Organization: UN Children's Fund
Country: Ghana
Closing date:
02 Dec 2016If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.
For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
Purpose of the Assignment
To provide expert support to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development in the country wide roll-out of BaSIS in Ghana
Background
UNICEF supported the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) to upgrade the Basic Sanitation Information System (BaSIS) as part of the GoG-UNICEF WASH programme. BaSIS is a district-based tool for monitoring sanitation interventions with in- built provision for processing household and community data. BaSIS also possesses capacity for generating regional and national reports on sanitation, rolling up data from the community level.
Through its partnership with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, UNICEF has empowered at least 930 Environmental Health and Sanitation workers, Community Development staff, key units within the district assembly and Regional coordinating council structures, and other development partners from 50 districts to use the Basic Sanitation Information System (BaSIS). Combining the initial success and lessons from the development and initial roll out of BaSIS as well as M&E Consultants expertise in data collection systems and analysis; BaSIS has been upgraded to leverage technology through the use of phones for timely and accurate reporting. BaSIS has attracted a high level of sector interest with the introduction of modern technologies for data collection and its potential to provide the sector with a consolidated hub of updated information about communities.
In the past year, UNICEF supported an extensive review of BaSIS and achieved the following:
Data collection tools updated for i) Baseline data covering relevant district, schools, natural leaders and household information ii) Triggering data iii) Progress monitoring data iv) ODF verification & assessment dataFields in progress reports developed to tally with forms used for data collection by focal personsStakeholder engagements held to identify bottlenecks with the use of BaSISResolution of internet connectivity issues for the effective functioning of BaSIS in 50 districtsIntroduction of mobile technology for data collectionSet-up of separate aggregates/cloud servers for each district and development of a detailed manual with links and credentials to aggregates per districtAgreement protocols for handing over mobile phones to districts together with templates to track possession of equipment.Capacity building workshops for about 930 district facilitation team members and other district stakeholdersEstablishment of district quality assurance teams for each district and at the regional level tasked with the responsibility of providing first and second level support to field facilitation teams and district M&E teams. TORs were also developed for the various M&E teamsDevelopment of data management and quality assurance guideline with details on the processes involved in data management, tools and applications for measurements, analysis and reporting as well as roles and responsibilities of stakeholders. The guide also includes a section on quality assurance explaining best practices to improve the capacity of CLTS Field Facilitators as well as provide guidelines in handling data.A Programme Cooperation Agreement (PCA) was also signed with the Center for Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (CERSGIS) to provide technical support for the development and maintenance of the mapping components of BaSIS. Whilst immense progress has been made in the effort to establish BaSIS as a Country Monitoring and Evaluation System for basic sanitation, there is still considerable work to be done to ensure that districts are conversant with the system and can utilize it effectively.In line with the above, UNICEF seeks to hire a consultant to work with the Environmental Health and Sanitation Directorate to continue the scale-up of BaSIS for a period of eleven and a half months. The assignment will be implemented with funding support from the Department of Foreign Affairs Trade and Development (DFATD) Canada and the Netherlands Directorate General for International Cooperation (DGIS)
Assignment Tasks
Ensure that the BaSIS database and tools are upgraded to cater for sector needs in consultation with CERSGIS. The upgrades are expected to cover the following:Build capacity for sustaining the management of BaSIS using existing Government and private sector structures. This is expected to cover the following:Update of the sanitation sub-sector plan for delivering M&E servicesEstablishment of an MIS unit within the EHSD and national BaSIS reference teamStrengthening of regional M&E teamsStrengthening of district M&E teams and M&E focal personsVisits to districts to offer on the job ICT training and trouble-shooting servicesRegional "clinic" sessions on BaSISProvide technical backstopping to M&E teams designated by the District Assemblies and Regional Offices to enable them undertake all the tasks outlined in their TOR and ensure effective utilisation of BaSIS. This support is expected to cover the following:Provide administrator services for BaSIS. This will involve quality assurance services for ensuring data integrity and generation of reports to support sector decision making. Detailed activities will include:Monitoring of BaSIS for data availability per district and instigating remedial action to address challenges. Focus should be on baseline data, weekly monitoring information and quarterly assessmentsRegular data quality assessments and remedial action as requiredMonitoring of programme indicators and reportingGeneration of reports for sector reviews and annual reportsAutomation of all new data collection instruments through phone applicationsSMS reporting from communities, facilitators and sanitation marketing operativesUpgrade/Development of additional BaSIS modules for district wide planning, budget monitoring, district assessments and surveys.Ensure scaling up of BaSIS nationwide. Expected activities include:Training and field coaching support for all regions and districts implementing CLTS in the countryTraining of NGO partners involved in sanitation in the countryExpected Deliverables
Updated BaSIS data available for each district on a monthly basis.BaSIS data quality assurance procedures reviewed and in use in all districtsQuarterly and monthly reports on key programme indicators prepared and shared regularlyTechnical backstopping provided to M&E teams through coaching visits to districts and regional clinic sessionsSMS reporting function for communities, facilitators and sanitation marketing operatives established within BaSISBaSIS modules developed/upgraded for district wide planning, budget monitoring, district assessments, surveys and other sector needsTraining and field coaching support provided for all new regions and districts implementing CLTS in the countryTraining provided to NGO partners involved in sanitation in the countryBaSIS scaled up to cover all districts implementing CLTS nationwide.National M&E reference team established and functionalQualifications of Successful Candidate
The Consultant must possess the following qualification and experience:
Advanced Degree or its equivalent in Computer Science or Information ManagementMinimum of 5 years' experience in ICT related disciplineWorking knowledge of Geographic Information SystemsGeneral computing knowledge (Microsoft suite: Excel, Access, Software installation and Hardware installation)Basic knowledge in computer programming will be an advantageIn addition, the consultant must possess the following:
Excellent analytical and problem solving skills with attention to detail and data accuracyStrong interpersonal skills and team work skillsAbility to present and convey results of analyses to various audiencesTo view our competency framework, please click here.
Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above (including travel and daily subsistence allowance, if applicable). Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization.
Specific instructions relating to the financial proposal are below.
Financial proposal
Interested candidates should submit a financial proposal for executing the assignment together with their application. The proposal should quote the monthly rate for implementing the assignment in Ghana Cedis and should cover cost of movement within Accra (the base station for this assignment).
The consultant is also required to budget for costs related to travel outside Accra stating the following:
the rate for fuel per kilometerrate for use of a vehicle per day. This rate is expected to cover all costs associated with the use of the vehicle including driver costs and insurance if required.Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) covering accommodation, feeding and miscellaneous expenditure if anyThe above rates will be subject to negotiation and subsequently included in the contract for the selected consultant. The consultant will be reimbursed for all travels made during the course of the assignment based on the agreed rates.Interested candidates who meet the minimum requirements should please submit their application with the financial proposal, a copy of their CV and P11 form via on-line channel indicated on the advertisement. A list of districts the consultant may visit during the assignment is attached as Annex 1 for reference purposes. The Consultant should note that travels to districts may include visits to communities for training or data validationAnnex - List of districts
Northern Region- 18 Districts
1
Bunkpurugu
2
Central Gonja
3
Chereponi
4
East Gonja
5
East Mamprusi
6
Gushiegu
7
Karaga
8
Kpandai
9
Kumbungu
10
Mion
11
Nanumba North
12
Nanumba South
13
Saboba
14
Sagnerigu
15
Tatale Sanguli
16
West Mamprusi
17
Yendi
18
Zabzugu
Upper East Region - 8 Districts
19
Bawku Municipal
20
Bawku West
21
Binduri
22
Builsa North
23
Builsa South
24
Garu Tempane
25
Kassena Nankana West
26
Pusiga
Upper West Region - 10 Districts
27
Daffiama Bussie Issa
28
Jirapa
29
Lambussie Karni
30
Lawra
31
Nadowli
32
Nandom
33
Sissala East
34
Sissala West
35
Wa East
36
Wa West
Central Region - 5 Districts
37
Abura Asebu Kwamankese
38
Ajumako Enyan Essiam
39
Asikuma Odoben Brakwa
40
Assin South
41
Gomoa East
Volta Region - 6 Districts
42
Kpando
43
Biakoye
44
North Dayi
45
Kadjebi
46
Ho West
47
Keta
How to apply:UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization. To apply, click on the following link http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=501402