National Consultant- WASH Engineer

Duty Station:  Office base- BCO/FO,

Contract Duration:  11 months

Number of Vacancies:  01

Contract Type: Contract with E-zone           

Contract Start Date:  1^st February 2026

Reporting to:  WASH Specialist, WASH Section

A.    Purpose

UN ENTITY Bangladesh Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) section has been working with several Government agencies to support the country to achieve SDG 6.1 and 6.2 (universal access to safely managed drinking water and sanitation) beside several other national WASH targets.  Proposed individual consultant will support   WASH section infrastructure related   activities including wastewater treatment facilities, medical waste   management, construction of WASH facilities in schools, and climate resilient water supply system.

Specifically, the consultant will support:

1.      SDC supported sanitation marketing project, field implementation

2.      Gates Foundation supported City Wide Inclusive Sanitation project

3.      Support to the Department of Environment to prepare design and BoQs for climate resilient water supply systems.

4.      EXIM Bank WASH in school hardware implementation

The individual consultant will be responsible to support WASH section to produce design, BOQ and other technical documents, and to conduct regular quality assurance and quality control visits to the infrastructure’ project, sites being       implemented       by       government      and       non-government partners/contractor.

B.    Background

City Wide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS) is a globally recognized approach for safely managed sanitation services across urban areas, including those living in informal settlement and slums. Since, 2021, UN ENTITY with the support of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has been supporting the government of Bangladesh to promote the CWIS approach in the country. The UN ENTITY-Gates Foundation CWIS project is currently being implemented in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC), covering both formal and informal settlements. The project focuses on three core results areas 

1.      By 2026, Ensuring Safely Managed Sanitation Services for approximately 0.8 million people in urban formal settlement through “Schedule Desludging Scheme” implemented under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.

2.      By 2026, Demonstrating innovative and transformative sanitation technologies, including wastewater treatment and reuse options, in low-income and informal settlements. And

3.      By 2026, Determining on-site and off-site sanitation market segmentation through the development of sanitation master plans.

In parallel, UN ENTITY with support from the SWISS NatCom is implementing Climate Smart WASH Systems for children in Khulna City Corporation (KCC), targeting two LICs - Bastuhara and Rupshar Char. this project aims to:

1) Ensure access to climate-resilient water supply systems and water safety planning;

2) Ensure climate resilient, sustainable, safely managed sanitation; and

3) improved WASH services in healthcare facilities (HCFs).

UN ENTITY is also supporting government of Bangladesh to scale up the Sanitation Marketing (Sanmark) approach, implemented through DPHE.  The program currently covers 25 districts with monitoring and supervision support and is being expanded to an additional 10 districts, reaching a total of 35 districts nationwide, including selected urban low-income communities. 

The approach focuses on:

1.      increase use of sanitation services

2.      strengthening service delivery through market-based solutions. And

3.      Creating an enabling environment through policy advocacy and capacity development

Expected results include the sale of approximately 1.2 million improved sanitation facilities through engaging at least 3,000 additional latrine producers who will provide improved sanitation service options to poor and disadvantaged households in 35 districts; and promotion of improved WASH behaviours led by public and civil society WASH actors.

Recently, UN ENTITY has initiated a new partnership with the Department of Environment (DoE), providing technical support for feasibility studies, design and preparation of Bill of Quantities (BoQs) on climate resilient WASH services and infrastructures, particularly focusing on climate-vulnerable regions such as Nawga, Chapainawabganj, Rajshahi, and Bhola Districts.  

Looking ahead to 2026, the WASH section will continue to implement three major infrastructures urban sanitation initiatives in Khulna, Rajshahi, and Dhaka, using donors’ resources which are timebound, including the newly mobilized resource from the Embassy of the Netherlands. The national election planned for early 2026 pose risks to timely implement these activities, elevating the need for this individual consultancy. 

As such, the individual consultant will provide dedicated, hands-on engineering and quality assurance support to deliver on time the infrastructure planned under these grants, implemented through government entities and other partners/contractors. 

The consultant will be responsible for the preparation and review of technical designs, drawings, Bills of Quantities (BoQs), cost estimates, and technical specifications for sanitation, wastewater, WASH in schools, and climate-resilient water supply infrastructure. The consultant will conduct regular Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) field visits to infrastructure sites, ensuring the works comply with approved designs, including climate-resilient design principles. 

The consultant will be technical liaison between UN ENTITY and implementing partners, including DPHE, City Corporations, Department of Environment, and others, providing technical guidance, identifying risks, recommending corrective actions, and documenting the progress. 

With this arrangement, we will be able to reduce delays, ensure quality of the work and maintain implementation momentum during periods of government transition and/or other disruptions.

C.    Objectives and Expected Results

The objective of this assignment includes specialized infrastructure-oriented technical support and quality assurance to the WASH Section and its partners, with a focus on urban sanitation, climate-resilient WASH facilities, and market-based sanitation. This consultancy will reduce reliance on institutional contracts for design, BoQs and supervision while will also mitigate delays in implementation across the interventions. 

Specifically, the assignment aims to: 

• Provide technical support for the design, installation and quality assurance of sanitation infrastructures, including demonstration of transformative sanitation technologies.
• Support the establishment of sustainable operation and maintenance mechanism for sanitation facilities. 
• Facilitate implementation of sanitation marketing approach and community engagement strategies
• Provide technical assistance to the Department of Environment (DoE) to develop feasibility study, design and BoQs for climate resilient WASH facilities," in climate vulnerable.
• Conduct field visits for quality assurance and control for infrastructures related activities. 
• Support the implementation of WASH in schools’ hardware parts in targeted areas.     

D.    Key Tasks and Responsibilities

The specific tasks for this assignment are

1.      Provide technical assistance to RCC, DNCC, Empty Yard and other UN ENTITY partners in developing design, Bill of Quantities (BOQ) and other technical specifications for fecal and wastewater treatment facilities along with Child well-being centres. Specifically, to develop wastewater treatment and reuse system design for selected low-income urban settlements, including Asrayan Slum in Rajshahi City Corporation.  Other locations to be determined.

2.      Provide technical support to the Department of Environment (DoE) to finalize a feasibility study, design and BoQs for climate resilient WASH facilities, particularly focusing on climate-vulnerable regions.  Specifically, prepare and/or review technical designs, drawings, specification and BoQs for systems which will be supported by UN ENTITY. 

3.      Conduct regular QA/QC visits to project sites including wastewater treatment, water supply and WASH in schools, implemented by DPHE, City Corporations, DoE and other partners to verify compliance with approved designs, identify risks and defects, recommend and follow up on corrective actions.

4.      Develop an operational manual for the implementation of the SanMarks-II project across 10 indirect districts. 

5.      Prepare a technical note to support policy dialogue on Schedule Desludging and other sanitation initiatives, encouraging policymakers to initiate "Scheduled Desludging" in DNCC (for example) 

E.     Deliverables

F.     Payment

The National Consultant- WASH Engineer will get 

1.      Take-home pay: 2,589,400 BDT (11 months)

2.      DSA: 500,000 BDT – Required for extensive field visits to interventions across 35 districts;

3.      Travel and local transport cost: 250,000 BDT

G.    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 provided by UN ENTITY.

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

H.     Qualification requirement

Qualifications:

·         Bachelor’s degree in one of the following fields is required: civil engineering, environmental engineering, sanitary engineering, hydraulic engineering and other technical engineering field.

·         Master's degree in a relevant field is preferred

Experience:

·         A minimum of five (05) years of professional work experience in WASH-related infrastructures programmes for developing countries is required.

·         Solid experience in infrastructure developing mainly in fecal and wastewater management, technical design and implementation of infrastructures (water supply, sanitation treatment plants, reuse facilities), preparation of BoQs, technical specifications, quality assurance and quality control. 

·         Experience in climate resilient WASH programmes.

Desirable:

·         Excellent knowledge of spreadsheets, graphics, and data analysis

·         Understand technical analysis and interpretation from different partners

·         Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills

·         Excellent presentation and communication skills, both written and oral

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

·         Experience in coordinating with different stakeholders

·         Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment

·         Passion and commitment to UN ENTITY 's mission and values

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:  January 5, 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.