Consultancy: WASH consultant to support UNICEF and AMCOW on the AfricaSan 8 Conference and post-2025 Africa Water Vision, WCARO Dakar, Senegal, 11 months

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, Hope

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

Progress towards the achievement of SDG 6 remains significantly off track, especially for sanitation. According to the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) report “Progress on Sanitation and Hygiene in Africa 2000-2022”, in Africa, 31% of the population used safely managed sanitation and 28% used basic hygiene in 2022. Achieving universal coverage (>99%) by 2030 will require a 23x increase in rates of progress for safely managed sanitation, a 13x increase for basic sanitation and 3x increase for open defecation. In urban areas, 2 out of 3 people lack safely managed sanitation, and over half the population lacks basic hygiene services. In rural areas, 3 out of 4 people lack safely managed sanitation, and 4 out of 5 lack basic hygiene services.

UNICEF’s new Sanitation Game Plan (2022-2030) aims to support governments achieve safely managed sanitation (SMS) for their populations. At the same time, UNICEF’s West and Central Africa (WCA) Regional Office has prioritized sanitation as one of the regional Key Results for Children (KRC 8).

From 2018 to 2024, significant progress has been made in Africa on strengthening systems for sanitation, with a focus on the objective of ending open defecation. However, over 987 million people still lack safely managed sanitation services, including 780 million people lack even a basic sanitation service (with 193 million who still practise open defecation), and 1 billion still lack basic hygiene services. Accelerated progress is needed to eliminate open defecation by 2030. At the same time, UNICEF increased its ambition to progressively support people to move towards SMS. In line with the global ambition, and UNICEF’s Africa Strategy, UNICEF supports systems strengthening, institutional arrangements and capacity for sanitation service delivery, through partnering with key regional sector organizations such as the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW).

AMCOW and UNICEF have a long-standing partnership through which many initiatives and activities have been achieved. UNICEF has been a very dedicated member of AMCOW’s AfricaSan International Task Force (AITF) since its formation more than a decade ago. AMCOW and UNICEF have collaborated to execute many initiatives that cut across knowledge sharing and sector financing since 2015. UNICEF also played a central role during the development of the Africa Sanitation Policy Guidelines (ASPG) as a member of the task force and support of the AfricaSan conferences. UNICEF and AMCOW have clarified their collaboration through the development of an informal 2024-2029 engagement plan whose objective is to Strengthen Sector Governance and Improve Universal Access To Safe Sanitation And Hygiene Services In Africa. The engagement covers 4 priority areas :

1. Ensure Safely Managed and Climate Resilient Sanitation
2. Improve Monitoring, Evaluation and Knowledge Management Systems
3. Strengthen Gender Equality and Youth Empowerment in Water and Sanitation
4. Contribute to Adequate and Sustainable Financing of Water and Sanitation Agendas

In 2025, two major events organized by AMCOW are scheduled to take place:

• 3rd African Implementation and Partnership Conference (PANAFCON-3) in May 2025 in Zambia as a multistakeholder dialogue platform towards formulation of the post-2025 Africa Water Vision and policy. The focus is on 6 thematic areas:
  • Financing, investments and resource mobilization
  • Water supply, sanitation, hygiene, and wastewater (UNICEF is lead on this theme)
  • Water infrastructure for economic production; climate resilience; and disaster risk reduction
  • Governance and institutions for managing and protecting water resources
  • Information management and capacity development
  • Gender equality and social inclusion (UNICEF is co-lead on this theme with ANEW)
• the 8th Africa Sanitation Conference (AfricaSan8) in October 2025 in Ghana. The focus is on 6 thematic areas:
  • Sanitation and Climate Chance: Lead = UNICEF and Wateraid
  • Feacal sludge and wastewater management: Lead = Sanergy
  • Sanitation and hygiene fovernance: Lead = DAI/WHO/Speak up Africa
  • Financing sanitation infrastructure and services: Lead = AfDB (to be confirmed)
  • Youth and gender integration in sanitation service provision: Lead = ANEW and UNICEF
  • Hygiene and behaviour change: Lead = Wateraid

UNICEF is one of the major partners supporting the organization of these conferences. UNICEF’s partnership with AMCOW on these 2 conferences is strategic to influence the sector’s shift towards safely managed and climate resilient sanitation, and instrumental for accelerating progress towards SDG 6 in Africa. Is it also in line with UNICEF Africa Strategy.

Based on the discussion and request made by AMCOW, the purpose of this consultancy spread over a 12-months period is to support AMCOW for the development of the post-2025 Africa Water Vision and policy, and at the same time, the mainstreaming of UNICEF’s corporate priorities within the WASH sector agenda in the continent (safely managed sanitation, climate-resilient WASH, gender transformative WASH, human resource development, nexus, etc.). The expected outcome of this consultancy is to support the effective engagement of UNICEF at AfricaSan 8 and in the development of the post-2025 Africa Water Vision.

How can you make a difference? 

Scope of Work:

Under the supervision of UNICEF WASH Specialist at WCARO, the consultant will support the following:

1. Impulse sector paradigm shift towards sustainable, safely managed, climate resilient, equitable and gender-transformative WASH services, by supporting AMCOW in the preparation of the post-2025 Africa Water Vision and policy and encouraging countries to sign WASH Compacts under the Heads of State Initiative (HOSI):
   • Mainstream the promotion of sustainable, safely managed and resilient water supply and sanitation services by supporting AMCOW in leading Lead theme 2: Water Supply, Sanitation, Hygiene and Wastewater
   • Consult members of the reference group and convene relevant expertise to improve and finalize the concept paper on theme 2
   • Mainstream the promotion of equitable and gender-transformative WASH services by supporting AMCOW in leading Lead theme 6: Gender equality and social inclusion
   • Consult members of the reference group and convene relevant expertise to improve and finalize the concept paper on theme 6
   • Provide useful contributions based on UNICEF’s experience to the other themes, especially on climate, on financing, governance, capacity strengthening, etc.
   • Support the Subregional consultations with Member States and building consensus on prioritized technical proposals and key pillars of the draft post-2025 Africa Water Vision and policy
   • Support the organization of a session and/or side-session on the Heads of State Initiative (HOSI) at the PANAFCON-3 (pending AMCOW’s approval)
   • After the conference, assess UNICEF involvement, contribution and intake in terms of sector advocacy for UNICEF’s key strategic priorities and develop a road map for UNICEF on the action points identified on the post- 2025 vision.
2. Improve WASH sector governance and strengthen water and sanitation policy and strategy in Africa, by supporting AMCOW in the preparation of the AfricaSan 8 conference:
   • Assist AMCOW in the coordination of the sub-committee of Monitoring and learning (Ngor commitments): Conduct light indicator review, preparation and facilitation of webinar, other support if needed.
   • Assist AMCOW in the coordination of the sub-theme on Sanitation and Climate (coordination, review of proposals with partners, concept note, sessions facilitation, etc.)
   • Assist AMCOW in the coordination of the sub-theme on Gender and Youth (coordination, review of proposals with partners, concept note, identification of panelists, sessions facilitation, etc.)
   • Support monitoring of country progress to achieve universal access to adequate and sustainable sanitation and hygiene services through the preparation of the country dialogue (if needed, depending on AMCOW’s request) including summary of the dialogue and contribution to the declaration
   • Facilitate UNICEF Internal preparation for AfricaSan participation (Bi-weekly to weekly coordination calls with RO and HQ, Liaising with Co’s submitting a proposal for session & quality control, Organization of breakfast meeting or learning events for UNICEF staff (w/wo government), Advocacy side-meetings, etc.
   • Support the preparation of a technical session for Africasan 8 on African Sanitation Policy Guidelines (ASPG) implementation (with UNICEF’s presentation focusing on 3 countries: Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone)
   • Support the preparation of a technical session for Africasan 8 on safely and climate resilient sanitation systems strengthening initiative
   • Provide support to AMCOW for organization and facilitation of additional sessions, based on demand
   • Mission to Ghana to provide facilitation and coordination support for AfricaSan 8
   • After the conference, assess UNICEF involvement and contribution and intake in terms of sector advocacy for safely managed and climate resilient sanitation.
3. Support the promotion of Safely Managed Sanitation (SMS) and Climate Resilient Sanitation (CRS) to operationalize shift towards safely managed sanitation services :
   • Review country office TORs, documents, strategies on the shift towards SMS (based on country office request)
   • Remote or in presence Technical assistance to country offices on SMS and CRS
   • Revise / develop content for SMS and CRS training
   • Conduct SMS and CRS online or in presence training
   • Assessment of 20 WCA CO shift towards SMS and CRS (online questionnaire + follow-up call if needed) on the basis of the 2023 baseline and workplan

Work Assignment Overview	Deliverables/ Outputs	Delivery deadline
Introductory meeting and Desk review of relevant UNICEF’s WCAR and HQ documents and reports	1. Inception report with detailed workplan and deliveries for the consultancy	1 week after beginning of the assignment
Support AMCOW in the preparation of the post-2025 Africa Water Vision and policy	2. Report of UNICEF’s contribution to post-2025 Africa Water Vision and policy including: – 2.1 PowerPoint presentations, session plans and minutes of at least 4 thematic meetings, – 2.2 Consolidated a) UNICEF and b) stakeholders’ comments on concept paper on theme 2 – 2.3 Consolidated a) UNICEF and b) stakeholders’ comments on concept paper on theme 6 – 2.4 Comments provided on the 4 additional themes especially on climate, on financing, governance, capacity strengthening, etc. – 2.5 At least 1 UNICEF session on Heads of State Initiative (HOSI) prepared with 1 powerpoint presentation, one briefing notes, preparation of meetings and elaboration of minutes. – 2.6 Assessment of UNICEF involvement in the process of developing the post-2025 Africa Water Vision and policy: UNICEF’s contribution and intake in terms of sector advocacy for safely managed and climate resilient sanitation	2 months after beginning of the assignment
Supporting AMCOW in the preparation of the AfricaSan 8 conference	3. Report of UNICEF’s contribution to AfricaSan 8 conference, including: – 3.1 PowerPoint presentations, session plans and minutes of at least 4 Monitoring and Learning sub-committee meetings, – 3.2 Consolidated stakeholders’ comments on draft Ngor monitoring report. – 3.3 PowerPoint presentations, session plans and minutes of at least 4 Africasan 8 preparatory meetings – 3.4 At least 8 sessions concept notes /proposals reviewed in collaboration with partners and Country Offices, & ensure quality control – 3.5 Minutes of bi-weekly meetings facilitated with UNICEF regional offices/HQ/AMCOW – 3.6 Report of 01 breakfast meeting/ 01 learning event for UNICEF staff during the Africasan conference, in coordination with HQ organized – 3.7 At least 3 UNICEF sessions supported on preparation of presentations and briefing notes for each of the sessions produced. – 3.8 Assessment of UNICEF involvement in Africasan8: UNICEF’s contribution and intake in terms of sector advocacy for safely managed and climate resilient sanitation	6 months after beginning of the assignment
Support SMS and CRS	4. Report on support provided to UNICEF country offices on SMS and CRS : – 4.1 Updated SMS training contents (French/English) developed: – 4.2: training report on the 6 country office online training delivered based on demand – 4.3: support provided to revise 6 country office national documents (ToRs, policies, strategies) on the shift towards SMS and CRS based on country demand. – 4.4 Assessment of 20 WCA countries shift towards SMS and CRS conducted.	4 months after the beginning of the consultancy
Final report	5. Final consultancy report, including the final workplan, the final list of deliverables, the Road map for the post 2025 vision and post AfricaSan, and a summary of lessons learned and recommendations produced.	2 weeks before the end-date of the consultancy

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

• Advanced university degree in Public Health, Social sciences, Political Science, Environment, Engineering, or another field relevant to WASH
• Advanced university degree in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Public Health, Social sciences, Political Science, Environment, Engineering, or another field relevant to WASH.
• A minimum of 8 years of professional experience in WASH programming, including country level experience.
• Experience of technical assistance to or collaboration with government institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa (ministries, utilities, public authorities, international organizations, etc. such as AMCOW)
• Significant prior experience organizing and facilitating workshops or conferences.
• Prior experience working for the United Nations an added advantage.
• Proven skills in analysis, synthesis, and ability to communicate complex issues clearly and succinctly both orally and in writing.
• Strong communication skills (written and oral) in English and French are required.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, diplomatic communication abilities, and demonstrated experience working in a multicultural environment.
• Passion and demonstrated commitment to UNICEF’s mission and core values
• Background/familiarity with UNICEF’s WASH programme in Africa will be an asset.

Other Requirements

• Completed profile in UNICEF’s e-Recruitment system /Most updated CV
• Academic credentials/certificates
• Consultancy technical proposal;
• Financial proposal that will include:
  • Costs for each deliverable and total all-inclusive (lump sum) fees for the whole assignment
  • Travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per ToR
  • Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable
• Previously relevant consultancy products & final evaluations (if available)
• Indicate your availability
• At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.
• Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

 To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

 UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.