3 Positions at UNICEF Rwanda: (Deadline 13, 31 December 2020)

3 Positions at UNICEF Rwanda: (Deadline 13, 31 December 2020)

Senior Individual Consultant for Provision of technical assistance to integrate child protection into the response to pandemics at UNICEF Rwanda: (Deadline 31 December 2020)

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, Protection

How can you make a difference?

Background

The onset of COVID 19 showed that infectious diseases can disrupt the environments in which children grow and develop. Disruptions to families, friendships and the wider community can have negative consequences for children’s well-being, cognitive development and protection. In addition, measures used to prevent and control the spread of the disease can expose children to new protection risks. Home-based, facility-based and zonal-based quarantine and isolation measures can sometimes negatively impact children and their families if either a caregiver or child is placed in a facility while the other remains at home, when they are placed outside the home in different facilities, or when measures, such a travel restrictions, are imposed and family members cannot reunite until restrictions are lifted. Children who are left alone or are without adequate nurturing care and supervision at home due to illness of the primary caregiver or who are isolated or quarantined in a facility are at increased risk of violence, sexual exploitation, abuse, and neglect, resulting in long term mental health and psychological problems . This is particularly heightened for younger children, as well as children with special needs . The urgency to handle medical response doesn’t necessarily consider other aspects of child vulnerabilities; which can be exhibited through compromised psychological, cognitive and physical wellbeing .

Health emergencies such as EVD or COVID-19 are often led by the health sector and health professionals are often the first ones to interface with families and children. It is important that during the response to such emergencies, health professionals are able to identify critical child protection issues and refer them to appropriate personnel and services. The two-way communication between parents/caregivers and separated children is essential for psychosocial wellbeing and mechanisms should be in place to facilitate. Also, policies, standards and protocols should follow a holistic approach that considers the child’s best interests as a primary consideration.

In Rwanda, the COVID-19 experience showed that some of the most vulnerable children are not benefiting from existing measures in place to contain the pandemic. Children in institutional care, detention and transit facilities are not equitably benefiting from good hygiene and social distancing as most of them are overcrowded. With sudden school closure, there was a marked increase in the number of children on the streets, and those begging door-to-door, with higher risks of being exposed to the infection and other protection violations while the whole population was staying home. Child protection professionals in districts expressed the challenging situation that they faced to reach vulnerable families in need of immediate support. The lack of minimum guidance on how to handle issues affecting children during pandemics was cited as a major limiting factor. Most of them were unable to act, especially during the period of full lockdown, despite growing cases of child abuse, abandonment and violence that were being reported from the community by Inshuti Z’Umuryango (IZU).

The current experiences with COVID-19 confirm some of the concerns highlighted by both the child protection and healthcare professionals during EVD preparedness planning pointing to the lack of synergy between the two sectors to adequately address specific issues affecting children within the community and at designated health facilities.

Justification

In order to optimize services to protect and support children and their families and address increased mental health and psychosocial (MHPSS) during pandemics, it is necessary to strengthen collaboration between healthcare and child protection service provision through increasing the understanding of child protection issues among health care professionals and establishing a clear referral protocol between the two services

Both the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) and UNICEF have recommended the hiring of an expert in health and child protection to help develop guidance and tools and to provide technical assistance to both the child protection and health sectors towards improvement of protection and MHPSS of children and families during pandemics, drawing on lessons from the current COVID-19 pandemic and the recommendations made during EVD preparedness planning activities.

Objectives

The overall objective of this technical assistance is to increase the understanding of CP among health professionals and establish appropriate linkages between health and CP professionals to respond to health emergencies, this entails documentation review and elaboration of materials for capacity development of both child protection and healthcare professionals to optimize services to affected children and families during current and future pandemics and other health emergencies.

Specific objectives

Upon consultation of the health and child protection key informants and documentation and aligned to global guidance, the consultant will elaborate materials and tools aiming at increasing the capacity of staff to prepare and respond to child protection risks in pandemics. Specifically, the consultant will produce:
• A brief review of the current health response to COVID-19 and preparedness to EVD, including the national SoPs, protocols, referrals and coordination mechanisms to assess current inclusion of or referral to child protection, and identify linkage opportunities and gaps.
• A guide and SOP’s on Child Protection and MHPSS during pandemics for child protection professionals. The guide should take account of specific child protection needs resulting from the impact of pandemics.
• A simplified guide and referral protocol on Child Protection for health professionals or if possible propose content for inclusion of child protection into existing national protocols.
• A Facilitator’s training guide and participants’ handbook for child protection and health professionals

Work Assignment

• Conduct a desk review of the existing documentation on health and child protection preparedness and response to pandemics globally and in Rwanda, including on COVID19 and Ebola, to inform ways of collaboration between the two sectors. The review would be carried out on following documents;
o The structure of the health response to COVID-19 and preparedness to EVD, including the national SoPs, protocols, referrals and coordination mechanisms and any current inclusion of child protection.
o The documentation and experiences at global level on child protection response during pandemics including on Covid 19 and the EVD
o The review of the national child protection system in Rwanda and referral pathways between health and child protection service providers at community, cell, sector, district and coordination at national level
o Asses and analyse potential opportunities to better link the two sectors through referral pathways or inclusion of child protection in national health protocols.

NB: the expert may also advise on additional critical documents not listed above.

• Consult with key actors in response to pandemics in the health and stakeholders in child protection to understand the current structure, work arrangement and referral, and to establish synergetic linkages between the two sectors in optimizing care and protection of children during pandemics including COVID 19 & EVD
• Elaborate key documents (as specified in above) and facilitate validation by key stakeholders
• Conduct the training of the national team of trainers

Major Tasks, Deliverable, Date , Milestone payment %

1 Produce an inception report highlighting the methodology, tasks, roadmap and milestones for execution of the project for each deliverable

• Inception Report: covering all relevant issues highlighted in major tasks, to be completed by 24 Dec 2020, payment of  15 %

2 Conduct a desk review of the existing documentation on the health response structure to pandemics in Rwanda and global guidelines on child protection preparedness and response , including on COVID19 and Ebola, and consult with key stakeholders in the health and child protection sectors, to produce a brief report on the current situation and ways to improve collaboration

• A brief Report of the current situation and practices, to be completed by  31 Jan 2021, payment of 15 %

4 Based on the key findings of the mapping report, elaborate a comprehensive “Guide on Child Protection during pandemics” for child protection professionals and a simplified guide and referral protocol on Child Protection for health professionals

1) Comprehensive guide on child protection
2) A simplified guide & referral protocol on CP for health professionals , to be completed by 30 Mar 2021, payment of 30%

5 Based on elaborated guides, develop training materials, including the Facilitator’s training guide and Participants’ handbook for child protection and health professionals

3) Facilitators’ training guide
4) Participants’ handbook, to be completed by 30 Apr 2021, payment of 20%

5 Undertake all necessary steps to organize and conduct the training of the national team of trainers to be designated from the health and child protection key partners

• Training report , to be completed by 15 July 2021, payment of 20%

Evaluation Criteria

The best candidate will be evaluated and selected based on the best fit on most of the qualifications outlines above. The most suitable candidates may be invited for an oral or written interview or both.

The Technical proposal is weighted at 70% and 30% for the Financial proposal.

Please note that the final remuneration will be negotiated by Human Resources from UNICEF.

General Conditions: Procedures & Logistics

• Under the consultancy agreements, a month is defined as 22 working days.
• The consultants are not entitled to payment of overtime. All remuneration must be within the contract agreement.
• No work may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant or Contractor.
• The consultant shall not make use of any unpublished or confidential information, made known in the course of performing duties under the terms of this agreement, without written authorization from the Government Institution and/or UNICEF. The products of this assignment are not the property of the consultant and cannot be shared without the permission from the Government Institution and/or UNICEF.

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

Academic Qualifications
• Advanced university degree, preferably in social work, social sciences, child psychology or other related education background.
A combination of relevant academic background and work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree
• Fluent in English with good writing skills and reports editing/layout

Employment experience
• Previous experience of working in endemic zones on preparedness and/or response (eg: Ebola affected zone, or COVID-19) handling child protection, or as part of health response with exposure to child protection.
• Minimum of 8 years work experience in social work with a focus on either child protection, or psychology, or child care and public health or a combination of some or all.

Language skills
Fluency in English. Knowledge of French and/or Kinyarwanda would be an asset

Skills and abilities:
• In-depth knowledge of child protection in emergencies including in pandemics, or health response in pandemics with exposure to child protection; familiarity with the child protection and or the health systems in Rwanda would add value
• Excellent writing skills, strong planning, organizational and analytical skills, computer skills and interpersonal communication skills;
• Ability to work with Government Officials at national and decentralized levels as well as with international and national development partners;
• Elaboration of training curriculum and good facilitation skills

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

How to Apply

UNICEF is committed to gender equality in its mandate and its staff. Well qualified candidates, particularly females are strongly encouraged to apply.

Interested candidates should send their complete Personal History (P11) form, which can be downloaded form (http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc). or a CV/resume, as well as a cover letter explaining what makes them suitable for this consultancy. The application package should be submitted to UNICEF’s online recruitment system.

Qualified and experienced candidates are requested to submit a letter of interest including a Technical Proposal outlining a road map for review and implementation timeline. In their letter of interest, candidates should highlight their previous work experience relevant to the assignment, the attributes that make them suitable, their proposed approach to the assignment.

Only successful candidates from the technical evaluation exercise will be contacted and requested to submit their most competitive Financial Proposal.

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 be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

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.

Title of Assignment: National Contractor: Support to implementation of the National Social and Behaviour Change Communication Strategy for Integrated ECD, Nutrition and WASH

Category of the assignment: National

Proposed level of assignment: Junior

Section: Communication, Advocacy and Partnerships (CAP)

Location: Kigali City, National Child Development Agency (NCDA)

Duration: 11.5 months

Start date: From: 7 January 2021             To: 21 December 2021

Background and purpose

UNICEF is working with the Government of Rwanda to implement the Country Programme 2018-2023. The overall aim of the Country Programme is to accelerate progress towards the realization of all rights of all children.

The programme of cooperation seeks to achieve sustainable results for children at various stages of the life cycle, and is focused on selected outcomes related to health, education, early childhood development, nutrition, water and sanitation and child protection.

Special emphasis in both development and humanitarian contexts is put on applying Communication for Development (C4D) as a strategy to effectively promote social and behavioural change among caregivers and other immediate duty-bearers and address harmful social norms. This strategy contributes to reducing barriers to the equitable realization of children’s rights in family and community settings in a more sustainable and efficient manner.

The National Child Development Agency (NCDA) is one of the key partners of UNICEF. Currently, NCDA in coordination with multiple partners and stakeholders is implementing the National Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) Strategy for Integrated ECD, Nutrition and WASH (2018-2024), with the overarching aim of reducing the level of stunting among children below the age of five.

The purpose of the proposed assignment is to further strengthen the strategic C4D capacity of NCDA in support of the National SBCC Strategy implementation.

Justification

Ever growing scope and complexity of social and behaviour change interventions for Integrated ECD, Nutrition and WASH undertaken by NCDA with support from UNICEF Rwanda and other partners as well as additional challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic require additional capacities with specialized communication skills and knowledge, to ensure timely implementation, monitoring and quality assurance of the comprehensive SBCC interventions.

Therefore, UNICEF seeks services of National Individual Contractor who will contribute to strengthening the strategic C4D interventions in support of the National SBCC Strategy implementation led by NCDA.

Objectives

The National Contractor under the supervision of the Director General of NCDA, and guidance of UNICEF C4D Specialist will work closely with the NCDA and UNICEF teams to enhance social and behaviour change communication, social mobilization and advocacy activities for Integrated ECD, Nutrition and WASH.

Key expected results:

• Support provided to NCDA and UNICEF in coordination, implementation and monitoring of the communication, advocacy social mobilization and community engagement interventions for Integrated ECD, Nutrition and WASH, including in the context of COVID-19 response.

• Support provided to NCDA and UNICEF in coordination, maintenance and further strengthening partnerships with all relevant stakeholders, including government entities, international organizations, civil society and private sector in support of the implementation of the National SBCC Strategy for Integrated ECD, Nutrition and WASH.

• Support provided to ensure that the key joint communication interventions in support of Integrated ECD, Nutrition and WASH SBC communications agreed in the work-plan between NCDA and UNICEF for the period of 2020-2021 are rolled out as per set timelines, the progress is regularly monitored and possible implementation challenges are identified and addressed in a timely manner.

• Support provided to NCDA and UNICEF to ensure that culturally relevant and attractive social and behaviour change communication materials are designed, pre-tested, produced and disseminated timely, meeting quality standards.

The expected deliverables and timelines:

1. Inception report with the detailed timelines, methodology, work-plan, including the M&E component for ensuring quality deliverables submitted and endorsed by NCDA and UNICEF.  Quarter 1, 2021

2 . The stocktaking report on the National Integrated ECD, Nutrition and WASH Campaign with clear recommendations on way forward in 2020-2021 on: 1. Campaign materials finalization and dissemination; and 2. Action plan for social mobilization component implementation in the context of COVID-19 submitted and endorsed by NCDA and UNICEF.               Quarter 1, 2021

3. The Care for Caregivers Framework and COVID-19 prevention materials for ECD caregivers designed and disseminated.              Quarter 1, 2021

4 . Social mobilization and community engagement component of the National Integrated ECD, Nutrition and WASH Campaign is supported and monitored.         Quarter 2, 2021

5 . Support provided in informing the content of the Itetero and Urunana radio programmes with the key messages of the Integrated ECD, Nutrition and WASH Campaign.                Quarter 2, 2021

6 . Support provided in adapting and contextualizing the ‘Care for Caregivers’ ECD framework for frontline workers and parents/caregivers in the context of COVID-19 pandemic.        Quarter 2, 2021

7. Culturally relevant and attractive behaviour change communication materials on Integrated ECD, Nutrition and WASH are designed, pre-tested and disseminated.          Quarter 2, 2021

8. Support provided to enhance advocacy with the private sector around the issues of the Integrated ECD, Nutrition and WASH services.              Quarter 3, 2021

9. Support provided in rigorous documentation and publicizing the successes around the implementation of the National SBCC Strategy for Integrated ECD, Nutirion and WASH.       Quarter 3, 2021

10. Support provided in systematic review and assessment of the progress of the implementation of the National SBCC Strategy for the Integrated ECD, Nutrition and WASH and recommendations to address challenges and further enhance implementation are provided.    Quarter 4, 2021

11. Implementation of the National Integrated ECD, Nutrition and WASH Campaign supported, and quality assured with all relevant stakeholders onboard.  Quarter 4, 2021

12. Final detailed implementation report with the recommendations on way forward submitted and endorsed by NCDA and UNICEF. Quarter 4, 2021

Payment schedule

The Contractor will be paid by UNICEF on a monthly upon submission of invoice and progress report on each deliverable, against the table of agreed deliverables, subject to certification by the direct and secondary supervisors.

Evaluation Criteria

The technical proposal (described in How to apply section for the ) is weighted at 70% and 30% will be allocated to the Financial proposal.

Please note that the final remuneration will be negotiated by HR.

General conditions

• The assignment is office-based in Kigali. The Contractor will use her/his own computer and mobile phone. The office space, internet connection and other relevant materials for the assignment will be provided by NCDA.
• The assignment may involve travel to different locations within Rwanda. NCDA shall provide the transport for the Contractor to attend meetings within Kigali as well as for field visits and the Contractor will be reimbursed the living allowances in the field based on the applicable Government.
• All necessary readings, documents, guidelines and forms will be provided by NCDA.
• All materials developed will remain the copyright of NCDA and UNICEF.
• The Contractor is not considered a staff member. Notwithstanding this status, she/he will observe all applicable rules, regulations, instructions and procedures and directives of NCDA and UNICEF.
• The Contractor will respect the impartiality and independence required of UNICEF and will not seek or accept instructions regarding the services performed under the contract from any Government agency, except NCDA, or from any authority external to UNICEF.
• Unless otherwise authorized by NCDA and UNICEF, the Contractor may not communicate at any time to the media or to any institution, person, Government, except NCDA, or any external source any information, which has become known to her/him. She/he may not use any such information without the written authorization, and such information may never be used for personal gain. These obligations do not lapse after the end of the assignment.
• UNICEF and NCDA accept no responsibility for the medical insurance of the Contractor or costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during the assignment, including while on duty travel. The Contractor must demonstrate proof of medical insurance prior to the beginning of the assignment.
• The Contractor will not have supervisory responsibility within UNICEF and/or NCDA, nor responsibilities on UNICEF and/or NCDA budget and other resources.
• Under the assignment contract, a month is defined as 22 working days, and fees are prorated accordingly. Contractors are not paid for weekends or public holidays.
• The Individual Contractor will receive Paid Time Off (PTO) credit at the rate of one- and one-half days (1.5 days) for each full month (22 Working days) of service, to be credited on the last calendar day of the month, and up to 17 days for a maximum of 11.5 months contract
• Contractors are not entitled to payment of overtime. All remuneration must be within the contract agreement.

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

• University degree in social/behavioral sciences, communication, education, public health, social work or similar fields.
  • At least three years of professional work experience in the field of ECD, education, social and behaviour change communication, media, public health and other relevant fields.
  • Experience in communication, social mobilisation, outbreak/risk communication, media, and development of information, communication materials will be an asset.
  • Fluency in English and Kinyarwanda.
  • Working knowledge of computer, internet and various office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
  • Proven ability to work as part of a multicultural team.
  • Work experience with government, UN and other international organizations will be an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

How to apply

UNICEF is committed to gender equality in its mandate and its staff. Well qualified candidates, particularly females are strongly encouraged to apply.

Interested candidates should send their complete Personal History (P11) form, which can be downloaded form (http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc) (CV/resume, as well as a cover letter explaining what makes them suitable for this consultancy.

Qualified and experienced candidates are requested to submit a letter of interest considered as a Technical Proposal for the consultancy in which candidates should highlight their previous work experience relevant to the assignment, the attributes that make them suitable, and their propose:http//www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc) d road map and approach to undertake the assignment.

Only successful candidates from the technical evaluation exercise will be contacted and requested to submit their most competitive Financial Proposal.

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 be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

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.

Contractor for Infection Prevention and Control Specialist (IPC)

Type of the Consultancy: Individual Contractor

Category of the Consultancy: National

Proposed level of Consultancy: Middle Level

Section: WASH Section

Location: Kigali, Rwanda

Duration: 6 months

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has been global since early 2020.  While a vaccine is anticipated in 2021, the global pandemic will continue for the foreseeable future.  UNICEF has been providing WASH support to the government’s infection prevention and control (IPC) efforts for EVD preparedness starting in 2018 and quickly adapted to support COVID response and prep in 2020. To continue WASH/IPC technical support in 2021, in line with the National COVID-19 Response and Preparedness Plan, UNICEF will support the Ministry of Health (MOH) by providing an expert WASH/IPC consultant.

Justification

The Ministry of Health leads the IPC Pillar of the Rwanda COVID response and preparedness efforts.  From September 2018 to October 2020, UNICEF provided a full time WASH/IPC expert to the Ministry to bolster capacity to manage the efforts. This consultancy will continue to augment MOH capacity on WASH/IPC to enable successful efforts to continue.

Objectives

The WASH/IPC Consultant will represent the MOH Environmental Health Specialist, who leads IPC for the Ministry, in the COVID-19 Command Center. The consultant will work closely with MOH Environmental Health and UNICEF WASH colleagues to provide technical knowledge in ensuring adequate WASH services and practices to enable COVID-19 IPC including assessment, design, planning, implementation, monitoring and quality assurance. As feasible, all efforts in health facilities will be to strengthen overall WASH/IPC and Standard Precautions – which serves as the foundation of public health outbreak management. The consultant will also contribute to design and implementation of the RCCE interventions with focus on hygiene and sanitation promotion, Under the overall coordination of the Risk Communication and Community pillar of the national COVID-19 response.

Work Assignment

Under the direct supervision of the Environmental Health Specialist, the contractor will be contributing to project assessment, design, planning, implementation, monitoring and quality assurance of WASH/IPC activities in health facilities, schools and communities as well as contributing to reporting, including teamwork and capacity building of national and district counterparts.

Expected Deliverables:     

•Provide technical support to the MOH Rwanda at the National, Provincial and District levels in the planning, development and implementation stages of the WASH / IPC projects.

•Develop WASH / IPC guidance and SOPs related to COVID-19 and any other infectious virus including healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs)

•Develop and review of IPC training materials for identified target group.

•Support the MOH and RBC in decontamination activities of any COVID-19 contaminated objects and places (public and private) such as health facilities, schools, markets, worship places, households, … communities.

•Provide technical inputs and quality assurance to the rehabilitation/installation of water supply systems and permanent hand washing infrastructures in selected healthcare facilities and educational establishments countrywide.

•Represent the Environmental Health Specialist and participate with UNICEF and other partners in the development of WASH / IPC methodologies and identification of new approaches for improving IPC delivery measures, with emphasis on advocacy and social mobilization;

•Plan, organize and conduct WASH/IPC training and orientation activities for public and private health and no-health care staff, for the purpose of capacity building at the central, provincial and district levels, on IPC practices;

•Participate in establishing effective information and reporting systems;

•Under coordination of the COVID-19 response RCCE pillar contribute to the development of communication strategies and materials to support advocacy and community engagement interventions with focus on hygiene promotion. s.

•Contribute to WASH / IPC programme related M&E activities to track progress and evaluate results as well as working on methodology for baseline studies, monitoring tools, technical assessments for WASH infrastructures and hygiene practices at health facilities, schools and community levels;

•Undertakes field visits, and surveys in order to monitor and evaluate WASH / IPC activities, identifying problems and proposes remedial actions as well as alternative courses of action, to accelerate/improve project delivery.

•Coordinates with Operations / Supply staff on supply and non- supply assistance activities.

•Support IPC related policy and strategies development and review;

•Report on IPC interventions progress on monthly basis and a consolidated one each quarter.

General Conditions: Procedures & Logistics:

The contractor will work in primarily in the National COVID-19 Command Center and also other locations in Rwanda requested by MOH. If MOH or UNICEF request the contractor to travel outside of Kigali City, UNICEF will provide transportation and per diem at government rates.

The contractor will be supervised by the Environmental Health Specialist on a daily basis and in close coordination and overall supervision by the UNICEF WASH Specialist.

The contractor will use her/his own computer. The contractor will be paid an agreed monthly fee including communication costs. The monthly payment will be subject to approval of a monthly report by the MoH authorized person and UNICEF.

Evaluation Criteria:

The Technical proposal is weighted at 70% and 30% for the Financial proposal. Only candidates passing the technical evaluation will be invited to submit a financial proposal.

Applicants will be assessed on the following areas of experience:
– Providing IPC/WASH technical expertise during public health outbreaks;
– Supporting government to strengthen systems and service delivery (especially monitoring through government systems);
– Developing strategies, guidelines and training materials; and delivering training;
– Communication skills (oral and written);
– Working in Rwanda on public health outbreaks

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

Education: 

• Advanced university degree in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Environmental health, Public health, Infection Prevention and Control or a discipline relevant to public health emergency IPC. A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 5 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• Additional training in Health Education or Communication for Development (Programme Communication) is an asset.

Work Experience:

• 5 years of progressively responsible professional work experience of in the area of IPC/WASH including programme planning, management, monitoring and evaluation.
• Field work experience
• Experience with public health emergencies (preparedness and response)
• Development and delivery of training, guidance, protocols on IPC/WASH
• A good understanding of communication for social and behaviour change with focus on hygiene and sanitation promotion is an asset
• Experience within the UN, Rwanda government institutions or other international development organizations is a strong asset.
• Advanced Technical Knowledge (theories, principles and methods) of IPC and Standard Precautions activities; WASH in Health Facilities, Schools and communities, Monitoring and evaluation;

 Language Proficiency

• Native in Kinyarwanda
• Fluency in English or French required.

General knowledge of:

• Methodology of programme/project management;
• Programmatic goals, visions, positions, policies and strategies for sectoral programmes;
• Knowledge of global environmental issues that pertain to sustainable development and specifically relating to children and women, and the current Government of Rwanda and UNICEF position and approaches;
• Knowledge of global human rights and gender issues, specifically relating to children and women;
• MOH and UNICEF’ financial, supply and administrative rules and regulations;
• Rights-based and results-based management approaches to UNICEF programming;

How to Apply:

UNICEF is committed to gender equality in its mandate and its staff. Well qualified candidates, particularly females are strongly encouraged to apply.

Interested candidates should send their complete a CV/resume or Personal History (P11) form, which can be downloaded form (http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc), as well as a cover letter explaining what makes them suitable for this consultancy. The application package should be submitted to UNICEF’s online recruitment system.

Qualified and experienced candidates are requested to submit a letter of interest. In their letter of interest, candidates should highlight their previous work experience relevant to the assignment and the attributes that make them suitable for the assignment.

Only successful candidates from the technical evaluation exercise will be contacted and requested to submit their most competitive Financial Proposal.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) 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 be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

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.