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As part of the UNICEF India Country Programme (2023–2027) and the approved Rolling Work Plan (2026–2027), UNICEF Rajasthan proposes to engage an Individual Consultant to provide technical assistance to the Government of Rajasthan, particularly the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), for strengthening Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance (WQMS) system to ensure equitable, climate-resilient and safely managed drinking water services.
With the expansion of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), Rajasthan is transitioning from infrastructure creation to sustained service delivery. While considerable progress has been made in providing Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs), ensuring the safety and quality of drinking water remains a significant challenge due to widespread contamination from fluoride, nitrate, salinity, iron, heavy metals, and microbiological pathogens. The State continues to have one of the highest numbers of water quality-affected habitations in the country, necessitating stronger institutional systems for water quality monitoring, surveillance, laboratory strengthening, and ensuring timely corrective action through effective feedback loop. As per JJM–IMIS (C17-A) data (as on 25 August 2026), across 41 districts of Rajasthan, there are a total of 7,634 quality affected habitations, covering approximately 0.3 million (3.23 lakh) households and a population of 1.92 million (19.25 lakh), where in 30,508 FHTCs are reported within these habitations. Of the total quality-affected habitations, 7,207 are affected by salinity, 356 by nitrate, and 67 by fluoride.
The consultancy will provide strategic and technical support to strengthen institutional capacities for Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance through evidence-based planning, strengthening feedback loop mechanism, laboratory capacity enhancement, knowledge management, and multi-stakeholder engagement. The assignment will support PHED in improving laboratory systems with a focus on microbial water quality analysis, with monitoring of residual chlorine and progress towards NABL accreditation readiness, while strengthening mechanisms that connect field-level monitoring with district- and state level decision-making for ensuring access to safe water to the communities.
The consultant will facilitate technical consultations, undertake field assessments, generate implementation insights, develop knowledge products and policy recommendations, and support capacity-building initiatives for government functionaries. The consultancy will also contribute to strengthening institutional learning by documenting best practices, developing technical guidance materials, and promoting evidence-informed programme improvements to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of WQMS.
The consultancy will adopt a systems-strengthening approach by leveraging existing government platforms, digital monitoring systems, technical institutions, development partners, and community-based monitoring mechanisms. Particular emphasis will be placed on strengthening institutional feedback loop mechanism, improving laboratory quality assurance systems, promoting data-driven decision-making, and supporting convergence across relevant stakeholders to build Water-Safe Communities in the State.
The consultancy will contribute towards achieving the objectives of Jal Jeevan Mission, Sustainable Development Goal 6.1 (Universal Access to Safe Drinking Water), SDG 6.3 (Improving Water Quality), and SDG 6.b (Strengthening Community Participation), while supporting the Government of Rajasthan's vision of ensuring safe, reliable, and sustainable drinking water services. The consultant will work under the technical supervision of the UNICEF Rajasthan WASH Officer/Specialist and provide technical support throughout the assignment period in accordance with the approved work plan for 2026–2027, in coordination with PHED.
If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: 
State Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance Consultant.pdf
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have...
Minimum requirements: |(Qualifications/Experience/ Knowledge/Expertise/Skills)
- Education: Master’s degree or equivalent in civil engineering/environmental engineering/water supply management/public administration & public health, with specialized knowledge and experience of community managed Water Quality Monitoring & Surveillance (WQMS), including Integrated Fluorosis Mitigation approach
- Work Experience:
- Minimum 08 years of relevant professional experience in Water Quality Monitoring & Surveillance (WQMS), drinking water quality, laboratory strengthening, water safety planning, capacity building, and systems strengthening at the state and/or national level.
- Experience working on the Integrated Fluorosis Mitigation Programme (water quality dimension) or with similar state/national water quality institutions and programmes (e.g., State Programme
- Language Requirements: Hindi and English
- Knowledge/Expertise/Skills: Ability to use computer software i.e. MS Office, Internet, with skills in data analysis and visualization will be an asset.
- Desirables: Strong knowledge of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), Water Quality Monitoring & Surveillance (WQMS), water quality laboratory systems, and NABL accreditation processes. Experience of working with the Government of Rajasthan/PHED will be desirable.
For every Child, you demonstrate...
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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.
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