National consultant to provide supervision and quality assurance of Borehole Drilling and mechanization of schools in very drought areas Harare, Zimbabwe, 85 days (Open to Zimbabwe Nationals Only)

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. 

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UNICEF has been operating in Zimbabwe since 1982. We are a team of passionate professionals committed to the protection and fulfillment of children’s rights. 

Supporting the Government’s vision of a prosperous  and  empowered upper-middle-income society, the country programme is aimed at contributing to sustainable socioeconomic development that provides all children, including adolescents, with opportunities to fulfil their potential, lead a healthy life, access quality learning and protection and meaningfully participate in society.

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How can you make a difference? 

UNICEF Zimbabwe is inviting applications for a National Consultant to provide technical oversight, quality assurance, and end-to-end supervision of Borehole Drilling and mechanization of schools in very drought areas

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical oversight, quality assurance, and end-to-end supervision inlcuding:

• Milestone supervision of mobilization and borehole construction including:
• Geophysical surveys
• Borehole drilling
• Test pumping
• Water quality sampling
• Wellhead construction
• Documentation and certification
• Regular meetings with World Vision for updates, feedback and capacity building

BACKGROUND

Zimbabwe continues to face significant challenges in rural water supply due to declining groundwater levels, climate-related variability, and poor performance of boreholes resulting from inadequate siting and construction quality. These challenges have also affected schools.

UNICEF supports Government of Zimbabwe (GoZ) for WASH in Schools (WinS) through several key ministries that include the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MoPSE),  Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development (MLAFWRD), Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA), Rural District Councils (RDCs) to expand equitable access to safe water for school children and communities. Through this support, UNICEF is helping to fullfil children’s rights to health, education and participation and directly contributing to SDGs 4a, 6.1, 6.2 and other health indicators. Research shows that focusing on WinS: increases academic performance by 25% in both boys and girls (UN Water, 2008), girls enrolment can increase by up to 30% when there is adequate sanitation in schools (UNICEF, 2012 Raising Clean Hands), handwashing with soap at pre-primary and primary levels reduced diarrhoea cases by 30% (Ejemot-Nwadiaro, et al., 2009)

In 2023 (EMIS ), it was estimated that 600 schools had no access to water, while approximately 930 schools lacked their own water sources. This number has since increased due to both the rise in the number of schools and the breakdown of existing water supply systems.

UNICEF has a programme which focuses on the provision of piped water to schools by contractors, either through drilling a borehole and piping the water or connecting schools to existing water systems managed by other organisations, companies, farms, rural authorities, or individuals. The intervention is guided by a wet-hole policy, meaning that contractors are only paid for borehole drilling upon successful borehole that yield specified agreed minimum quantities of water flow. In instances where water cannot be accessed on-site, connection to an existing water source, where available, will be considered, in line with the eligibility criteria to be set by UNICEF in consultation with the Education Coordination Group (ECG).

World Vision partnered with UNICEF to implement this intervention and was expected to complete 30 schools . However, progress has been slow, with only 11 schools having completed drilling and mechanization works over the past year, resulting in significant delays. More is needed thorough monitoring to ensure successful achievement of  agreed indicators. The target districts include Mudzi, Mbire, Muzarabani, Lupane, Beitbridge, Gokwe North, Buhera, Gwand, Wedza and Matobo These are characterized by fragile hydrogeological conditions, high rates of borehole failure, and limited oversight of groundwater development works. Attached is the list of the 30 schools concerned with their status of completion to date.

ASSIGNMENTS:

The work to be undertaken includes all necessary inputs to ensure quality assurance of completion of the drilling and construction of all 19 outstanding boreholes and for the development of the same to allow reticulation of the water. The following assignments are expected as part of implementation of this project:

• Activity 1: Milestone supervision of mobilization and borehole construction
• Activity 2: Test pumping
• Activity 3: Water quality sampling
• Activity 4: Well head construction
• Activity 5: Documentation and certification
• Activity 6: Regular meetings with World Vision for feedback and updates

Major tasks and deliverables:

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

Minimum requirements:

Education:

MSc in Hydrogeology, Water Engineering, Geology, or related field.

Work Experience: 

• At least 5 years of  experience in groundwater development.
• Proven track record in supervising drilling operations in Zimbabwe.
• Strong knowledge of geophysical survey methods and interpretation.
• Experience with rural WASH and humanitarian water supply preferred.

Skills: 

• Ability to validate drilling logs, test pumping, and aquifer performance.
• Conversant with Zimbabwe groundwater regulations and ZINWA protocols.
• Strong reporting, GIS/GPS mapping, and data management skills.

Language Requirements: 

English, Shona and Ndebele

Desirables:

• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.
• Experience in using a down-the-hole camera for borehole inspection is a strong added advantage.
• Excellent communication skills and experience in working with senior government officials
• Experience in issues related to WASH regulation, upstream work and policy advocacy
• Familiarity with equity and gender issues.
• Experience in working with UN or similar agencies

The detailed consultancy terms of reference is downloadable via this link TOR.pdf