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Goal and Objective

This exercise will contribute to improved nutrition outcomes for women and children by strengthening the synergies between WASH and nutrition, with a focus on building more resilient systems. The primary objective of this assignment is to assess the effectiveness and scope of collaboration and synergy between WASH and nutrition strategies across 10 countries in the ESA region. Using the WASH-Nutrition maturity matrix framework, the consultant will evaluate the current level of integration, identifying gaps, challenges, and opportunities for enhancing synergy. A review of available research, evaluation and monitoring results will also be conducted, and a deep dive on MUWS and nutritious food production. The findings will provide strategic insights to reinforce the integration of WASH and nutrition interventions, ensuring that future programming is more targeted, resilient, and impactful in addressing the dual challenges of malnutrition and inadequate WASH. 

The specific objectives are to 

1. 1. Assess and document the synergy between WASH and nutrition strategies and services using the WASH-Nutrition maturity matrix framework, identifying gaps, opportunities, and integration levels across sectors like health, food and agriculture, and climate resilience (development and humanitarian contexts) in Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.
   2. Review relevant research, evaluation, and monitoring results on WASH-nutrition synergies in the past five years to consolidate findings, identify opportunities for scalable solutions and inform knowledge products.
   3. Document implementation of Multi-Water Use Systems (MUWS) which include food security objectives and explore opportunities for scaling these solutions to improve child-focused food security and diets.
   4. Develop strategic recommendations and knowledge products for advancing and strengthening synergies between nutrition and WASH in both development and humanitarian contexts and in the context of climate change programming and financing.

Details/reference to AWP areas covered

This consultancy will contribute towards strengthening organizational knowledge on UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa region on sanitation systems and the development of knowledge products including innovative approaches and good practices in scaling up nutrition. 

Activities and Tasks  

Under the direction of the WASH and Nutrition specialists and in close coordination with other members and technical specialists of the Nutrition and WASH Teams, the expert will:

1. Assess the extent of collaboration and synergy between WASH and nutrition:

• Conduct a comprehensive review of current WASH and nutrition strategies and programs in selected countries using the WASH-Nutrition maturity matrix framework.
• Assess the integration of WASH and nutrition across sectors like health, food and agriculture, and climate resilience.
• Review early childhood, maternal nutrition, and ECD services, at both facility and community levels to assess the integration of WASH promotion into these services, with a focus on how water, sanitation, and hygiene contribute to improving child nutrition and health.
• Document promising practices: Identify and document successful practices from Government, NGOs, UN agencies, and local partners that have integrated WASH and nutrition interventions effectively.
• Assess the investment potential and scalability of these practices across different contexts and settings.
• Triangulate information with the mapping of community nutrition interventions and development of minimum package being undertaken by another institution.
• Identify opportunities for nutrition and WASDH integration in the context of climate action and financing.
• Draft report and recommendations

2. Review relevant research, evaluation, and monitoring results on WASH-nutrition synergies in the past five years to consolidate findings, identify opportunities for scalable solutions, and inform knowledge products.

• Gather and consolidate operational research, monitoring, and evaluation results on WASH-Nutrition integration from the past five years in the region.
• Analyze the results to identify key findings and trends that will guide future integration efforts.
• Draft chapter of report on synthesis of results

3. Assess and document existing practices on multi-water use systems (MUWS) for children’s food security and develop guidance on MUWS for improving nutritious food availability:

• Map existing Multi-Water Use Systems (MUWS) in the selected countries to assess their contribution to child food security objectives. 
• Review successful MUWS models and best practices, focusing on their role in improving children’s food security and nutrition, with the aim of using these practices and models to inform the development of policy briefs and a guide for linking MUWS and productions of nutrient-dense foods for children.
• Define a costed minimum package of child-focused food security elements that should accompany water systems to optimize both water and nutrition outcomes.
• Draft a short guide on integration of MUWS and production of nutrient-dense foods for children

Develop and disseminate knowledge products:

• Develop knowledge products to disseminate the findings of the assessment:  
• 1 summary synthesis report for objectives 1 and 2
• 1 policy brief for objectives 1 and 2
• 1 short guide on integration of MUWS and production of nutrient-dense foods for children
• 1 slide deck for all objectives
• Present key insights, actionable recommendations, and lessons learned to stakeholders, including national governments, UNICEF regional and country offices, development partners, and implementing organizations.

Work relationships

• The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Regional WASH Advisor, who will provide guidance on the regional component and coordinate the work with various UNICEF country offices for both regional and country components of the consultancy.
• The consultant will collaborate with the ESARO Regional Nutrition Advisor, ESARO WASH Specialist, Nutrition Specialist - NIE, and other specialists in WASH, Nutrition, and Climate.
• The Regional WASH Specialist will monitor the consultant’s progress through brief updates, reviews, and feedback, in collaboration with the Nutrition colleagues.
• ESARO staff will assist the consultant with contacts for the ten country offices and with follow up where necessary 
• A final consultancy performance review will be conducted upon receipt of all deliverables by the consultant, with input from the respective country offices and finalized by ESARO.

Travel

• The consultant will work remotely and will need to be able to undertake calls with stakeholders in the Eastern and Southern Africa time zones.
• One visit to the region is proposed: To visit 3 of the countries with the most promising WASH-Nutrition programming and MUWS-food production integration over a total travel of twelve days subject to approval by UNICEF.

Outputs/Deliverables

 Payment Schedule

Payment will be made based on the successful submission of detailed reports for each of the deliverables listed above. UNICEF’s policy is to compensate for the performance of contractual services upon the satisfactory completion of the agreed deliverables as outlined in the contract. Advance payments will not be granted, except in exceptional cases  In such cases, UNICEF may require a bank guarantee or an appropriate security arrangement.

Desired competencies, technical background, and experience

Education and work experience  

• An advanced University degree in Nutrition, Public Health, climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, earth and environmental sciences, natural sciences, climate change adaptation, geography, or r a related field.
• At least 8 years of experience in WASH and/or nutrition programs. o       Proven experience in conducting assessments, reviews, and research in the fields of WASH and nutrition.      
• Experience using maturity matrix frameworks or similar evaluation tools.
• Familiarity with the intersection of WASH and nutrition in development programs
• A professional work experience in the UN or other international organizations, national governments or the private sector is an asset. 
• Knowledge and proven analytical skills and experience in experience in project development, drafting, implementation, monitoring, reporting and verification in fields related to WASH and/or Nutrition.
• Background/familiarity to approaches for development, implementation, and management of multi-sectoral nutrition program approaches including linkage with health, WASH, social protection, and food security programming.
• Ability to design mapping, landscape analyses, programme reviews etc. and apply knowledge from contemporary research in the field of nutrition/WASH and translate this into programming strategies for different contexts. Knowledge of climate action and financing an asset 
• Fluency in English (verbal and written). knowledge of another UN language an asset.

 The consultant must exhibit the UNICEF Core Values of:

1. 1. Care
   2. Respect
   3. Integrity
   4. Trust
   5. Accountability
   6. Sustainability

Competencies:  

Applicants must be able to demonstrate the following core competencies.

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1); Works Collaboratively with others (1); Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1); Innovates and Embraces Change (1); Thinks and Acts Strategically (1); Drive to achieve impactful results (1) 
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

 Language Proficiency

• Fluency in English (verbal and written). Good written and spoken skills and knowledge of another UN language an asset.

Administrative issues

• The individual contractor will be requested to provide an all-inclusive cost in the financial proposal and to factor in all cost implications. 
• The contract will run for a period of 6 months, and it expected that the contractor will be paid for completed deliverables as per the contract.

Conditions

The consultancy is remote based.  The consultant will provide an estimate for the travel in their application. They will pay for the travel and claim reimbursement. No equipment will be provided from UNICEF and will remain the sole responsibility of the contractor. The consultant is expected to use their own IT equipment (laptop, cellphone etc.), where operating communication costs – long-distance calls, internet if any should be part of the overall quoted fees (no reimbursement will be applied).

As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment will be made against approved deliverables. No advance payment is allowed unless in exceptional circumstances against bank guarantee, subject to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total contract value in cases where advance purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary.

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 consultant 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 consultants 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. The vaccine mandate, 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.

Risks

− Competing Priorities at the Country Level: Risks may arise from competing national priorities, emergencies, or crises that could impact the timely delivery of the assignment. To mitigate this, the Regional and Country Offices will actively monitor the situation, make necessary follow-ups, and collaborate with key stakeholders to minimize any foreseeable or unforeseen risks.

− Personal Hardship: Personal challenges or hardships faced by the consultant may affect the timely delivery and quality of outputs. The contract will clearly outline terms for termination should the contractor's ability to complete the work be compromised, ensuring that necessary action is taken if required.

How to apply

Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV or P11 form and their technical proposals to the online recruitment portal (Talent Management System) or email provided.

Interested candidates to indicate their ability, availability, and rate (daily/monthly) expressed in US$ for international consultants to undertake the terms of reference. The total bid should be inclusive of other costs incurred such as travel/return tickets, VISA, and subsistence allowances during travel.

Applications submitted without a fee/ rate will not be considered.