency will get preference
• Experience of one year working in Chhattisgarh, especially with Government/ NHM/ District Administration in the state will be an advantage
• Good understanding of the Indian Public Health Standards and national flagship programs under NHM of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare like National Program on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH), Kayakalp, LaQshya, Swasth Swacch Sarvatra and other emerging initiatives on child survival and development
• Thorough understanding and working knowledge of the concepts and principles status and new policies relating to WASH in Health and Infection Prevention and Control
• Excellent communication skills in Hindi and English; ability to speak, read and write fluently in both languages
• Computer skills efficiency, at least of MS-Office application software (MS Word, Excel, Power Point)/Auto CAD/GIS
• Initiative, passion and commitment to UNICEF’s mission and professional values

SELECTION PROCESS (tick one and delete what is not applicable):

Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS)             

QCBS (Technical Evaluation Criteria – with weights for each criteria)- 80 technical and 20 financial

• Only short-listed candidates will be called for interview the right to short list candidates is reserved by UNICEF.
• The financial proposals of only those candidates who are found technically responsive and secure minimum 56 marks), will be opened.
• Only short-listed candidates will be called for interview.
• The financial proposals of only those candidates who are found technically responsive will be opened.

IMPORTANT NOTES (TO BE INCLUDED IN THE FINAL TOR TO BE ADVERTISED):

• 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 health insurance (and visa if applicable) 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.
• 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.

The 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.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Your application should be sent to raipur.consultants@unicef.org by 17 January2023 with subject line

“State Level Consultant for WASH in Health” in separate files consisting of:

• An application/cover letter
• Up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Up-to-date P-11 form (Annexure-I).
• A financial proposal/bid (Annexure-II), duly signed, in PDF format only indicating all-inclusive deliverable based fee as per template below. Please mention your name in the file name while saving.
• Two sample of previous works relevant to TOR, if any, (e.g. technical reports, analytical reports, etc. In form of word documents, pdf, excel sheets, power point presentation, etc.); if heavy files, kindly share the links to access