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, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, advocacy, and operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the hhuman rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Dushanbe is supplied by water from four water treatment plants (WTPs) in each quadrant of the city, with a total capacity of 334,444 cubic meters per day (m³/d). The two in the north, Napornaya and Samotechnaya WTPs (capacity of 144,000 m³/d), use surface water sourced from the River Varzob, 16 kilometers (km) upstream from the city1. The groundwater treatment plant in the southeast of the city (Kafarnihan I) was commissioned in 1972, and the Southwest WTP was built in 1977. Both rely on groundwater abstraction. The centralized water supply system was built in 1932 and extended in the 1970s.

About 40% of the total water is produced by gravity and pressure stations with water intake from the Varzob River, feeding the northern and central parts of the city covering 46% of the population, while 54%2 of city population is provided with potable water from underground water intakes in Kofarnihon and Southwest.

DVK provides drinking water to approximately 1,200,000 people, 456,000 of which are children. The water supply coverage in the city is about 99%, including some villages in the Rudaki district as well. Certain city areas receive water 24 hours a day, whereas other parts follow an intermittent supply scheme only. Private storage tanks are used to overcome this shortcoming.

Nationwide, intestinal infections (acute diarrhea, rotavirus, salmonella, typhoid fever, bacterial dysentery, excluding Hepatitis) display a fluctuating pattern, peaking in 2017 and 2018, then steadily declining through 2023, signalling improved prevention measures. Dushanbe mirrors this trend, with peaks in 2017 and 2018, followed by decreases, emphasizing local success in control efforts. Rudaki district also experiences fluctuations but demonstrates an overall decrease in cases. These trends suggest nationwide, and local initiatives effectively combat intestinal infections, likely through improved quality of water, sanitation, hygiene, and vaccination campaigns. Sustained efforts in promoting cleanliness and water access, and appropriate personal hygiene practices, including at household level remains crucial for further reductions of burden of infections related to water and hygiene practices in Tajikistan. Such water borne diseases have an adverse effect on the health of children resulting in higher rates of child morbidity and mortality. Poor water quality is a also a contributing factor in child stunting rates in Tajikistan which is already above 20%.

The review of the UNICEF/WHO report “Rapid Assessment of Drinking-Water Quality in the Republic of Tajikistan 2005” shows that at the consumption point, Dushanbe city has a high proportion of tests indicating coliform presence (67 percent). Despite the high presence of bacteria, only a few incidences of E. coli are detected in drinking water, suggesting that fecal contamination is not a major concern. The findings show that none of the water tests for nitrate went above the recommended levels by the World Health Organization (WHO) or the national SanPiNs. The data reviewed also suggests that in Dushanbe, the chemical makeup of drinking water—parameters like nitrates, arsenic, and fluoride, which can affect public health—mostly meets the national standards. Additionally, the results suggest that water from its source and when people drink it in urban areas is less likely to have E. coli compared to rural areas. But the levels of free residual chlorine in the tested water samples do not meet the guidelines set by the nation or the WHO, whether at the point of use where people drink it or where it comes from, i.e., source. This could have a big effect on public health (UNICEF/WHO, 2010).

In Tajikistan, a significant gap exists in water availability despite high access to improved sources as illustrated in figure 1 (WBG, 2017). Urban areas, including Dushanbe, have better access to improved water sources on premises compared to rural areas. However, the discrepancy between access and availability is clear: in Dushanbe, 98% of households have improved water sources, but only 61% find the water available when needed, showing a 37%-point gap. In contrast, rural areas experience a smaller gap of less than 7 percentage points due to generally lower levels of both access and availability.

The review of the legal framework for drinking water at the point of consumption indicates that legal instruments place several obligations on water users, water utilities, and local authorities, including rational use of water bodies, maintaining water facilities, and complying with established requirements for water use agreements. In case of disruptions in water supply systems, measures should be taken to provide consumers with drinking water that should be outlined in contingency plans. The Sanitary Epidemiological and Surveillance Department has to conduct routine inspections at households, test water supplies, and train water committees on water point protection. Also to penalise for violations related to water quality, sanitation, and environmental concerns. The citizens (especially children) have rights to a safe environment, clean water, adequate sanitation, access to information on sanitary-epidemiological situations, participation in program development for population health, and compensation for health and property damage caused by breaches in sanitary regulations.

With the majority of the rural and peri-urban populations being served with water from point sources, the inputs required to monitor the water quality are huge, and capacity inadequate. In order to contain these capacity challenges, Water Safety Planning has been promoted as a means to ensure water quality throughout the chain from source to consumption. As a contribution towards expediting attainment of the SDGs, WHO and UNICEF have been promoting the importance and compliance of Water Safety Planning in Tajikistan and support the Government on achievement of it.

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF Tajikistan has partnered with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to support the additional financing component through technical assistance modality targeting technical support in terms of diagnostics and planning along with institutional strengthening.

This assignment mainly consists of two components:

1) Development of the internal policy and protocols on water safety for the DVK; and

2) assessment of the DVK’s water quality laboratory and develop the improvement costed plan. The water quality laboratory in of DVK plays a crucial role in ensuring the health and well-being of the city’s residents. The laboratory is responsible for monitoring and analyzing the quality of the city’s water supply, ensuring that it meets both national and international standards.

One of the key functions of the DVK’s water quality laboratory is to test for contaminants and pollutants in the water supply. This includes testing for bacteria, heavy metals, chemicals, and other harmful substances that could pose a risk to public health which is a contributing factor for lack of optimum child survival and development outcomes. By regularly monitoring and testing the water, the laboratory helps to identify any potential issues or risks early on, allowing for prompt action to be taken to address them.

DUTY STATION/DURATION:
Duration: 22 working days between 1 October 2024 – 30 December 2024
Supervisor: WASH Specialist, UNICEF Tajikistan

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

• Education: A university degree in water quality management, sanitary/civil/environmental engineering, or other relevant field related to water management in urban contexts and more specifically water safety.
• Work experience: A minimum of 5 years’ experience working on water quality capacity assessments, development of guidance and protocols, strategic frameworks particularly on supporting the governments in the WASH sector.
• Previous experience in developing water safety plans and water quality management is preferable.
• Competencies: Strong analytical and conceptual thinking. Excellent writing skills. Excellent communication and presentation skills with stakeholders and the ability to work under pressure and commitment to work to a tight timeframe.
• Language requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Tajik (Farsi) and Russian is an asset.

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Cover letter/application/CV/ Copy of diploma (s)

2. Technical proposal describing approach/methodology to achieve the tasks of the ToR, workplan with concrete timeframes.

3. Completed Financial proposal in USD per deliverable including travel cost: DSA for 32 days, 1 round trip and 2 in-country trips (Annex 3 to be completed):  Annex 3 Financial proposal.docx

5. Examples of previous works.

6. Contact of three references.

Applications without technical and financial proposals will not be considered.

Applications must be received in the system by 18 September 2024 on UNICEF website.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit  here.

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/individual contractors 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.

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.

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.