UNICEF recruits 01 Technical support for implementation of solar powered water supply systems in rural
Technical support for implementation of solar powered water supply systems in rural Mozambique
Job Number: 520719 | Vacancy Link
Locations: Africa: Mozambique
Work Type : Consultancy
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, Clean Water
How can you make a difference?
PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE.
UNICEF supports the Government Mozambique in the implementation of its National programme for rural water and sanitation (PRONASAR). Under its water component, such support aims at increasing access to safe and reliable source of water, with a focus on the most disadvantaged and vulnerable communities, this includes the upgrading of existing water sources into multi-use solar powered water supply systems to increase community resilience, particularly in drought prone areas.
As part of such interventions, UNICEF has extended its support to the Government of Mozambique for the construction of solar powered water supply systems at community and institutional level in the provinces of Nampula, Sofala, Tete and Zambezia.
This consultancy aims at recruiting a qualified professional to provide specialized support in the implementation, construction and operation of solar powered water supply systems, including site / community selection, testing of existing water sources, training of water committees / local operators and monitoring of construction.
METHODOLOGY AND TECHNICAL APPROACH.
The Consultant will work under the supervision of the WASH Specialist, and will work in close coordination with Government stakeholders, implementing partners, service providers and others involved, namely the DPOPHRH and SDPI in the selected provinces and districts, consulting engineering firms, construction companies, etc. as well as directly interact with community and community representatives as required.
The Consultant will engage at the onset of activities, participating in the confirmation of communities / sites proposed for the interventions, including assisting the testing of water sources as part of the design of systems. The consultant will support development and application of tools for site confirmation and will, in coordination with provincial and district authorities, take part on the final selection of sites for design and construction of the systems.
The Consultant will participate in technical discussions with the engineering consulting firms in charge of design of the systems in the selected sites, including participation in technical consultations with provincial and district level authorities.
In parallel, the Consultant will support the development of capacities for operation and maintenance of the upgraded water systems. This includes the development of training materials and support engagement of communities for selection of the operation modalities and technical training of designated operators. In addition, the Consultant will support DPOPHRH in the procurement processes for supervision and construction of the water supply systems.
During the construction phase, in coordination with the respective DPOPHRHs and SDPIs, the Consultant will undertake regular monitoring visits to all sites to take account of the progress of works and advise on corrective measures as appropriate. Finally, the Consultant will oversee the process of handover and start-up of operation of the water supply systems.
Due to the nature of the activities to be performed as part of the consultancy, it is expected that the engagement of the consultant will be at a part-time basis as per the provisional chronogram included in annex 1. In total, it is expected that the consultant will have a total of 11.5 work-months over a period of 19 calendar months.
ACTIVITIES AND TASKS.
The following activities and tasks are to be completed as part of the consultancy, divided in two phases for the current assignment:
Phase 1 (Estimated in 9 calendar months / 100 working days)
Confirmation of communities / sites for upgrading of existing water sources into solar powered water systems (Estimated on 15 working days):
Developing of tools for community verification and site selection.
Field visits to proposed sites for confirmation and consultation with provincial/district/local stakeholders
Report on community verification and recommendations for testing.
Support for field monitoring on testing of existing water sources proposed for upgrading (Estimated on 15 working days):
Developing / review of tools /formats for borehole testing and reporting (to be conducted by a third party).
Field visits to monitor borehole testing activities.
Review and technical inputs for borehole testing reports prior their finalization.
Report on borehole testing and recommendations for final selection of sites for design and construction.
Technical review of designs for water supply systems and support preparation of tender documentation for supervision and construction (Estimated on 20 working days):
Review and provide inputs during development of technical designs by the responsible engineering consulting firm.
Participate in the validation and technical discussions with DPOPHRH and SDPI for the approval of designs.
Review and provide inputs on the tender documentation (technical designs, specifications, BoQs, etc.) for the construction of water supply systems, produced by the responsible engineering consulting firm.
Report on review and approval of technical designs, including final documentation for tender.
Development of training materials for training in operation, maintenance and management of solar powered multi-use water systems and roll-out with provincial / district technicians (Estimated on 20 working days):
Desk review on existing training materials for operation and maintenance of multi-use solar powered water systems and management of rural water sources / systems.
Develop training materials for training of provincial and district government counterparts (estimated on one to two days) and for local level operator / water committees (estimated in two sessions of one day each), to be delivered in conjunction with district / provincial counterparts.
Support procurement processes for supervision and construction of solar powered water supply systems, including technical assistance for preparation of tender documentation as required (Estimated on 10 working days).
Support preparation of terms of reference and other tender documents for supervision of construction of water supply systems.
Technical assistance to DPOPHRH in the procurement process for the supervision and construction of water supply systems.
Report on procurement and tender processes for supervision and construction of water supply systems in three provinces.
Monitoring visits to sites as part of review of technical designs and /or monitoring of other field level activities, distributed throughout the consultancy period for Phase 1 (Estimated in 20 working days)
Phase 2 (Estimated in 10 calendar months / 155 working days)
Field monitoring and technical supervisions during construction, hand-over and start-up of operations of solar powered water supply systems (Estimated on 125 working days)
Development of tools for reporting on progress of construction and handover to communities / local government.
Undertake monitoring visits to construction sites at least two times during the construction period (estimated in four to six months). Provide recommendations on corrective measures for supervision and construction companies and government partners (DPOPHRH and SDPI) as per required.
Support the commissioning and handover of the water supply systems and start of operations.
Monthly reports on progress of construction works and final report including documentation of the handover and start of operations of the water supply systems.
Additional technical field monitoring of other UNICEF supported WASH related interventions at community and institutional level as required.
Roll-out of training materials and rollout training for operation, maintenance and management of solar powered multi-use water systems at district / community level (Estimated on 20 working days):
Roll out at community level to be combined with other trainings to local operator / water committees as part of their establishment / strengthening.
Report on training on operation, maintenance and management.
Documentation and reporting of good practices and lessons learnt (Estimated on 10 working days)
Development of technical notes and / or human-interest stories (4 in total) on the implementation process and results.
Annex 1 includes an estimated timeline and duration for implementation of the above activities.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE.
University Degree or Equivalent demonstrated field experience (minimum five years) in the area of Civil / Mechanical / Hydraulic Engineering and Water supply in rural areas in Mozambique, including design, implementation and management of piped water supply systems.
Familiarity with WASH sector coordination in Mozambique, including previous works done in coordination with Government structures at subnational level.
Familiarity and previous experience with GoM procurement processes for public works / WASH infrastructure
Familiarity with management, operation and maintenance of water supply in rural areas.
Previous direct experience in implementation and design of solar powered water systems.
Fluency in Portuguese and working knowledge of English. Familiarity / knowledge of local languages will be an asset.
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
Remarks:
Due to the nature of the activities to be performed as part of the consultancy, the consultancy will require a part-time engagement of the consultant, with the total duration of the contract divided in two phases as per the details indicated in these Terms of Reference.
Phase 1 is estimated in 9 months and Phase B in 10 months, with the estimated time allocation as per Annex 1. Approval of Phase B will be dependent on the assessed performance of the consultant for phase A.
Applicants must submit a financial proposal that includes a daily rate. Payments will be made against the submission of consultancy reports and based on the number of effective working days per reporting period.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
Closing Date Wed Mar 27 2019 22:55:00 GMT+0100 (Afr. centrale Ouest)