WASH CONSULTANT (WASH in institutes & WASH Coordination)

WASH CONSULTANT (WASH in institutes & WASH Coordination)

Duty Station:  Cox’s Bazar along with extensive field visits to nine sub-districts.

Contract Duration:  8 Months

Number of Vacancies: 01

Contract Type: Contract with E-Zone.

Contract Start Date: Immediate                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Reporting to:  WASH Specialist

A.    Purpose

To review and analyze the WASH and Climate Change scopes in textbooks of the primary and secondary schools, followed by the capturing of practices and methodologies.

B.    Background

Using the Three Star approach, UNICEF has delivered WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) support to host communities and Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar.   This support primarily encompasses providing safe water supply, sanitation services, hygiene promotion, and waste management.  Additionally, UNICEF has been actively engaged in sustaining the operation and maintenance of WASH facilities in schools.

UNICEF's Three Star Approach for WASH in Schools is designed to improve the effectiveness of the hygiene behaviour change programme. The approach ensures that healthy habits are taught, practised and integrated into daily school routines. The Three Star Approach helps schools meet the essential criteria for a healthy and protective learning environment for children as part of the broader  child-friendly schools  initiative.    It  aims to  address  the  bottlenecks  that  block  the effectiveness and expansion of the current WASH in Schools programme.

It is crucial to under how the WASH topics are taught, practised and integrated into daily school routines.   It is also required to know the WASH topics in the school textbooks and available reference materials, including behavioural change communication (BCC) materials in the schools. The proposed consultancy work will review and analyse the existing WASH and environment- related topics in primary and secondary school textbooks.  The consultant will also prepare an inventory of the WASH Behavior Change Communication (BCC) materials and reference materials for school textbooks produced by NGOs, UN agencies and Government agencies for schools in Cox's Bazar.

This consultancy aims to analyse the WASH-related topics in the primary and secondary school curriculum (grades 1 to 10) and collect reference materials, including the behavioural change communication  (BCC)  materials  used  by  teachers  implementing  the  WASH  topics  and extracurricular activities related to WASH. This consultancy also aims to identify the requirements of missing or inadequate WASH reference materials for classroom teaching and extracurricular activities.  The outcome of this work will support the effective implementation of the Three Star Approach.

C.    Overall Objectives  

·         To review and analyse primary and secondary school textbooks and curriculum and prepare a list of WASH topics.

·         To collect and review WASH-related reference BCC materials for teaching and extracurricular activities.   Prepare a summary of the type of BCC materials and the methodologies used for utilising these materials.

·        To consolidate recommendations received from schoolteachers and children and strengthen WASH in school programmes, including capacity development of schoolteachers and implementing partners.

D.    Specific activities

·         Review and analyse the official primary and secondary school curriculum (grades 1-10) and identify  the  topics  related  to  water,  sanitation,  and  hygiene  (WASH), environmental protection, climate change, faecal and solid waste management, etc. Refer to Annex 1 for the reporting format.

·         Collect a list of available reference materials (hard copies and e-copies) to support the teachers in teaching WASH and environment topics in schools by visiting the District Education Office, Department of Public Health (DPHE), national and international NGOs and other key stakeholders in Cox’s Bazar. Refer to Annex 2 for the reporting format.

·         Visit at least schools 10 (primary and secondary) in Teknaf and Ukhiya Upazila in Cox’s Bazar and interview schoolteachers and children to find out the available reference materials (BCC materials) related to the curriculum topics and determine what is actually used in the classroom and extra curricula activities. Information from schoolteachers and children regarding the usefulness and child-friendliness of the existing materials, plus suggestions for new and improved materials, should be collected on these visits.

·         Prepare a report in English and Bengali, including recommendations for the gaps. The final report should include an annex with the raw data collected from the school visits, including pictures of BCC materials.

·         Share the draft through a meeting, including government counterparts and other stakeholders.

·         Organise report dissemination workshop in Cox’s Bazar district.

·         Draft a summary briefing paper as per the agreed template.

·         Facilitate eight Upazilas Coordination Mechanism in Cox’s Bazar in collaboration with DPHE.

·         Facilitate Cox’s Bazar district Coordination Mechanism in collaboration with DPHE.

·         Support DPHE on compiling upazila wise monthly plans and reports.

·         Any business assigned by the WASH section

E.     Description of Assignment -Indicative Methodology

The consultancy includes a review of school textbooks, interviews with schoolteachers and children, field visits to observe school WASH situations, meetings with government and CSO partners, data collection and analysis, and reporting.  A brief description of the methodologies is given below:

·         Review of school textbooks (desk review): This involves thoroughly analysing existing textbooks and educational materials used in schools, focusing on what kind of WASH and environment topics are included.  The objective is to analyse and identify WASH and environmental topics in the textbooks.

·         Interviews with schoolteachers and children through field visits: Conducting interviews with teachers and students is crucial for gaining insights into their understanding and practices related to effective teaching of WASH topics. This qualitative approach helps understand the effectiveness of current WASH education, the challenges, and the perception and awareness levels among the school community.The field visit also includes collecting BCC and other reference materials available at the schools to teach WASH topics effectively.

·         Meeting with government and CSO partners: Meetings and interviews with government agencies and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) involved in the school WASH programme are essential for understanding and collecting available resources for effective implementation of the school WASH programme.

·         Data Collection and Analysis: This encompasses gathering quantitative and qualitative data through various means – desk reviews, interviews, observation, etc. The analysis of this data will help in understanding the current status of WASH in schools, identifying WASH topics, available BCC materials, challenges and gaps in the schools for effective delivery of WASH topics, etc.  It's a crucial step for evidence-based decision-making and formulating recommendations to improve the school WASH programme.

It combines direct observation, stakeholder engagement, and data analysis to comprehensively understand the current situation and identify needs and gaps for effective delivery of WASH topics by the teachers in the school.

Expected reports:  Both the draft and the final report with the database are expected from the assignment.

F. Proposed Deliverables

G.    Payment

The consultant will get BDT 300,000 per month including DSA and travel.

H.    Qualification Requirement

·         Experienced professional to carry on various assignments.

·         Relevant university or higher degree

·         Experience and understanding of the Bangladesh WASH sector

·         Excellent writing and communication skills in the Bangla language

·         Good English writing skills

·         Technical expertise in emergency preparedness and response planning

·         Flexibility to accommodate changes in the deliverables as per changing needs

·         Excellent coordination capacity with Government officials, NGOs, and key camp/host community stakeholders

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.

Candidates with the required profile and proven experience, who meet these qualifications, are invited to submit their application in English clearly mentioning the Job Title along with a meaningful cover letter, updated CV, recent PP size photograph by 

Last Date of Application:  August 13 , 2024 

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