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Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

The Metsi a Lesotho project, funded by the European Union (EU), is dedicated to enhancing access to safe and sustainable water supply and sanitation services in rural areas of Lesotho. This project is designed to address critical challenges within the water and sanitation sector, such as inadequate infrastructure, limited access to clean water, and poor sanitation practices. To tackle these issues, the project will deliver inclusive WASH facilities in rural schools, healthcare facilities, and communities, while simultaneously establishing and implementing a decentralized framework conducive to effective rural WASH management.

Central to this project is the capacity-building of local, district, and national departments responsible for water supply, WASH in schools, WASH in healthcare facilities, and the promotion of sanitation and hygiene education. A particular focus will be on empowering women and persons with disabilities. The project also seeks to support and equip key stakeholders—including the Department of Rural Water Supply (DRWS), Ministry of Education and Training (MoET), Environmental Health Division (EHD) in the Ministry of Health (MoH), District Council WASH teams, and Water Service Authorities (WSAs) and Water Service Providers (WSPs)—to effectively utilize monitoring and evaluation frameworks, GIS data, and planning tools to ensure accountability, transparency, and timely reporting of both physical and financial progress in WASH initiatives across communities and institutions. Ultimately, the project aims to improve health outcomes, reduce poverty, and contribute to the overall socio-economic development of rural communities in Lesotho.

One of the specific outputs of the project is to ensure that DRWS, District Council WASH, and WSAs are supported, capacitated, and equipped to effectively use the M&E framework, GIS data, and planning tools, enabling accurate and timely reporting of physical and financial progress. A recent assessment of options for the Water Sector GIS and for the DRWS Survey and Design tools has identified the use of open-source QGIS software as an alternative to the existing licensed ArcGIS set-up, with Qfield as a replacement for the Trimble PenMap survey software that will no longer be supported. Given this background, UNICEF Lesotho is planning to revitalize GIS-based survey and design tools in the WASH sector using open-source QGIS and Qfield integration through pilot testing of QGIS.

However, the DRWS has been experiencing challenges with retention of experienced staff and there has been a high replacement of existing staff in the Head Office and the District Teams without extensive handing over and training of new staff. As a consequence, there is a need to generally refresh the training of staff and training new staff in the appropriate planning and design of piped systems in accordance with the established DRWS design standards and in particular practical and on-the-job training of staff in the use of the QGIS survey and design tools and new software for hydraulic calculations.

The objective of this assignment will therefore be to provide a combination of classroom and on-the-job training of DRWS staff in the use of the DRWS Survey and Design Tools. The result shall be capacitated technical staff in the 10 districts capable of preparing high quality designs that fulfil all the DRWS design standards.

Scope of Work:

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the WASH Specialist, the consultant will be instrumental in ensuring that the Department of Rural Water Supply (DRWS) staff are equipped with the necessary skills and tools to conduct high-quality water infrastructure surveys and designs and other related data collection using open-source software solutions. This will enhance the planning, monitoring, and design capacities in rural areas, aligning with the goals of the Metsi a Lesotho project.

The detailed scope of work includes the following key activities:

A. Pilot Testing of QGIS for Survey and Design Tools:

The consultant will play a pivotal role in supporting the Department of Rural Water Supply (DRWS) in transitioning from licensed software (ArcGIS and Trimble PenMap) to open-source alternatives (QGIS and Qfield). This transition is not only cost-effective but also sustainable, considering that support for existing proprietary tools is being phased out.

The consultant’s responsibilities under this activity will include:

• Development of QGIS and Qfield tools: The consultant will participate in customizing the open-source QGIS software for specific DRWS needs, including designing user-friendly survey and design tools and using Qfield for general data collection (using templates similar to the existing DRWS templates using the Akvo platform). This will involve programming and testing the software’s capabilities, ensuring that the tools are tailored to DRWS’s fieldwork requirements.
• Integration with EPANET for hydraulic designs: The QGIS and Qfield tools will be linked with EPANET, an open-source software for hydraulic analysis of piped water networks. This integration will ensure that DRWS staff can easily transition from field surveys to hydraulic calculations and designs.
• Site plan preparation: The consultant will guide DRWS staff in using QGIS and Qfield to prepare detailed site plans, ensuring that all relevant survey data is correctly inputted and mapped. The aim is to facilitate precise data collection for the design and implementation of water supply systems.
• Support for using GNSS receivers: The consultant will also ensure that QGIS and Qfield tools are compatible with R2 GNSS receivers, enabling precise geospatial data collection. Additionally, the integration of RTX correction services will ensure that survey data is accurate and reliable, leading to high-quality designs.

This activity will lay the foundation for the subsequent on-the-job training and practical use of the new software tools in real-world settings.

B. Preparation of Training Plans:

The consultant will develop a comprehensive training plan to ensure that DRWS staff, particularly those at the district level, are proficient in using the new QGIS-based tools for water supply system design and use of Qfield for data collection. This training plan will be tailored to fit into the existing schedules and workloads of DRWS engineers and project officers.

Key elements of this activity include:

• Consultation with DRWS Head Office and District Engineers: The consultant will engage with key stakeholders to ensure that the training schedules align with the overall work plans of the districts, with a particular focus on the three initial target districts: Maseru, Mohale’s Hoek, and Thaba Tseka.
• Tailored training modules: The training plan will include both theoretical and practical components, ensuring that staff understand the principles behind QGIS and Qfield, as well as how to apply these tools in field conditions. The consultant will also ensure that the training reflects DRWS design standards and local water supply challenges.
• Focus on hands-on learning: To ensure maximum impact, the training will prioritize hands-on, on-the-job learning. This approach will allow DRWS staff to gain practical experience with the new software while working on real projects in their districts.

This activity will ensure that DRWS technical staff are adequately prepared to implement the new survey and design tools in their daily work, contributing to improved water infrastructure planning and monitoring.

C. Continued Testing and Improvements to the New Open-Source Software for Survey and Design:

The consultant will develop a comprehensive training plan to ensure that DRWS staff, particularly those at the district level, are proficient in using the new QGIS-based tools for water supply system design and use of Qfield for data collection. This training plan will be tailored to fit into the existing schedules and workloads of DRWS engineers and project officers.

Key elements of this activity include:

• Consultation with DRWS Head Office and District Engineers: The consultant will engage with key stakeholders to ensure that the training schedules align with the overall work plans of the districts, with a particular focus on the three initial target districts: Maseru, Mohale’s Hoek, and Thaba Tseka.
• Tailored training modules: The training plan will include both theoretical and practical components, ensuring that staff understand the principles behind QGIS and Qfield, as well as how to apply these tools in field conditions. The consultant will also ensure that the training reflects DRWS design standards and local water supply challenges.
• Focus on hands-on learning: To ensure maximum impact, the training will prioritize hands-on, on-the-job learning. This approach will allow DRWS staff to gain practical experience with the new software while working on real projects in their districts.

This activity will ensure that DRWS technical staff are adequately prepared to implement the new survey and design tools in their daily work, contributing to improved water infrastructure planning and monitoring.

D. Update of User Manuals and Guidelines for the Use of Qfield-QGIS-EPANET Tools:

ased on the practical experience gained during fieldwork and testing, the consultant will work with DRWS to update and finalize user manuals and guidelines for the QGIS, Qfield, and EPANET tools. This documentation will be critical in ensuring that DRWS staff can independently use the tools after the consultancy ends.

Key tasks under this activity include:

• Collaboration with DRWS Design Division: The consultant will work closely with the DRWS Design Division to incorporate feedback from district engineers and field staff, ensuring that the manuals reflect the real-world challenges and solutions encountered during the implementation of the tools.
• Comprehensive user manuals: The updated manuals will provide step-by-step guidance on how to use QGIS and Qfield for surveying and design, as well as how to link the data to EPANET for hydraulic analysis. The manuals will also cover any necessary updates to BOQSTAND (DRWS’s existing software for preparing Bills of Quantities) and other related tools.
• Finalization of guidelines: In addition to the manuals, the consultant will develop clear guidelines for the use of QGIS and Qfield in future DRWS projects. This will ensure that all technical staff have access to standardized procedures for conducting surveys, preparing designs, and compiling procurement documentation.

This activity will contribute to the sustainability of the project by ensuring that all DRWS staff have access to the resources they need to continue using the new tools effectively in the long term.

Work Assignment Overview:

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

Minimum Qualifications required:

Bachelors

Enter Disciplines:

Technician level technical diploma in engineering, water resources, environmental management, or similar areas

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

1. BSc in engineering, water resources, environmental management, or similar and at least 5 years’ experience in implementation of WASH programs
2. Field experience from the planning, design, and implementation of water systems in accordance with the DRWS design standards and guidelines
3. Practical experience and detailed knowledge of the DRWS design standards and tools and in particular knowledge of the programming of the existing survey and design tools based on PenMap and ArcGIS and familiarity with the use of the QGIS software.
4. Experience in preparation of user manuals and implementation of technical training courses

Language:

English

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 committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

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.