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Purpose of Assignment:

To carry out rapid a needs assessment of WASH(Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) at 10 selected schools, especially water sources in schools and prepare a report detailing the findings.

UNICEF Zimbabwe, with funding from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and under the leadership of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MoPSE), seeks to improve Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services in schools across Zimbabwe. The initiative places particular emphasis on drought-prone and hard-to-reach areas, where access to reliable and safe water remains a critical challenge for schools.

To contribute to sustainable solutions, UNICEF intends to support the development of piped water scheme projects and other appropriate water supply interventions, including borehole drilling and mechanization, for schools that currently lack functional water sources. In this context, UNICEF will support MoPSE to identify schools that are difficult to reach and have acute water needs, to prioritize them for water infrastructure investments. UNICEF Zimbabwe is therefore seeking a consultant to conduct a rapid needs assessment and basic feasibility assessments in a sample of 10 schools. The assessments will determine the availability or lack thereof and reliability of existing water sources, challenges related to water access, and the feasibility of supplying water through borehole development and piped water schemes. Where possible, the consultant will also document the status of WASH facilities in the schools, highlighting key gaps and challenges.

The findings from this consultancy will generate evidence to inform the design, planning, and implementation of water supply interventions aimed at improving access to safe and sustainable water in schools, thereby strengthening learning environments in drought-affected communities.

Scope of Work:

The consultant will be expected to work closely with MoPSE and UNICEF Education Section and WASH Section for the following:

1) Design of the needs assessment tools and needs assessment methodology

2) Collect and review secondary data for the schools

3) Identification of the sample set of schools to be assessed

4) Conduct the needs assessments using the agreed tool at the agreed set of sample schools

5) Present findings to Education Team and MoPSE for validation

6) Develop a final report detailing findings and recommendations from the rapid needs assessment

If you would like to know more about this consultancy's scope of work and expected deliverables, please review the complete Terms of Reference here:  Terms of Reference TMC0002027.pdf

 Minimum requirements:(Qualifications/ Experience/ Knowledge/Expertise/Skills)

Education: Bachelor’s degree WASH Engineering or Civil Engineering engineering and a social sciences qualification would be an added advantage

Work Experience: Three years’ experience in WASH or a related field 

Language Requirements: English 

 Knowledge/Expertise/Skills: Experience in evaluating WASH for education institutions or other public services is an asset

•Data analysis, report writing

Desirables:

• Proven experience in producing similar deliverables.

• Available references for previous work undertaken.

• Previous work with UNICEF/other UN agencies or other national, regional or international institutions (public or private).

For every Child, you demonstrate Care.

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):

• An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
• Cover letter
• A separate financial proposal. (PLEASE USE THIS GIVEN FINANCIAL PROPOSAL TEMPLATE:  Financial proposal TMC0002027.docx

Remarks:  If the TOR or financial proposal documents are not visible on certain recruitment platforms, please visit our official page Vacancies | UNICEF Careers.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.