National Consultant/Specialist (WASH Sector Coordination)

Duty Station:  Partner/IP Office (Dhaka office and conduct required field travel)

Contract Duration:  1 Jan 2026-31 Dec 2026 (264 working days)

Number of Vacancies: 01

Contract Type: Contract with E-zone           

Contract Start Date:  

Reporting to: WASH Specialist, WASH section, Dhaka Office

A.    Purpose

To provide technical support to Policy Support Branch (PSB) of Local government Division (LGD) for strengthening WASH sector upstream activities, capacity for evidence-based policy development, planning, coordination, and budgeting for improved, equitable and sustainable climate-resilient WASH services, including in emergencies.

B.    Background

The Government of Bangladesh WASH Sector Development Plan (2026– 2040) identifies lack of coordination, operationalization of policy and strategies, poor harmonization and disparities in sectoral approaches, strategies for implementation, monitoring and information management by various stakeholders as key challenges of the sector. The WASH SDP further notes that the project-based nature of most interventions is the primary limiting factor to scaling-up of successful interventions. In an attempt to address this key challenge, the Government of Bangladesh established and operated a Policy Support Branch (PSB) under Water Supply Wing of the Local Government Division of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development & Cooperatives (MoLGRD&C) tasked with implementing the SDP in relation to sectoral policy development and policy coordination. Its other responsibilities related to this includes establishment of sector thematic groups to enhance sectoral coordination and the use of common approaches, monitoring tools for programme interventions.

With the advent of the SDGs and taking into account the considerable advances in the sector in Bangladesh, UN Entity gradually shifted of its WASH programme from service delivery to system strengthening and creating enabling environment for inclusive, equitable, safely managed and climate resilient WASH service delivery.  Over the past years, UN Entity supported strengthening capacity of Policy Support Branch (PSB) to support the governments’ upstream systems strengthening, while continuing to support the ongoing downstream provision of services.

As part of its strategic upstream support to the sector, the approved TAPP on WASH Sector Strengthening and Sanitation Market System (SanMarkS) Development Project in Bangladesh and GOB-UN Entity WASH 2025-2026 Rolling work plan includes provision of technical assistance for some PSB, LGD activities viz. harnessing the required political will, generating technical and policy level stakeholder buy in, re-establishing and operationalizing the Sector development plan thematic groups, resource mobilization and technical support for the implementation of sector wide strategies and approaches.  Government created this branch under the Water Supply wing of Local Government Division (LGD). Currently only one senior level staff (rank of Joint secretary) and deputy staff (rank of Deputy Secretary) from the Local Government Division is assigned without any other manpower to carryout gigantic takes of WASH sector development and coordination. In this connection UNICEF is supporting PSB to enhancing its capacity for sector development and coordination and capacity building of sector stakeholders by providing a full-time consultant who will be housed in PSB, DPHE.

C.    Objectives and Expected Results

The objective of this assignment is:

a)     Support PSB, LGD, MoLGRD&C for review/development/dissemination of WASH Sector policy, strategies, costed action plan, guidelines, standard, protocols to reflect SDGs requirements, climate resilience, inclusion for effective delivery of quality and gender responsive WASH services in community settings including WASH in institutions.  

b)     Strengthen government capacity for effective planning, budgeting, monitoring, WASH sector financing and foster cross sectoral collaboration around WASH systems.

c)      Strengthening WASH Sector Coordination among WASH sector actors in Bangladesh among 5 different ministries and 9-line departments/agencies through operationalization of Water Supply and Sanitation Forum, Local Consultative Group (LCG) for WASH & Urban, of 8 SDP Thematic Groups etc.

The expected results of the assignment are:

·         To gain higher level government commitment and create momentum for strengthening delivery of effective government’s interventions for WASH service delivery.

·         To harnessing the required political will, generating technical and policy level stakeholder buy in, reestablishing and operationalizing the WS Forum, WASH&U LCG, SDP thematic groups and development, resource mobilization and technical support for the implementation of sector wide strategies and approaches.

D.    Key Tasks and Responsibilities

Under this assignment, some of the expected tasks include:

·         Strengthen coordination among WASH sector actors in Bangladesh (WASH related line ministries i.e. MoHFW, MoE, MoPME, MoWR, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change etc. and line departments of GoB, development partners, INGOs, National NGOs, LGIs, Research Organizations, Academia & other stakeholders) through Local Consultative Group (LCG) for WASH & Urban, Water and Sanitation Forum, operationalization of SDP Thematic Groups.

·         Technical support to Policy Support Branch (PSB) of LGD, DPHE, for effective WASH Sector policy, emphasizing effects of climate hazards on children, strategy, guideline review/development and development of implementation plan for policies and strategies.

·         Forster partnership with Sanitation and Water for All (SWA), to stimulate political dialogue and leadership for facilitating signing Prime Minister compact to mobilize and align government bodies and development partners around policies and actions that deliver SDG6 and other related SDG targets.

·         Provide technical support to PSB Ministry of LGD and WASAs, City Corporations and DPHE piloting Water Supply and Sanitation Regulatory Mechanism with technical assistance from ADB, UN Entity, and the World Bank.

·         Strengthen government capacity on emerging areas such as climate change, inclusion, SBC, WASH sector financing, sustainability, budgeting, monitoring and foster cross sectoral collaboration around WASH systems.   

·         Systems Strengthening for scaling up drinking water safety, ground water governance, fecal sludge management and Hygiene Services and in Bangladesh Research & Development to improve the lives and health of children.

E.     Deliverables

F.     Payment 

The Consultant will get BDT 3,484,800 for 264 days .

G.     Administrative issues: 

·         Payment will be made on monthly basis (22 days) upon completion of each de   deliverable according to schedule certified by WASH Specialist, UN Entity

·         Stationery and other office equipment will be borne by PSB, LG

·         The consultant will be responsible for paying all taxes as per government rules.

H.     Qualification requirement

·         Advanced university degree in one of the following areas: Social Science or Public Health Engineering, Business Administration or a field relevant to WASH related development assistance.

·         At least 10 years working experience in development field, preferably in the water and sanitation sector (UN or development agency, donor, government regulatory body, academic institution or the private sector).

·         Well conversant with policies and strategies of the water supply and sanitation sector in Bangladesh.

·         Extensive experience in organizing and facilitating meetings/workshops/seminars;

·         Familiarization with the policy environment of Bangladesh, the challenges within the WASH sector and the capacities of various stakeholders, would be considered an asset.

·         Good interpersonal, leadership and management skills in implementing multi-party development projects.

·         Well conversant with the development programme aspects of water supply and sanitation;

·         Working experience with donors funded Government projects/ organization/ international NGOs.

·         Good written and spoken English.

·         Computer skills especially in word processing, spread sheet and PowerPoint presentation are preferred.

·         Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team and support unexpected tasks.

I.    Language Requirements 

·         Fluency in Bangla and good English communication skills are required

This position is open for Bangladeshi Nationals only. All candidates, irrespective of gender, religious and ethnic backgrounds can apply for the vacancies.

The UN Agency prides itself as fostering a multicultural and harmonious work environment, guaranteed by a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, and on any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment and discrimination. All selected consultants will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Last Date of Application:  December 04, 2025

No phone calls please. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. All applications will be treated according to the merit and with strict confidentiality.