South Sudan: Urban WASH Consultant (6 months duration)

Background:

Heavy fighting broke out in Juba on Sunday December 15th, 2013 between different elements of the South Sudan armed forces following a political power struggle. Four States (Central Equatoria, Jonglei, Unity and Upper Nile) experienced heavy fighting with other States, such as Lakes, Eastern Equatoria and Warrap, were indirectly affected by inflows of displaced people.

There are currently over 195,000 IDPs living in six Protection of Civilian (PoC) sites in South Sudan. PoCs, formed during rapid onset displacement in late 2013/early 2014, are not designed to support large civilian populations. The displacement into the PoCs also continued in 2014 and in 2015 due to the continued insecurity in many parts of South Sudan. Despite the continued efforts by the humanitarian community to provide the essential services, these sites are overcrowded with insufficient basic services, including limited access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities.

The recent conflict coupled with little or no allocation of resources for operation and maintenance of water supply systems seriously affected urban water supply systems in South Sudan especially the urban water supply systems in conflict affected states.

Given the scope of destruction of most of the existing water system and the huge demand for water supply in the POC locations and returnee locations in state capitals of Jongeli, Unity and Upper Nile states re-establishing urban water supply systems in these locations and juba is one of the UNICEF WASH programme priorities for the coming two years.

Ensuring functionality of the water system is critical to the survival and settlement of IDPs in their respective places of origin. WASH section is therefore seeking additional support to implement an effective the urban WASH programme that is properly designed, an Urban WASH expert is required to help the section on designing, contracting and supervision of WASH activities.

Justification:

The UNICEF WASH staff capacity is already overstretched with existing recurrent emergency and regular WASH interventions in different locations. In addition UNICEF Partners and Government counterparts don’t have the required capacity for planning, implementation and management of urban water supply reconstruction. Therefore in order to ensure proper designing and supervision of critically required urban WASH activities in affected states a dedicated Urban WASH Specialist is required at least for 6 months period of time.

Specific Tasks:

The consultant’s tasks comprise the following key components:

1. Assessment of urban water supply systems (15%)

· Conduct detailed assessment of urban water supply systems in conflict affected states of Unity, Upper Nile, Jonglei and Central Equatoria states and provide technical recommendations for rehabilitation and upgrading of the systems.

1. Preparing contract documents, BoQs and specifications (20%)

· For each water supply system Prepare contract documents, designs and technical specifications for upgrading/reestablishing urban water supply systems in conflict affected states. Including recruitment and supervision of specialized services need outside support.

1. Supervision and monitoring (40%)

· Supervise construction, rehabilitation and upgrading of urban water supply systems including testing and commissioning of the systems.

· Prepare regular progress report on the construction/rehabilitation of urban water supply systems including contractor performance and quality assurance of the works.

1. Capacity building (20%)

· Support and train Government counterparts and UNICEF NGO partners on operation and maintenance and management of urban water supply systems.

· Support the Government counterparts establishing sustainable management of urban water supply system including public private partnerships.

1. Develop Log term urban water supply strategy for UNICEF South Sudan (5%)

· Conduct assessment of urban water supply systems in sample areas of south Sudan to identify major issues and gaps

· Prepare a long term urban WASH strategy for UNICEF based on UNICEF comparative advantages and overall strategies for the WASH programme in South Sudan

Expected Deliverables

1. Assessment reports for Urban Water supply systems in Unity, Upper Nile, Jongeli states and Juba UN House with detailed recommendations and specifications.

2. Monthly Progress reports on contracting, procurement, rehabilitation and construction works of urban water supply systems

3. Urban WASH Capacity building plan and Achievement Report of capacity building activities

4. Urban WASH Strategy for UNICEF South Sudan

Reporting

The Consultant will report to the Chief of WASH, UNICEF South Sudan. A formal review will take place every month work.

Expected background (Qualifications & Experience)

The following are the key qualifications and experience required:

· Advanced University degree on water supply and engineering related technical fields.

· At least 5 years experience in Urban water supply and infrastructure projects in developing countries, with proven field experience.

· Knowledge of designing and technical specifications of urban water supply system equipment.

· Knowledge and experience on establishing urban water supply management systems in developing countries and public private partnerships

· Analytical, negotiation, communication and advocacy skills.

· Leadership and teamwork abilities.

· Experience in UNICEF WASH programming environments will have an added value.

General Conditions

Terms of payment: Monthly payment upon completion of the specified monthly deliverables and submit monthly report.

Policy both parties should be aware of:

No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant.

Interested and suitable candidates should ensure that they forward their applications (a cover letter, CV, and signed P11 form which can be downloaded at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc), quoting the indicative monthly fee range on or before 30^th December 2015 to:

The Human Resources Manager

UNICEF South Sudan Country Office

Email address: jubavacancies@unicef.org

Applications submitted without an indicative fee range will not be considered. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.