CHARITY JOBS IN AFRICA

Organization: Concern Worldwide
Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Closing date: 10 Jan 2015

DRC WASH Consortium: Terms of Reference for operational research on improving access to drinking water through “Small Doable Actions” in DRC

1. Summary

The DRC WASH Consortium which is comprised of five agencies, Action Against Hunger (ACF); Agence d'aide à la Coopération Technique et au Développement (ACTED); Catholic Relief Services (CRS); Concern Worldwide (as lead agency) and Solidarités International, seeks a consultant or team of consultants to:

1. Review the “Small Doable Actions” for improving access to drinking water for rural households promoted by the Consortium so far, such as basic household water treatment (e.g. boiling or SODIS) and local improvements to existing sources (e.g. protecting springs with bamboo ‘pipes’), which do not require an external hardware subsidy.
2. Assess the relevance of other existing approaches in DRC and internationally for improving access to drinking water for the most vulnerable populations which represent alternatives to the options defined as “improved sources” by the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme.^[1] These alternative options should also be potential “Small Doable Actions” for communities which may include:
3. Household water treatment options such as boiling, SODIS, filtration and chlorination.
4. ‘Self-supply’ options where household or small groups of households improve or develop their own water points such as improved traditional wells, rope pumps and rainwater harvesting (some of these options may meet JMP standards).
5. Delivery options such as a cart with a small tank or drum.
6. Local improvements to existing sources such as protecting springs with bamboo ‘pipes’.
7. Additional options for improving hygienic transport and storage of water.
8. Pilot, test and market the most promising options identified through a participatory approach with users in key intervention sites of the Consortium, starting in January 2015.
9. Estimate the Value For Money of the different options reviewed and piloted (cost-benefit analysis and cost effectiveness) and make recommendations based on this to the Consortium and the programme donor (DFID) that can be applied from July 2015 to June 2017 and beyond.

This operational research recognises that technical options for improving access to drinking water exist which provide an improved service to the user (in terms of quality, quantity, reliability or accessibility) even if they do not necessarily confirm to the definition of “improved sources” according to the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme. In some contexts the option of a communal improved source may not be feasible or desired in terms of local management, technical and financial capacity to maintain the water point in the long-term. This can apply especially in extremely small, isolated and/or vulnerable communities, which are typical in rural DRC, or communities which already have access to sufficient quantity of water (e.g. next to a river) and therefore may not be willing to pay for services from a communal improved water point. This consultancy seeks to identify the most promising alternative options for piloting in the Consortium programme in rural DRC.

2. Background to WASH in DRC and the Consortium

Despite the country’s relative wealth in terms of water resources, access to clean drinking water in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains low. Based on current trends, the DRC will miss the water target under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to halve by 2015 the proportion of its population without sustainable access to safe drinking water. The water and sanitation sector is also in a state of change amidst ongoing reforms relating to decentralisation and the implementation of new laws such as the Water Code, while implementation capacity at all levels remains weak.

In this context, the DRC WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) Consortium is working to increase the coverage of sustainable water and sanitation provision and hygiene behaviour in rural areas of DRC. The Consortium is funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) through a grant of £23.9m from 2013-2017 as part of DFID’s 2013-2019 WASH programme in DRC.

In total, the DRC WASH Consortium aims to support 461 villages and 554,122 beneficiaries in up to 17 health zones in rural DRC through a 12-step process which lasts eighteen months in each village, followed by additional monitoring and evaluation for a further six months. Programme activities include the promotion of good hygiene behaviours through “Small Doable Actions”, support to the construction of household and institutional latrines, and (where judged technically and economically feasible for long-term sustainability) the development of water points such as spring protections, protected wells, and boreholes. The Consortium also works with local health services, local authorities, the private sector and civil society to develop their capacity to support communities and promote the sustainability of WASH services. The Consortium aims to use its experiences, innovation and research to produce and disseminate evidence for sustainable, community based solutions to WASH needs in the DRC.

• For more background on the DRC WASH context, see Annex A.
• Full details on the Consortium’s Theory of Change are included in Annex B.
• The Consortium’s 9-point strategy and 12-step process are summarised in Annex C (note that the 12-step process is currently being revised and the detailed new version will be available in January 2015).
• The full logical framework is included in Annex D, with baseline data from the first phase.
• A map of the Consortium’s areas of intervention is included in Annex E.
• Role of the consultancy in the context of the Consortium programme

The approach of the DRC WASH Consortium is designed to be flexible enough to integrate learning during the programme in line with the need for adaptive programming expressed by DFID and others,^[2] especially if evidence produced shows that parts of the original Theory of Change may not be valid.

The programme therefore proceeds in a sequence of different phases of villages and conducts additional research and innovation projects to enable learning to be fed back into the programme. During the first two years of the programme, extra information becomes available from:

• Field experiences and results from the completion of the first phase of villages (Sept 2013 – Feb-March 2015) and ongoing experiences from the second and third phases (in progress between April 2014 – Oct 2015). The fourth phase of villages is due to start in July 2015.
• Research projects on: spare parts and supply chains for handpumps; community mobilisation and behaviour change.
• Innovation projects on: preparation and rapid response for cholera outbreaks; WASH mapping.
• Sharing of experiences with other sector actors through six-monthly Technical Reviews.

Key developments to the programme approach so far include:

• More detailed development of an economic approach to better define, estimate and measure life-cycle costs and first steps in using this information as part of informed decision-making for investment in drinking water infrastructure.
• Revision of the selection process for intervention areas and villages to increase the likelihood of success given the extremely challenging context in rural DRC.
• Initial review of the Consortium’s approach to community mobilisation and behaviour change.

This consultancy forms part of the operational research component of the Consortium to enable learning from the first phases of the programme to feed into the ongoing second and third phases and the fourth phase which is due to start in July 2015.

4. Objectives of the consultancy

Note: although the focus of this research is on the national norm of “access to drinking water”, the research will require collaboration with others (either Consortium staff or consultants) who are developing approaches for promoting and monitoring “Small Doable Actions” relating to the 6 other norms defined by the national programme “Villages Assainis” (on sanitation, hygiene and community mobilisation) in order to ensure a comprehensive and consistent approach.

1. Review the “Small Doable Actions” for improving access to drinking water for rural households promoted by the Consortium so far, such as basic household water treatment (e.g. boiling or SODIS) and local improvements to existing sources (e.g. protecting springs with bamboo ‘pipes’), which do not require an external hardware subsidy. This review should include:
2. User perceptions of improved services in terms of quality, quantity, reliability or accessibility, as well as their ideas for other options to be tested.
3. Additional external assessment of results in terms of water quality.
4. Estimates of the life-cycle costs of these options and user willingness to pay.
5. Estimates of the cost-benefit analysis and cost-effectiveness of these options.
6. Feasibility for large scale promotion of these options by village committees or other leaders, local health services and NGOs, including the local availability of the materials required.
7. Assess the relevance of other existing approaches in DRC and internationally for improving access to drinking water for the most vulnerable populations which represent alternatives to the options defined as “improved sources” by the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme.^[3] These alternative options should also be potential “Small Doable Actions” for communities which may include the following. The assessment should evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each option in the context of the different areas of intervention of the Consortium in DRC, including the views of potential users (to identify the most promising options for more detailed testing as part of Objective 3).
8. Household water treatment options such as boiling, SODIS, filtration and chlorination.
9. ‘Self-supply’ options where household or small groups of households improve or develop their own water points such as improved traditional wells, rope pumps and rainwater harvesting (some of these options may meet JMP standards).
10. Delivery options such as a cart with a small tank or drum.
11. Local improvements to existing sources such as protecting springs with bamboo ‘pipes’.
12. Additional options for improving hygienic transport and storage of water.
13. Pilot, test and market the most promising options identified with users in key intervention sites of the Consortium, starting in January 2015.
14. ‘Market test’ the most promising options from the Consortium, DRC and internationally through piloting and rapid user feedback.
15. Set up a longer term strategy for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of these options throughout the rest of the Consortium programme.
16. Estimate the Value For Money of the different options reviewed and piloted (cost-benefit analysis and cost effectiveness analysis) and make recommendations based on this to the Consortium and the programme donor (DFID) that can be applied from July 2015 to June 2017 and beyond.
17. Develop a concept note and support the writing of a funding proposal for attracting suitable additional funding to integrate these recommendations into the programme.
18. Outline methodology and timetable

The operational research should be completed during the period Jan-March 2015.

The detailed methodology will be developed by the consultant and approved by Concern Worldwide. The methodology must uphold DFID’s ethical principles for research and evaluation. At a minimum, theoperational research should draw on:

• Reports on previous research projects (spare parts and supply chains for handpumps; community mobilisation and behaviour change; climate and environment assessment).
• Interviews / workshops with key internal and external stakeholders in Kinshasa.
• Fieldwork in at least two different areas of intervention, ideally more, including the views of direct programme participants.

Note that field visits to project sites typically require at least a week per project site including travel time (e.g. 2-4 days travel + 3-5 days at or near the project site).

Other key events to be considered as part of the timetable include:

• The Consortium’s six-monthly external Technical Review in mid-March 2015 (date TBC). The consultant will present the recommendations from the research as part of this workshop.
• Expected products
• Draft methodology as part of proposal.
• Inception report and final methodology for approval after XX days of the contract (to be agreed).
• Preliminary presentation of findings and proposed structure of final report for feedback in country, including presentation during the external Technical Review in March 2015.
• Draft ‘catalogue’ / ‘how-to guide’ of the most promising options which is suitable for dissemination in communities (the consultant is responsible for drafting the technical content of this material; additional support will be available for final editing, formatting and graphics).
• Final report, including:

o Stand-alone executive summary of 2-4 pages (in English and in French), which highlights the key lessons learned and key recommendations. (This will be used by the Consortium as the basis for a briefing note for the sector).

o Specific list of recommendations at different levels (strategic, programmatic, operational) targeted to different groups.

o Annex of all data, references and analyses undertaken.

• Concept note for seeking future funding for the recommended options.
• Skills and experience of the consultant

Note: The DRC WASH Consortium expects to engage one consultant for this operational research (international or local). However, the consultant may be required to collaborate with other local consultants and staff engaged by the member NGOs of the Consortium to ensure effective learning across other field sites in addition to those where the consultant conducts fieldwork directly. The details of this collaboration will be discussed as part of the contract negotiation.

Essential

• Relevant academic and professional background in rural development and WASH, including experience in fragile states.
• Technical knowledge and experience of promoting household water treatment options; ‘self-supply’ options where household or small groups of households improve or develop their own water points; and other ‘alternative options’ for improving access to drinking water.
• Experience in approaches for community mobilisation, social marketing and behaviour change.
• Knowledge of water quality testing.
• Excellent communication and report-writing skills in English.
• Ability to speak French.
• Willingness and ability to work long hours in a difficult environment.

Desirable

• Experience in DRC.

7. Management, reporting and quality assurance arrangements

The consultant will be contracted by Concern Worldwide as the lead agency of the DRC WASH Consortium and will report to the Consortium Director and the Consortium WASH & M+E Coordinator. To ensure quality, the timing of payments will be made according to the delivery of key outputs, to be agreed in the contract. The inception report and final methodology will be approved by Concern Worldwide before proceeding to detailed fieldwork. The proposed structure and contents of the final report will be approved by Concern Worldwide before proceeding to the completion of the final report.

8. Expressions of interest and enquiries

Please submit an Expression of Interest by January 9^th 2015toemily.bradley@concern.net outlining exact availability in line with the approximate timeline. The expression of interest should contain: (a) a technical offer and (b) a financial offer, comprising:

A. Technical offer:

· Up to date CV of the consultant explaining how the consultant meets the skills and experience required.

· Technical proposition detailing proposed methodology and resources needed (max 3 pages).

· At least one example of similar work undertaken.

B. Financial offer:

· A list of all expenses expected to be incurred by the consultant(s) including a daily rate.

· Costs of transport in-country and accommodation while on field visits outside Kinshasa will be covered directly by the Consortium and should not be included.

The following additional information is available in the Annexes to this TOR:

· Annex A – Context of WASH in DRC

· Annex B – The Consortium’s Theory of Change

· Annex C – The Consortium’s original 9-point strategy and 12-step process

· Annex D – Logical Framework with baseline data for Phase 1

· Annex E – Map of the Consortium’s Area of Intervention.

Please contact emily.bradley@concern.net for all queries.

[1] See: http://www.wssinfo.org/definitions-methods/watsan-categories/

[2]DFID’s 2013 “end to end review” of programming (led by the Deputy Head of DFID DRC at the time) concluded that the conventional approach to programme management needs to change and that programmes need to be flexible to adapt to changing realities and emerging opportunities (for more info see presentation by Pete Vowles on Adaptive Progamming at “Hard to Measure Benefits” workshop at DFID in London, October 2013).

[3] See: http://www.wssinfo.org/definitions-methods/watsan-categories/

How to apply:

Applications should be made by sending a copy of your CV to emily.bradley@concern.net.

Organization: CANADEM
Country: Liberia
Closing date: 01 Sep 2014

CANADEM is seeking individuals with previous UN and international experience who are available for an immediate deployment to Liberia with UNICEF for a 3 month contract ASAP.

Position Title:Alternative Care Specialist (Ebola Response)

Location:Monrovia, Liberia

Duration : 3 months

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Child Protection in Emergency Short Term Contract (P3): Alternative Care Specialist

Reports to: Chief of Child Protection

PURPOSE

The second outbreak of the Ebola Viral Disease (EVD) has left many in need of humanitarian assistance, and have significantly exacerbated the acute vulnerabilities facing women and children, especially orphans. Indeed, the provision of social services to orphans has been severely affected by the EVD. UNICEF alternative care programmes have also been affected, facing several challenges: outbreak of epidemic in orphanages; increased number of children infected with Ebola; increased recruitment of children for orphanages in Ebola stricken communities; cessation of family visits; breaking of family ties; negative psychological effect on children. Under the Supervision of the Child Protection Chief of Section, the CP Specialist on alternative care will assess, design and initiate interventions to address the interim, medium and long term care needs of children. The care advisor will be responsible for ensuring that quality programmes and capacities are initiated to provide care and protection to children in a range of in-country locations.

BACKGROUND

The Core Commitments for Children (CCCs) call for the rapid provision and deployment of qualified personnel to act in the first eight critical weeks of humanitarian response and provide guidance for action beyond that, moving towards defined benchmarks. In the implementation of its Ebola response plan, the UNICEF Liberia Country Office is still scaling up its Child Protection component, specifically in relation to its alternative care programmes. Technical and management support is required in the field and at the capital level. Oversight to ensure adherence to the CCCs of Humanitarian Action by the country office is a critical function during an emergency response.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

§ Identify and agree within and between agencies and other stakeholders the roles, responsibilities and accountability for planned action and future decision-making around care issues. Ensure that care interventions are informed by and integrated with other core sectors of education, health, nutrition, food security and livelihoods.

§ Facilitate coordination between child protection actors who have a role in the provision of interim and longer term care (e.g. through the child protection sub cluster and sub groups of the sub cluster).

§ Ensure planning and subsequent cooperation and program structures are done in partnership with key stakeholders, in particular the Government, and that they aim to establish/strengthen processes and mechanisms at local, district, national (and broader level) which support identification, monitoring and response to the care and protection concerns of children.

§ Create tools for social workers working with alternative care centers or foster care families to provide adequate support to children affected by Ebola.

§ Initiate and/or carry out capacity-building of key international and national staff in specific care and child protection competencies including appropriate approaches, where needed.

§ Train social and health workers on the disease, its prevention, social mobilization skills, proper utilization of personal protective gears, and hygiene promotion, as well as oversee the implementation child protection activities in alternative care centers and foster families.

§ Oversee work of social workers and closely coordinate with the emergency family tracing intervention (Identification, Documentation, Tracing and Reunification - IDTR) to ensure the primary focus of children in care remains on family tracing and reunification.

§ Assist with ongoing assessments of care providers and vetting of interim care provisions based on global standards, principles and practice. Adapt the assessment as necessary and feasible given the context.

§ Ensure vulnerable children experiencing serious challenges because of the Ebola virus are placed in alternative care centers or foster care families.

§ Ensure adequate monitoring and follow up for children affected by the Ebola virus in alternative care centers or foster care families and advocate, plan and programme for longer term community-based care options for children in need of care.

§ Provide technical support and assistance to UNICEF child protection staff and partners, including government and NGOs, to ensure effective implementation of UNICEF programmes in alternative care centers and foster care families, including development or amendment of projects and partnerships at the community level, as needed.

§ Represent Child Protection in Ebola-related meetings, as required.

§ Support the CP Chief with oversight and management of funds for the CP emergency response, or any other tasks as needed.

EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

§ Weekly updates to Child Protection Chief of section on progresses accordingly to the work plan.

§ Field monitoring monthly reports on the status of the implementation of project activities conducted by NGOs and other partners.

§ Reports on social workers’ action and placement plans.

§ All children orphaned/abandoned by Ebola on the Government’s social workers case load placed in a family type, community based placement.

§ Report capacity development (both formal and on the job training) for UNICEF’s partners.

§ A clear training plan and reports on psychosocial support for protection actors.

§ Reports of CP assessments conducted during the contractual period.

DESIRED BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE

§ Advanced University degree in social work, child psychology, or other relevant field.

§ A minimum of 5 years of experience with UNICEF and/or other relevant actors, including experience with child protection programming related to interim, alternative, or foster care for children in overseas contexts.

§ Strong knowledge of and experience in Child Protection in Emergency (CPiE) and strategies, as well as programming and procedures in IDP context and interventions.

§ Knowledge of key international standards and guidelines related to alternative care for children.

§ Experience working in the context of a natural disaster or armed conflict highly desirable.

§ Ability to communicate concepts and ideas effectively orally and in writing including formal public speaking, to work in a team and independently, and to adopt consultative approaches including soliciting inputs of children.

§ Fluency in English (verbal and written). Good written and spoken skills in the language of the humanitarian operation and knowledge of another UN language an asset.

§ Previous experience in UNICEF child protection programming in conflict and/or post conflict countries, including IDP’s response.

§ Must be flexible to live and work in difficult environment.

How to apply:

If you see yourself in and have all of the above-mentioned skills, please register with CANADEM before contacting us. This can be done on our website at www.canadem.ca/register . Then send an email ASAP to pantiwa.naksomboon@CANADEM.ca with Subject Line: " UNICEF-Alternative Care Specialist (Ebola Response) - P3- Monrovia, Liberia" together with an updated resume, citizenship, date of availability and your current location and a phone number where we can reach you. Please also forward blank referee questionnaire that can be found at www.canadem.ca/rqf to two of your references (recent supervisors preferred). Full instructions on how to complete the forms are included in the document; also please send us any evaluation report that you may have about your field work. We will be considering applications as they are received.