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For every child, the right to safely managed sanitation 

Capacity development has been identified as one of five accelerators in the SDG 6 Global Acceleration Framework by UN Water. Alongside Financing, Data and Information, Innovation, and Governance, adequate Capacity Development is seen as critical for delivering the promise of safe water and sanitation for all by 2030. In alignment with the Global Acceleration Framework, UNICEF developed the Game Plan for Safely Managed Sanitation highlighting the importance of capacity development for improved service levels, operation and maintenance, increased job creation and the retention of a skilled work force.

In Ghana, an aggregation model for sanitation is being developed for which adequate capacity and effective regulation is essential for delivering the full benefits of aggregation. The right level of capacity is also critical to ensure compliance with relevant regulatory standards. In line with the above, the capacity framework is envisaged as part of three interrelated initiatives (aggregation, capacity development and regulation) geared towards strengthening the system for accelerated delivery of safely managed sanitation. Following the development of the framework, these initiatives will be demonstrated at district level and refined for sector uptake.

Target Groups for Capacity Development on Safely Managed Sanitation

At the community and household level, capacity is required to assist understanding of the importance of the integrity of the entire sanitation chain, and to ensure that families plan, both logistically and financially, for latrine pit and septic tank emptying, replacement and repair.

In the area of service provision, capacity development is critical for the shift to professionally managed services with regulatory oversight. Services requiring additional capacity include management of non-sewered sanitation and non-conventional sewer systems; pit emptying and faecal sludge processing technology; provision of formal services to previously unserved or hard to serve communities and development of appropriate climate-resilient sanitation technologies.

Professional services require a   service-oriented approach to sanitation, beyond a limited focus on infrastructure and technical aspects, with a much higher degree of interaction with users, greatly increased activity with respect to non-sewered and non-conventional sanitation, openness to market-based solutions and an understanding of the circular economy. This would require appropriate skills to be built among service providers, workers and artisans.

Addressing Capacity Gaps in Safely Managed Sanitation

To advance capacity development in sanitation, the Game Plan envisions a pro-active, competent sanitation sector in which all actors have the skills and capacity needed to play their roles. To achieve this vision, Capacity development would have to be holistic utilizing varied approaches including training, access to simple to use resources for human resource development with institutionalization of key interventions.

In furtherance of the Game Plan, UNICEF is implementing the Gates Foundation funded, African Sanitation Systems Programme covering five countries including Ghana. One of four key outcomes of the programme is for sanitation sector partners to have increased capacity and better understanding of safely managed sanitation through strategic communication, learning, information sharing and training.

How can you make a difference? 

In collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, UNICEF seeks to procure the services of a consultant to develop a Capacity framework for Safely Managed Sanitation with a focus on technology and technical skills delivery. The capacity framework comes on the back of a Capacity Assessment for MMDA staff and MBS Actors which showed significant gaps for the delivery of CRSMS. The consultancy contract will be signed in two phases with Phase II being subject to performance of the selected consultant, continued relevance of the assignment and availability of funds. The scope of work is outlined below.

Scope of Work:

Phase I 

1. Develop a capacity building framework for all Market Based Sanitation (MBS) Actors on Technical and Technology Issues related to Climate Resilient Safely Managed Sanitation. The framework is expected to be comprehensive, demand responsive and sustainable, and cover the following:
   1. Identification and categorization of all capacity building activities for all Market Based Sanitation Actors.
   2. Summary of all proposed capacity building interventions with institutional framework for delivery and plan of action on developing/reviewing training materials.
   3. Monitoring and Evaluation Framework with milestones for classifying results-based delivery by the proposed actor
2. Develop a Competency Framework for all MBS Actors with tools for needs assessment, planning and monitoring of progress.
3. Develop a capacity building framework for MMDA staff on Technical and Technology Issues related to Climate Resilient Safely Managed Sanitation. The framework is expected to be comprehensive, demand responsive and sustainable, and cover the following:
   1. Identification and categorization of all capacity building activities for all MMDA staff engaged in sanitation programming particularly the Works Team, Environmental Health and Sanitation Units, Department of Community Development, and Community Facilitators.
   2. Summary of all proposed capacity building interventions with institutional framework for delivery and plan of action on developing/reviewing training packages and materials.
   3. Monitoring and Evaluation Framework with milestones for classifying results-based delivery by the MMDA teams
4. Develop a Competency Framework for MMDA Staff with tools for needs assessment, planning and monitoring of progress
5. Provide support for the establishment of a collaborative platform involving all institutions and individuals with a role to play in the implementation of the CRSMS capacity framework and support members to develop institutional and individual plans of action and initiate implementation  
6. Support the TVET Commission and Service to develop a roadmap for integrating CRSMS and housing into the TVET curriculum and strengthening systems and institutional capacity for scaled up implementation.

Phase II

7. Develop a structured system for assessing and certifying CRSMS products and services delivered by MBS actors
8. Develop a professionalization framework for artisan services to be used for progression up the service delivery ladder
9. Develop a results-based service delivery framework for engaging with all MBS Actors, including artisans, sanitation businesses, material suppliers, input manufacturers, sales agents and MMDA staff.
10. Consolidate all deliverables into one comprehensive framework and develop a roadmap to be used for partnership building and resource mobilization.

Requirements for Application

In applying for this assignment, interested persons are to provide a methodology outlining tasks for each deliverable and a workplan clearly depicting the duration over which each task is expected to be completed. The applicant is also required to present a price quotation which clearly states the expected man-days for each task, his/her daily professional fee, DSA and kilometric transportation rates for road transport.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  TOR -Development of a Capacity Development Framework .docx

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Advanced Degree in Civil Engineering, Building Technology, Public Health Engineering, or related field
• Work Experience: Minimum of 8 years professional experience in Water Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH)
• Experience in capacity building of private sector actors in sanitation technology and technical Issues
• Experience in capacity building of Government staff in sanitation technology and technical issues.
• Experience with preparing frameworks/guidelines and proposals
• Knowledge of emerging Technology and Technical considerations for delivery of Areawide, Climate Resilient Safely Managed Sanitation
• Language Requirements:  Excellent oral and written communication skills in English

Desirables:

• Experience working with Government at both National and Decentralised level will be an advantage

For every Child, you demonstrate...

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

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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 a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:  

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable [Insert candidates from targeted underrepresented groups] are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

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.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.