M E Consultant_ILC Maiduguri

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established to advocate for the rights of children globally, operates in 190 countries and territories. The organization is dedicated to promoting and protecting the rights of every child, emphasizing a mission-driven culture that fosters personal and professional development for its staff. UNICEF Nigeria is one of the largest country offices, actively working in a complex humanitarian and development setting to fulfill children's rights in collaboration with various stakeholders, including the government and civil society. The organization prides itself on a diverse workforce and offers a comprehensive benefits package to its employees, reflecting its commitment to the well-being of children and families.

Job Overview:
The assignment aims to evaluate the technical performance, user adoption, and health impact of in-line chlorination (ILC) systems in Maiduguri and Jere Local Government Areas (LGAs). The overall objective is to improve access to safely managed drinking water, reduce microbial contamination, and lower the incidence of WASH-related diseases among households over a 16-month period. The consultant will be responsible for developing an assessment framework, conducting baseline assessments, and analyzing data to inform the effectiveness of the ILC systems. This role requires a strong focus on community engagement and the implementation of water safety planning to ensure sustainable access to clean water for vulnerable populations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be tasked with several key deliverables, including:

• Developing an Inception Report that outlines the assessment framework, sampling strategy, geographical coverage, and timeline for the evaluation.
• Conducting baseline assessments by developing and implementing data collection tools, ensuring data quality through cleaning and verification processes, and finalizing reporting templates.
• Performing midline evaluations to review and update indicators, assess operational challenges, and gather community feedback.
• Collecting and analyzing primary quantitative and qualitative data at the endline, presenting preliminary findings, and organizing stakeholder validation workshops.
• Finalizing the evaluation report, which will include a comprehensive evaluation brief and infographics to communicate findings effectively.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in fields such as Construction Management, Development Studies, Economics, Public Health, Community Health, Public Administration, Engineering, Environment, or Climate Change. Relevant work experience may substitute for a higher degree. A minimum of 5 years of experience in the WASH sector at both national and sub-national levels is required, with demonstrated skills in assessments, statistical modeling, survey design, and policy-level analysis. Strong technical expertise in monitoring and evaluation, expenditure tracking, and geospatial mapping of WASH services is essential.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced degree in a relevant field, such as Construction Management, Development Studies, Economics, Public Health, Community Health, Public Administration, Engineering, Environment, or Climate Change. Candidates with substantial relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of a higher degree, emphasizing the importance of practical knowledge and skills in the WASH sector.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least 5 years of relevant experience in the WASH sector, particularly in national and sub-national contexts. This experience should encompass skills in WASH-related assessments, statistical modeling, survey design, and policy-level analysis. The consultant should also demonstrate strong technical expertise in monitoring and evaluation, expenditure tracking, intervention profiling, and geospatial mapping of WASH services across Nigeria.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both verbal and written, is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in Hausa is considered an asset and would provide an added advantage in effectively communicating with local communities. Strong writing skills in English are essential, with evidence of previous work at the national and sub-national levels being highly desirable.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy position is expected to be full-time and will involve a contract duration of 16 months. Selected candidates will not be considered staff members under UNICEF's regulations and will not be entitled to benefits typically provided to staff, such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage. Candidates are responsible for their tax liabilities and ensuring that their visa and health insurance are valid for the duration of the contract. Additionally, selected candidates must confirm their fully vaccinated status against COVID-19 with a WHO-endorsed vaccine prior to commencing the assignment, although this requirement does not apply to remote consultants.