International Individual Consultancy: Sanitation Social Mobilizations Assessment, UNICEF Vientiane, Lao PDR

UNICEF is a UN organization mandated by the UN General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children’s rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. In Lao PDR, UNICEF is working with its partners to support the Government to realize children’s rights on survival, development, protection and participation.

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UNICEF in Vientiane, Lao PDR is looking for an International Individual Consultancy: Sanitation Social Mobilizations Assessment. The duration of this assignment is 3 months work over a four-month period. The initial desk review will be undertaken remotely, with the key stakeholder discussions and field visits largely undertaken in-person in Lao PDR. It is anticipated that all work in the country will be completed in a single 2-month block, with the reports finalized remotely. Within Lao PDR, the base will be Vientiane, with intermittent travels to provinces/districts.

Summary Of Key Functions/accountabilities

The assessment will be undertaken through literature review, available data and information, desk-based analysis and stakeholder and expert consultations, supported by field validation. Note that a national consultant (or consultancy) will be engaged by UNICEF to support the International consultant in data collection, consultations and field validation. The final reports are expected to be endorsed jointly by UNICEF, Government and relevant government partners.

The Assignment Will Include The Following Key Tasks

• Inception report on the assignment methodology, reports, process and timelines, including:

1.1.Identification of key stakeholders and planned field visit(s)

1.2.Development of an approach for the assessment, including stakeholder consultation, field data collection, definition of the impact assessment scale and scope

1.3.Indicative Table of Contents for Reports

• Assessment of the progress of CLTS in Lao PDR, including:

2.1.Assessment of the current status and progress rates of the national CLTS campaign, with a focus on the progress of ODF communities and coverage, identifying areas of high and low progress

2.2.Description of the different approaches adopted by implementing partners (Government and multiple INGOs and NGOs), including description of approach and roles of actors, indicative costs (inclusive of all external costs), ODF conversion rates, approaches to inequity, sustainability of approach, community acceptance, use of subsidies, engagement of private sector, expectations on community/households, constraints, accountability, success factors, strategy moving forward

2.3.Consolidated status and review of approaches analysing critical success factors, challenges, sustainability, costs, engagement of private sector and constraints to identify the factors contributing to sustainable, successful CLTS implementation in Lao PDR

• Propose recommendations to facilitate scaling up and replicating successful CLTS approaches to achieve national ODF, including recommendations for improving the CLTS approach, addressing gaps in understanding and constraints to progress and for improving policy making and action at the local, national and international levels. Include indicative cost estimates for the recommended approach(es) and indicators for tracking CLTs implementation at different scales
• Engage in a multi-stakeholder and multi-disciplinary process. Coordinate with key stakeholders to ensure their inputs are considered in the development and finalization of the study outputs to facilitate ownership of the report conclusions and recommendations

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

Qualifications And Experience

• A Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering, International Development, Social Sciences, Programme Management or related technical field
• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience at the national and international level in sanitation and development
• Proven experience with national governments and undertaking research projects to provide strategic recommendations
• Previous experience working in the UN is an advantage
• Previous experience working in South-East Asia and specifically Lao PDR is an advantage

Knowledge and Skills

• Demonstrated extensive understanding of principles, approaches associated with sanitation social mobilization approaches

Competencies

• Demonstrated capacity to work across all stakeholders and with national governments to undertake research projects and to provide strategic recommendations

Languages

• Fluency in English, including excellent written and verbal English communications skills
• Knowledge of Lao or ethnic languages in Lao PDR an advantage

Submission Of Applications

Interested candidates are kindly requested to apply and upload the following documents:

• Letter of Interest (cover letter)
• CV or Resume
• Performance evaluation reports or references of similar consultancy assignments (if available)
• Financial proposal: All-inclusive lump-sum cost including travel and accommodation cost for this assignment as per work assignment

The deadline for applications is 28 July 2022

• Assessment Criteria:

Applications Shall Therefore Contain The Following Required Documentation

A two-stage procedure shall be utilized in evaluating proposals, with evaluation of the technical proposal being completed prior to any price proposal being compared.

• Technical Proposal, including a cover letter, updated CV, and copies of 2 relevant evaluations performed earlier by the consultant or copies of relevant past work produced by the consultant.
• Financial Proposal: Lump-sum offer with the cost breakdown: Consultancy fee, living allowance, medical insurance covering medical evacuation for the whole duration of the assignment, and travel costs to Vientiane (economy class). The travel (if involved) shall be based on the most direct and economy fare.

No financial information should be contained in the technical proposal.

For evaluation and selection method, the Cumulative Analysis Method (weight combined score method) shall be used for this recruitment:

• Technical Qualification (max. 100 points) weight 70 %
• A Master’s Degree in Environment, International Development, Civil Engineering, Social Sciences, Programme Management or related technical field with strong development experience (25 points)
• Experience at the national and international level in sanitation and development, undertaking research projects to provide strategic recommendations, including UN and geographical experience (40 points)
• Knowledge of principles, approaches associated with sanitation social mobilization approaches (15 points)
• Quality of past work based on evaluations of past work or copies of relevant work (20 points)
• Financial Proposal (max. 100 points) weight 30 %
• The maximum number of points shall be allotted to the lowest Financial Proposal that is opened /evaluated and compared among those technical qualified candidates who have attained a minimum 70 points score in the technical evaluation. Other Financial Proposals will receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest price.
• The applicants should provide medical insurance covering medical evacuation for the whole duration of the assignment as part of the financial proposal submission.

The Contract shall be awarded to candidate obtaining the highest combined technical and financial scores, subject to the satisfactory result of the verification interview and/or reference checks.

Please find the TOR here: TOR for VA.pdf

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.

View our competency framework at here

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.