Closing date: 21 Jul 2012
UN Children’s Fund
UNICEF Rwanda Terms of Reference Consultant WASH Technical Advisor to MININFRA
Country: RWANDA
Duty station: Kigali
Type of duty station: Family duty station
Vacancy ref number:
Deadline for applications: 21 July 2012
Honorary: As per UN salaries grid at P4.
Contract duration: 11
Start Date: 01 August 2012
Language required: English
Background
In 2010, the Government of Rwanda enacted the updated National Policy and Strategy for Water Supply and Sanitation (WSS) Services. The updated WSS policy and strategy were developed under the Ministry of Infrastructure (MININFRA) with the support of World Bank, Water and Sanitation Programme (WB-WSP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The updated WSS policy and strategy are designed to provide a framework that sets-out in detail how the WSS sector will attain the national targets for water and sanitation as contained in the Government’s long term and international goals. These include targets in the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS), the 100% service coverage targets included in the Vision 2020 objectives and the country’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The new policy, which updates the previous WSS policy of 2004, was introduced to address significant changes that affect the sector since the previous 2004 policy was introduced. These changes include; institutional reforms, the decentralisation of rural WSS services, the move towards private sector participation and the emerging Sector Wide Approach (SWAp), which is now in the latter stages of development.
Overall Objective of Consultant
The overall objective of the WASH Senior Technical advisor consultant is to support the Ministry of Infrastructure (MININFRA) to ensure implementation of the WSS services policy and strategy. In particular, the WASH Senior Technical Advisor will support the Minister of State in charge of Energy and Water in MININFRA for:
• Coordinating the different actors in the sector through a Sector Working Group (SWG) and when required, through technical working groups and any other forums that may be deemed necessary, to deliver key actions identified and required by the sector in order to achieve the objectives set-out by the WSS policy;
• Monitoring and reporting on progress of WSS policy objectives and specific targets as defined by the WSS policy implementation strategy; and
• Leading role in establishment, coordination and roll-out the SWAp by engaging with and mobilizing all sector stakeholders.
Duties and Responsibilities for the Position
The WASH Senior Technical Advisor will report to the Permanent Secretary in MININFRA through the Director General, Policy and Planning coordination. He/she will act as key advisory personnel, and will be dedicated to providing coordination and monitoring of all activities associated with the implementation of the WSS Policy, including establisment of the SWAp.
He/she will liaise with the Energy, Water and Sanitation Authority (EWSA) and provide advice on progress of both the SWAp and the implementation of the WSS Policy and Strategy through the provision of regular reports and updates, and by facilitating sector coordination to ensure successful delivery of the sector objectives.
The WASH Senior Technical Advisor will have the following key responsibilities:
• Support the PS and Director General, Policy and Planning to ensure coordination and roll-out of the SWAp and implementation of the WSS Policy through the achievements of its targets, as set-out in the WSS Policy strategy and in line with EDPRS; This will include sector capacity development, development of tools and guidelines for household water treatment, handling and safe storage.
• Act as a focal point in supporting MININFRA for arranging and coordinating regular SWG meetings and in providing necessary follow-up with different sector actors on all actions/recommendations drawn.
• Arrange and coordinate any other sector meetings, workshops and other activities, such as technical working group meetings, that may be identified through the SWG and required to address specific issues affecting the sector;
• Prepare necessary monitoring tools and framework to track and record the progress of: o Roll-out of the SWAp; and o Achievement of specific targets set-out by the WSS Policy and Strategy/EDPRS;
• Prepare regular progress reports and updates on the SWAp and WSS Policy and Strategy implementation;
• Ensure timely dissemination of all associated sector reports and information as and when they are produced and made available for all sector partners;
• Provide necessary guidance and advice to MININFRA and the Minister of State on any particular shortfalls identified within the sector, which may jeopardize progress towards the SWAp and the implementation of the WSS Policy;
• Provide any other technical support to the Agency and sector as a whole, as deemed necessary by the permanent Secretary and/or the Director General, Policy and Planning coordination in MININFRA.
4. Experience and Qualifications
The candidate should therefore have extensive experience in delivering and monitoring national government policies, and should be used to dealing with and coordinating different actors including; government and other national institutions, international donors and agencies, and non-government organization (NGOs). He/she should also have previous experience in the water supply and sanitation sub-sector and its associated programmes.
As a minimum requirement for this consultan tthe WASH Senior Technical Advisor will have the following qualifications:
• An advanced degree from a recognized University or Institution of Higher Learning; in either of following disciplines: Public Health, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Geology, Hydrology, Sanitation Engineering, or a field relevant to international WASH related development assistance.
• At least 5 years of experience in the coordination / management national development projects and programmes (ideally with water and sanitation development project experience);
• At least 3 years of experience in dealing with national government policies and their implementation;
• Experience in establishing Sector or policy monitoring tools and frameworks and conducting monitoring and evaluation of WASH related projects
• Proven leadership experience in initiating and facilitating coordination of sector activities and multiple agencies including government institutions, international donors and NGOs to deliver inter-agency collaboration;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective professional networking in a complex setting; • Experience in strategic report writing with the ability to produce concise and consistent reporting on a regular basis;
• Fully computer literate and familiarity with standard software packages including MicroSoft Office;
• Excellent oral and written communications skills in English and French; knowledge of Kinyarwanda would be an advantage;
• Sound interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team environment.
Duration The successful candidate will be offered a full-time contract for a period of eleven (11) months, renewable subject to good performance, relevance of the consultancy mission and funds availability.
How to apply:
Application Procedure
Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV and UN Personal History (P-11) form (which can be downloaded from our website) and certified copies of relevant academic certificates and/or degrees to the address and within the timeline indicated, as well as the names and contact details of three referees via email to rwajobs@unicef.org by 21 July 2012 with the mention: “SSA -12 – Consultant WASH Technical Advisor to MININFRA” Please indicate your ability, and daily/monthly rate and availability to undertake the terms of reference above.