International WASH Consultant

Context and Scope

Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

Under its mandate to provide technical and operational assistance to governments to address migration crises, the IOM mission in Tajikistan is carrying out efforts to support of the Government of Tajikistan to address the influx of Afghan refugees in the country, in response to the change of government in Afghanistan in August 2021. Under the project “Humanitarian Support to Crisis-Affected Afghan Nationals in Tajikistan”, IOM has committed to make efforts to enhance social cohesion and reduce the pressures placed by the refugee influx on vulnerable communities. The project proposes to work in communities, currently and potentially, hosting Afghan refugees to rehabilitate or build new WASH facilities, whilst simultaneously supporting government-led efforts to support the provision of quality WASH services for the benefit of both Afghan refugees and host communities. The project expects to be implemented mainly, but not limited to, the southern regions of the country bordering with Afghanistan, namely Khatlon region and Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO) region.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM), the WASH Consultant will be responsible for leading the successful planning, design and undertaking of a needs assessment to determine the subsequent WASH activities to be undertaken as part of the project.

The WASH Consultant shall work in a coordinated effort with relevant staff from the Tajikistan Country Office (CO), and in consultation with UNICEF and other relevant WASH agencies, as well as government counterparts from the Ministry of Health and Social Protection (MoHSP), local communities and other stakeholders, to conduct the needs assessment.

This is an all-inclusive consultancy with the exception of travel costs which will be paid for by IOM upon previous coordination and written approval from the Chief of Mission.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Phase 1: Planning and design

Desktop review of relevant reports available online and information provided by the country office, as well as consultations with relevant stakeholders (internal and external to the organization).

Outputs:

a. An assessment protocol, including the methodology and tools that will be utilized for data collection and analysis.

b. Determination of the locations for the field assessment, approved by the supervisor and in coordination with relevant authorities.

c. An assessment work plan, comprehensive of a field assessment visit schedule and the logistical support needed from the CO.

d. A preliminary list of construction materials typical for these types of WASH construction works, to be shared with IOM CO procurement team for them to fill up with the approximate costing.

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Deliverable for Phase 1: A preliminary report compiling the outputs of Phase 1 listed above, submitted at week 2 (14 days), worth 20% of the total consultancy.

Phase 2: Assessment

Field visit to selected locations, including field data collection and analysis.

Outputs:

e. Field visit to selected locations, according to the workplan developed in Phase 1.

f. Undertake data collection using methodology and tools developed in Phase 1, which can include, but is not limited to interviews, surveys, focus group discussions and consultations, observation and photographs, etc.

Deliverable for Phase 2: An assessment report summarizing the findings of the field visit, any information gaps and general recommendations for WASH activity prioritization and any foreseen opportunities and challenges. The report should also include all data collected and analysed, including all transcripts, focus group discussions and consultations, photographs, provided in an electronic folder, submitted at week 5 (day 35), worth 40% of total consultancy.

Phase 3: Definition and prioritization of WASH activities

Based on the information captured during the assessment, feedback from supervisor, and in line with the funding available for the project’s WASH activities

g. Develop a prioritized list of potential WASH activities to be undertaken as part of the project, detailing the location and estimated costs for each activity (based on data available and the revised list of construction materials and unitary prices for construction works), including a Bill of Quantities (BoQs) and basic design drawings for each activity shared as an annex.

h. A workplan for the implementation of the activities, detailing resources and timeframe in line with the project scope, budget and deadline for completion.

Deliverable for Phase 3: A final report compiling all outputs for Phase 3, submitted at week 6 (day 42), worth 40% of total consultancy.

The consultancy is based on deliverables with deadlines of submission as indicated in each of the three phases and percentages indicating the payment milestones over the course of the project. The payment is subject to revision and final approval from the direct supervisor.

Total cost of the consultancy is 14,000 USD.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Environmental Engineering from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or

• University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Experience in the management of WASH programmes in developing countries, preferably in countries facing humanitarian crises and in support of emergency responses.

• Experience working with different international organizations specialized in humanitarian assistance (e.g. UN agencies, INGOs, IOs, Donors, IFRC or ICRC).

• Experience in the design and implementation of WASH infrastructure, including developing BOQs, design drawings and contract management.

• Experience in field research including quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis.

• Proven experience in the design and / or implementation of interventions that include research methods to address behavior change for the promotion of hygiene.

• Familiarity with Humanitarian Principles and cross-cutting issues that are required to be integrated into WASH programming including gender-based violence, Accountability to Affected Populations, climate change and the environment and Disaster Risk Reduction approaches, concepts and technical solutions.

The below experience would also be an advantage:

• Experience in the region.

• Familiarity with conflict sensitivity concepts and principles.

Skills

• Excellent organizational skills.

• Ability to work with limited supervision.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Works effectively with donors, local authorities, beneficiaries and the broader community to advance country office or regional objectives.

• Certification in Project Management (Project Management Professional (PMP) or PRINCE2) is an advantage.

• Computer skills (word processors, spreadsheets).

• Engineering software packages (AutoCAD, ArchiCAD, EPANet or similar engineering software).

• Statistical analysis software packages (SPSS, NVivo, or similar).

Languages

• Fluency in English is required.
• Working knowledge of Tajik, Farsi or Dari is an advantage.