Qualifications

Area of expertise:

International Consultant – Localization of SDG6

Purpose of consultancy

This consultancy is open to applications and submissions from international candidates exclusively. The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical support to World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy (MoCCEE) to develop localized indicators, a Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Goal 6 and a report on the status of SDG6 indicators in the Maldives.

Background  

The Maldives, as a small island developing nation, encounters substantial economic, social, and environmental issues in achieving its goals for drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene. Recurring challenges such as monitoring difficulties, lack of data on water stress, degradation of water-related eco-systems, effects of climate change, geographical isolation and the dispersed nature of the population further exacerbates the situation.

SDG 6 outcome objectives include provision of universal access to clean, affordable drinking water, sanitary facilities, and hygienic practices, with a special attention to the needs of women, girls, and people in vulnerable situations by 2030. Similarly, by 2030, the goal is to significantly increase recycling and safe reuse globally, as well as to reduce pollution, eliminate landfills, reduce emissions of toxic chemicals and materials, and cut in half the amount of untreated wastewater. It is also a target to lower the number of people affected by water shortage by guaranteeing sustainable freshwater abstraction and supply by boosting water-use efficiency across all sectors. Furthermore, by 2030, aims to implement integrated water resource management at all levels, including cross-border cooperation when appropriate, strengthening international cooperation, and aiding developing countries in building their capacity for activities and programs related to water and sanitation, including technologies for water harvesting, desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, and recycling and reuse. Another target is to increase and encourage community participation to enhance water and sanitation management. Lastly, protect and restore water-related ecosystems by 2020, these includes wetlands, rivers, lakes, mountains, forests, and aquifers.

While the aforementioned goals have been set in a global framework, achieving, monitoring and measuring success at the national level has proven difficult due to the unique geography and country context. In the Maldives, for instance, there are no available transboundary waters, so the target 6.5, “By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate”, is not applicable. To further elaborate on this, the target 6.6, “By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers, and lakes”, is also inapplicable because there are no mountains, forests, lakes and rivers.

Maldives faces significant obstacles in implementing the SDG 6, and localization may be a crucial factor in overcoming those obstacles as it promotes policy coherence. Hence the end objective of localizing the indicators is to produce regional policies and initiatives that promote sustainable development. Therefore, to execute this, a better understanding of the local communities is crucial to collect, analyze, and disaggregate local data along with proper monitoring. The local government plays a crucial role in understanding citizen’s needs, identifying gaps and promoting awareness hence, consultations with the local communities, organizations and businesses, to create local environmental plans, policies, and programs that are in line with the SDG 6 is crucial.

Terms of Reference

The consultant is expected to deliver the following in consultation with WHO, MoCCEE and other stakeholders:

• Preliminary Desk Review: Carry out mapping exercise of the stakeholder’s policies and strategies under each target. Draw-out the gaps of the data availability for reporting in-line with the global set target indicators. Meet with stakeholders to validate the findings and identify the challenges in meeting the targets and data collection gaps.
• Draft localized SDG6 indicators and a report on the justification and decisions: Based on the stakeholder input, develop localized SDG6 indicators adjusted to the Maldives context for each target. The consultancy shall develop a report on the justification and the decisions taken to localize the global SDG6 indicators in the Maldives context.
• Draft a Monitoring and Evaluation Framework: Develop a monitoring and evaluation framework but not limited to; current baseline status and implementation plan until the set deadline of Agenda 30, lead agency and relevant stakeholders for each indicator separately.
• Validation Workshop: Conduct a validation workshop to review the developed localized indicators and Monitoring and Evaluation Framework. Try to identify the current baseline status, challenges of the indicators during and off the workshop. Consultant shall provide an outcome report of the validation workshop.
• Finalization of the localized indicators and Monitoring Framework: Finalize the localized SDG6 indicators and monitoring and evaluation framework, based on the input received from the validation workshop.
• Develop a report on the status of the SDG6 indicators in Maldives: Based on the baseline data collected develop a report on the status of SDG6 indicators in the Maldives.

Deliverables

• Deliverable 1: Draft localized SDG indicators with justification report
• Deliverable 2: Draft monitoring and evaluation framework
• Deliverable 3: Validation workshop report
• Deliverable 4: Finalized localized SDG6 inidicators and Monitoring and Evaluation framework
• Deliverable 5: Report on the status of SDG6 indicators in Maldives

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:    

Essential: Bachelor’s degree in sustainable development, environmental science, or related field.

Desirable: N/A

Experience

Essential:

• 5 years expertise in sustainable development, water resource management, and/or sanitation issues
• Strong knowledge of the SDGs, particularly SDG Goal 6.
• Demonstrated experience in developing localized indicators and Monitoring & Evaluation frameworks for sustainable development initiatives.
• Familiarity with data collection methods, statistical analysis, and reporting tools.

Desirable:

• Previous experience in conducting capacity building activities and training sessions
• Proven ability to deliver high-quality outputs within agreed timelines

Skills/Knowledge:  

• Excellent communication and facilitation skills to engage with diverse stakeholders
• Capable of working under high pressure and tight time constraints
• Excellent activity coordination and writing skills
• Positive attitude to learning new skills and working with a team
• Focused on quality with attention to details
• Analysis and troubleshooting skills, with aptitude and sound judgement for creative problem solving
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite

Languages and level required (Basic/Intermediate/Expert):

Essential: English – read, write, and speak at expert level

Desirable: Knowledge of official language(s) of one/more member states of the region would be an asset

Location

Hybrid consultancy (remote with anticipated travel to Maldives). During the  two months, two country visits are expected. The duration of each in-country visit may extend up to 5 days. The remaining period will be dedicated to offsite work, involving online meetings and the review of documentation.

On site: 7 July 2024 – 11 July 2024 / 21 July 2024 to 25 July 2024  (Male’ WHO Maldives)

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration: USD 21,000 (for biennium 2024-25) 3 months @ 7,0000 USD per month at Band Level B.

Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited): MVR 15.42

Expected duration of contract: 3 months;

Start date: 01/07/2024                                End date: 30/09/2024

Additional Information

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
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