Summary
Title / UNICEF Sanitation and Hygiene Specialist, Dollo AdoPurpose / Support UNHCR, ARRA and NGO humanitarian partners to establish basic sanitation and promote critical hygiene practices focusing on drought affected population in Sothern Somali Region with an initial focus on refugees in Dollo Ado area
Expected fee / Rate equivalent to UNICEF L-3
Location / Dollo Ado area, Somali Region, possibly extending to Gode and other areas experiencing severe drought and influx of Refugees / IDPs
Duration / 6 months
Start Date/ End Date / 12th September 2011 – 11th March 2011
Reporting to / Head of UNICEF Support Team, Dollo Ado Area
Budget Code/PBA No / Various SM Funds
Background
Somali Region, in the East and South East of Ethiopia, presents a series of challenges when it comes to programming water, hygiene and sanitation interventions with local partners. The area is huge – over 279,000 km2, arid and populated with Nomadic / semi-Nomadic Pastoralists and Agro-Pastoralists, structured in close knit clans which dictate loyalties and allegiances. The total population of the Region is around 4,500,000, of which 85% is rural. Over 98% of the population is Muslim. With average rainfall less than 350mm a year, ensuring assess to sufficient water for domestic use (including for drinking, cooking and basic hygiene) and livestock watering, is an enormous challenge not only for the government authorities responsible for service provision, supported in particular by UNICEF, but also for NGOs working in the area and of course, for the Somali people themselves.
Much of Somali Region, especially the southern border with Somalia and Northern Kenya, is experiencing severe drought. This relates to the weak (minor, pastoral) Deyr rains in November 2010, and the weak, delayed Gu (major pastoral) rains in May – June 2011. The current dry season will last until the new Deyr season in November 2011. In any case, these rains are light, and will not be sufficient to restore pasture, which is under huge pressure due to the drought induced displacement of large populations, including several hundred thousand people from Somalia. In terms of vulnerability, the concentrations of migrants from Somalia, currently in four refugee centres in the Dollo Ado area, and in and around Gode further to the North East, and the host community in what is in any case a parched area, are of major concern. Women and children make up most of the camp population, currently estimated as around 145,000 including those in the Gode area. Many children are malnourished, adding to their vulnerability. Cholera is reported in Mogadishu and in some areas of the Region, most recently Kebridhar. In these circumstances, the promotion of hygiene, linked to improving access to sanitation, the provision of adequate safe water, and the provision of soap and water treatment chemicals, is critical. Given the fact that the majority of those most at risk are female Somali’s, BCC hygiene messages and communication channels must be culturally sensitive and appropriate for Somali women and children in particular.
Whilst the UN’s response in the Refugee centres is led by UNHCR, in partnership with ARRA, UNICEF is supporting these efforts with technical assistance (TA) and supplies, through a small field team recently established in Dollo Ado. The same team is working with the regional government and NGO partners to support WASH interventions in the host community, where poor hygiene and sanitation are also issues. The situation in Gode is supported by the UNICEF team in Jijiga and a small team in Gode.
This TOR has been prepared to enhance UNICEF TA to partners (UNHCR, ARRA and NGOs) in Dollo Ado and potentially Gode, through the recruitment of up an International WASH Consultant specializing in Hygiene and Sanitation. Initially he/she will be based in the Dollo Ado area, reporting to the Head of the UNICEF Field Team there, focusing on the refugee and host communities.
Justification
The situation in Dollo Ado and more generally in Southern Somali demands a response from UNICEF focusing on WASH and in particular, sanitation and hygiene – not least related to AWD preparedness. This is in keeping with UNICEF’s mandate and CCCs. Support will be provided through UNHCR (UNHCR has indeed requested this input) and ARRA for the Refugee Community, and through the regional Health and Water Bureaus and partner NGOs in the context of the host community.
Specific Tasks
In support of UNHCR and working closely with ARRA and designated NGOs, the consultant will:
(i) Lead rapid assessments with a focus on hygiene, sanitation and behavoiur change communication, and a particular focus of the needs of women, adolescent girls and children (in camps and host community)
(ii) Identify and support immediate actions relating to the above
(iii) Lead the development of appropriate sanitation and hygiene response plans
(iv) Provide additional technical support to UNHCR, ARRA, NGOs as requested through the UNICEF Field Unit in Dollo Ado
(v) Be prepared to provide additional technical support in other drought affected areas in Southern Somali (for example, Liben, Afder and Gode)
(vi) Be prepared to respond to the threat of AWD/cholera anywhere in Somali Region, and, if necessary, in Dire Dawa / Harari.
Methodology
- Initial Briefing from Head, UNICEF Field Unit, Dollo Ado, Head, UNNCR Field Team, and AA based emergency staff
- Initial orientation in Dollo Ado area
- Initial assignment to specific camp / host community
- Development of monthly work plans with UNICEF, UN HCR, ARRA
- Review of monthly workplans with UNICEF, UNHCR, ARRA
- Participation in training: AWD / cholera preparedness and response
Expected Deliverables
Monthly report including summary of progress made against activities set out in workplan, identification of key challenges, bottlenecks, recommended actions to be taken
Reporting
The consultant will report to Head of UNICEF Field Team, Dollo Ado, or the Head of the UNHCR Field team in Dollo Ado (still to be confirmed).
Expected Minimum Experience
- MSc in Public Health / Communication related field (Degree preferred, but will accept equivalent of three years additional experience)
- Minimum of five years of relevant experience in design, planning, advocacy, implementation, management, monitoring and evaluation relating to public health, behavior communication change, preferably relating to sanitation and/or hygiene promotion
- Developed understanding of gender and cultural issues in the Somali context, including issues relating to hygiene
- Very good communication skills, both oral and writing, including the use of participatory tools such as focus group discussions
- Very good planning, organization skills, able to take initiative to solve problems with limited support / supervision
- Good computer skills (especially Microsoft word) – used for preparation of short reports
- Willing and able to live and work in Dollo Ado area with limited facilities in terms of accommodation and a relatively harsh working environment
General Conditions: Procedures and Logistics
- Consultant will not be provided with lodging and/or meals.
- Consultant will be seconded to ARRA or a partner NGO if necessary
- Consultant will be entitled to DSA if not from Dollo Ado area.
- Consultant will be provided with laptop and cell phone top up cards
- Consultant is authorized to have access to UNICEF transport.
- Consultant is paid on monthly basis, and not paid during days off and while on sick leave.
Policy both parties should be aware of:
Ø Under the consultancy agreements, a month is defined as 21 working days, and fees are prorated accordingly. Consultants are not paid for weekends or public holidays.
Ø Consultants are not entitled to payment of overtime. All remuneration must be within the contract agreement.
Ø No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant or Contractor.
Ø For international consultants outside the duty station, signed contracts must be sent by fax or email. Signed contract copy or written agreement must be received by the office before Travel Authorisation is issued.
Ø No consultant may travel without a signed travel authorisation prior to the commencement of the journey to the duty station.
Ø Unless authorised, UNICEF will buy the tickets of the consultant. In exceptional cases, the consultant may be authorised to buy their travel tickets and shall be reimbursed at the “most economical and direct route” but this must be agreed to beforehand.
Ø Consultants will not have supervisory responsibilities or authority on UNICEF budget.
Ø Consultant will be required to sign the Health statement for consultants/Individual contractor prior to taking up the assignment, and to document that they have appropriate health insurance, including Medical Evacuation.
Ø The Form 'Designation, change or revocation of beneficiary' must be completed by the consultant upon arrival, at the HR Section.
Prepared by:
Name: Paul Deverill
Title: Chief WASH
Signature:
Date: 2 September 2011
Approved by:
Deputy Rep / Chief Operations / Representative.
Signature
Date:
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