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, water, hygiene and sanitation is a must!

How can you make a difference? 

1.  Background:

Liberia has made progress towards improving water supply, sanitation, and general and medical waste management services over the years. However, there are still challenges, particularly in healthcare facilities and schools. More than 50 percent of healthcare facilities lack adequate safe water, appropriate sanitation facilities, and proper general and medical waste management systems.

UNICEF Liberia has been supporting the Government in the improvement of the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) situation in Liberia through i) creating an enabling environment, ii) delivery of WASH services, iii) community engagement, and iv) emergency and humanitarian response. The WASH programme targets rural and urban communities, schools, and healthcare facilities in various counties around Liberia.

Recently, UNICEF secured funding from USAID to improve the WASH situation in 35 Healthcare facilities specifically in Bong, Lofa, and Nimba counties with possible extension to other healthcare facilities in the country. Therefore, the UNICEF Liberia Country Office is seeking the services of a technically competent person with capacities and knowledge in civil engineering and construction procedures and standards. The person will be involved in assessment, on-site supportive technical supervision, and verification/certification of construction which should lead to:

• Timely implementation of the project, for UNICEF to fulfil its commitments to the funding agency and the Government of Liberia,
• Timely commencement and completion of the WASH facilities construction and rehabilitation in the 35 healthcare facilities in  Bong, Lofa,  and Nimba counties and beyond
• Quality assurance and adherence to construction standards and procedures of the Government of Liberia
• The enhancement of the UNICEF Country Office’s credibility and reputational risks.

The assignment is civil engineering in nature which requires full-time presence in the field at the various HCFs in the targeted counties and taking corrective actions as needed.  In this context, this assignment requires an experienced national WASH expert with a track record in assisting UNICEF/UN country offices in developing and implementing the WASH component of the 2020 – 2024 Programme of Cooperation and the 2023 RWP in Liberia.

II. Purpose of  the Assignment:

The purpose of the consultancy is to assess WASH facilities at selected healthcare facilities, prepare drawings as required, prepare a Bill of Quantities (BOQ), prepare a Scope of Works and specifications, provide technical support in quality assurance, and monitor the implementation progress of the construction companies implementing the construction and rehabilitation works at 35 healthcare facilities in Bong, Lofa, and Nimba counties and beyond.

III. Basic objectives of consultancy/contractor (assignment) Services:

1. Conducting comprehensive technical assessments of existing water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities at healthcare facilities to improve the condition, and preparation of drawings as required, BOQ, and Scope of Works for WASH improvement at 35 healthcare facilities.
2. Finalize the assessment report for submission, detailing the most effective and sustainable WASH technologies and systems for each of the 35 healthcare facilities, and ensure that all related assessment documents are included.
3. Providing technical support in the evaluation of bid documents provided by potential contractors on the construction /rehabilitation of WASH facilities in healthcare facilities.

IV.  Scope  of Work: The specific tasks and activities that the national consultancy will undertake to achieve the objectives outlined in the Scope of Work will include.

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

Education: 

• Bachelor’s degree in civil/architectural engineering with 2 years of experience. Must have the ability to interpret engineering design/drawings.

Work Experience:   

• A minimum of 2 years of proven work experience in assessment, monitoring, and supervision of engineering construction projects. Must have some knowledge of UNICEF's ways of working.
• Other skills and competencies required: Strong practical technical skills in the field of civil engineering monitoring the ability to work under pressure and commitment to work in a tight timeframe.

Language Proficiency:

• Excellent working knowledge and communication in English is required.

VII. a) Working Conditions:

• Under the consultancy agreements, payment is deliverable based as defined in the Term of Reference (ToR)
• All remuneration must be within the contract agreement.
• No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant or Contractor.
• Consultants will not have supervisory responsibilities or authority on the UNICEF budget.
• Consultant will be required to travel on field mission  for 35 days to conduct WASH assessment at HCF to produce report.
• Consultants will be required to sign the health statement for consultants/Individual contractors before taking up the assignment and to document that they have appropriate health insurance, including Medical Evacuation
• Any other conditions mentioned per the General Terms and conditions of the Contract

b) Working Conditions:

• Office based.
• The necessary computer equipment for the consultation will be provided by the consultant.
• The consultant is expected to use his/her own ICT equipment.
• The consultant will be based in Monrovia.

 VIII. Supervision:

The consultant will be supervised by the WASH Specialist, P-3.

Applicants are invited to submit their online application:

• A technical proposal that outlines their understanding of the task and proposed methodology or a cover letter explaining why they are well placed to undertake this assignment.
• A recently updated CV
• A financial proposal that must be an all-inclusive cost (consultancy fees, mission expenses, travel, etc.).

Applicants are invited to submit their financial proposals in USD using the template below:

Selection criteria will be based on qualifications, skills, expertise, and experience in the required field, and the quality of the technical and financial offer. Each application will be assessed first on its technical merits and subsequently on its price.

Evaluation Criteria (This will be used for the Selection Report)

A) Technical Evaluation (e.g. maximum of 75 Points)  B) Financial Proposal (e.g. maximum of 25 Points)

Recourse:

UNICEF reserves the right to terminate the contract and/or withhold all or a portion of payment if the rules and the regulations regarding confidentiality, ethics, and procedures of UNICEF and the partners are not followed, the performance is unsatisfactory, or work/deliverables are incomplete, not delivered or fail to meet the deadlines. The deliverables will remain the copyright of UNICEF.

The consultant must respect the confidentiality of the information handled during the assignment. Documents and information provided must be used only for the tasks related to these terms of reference.

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 committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

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.

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.