National Consultant (Metropolitan/Municipal Resource Person)

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. And we never give up. For every child,  UNICEF has been supporting the Government of Ghana (GoG) in implementing the Urban Sanitation Programme (USP) since 2015. The programme involves five key components: 1. Demand creation through behavior change; 2. Technological support for appropriate latrine designs; 3. Supply chain-improvements through the promotion Sanitation Marketing (SanMark) including business development and  sanitation financing; 4. Enforcement of by-laws for discouraging open defecation and 5. Enhanced monitoring and evaluation. The Programme initially implemented in Ashaiman, Ho and Tamale, Metropolitan/Municipal Assemblies (MMAs) has been expanded to Cape Coast and Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem (KEEA) MMAs since Jan 2020. In addition to supporting access to basic sanitation in poor urban communities, the Programme is also supporting schools and health centers (institutions) to have sustainable access to WASH services through provision of infrastructure and enhanced capacity to operate and maintain them. The Programme implementation is led by the Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) of respective MMAs with  support from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), with whom UNICEF has Programme Cooperation Agreement (PCA) to carry out community level demand creation activities and WASH facility installation works in institutions. To improve access to financing by households, a revolving loan scheme known as Basic Sanitation Fund (BSF) is being implemented as part of the Programme. The selected Rural Community Banks (RCBs) from target MMAs are disbursing BSF loans for latrine construction and collecting re-payments from households and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) for the same. To effectively implement the different components of USP in tandem, UNICEF has been supporting the MMAs with a Municipal Resource Persons (MRPs) in all target municipalities. The role of MRPs is to coordinate activities of CSOs, EHOs and RCBs and facilitate them to work together. In addition the MRPs also builds the capacity of MMAs in the UN Harmonized Accounting and Cash Transfer (HACT) process including timely submission of DCTs and their liquidation. Since, the capacity of MMAs is also low in activity monitoring and reporting, MRPs play a critical role in building capacity through hand-holding in this area. The Urban Sanitation Programme (USP) in Cape Coast and KEEA MMAs started from the second quarter of 2020, amidst COVID-19 pandemic, and only the preparatory activities such as baseline survey, training of Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) in Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) and training  of local artisans in latrine technology options and construction have been completed. The local MMAs supported by a CSO are currently conducting CLTS activities in communities with the view to increase demand for household toilets. In this regard, UNICEF intends to engage the services of an individual consultant as Metropolitan/Municipal Resource Person (MRP) in order to coordinate and accelerate the USP activities in these two MMAs. How can you make a difference? The overall purpose of the assignment is to effectively coordinate Urban Sanitation Programme (USP) activities in Cape Coast Metropolitan and Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem (KEEA) Municipal Assemblies implemented by Environmental Health Officers (EHO)s, CSO and other partners, ensuring their timely completion with the  required quality. The consultant will  support Cape Coast and KEEA to implement the sanitation and hygiene interventions aimed at reducing open defecation and improving access to basic sanitation. He/she will be based in Cape Coast and coordinate programme activities in the two municipalities. Tasks To be Completed    In meeting the objectives of this assignment, the MRP is expected to perform the tasks outlined below;

1. Ensure effective planning, implementation and monitoring of key WASH interventions by EHOs and partner CSO.
2. Ensure the Geographical Information System (GIS) sanitation database are updated at least once a month by M&E focal person using KoboCollect Application.
3. Ensure that the Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) triggering sessions are conducted by EHOs as per the plan of MMAs in a timely manner.
4. Ensure that EHOs and CSOs follow-up triggered communities in a weekly basis until the planned number of toilets are constructed.
5. Ensure artisans and SMEs receive training and follow-up support from training institute and EHOs, including the latrine design package for business promotion. including the business promotion and EHOs in providing their services.
6. Coordinate and support activities during visits to MMA by UNICEF and/or its partners and consultants
7. Facilitate registration of sanitation service providers within the target MMAs
8. Ensure quarterly mass registration events for collecting BSF loan applicants.
9. Facilitate timely liquidation of Direct Cash Transfers (DCTs) advanced to the MMA
10. Coordinate implementation of WASH in Institutions interventions within the MMAs
11. Provide monthly report to UNICEF Accra through the Urban WASH Officer on the Programme progress and challenges.

Expected Deliverables  1. Ten monthly coordination meetings organized involving all stakeholders, especially EHOs and CSO on tracking progress in triggering, follow-up, toilet construction; RCBs on disbursement of fund and re-payment; latrine artisans and  businesses on technical support; and Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) and Municipal Chief Director (MCD) on progress briefing and support required for unblocking any hindrance. 2. Monthly review and update of KoboCollect database to assess the progress. 3. At least 100 triggering sessions organized by EHOs and CSOs in each MMA. 4. At least 3 joint follow-up visits per months with EHOs and CSO to the triggered sections/communities for monitoring the quality of follow-ups. 5. All trained artisans and SMEs have SanMark promotion tools in both MMAs to be able to promote latrine products and service to households. 6. All visits to the MMA by UNICEF, donor, and consultants executed according to plan including drafting of briefing notes on the USP of the MMAs. 7. A register of sanitation service providers within the MMA established 8. At least two mass registration of applicants to the BSF conducted (one in each MMA) 9. All DCTs issued to MMAs and CSOs are fully liquidated before 6 months 10. Facilities Management Plans (FMPs) in all project target schools and health care centres implemented according to GES and GHS standards respectively 11. Monthly progress reports including updates provided on:

1.  Field visits and coordination meetings
2. Number of households signed up to build toilets, ongoing constructions and completed constructions
3. Number of sanitation loans disbursed from rural commercial banks
4. Prosecutions and spot fines associated with sanitation byelaws

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Advanced degree in Development Studies, Social Science, Engineering, Planning, Environmental Management, Public Health, Project Management or related area.  Candidates with first degree and 8 years’ experience could be considered.
• At least 5 years progressive professional experience in a relevant WASH or Development field.
• Experience of CLTS and project cycle management (needs assessment, planning, implementation and monitoring) is essential.
• Knowledge and experience of Market Based Sanitation and Sanitation Financing is desirable.
• Specific experience and knowledge of urban sanitation programme using behavior change approaches (urban CLTS/CDH/CLUES) or Sanitation Marketing (SanMark) is an advantage
• Proven ability to work with government agencies in programme planning and coordination
• Ability to operate computer Microsoft office programs (MS Word, Excel, Power Point and Access)
• Current residency in Cape Coast or KEEA is an advantage

NB: Refer to the attached TOR for more details on the assignment TOR MRP Central Region.pdf. Application Procedure: please submit application online and indicate monthly professional fees in Ghana Cedis. The monthly fee is all inclusive and includes communication (mobile data and internet), and transport for field trips within the duty station. In addition to the CV/Resume, attach a two-page note on how you intend to effectively accomplish this assignment within the time frame. For every Child, you demonstrate… UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check. Remarks: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 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.