Background & Rationale

Although important progress has been made in Brazil and around the world in recent years regarding the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), there is still much to be done to guarantee comprehensive child protection and to ensure that all children have their fundamental rights fulfilled and respected equally and without discrimination.

The vulnerability of indigenous children to the occurrence of diseases and illnesses associated with inadequate WASH services is a cause for concern and must be tackled as a key priority for promoting health and well-being in the communities. Data from Secretaria de Saúde Indígena (SESAI/MS) indicate that 88 per cent of indigenous communities in Brazil do not have a minimum water supply infrastructure or have infrastructure that needs to be renovated and/or expanded. In addition to the access perspective, challenges are also observed from the perspective of the quality of the water consumed in the communities, where only 10 per cent of the villages have regular monitoring strategies. These challenges are also related to solid waste management, including waste from health services, sewage infrastructure and hygiene practices.

In this sense, and with a view to strengthening public policies aimed at changing this risk scenario, UNICEF is a partner of SESAI/MS and is supporting the creation and development of a document that guides the actions the National Indigenous Sanitation Programme (PNSI) in order to strengthen public policies for safe access to WASH services and thus promote the health and well-being of Brazil’s indigenous populations.

To achieve this objective, a consultant will support UNICEF’s work with SESAI/MS, in close collaboration with the Department of Environmental Determinants of Indigenous Health (DEAMB), in developing strategies and actions related to the PNSI. The consultant will work closely with the UNICEF team in Brasilia, especially the Health and WASH teams.

Purpose

UNICEF Brazil is looking for a WASH consultant to be responsible for supporting the work carried out by UNICEF in partnership with SESAI/MS in the development of the PNSI, considering UNICEF’s CCCs (Core Commitments for Children). Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Chief of Emergencies and WASH and with the support of the WASH Officer, the selected consultant will contribute to the work of UNICEF:

1. Provide technical expertise so UNICEF staff members, together with the national authorities of the Department of Environmental Determinants of Indigenous Health (DEAMB) and other strategic actors of the Brazilian government, carry out the development of the PNSI.
2. Support UNICEF’s actions with national authorities in the methodological development of the National Survey to Analyse the Situation of Indigenous Sanitation, including the training of researchers hired by DEAMB.

Expected results: 

1. Support UNICEF in the  development of the methodology for the National Survey to Analyze the Situation of Indigenous Sanitation in close collaboration with DEAMB/SESAI/MS.
2. Development of a dashboard, considering consolidated data from 2013 to 2023, related to the coverage of sanitation services and the occurrence of diseases and illnesses.
3. Prepare technical report, including the final report of the National Survey to Analyze the Situation of Indigenous Sanitation supporting UNICEF the work carried out with DEAMB/SESAI/MS

Deliverables:

The deliverables described must be submitted to UNICEF Brazil within the respective deadlines.

Deliverable 1: Method for implementing the National Indigenous Sanitation Situational Analysis Survey, including the development of a tool to subsidize data collection and analysis.

• Duration: 30 days from the contract signature date
• Payment: 16.6% of the total amount of the contract

Deliverable 2: WASH situation overview report containing data analysis, considering data from 2013 to 2023, related to sanitation services in indigenous territories and epidemiological data.

• Duration: 60 days from the contract signature date
• Payment: 16.6% of the total amount of the contract

Deliverable 3: Develop training modules for researchers supporting the National Indigenous Sanitation Programme (PNSI).

• Duration: 90 days from the contract signature date
• Payment: 16.6% of the total amount of the contract

Deliverable 4: Report on the monitoring of work processes related to the PNSI and the development of a Dashboard analysis historical data.

• Duration: 120 days from the contract signature date
• Payment: 16.6% of the total amount of the contract

Deliverable 5: Compiled report of the National Survey of Situational Analysis of Indigenous Sanitation and preparation, based on the data presented by the researchers.

• Duration: 180 days from the contract signature date
• Payment: 33.2.% of the total amount of the contract

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

• Quality of deliverables, in terms of accuracy of technical content, relevance to the given assignment and responsiveness to provided technical feedback.
• Respect for given deadlines (i.e. timely deliverables).

Technical background and experience required 

• Bachelor’s Degree in civil, environmental or sanitary engineer; biology; geography environmental or sanitation technician or another relevant technical field.
• Four years of relevant experience with WASH in indigenous context could be considered in place of a bachelor`s or technical degree.
• Experience in planning and developing inter-institutional public policies.
• Strong communication skills.
• Strong skills in analysis data and developing methodological tools.
• Fluency in Portuguese.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

The technical sub-criteria are set out by the Requesting Officer. The list below includes a proposed technical sub-criteria, which can be modified to adapt the needs of the service in question. The number of sub-criteria should be aligned with the minimum requirements.

It is recommended not to use exceedingly detailed lists of sub-criteria that may render the evaluation a mechanical exercise more than a professional assessment of the proposals.

• 25 points: Proven ability to deliver evidence-based WASH strategies, evaluations and campaigns.
• 25 points: Experience of working on the WASH agenda in the context of indigenous peoples and traditional communities, including inter-institutional public policy planning and development.
• 25 points: Proven production of high-quality institutional materials, technical documents and monitoring and evaluation tools.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

•  25 points: Best value proposal.

UNICEF’S CORE VALUES

Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS)

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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.

General Conditions: Procedures and Logistics

• Consultant will work from home using own equipment and stationery. UNICEF will provide office space for consultative meetings when needed.
• Consultant’s, travel costs should be included in the consultant’s fee.
• No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant and mandatory courses are completed.
• Consultants will not have any representative, certifying, or approving authority, or supervisory responsibilities or authority on UNICEF budget.
• The consultant will work remotely on a delivery basis.

Financial Proposal

• Costs indicated are estimated. Final rate shall follow “best value for money” principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible fee.
• The payment will be based on submission of agreed deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

Insurance and Health Coverage

• The contractor is fully responsible for arranging, at his or her own expenses, such life, health, and other forms of insurance covering the term of the contract as he or she considers appropriate.
• The contractor is not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to UNICEF and United Nations staff members.

Restrictions

• Consultants may not receive training at the expense of UNICEF.  Notwithstanding, consultants must complete the applicable mandatory trainings before the signature of the contract.
• In case of government officials, the contract cannot be issued without prior written clearance by the Government​, or unless on leave without pay.

Remarks

• Individuals engaged under a consultancy 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. Consultants 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.
• The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.