National WASH Specialist - Evidence Generation and Knowledge Management

National WASH Specialist - Evidence Generation and Knowledge Management

Duty Station:  Office base- BCO

Contract Duration:  264 days in 12 Months (1st January – 31st December 2026)

Number of Vacancies: 01

Contract Type: Contract with E-zone           

Contract Start Date: 

Reporting to: WASH Specialist  

A.    Purpose 

The objectives of this assignment  are  to support  the  WASH Section and the WASH Sector actors on Evidence Generation  and Knowledge management, and the  rollout  of the  Digital Warehouse management at  the  National and  Sub- national   levels  towards   data   management  and   evidence   generation   for investment mobilization and equitable  allocation of resources for accelerated access   to   quality,   climate-resilient,    and   sustainable   WASH   services   in Bangladesh.

To  provide  dedicated  technical  expertise   and  sustained   support   for  data analysis, visualization,  sector  reporting,  and  knowledge  management, while ensuring  continuous   coordination  and  engagement  with  key  government agencies  (DPHE, BBS, DGHS, DGFP) and stakeholders. The consultant will be responsible   for  delivering  high-quality,  rollout   of  the   Digital  Warehouse management at the National and Sub-national levels towards data management and evidence generation for investment mobilization and equitable  allocation of resources for accelerated access to quality, climate-resilient,  and sustainable WASH services in Bangladesh.

A.    Background

Bangladesh  has made  significant strides  in enhancing  access to WASH (Water,  Sanitation,  and Hygiene) services, focusing on scaling up water supply and sanitation  infrastructure. By 2022, while most households had access to improved  water  sources,  only 59% had access to safely managed water  services, a slight increase  from  56% in 2015.  This incremental progress,  averaging  less than  0.5% annually,  mirrors  the similarly slow advancement in safely managed  sanitation  services, which have only seen an average yearly improvement of 1%. The modest pace of development is largely due to systemic inefficiencies in converting infrastructure investments into sustainable, safely managed WASH services. Challenges such as demographic  shifts, urbanization,  climate  change,  and  the  establishment  of local markets  for WASH services  hinder progress.

The Government of Bangladesh's 8th Five-Year Plan (FYP) introduces strategies to overcome these obstacles,  including the creation  of a comprehensive information  management system. This system aims to underpin evidence-based planning, budgeting,  and outcome management, setting  a path  to achieve equitable  and accelerated access to safely managed  WASH services by 2030.

In alignment with these  goals, the  Government  of Bangladesh and Un Agency signed a Development Project Proposal in 2023, emphasizing the  need  for enhancing  the  capacities of officials from the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE), Water Supply and Sewerage Authorities (WASAs), and City Corporations. Specifically, the  proposal  calls for  improved  abilities  in evidence  generation  for  policy development, planning,  coordination,  and  budgeting,  necessitating  the  kick-starting of evidence  generation  and  data management efforts, including the establishment of a Digital Warehouse Management.

Planning, monitoring,  data  management, and  reporting  within the  UN Agency WASH  section  have  equally received  a boost  with the  standardization  of WASH indicators  for reporting,  streamlining  the  planning processes,  and  developing  a monitoring  matrix  for tracking  progress  against  the  Rolling plan.  Beyond reporting on the rolling work plan targets, this system is expected  to extend to streamlining and centralizing results tracking and reporting against major grants within the section. These efforts will culminate  into the quarterly  results tracking process that  will ensure  quarterly  updates on key targets across the various grants and the overall section's rolling work plan. These will, in turn, feed into the RAM, CSIs, donor reporting and section's annual report.

To provide the needed technical support to the section and the government in driving these processes, the WASH Section proposes to hire the services.

B.    Objectives and Expected Results

Objectives:

·         To provide dedicated technical, analytical, and coordination support to advance WASH initiatives, ensuring high-quality reporting, evidence generation, capacity building, and effective sector and cluster coordination.

Expected Results:

·         High-quality MICS 7 reporting, including Water Quality Thematic Report and advocacy materials.

·         Finalization, publication,  dissemination, and advocacy products  for the  WASH in Schools and Health Care Facilities assessment.

·          Strengthened WASH information, knowledge, and data management systems.

·         Smooth  implementation  of Digital Supply Management System  at  district  level and  initiation  of transition to government counterparts.

·         Updated WASH Cluster partner presence map, newsletters, and webpage.

·         Donor-compliant   documentation   of  WASH   resilience   and   climate   adaptation   good   practices disseminated nationally and internationally.

·          Enhanced sector capacity on Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS).

·         National WASH Sector Resilience analysis completed, and key priority actions identified.

A.    Key Tasks and Responsibilities

Activities

·         MICS 7 reporting is going on, and this activity requires skills and time to deliver with quality. The consultant will support the preparation of MICS Water Quality Thematic Report and other

appropriate advocacy document.

·         The WASH Section launched a nation-wide assessment of WASH in school and health care facilities, and this is at the final stage to be completed. The survey is unique in nature and to conclude a dedicated person is required to work with BBS to ensure the report is published, disseminated and advocacy materials developed.

·         The consultant will manage the WASH section’s information, data, and knowledge and facilitate

evidence generation and, which strengthens the section’s efficiency, reporting and enhances

evidence-based planning.

·         Un Agency has begun rolling out the Digital Supply Management System with support from DPHE.

Training has already been completed at the divisional level, and Un Agency is now moving toward more comprehensive district-level training to ensure efficient supply management. The consultant currently supporting this process and will continue to ensure a smooth transition from the contractor to government counterparts.

·         The consultant also supports to maintain and update the WASH Cluster Partner Presence Map for coordination and gap analysis.

·         Un Agency is also engaged in water quality testing and capacity building of healthcare staff in health facilities nationwide. This consultant will provide technical support to organize the international conference on “WASH in Healthcare,” informed by the findings from BBS and icddr,b. 

·         The consultant will support the documentation of good practices and lessons learnt around WASH driven community resilience and climate change adaptation approaches and dissemination of evidence at national and international levels through workshops, webinars, conferences and learning pieces.

·         The consultant will lead quarterly WASH Cluster newsletters emphasizing localization and partner visibility, also regularly update the WASH Cluster webpage with key documents, tools, and sector updates. 

·         Provide support on Capacity Building of sector on Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS)

·         Support development of TAPP on WASH in Healthcare services following the WASH in HCF strategy

·         Support the WASH Sector Resilience analysis at national level (based on vulnerability and fragility, adapting the global tool for national level analysis) to identify key areas and actions.

B.    Deliverables

A.     Payment

The WASH Specialist will get BDT 3,600,000 for 264 days over 12 months and DSA BDT 50,000 per month (lumpsum).

B.    Administrative issues

·         For timely payment by the HR service provider, the Supervisor will forward the certified attendance sheet and confirmation of received deliverables for the respective period.

·         Stationery and other office equipment will be borne by the community mobilizer.

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

C.     Qualification requirement 

Education: 

·         Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences, Urban Planning, Information Management, Water and Sanitation Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Hydrogeology, or other related fields 

·         Master's degree in a relevant field is preferred but not mandatory 

Experience:

·         At least ten years of relevant experience in programme management, particularly in planning, monitoring, data management and reporting 

·         A minimum of two years of professional experience in the development of ICT-based solutions for development programming with good work experience in the areas of systems application management 

·         Strong field implementation experience in rural and peri-urban areas, particularly in

·         Bangladesh, with at least one year experience working in the water and sanitation sector 

·         Expertise in the design and management of surveys, including the development of tools and templates for data collection and overall data management 

Others:

·         Passion and commitment to Un Agency mission and values 

·         Previous experience in similar activities with the UN or INGOs, government.

·         Good background and skills in facilitating training, workshops, coaching, and mentoring others

·         Proficient in Microsoft office applications. 

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

Desirable:

·         Excellent knowledge of spreadsheets, graphics, and data analysis 

·         Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills 

·         Excellent presentation and communication skills, both written and oral 

·         Ability to travel to rural and semi-urban areas of Bangladesh 

·         Experience in coordinating with different stakeholders 

·         Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment 

D.    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.