Recruitment of one international consultant to develop a concept note and conduct a pre-feasibility study for the project: “Strengthening the resilience of vulnerable communities in Niger through Climate Sensitive WASH Services and IWRM

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up. 

For every child, resilience

The key climate change impacts in Niger are felt through increased temperatures and greater rainfall variability (including both decrease in total rainfall and increase in rainfall intensity). These changes are exacerbating risks to vulnerable communities due to increased flooding, drought, reduced and more rainfall, longer dry seasons and delayed rainy seasons. Climate-induced extreme events are also projected to increase in frequency and intensity, with more severe dryness and droughts punctuated by periods of flooding according to various climate models.

These climatic changes are expected to negatively affect the availability of water resources for both domestic and agricultural uses as well as sanitation and hygiene services. This negatively impacts the lives and livelihoods of communities in the country. Niger is extremely vulnerable in terms of climate change impacts on water resources and WASH services and the largest impacts fall on the most vulnerable population.

To support the Government of Niger to address climate change impacts , with a particular focus on access, cost, quality and sustainability of WASH services and on sustainable management of water resources, UNICEF, FAO, and GWP, in collaboration with the Ministry of Hydraulic and Sanitation and the Ministry of Environment are preparing a pre-feasibility study and concept note for the project titled: Strengthening the climate resilience of vulnerable communities in the national part of the Niger basin (Republic of Niger) through climate responsive WASH and IWRM. The project will be submitted for funding to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) by FAO, acting as a GCF Accredited Entity.

Against this background, UNICEF envisages contracting an international consultant to undertake the assignment. He/She will be in charge of the prefeasibility study and project concept note development.

Objectives

The main objective of the consultancy assignment is to undertake climate change diagnostic analysis, prepare a GCF compliant pre-feasibility study and concept note for the proposed project.

The consultant will work in close collaboration and coordination with other experts engaged in the formulation of the concept note, from project partners including FAO, UNICEF, GWP, the Ministry of Hydraulic and Sanitation, the Ministry of Environment and other key stakeholders.

The consultant will use templates of technical pre-feasibility study and concept note for GCF project preparation. During the inception phase of the consultancy assignment, the consultants will submit to project partners proposed templates for improvement if relevant and approval.

The international consultant is expected to make two missions to Niger. In the event travel to Niger is not possible, the consultant will engage remotely with key government stakeholders, FAO UNICEF and GWP, and other key partners who are involved in the development of the pre-feasibility study and the Concept Note. During the missions, the consultant will engage with the government stakeholders and other partners and ensure that their concerns are addressed, and inputs incorporated in final reports. Moreover, the consultants will use these missions to ensure that all relevant information with regards to national policies, strategies and frameworks as well as information on existing and related projects and programmes are captured.

How can you make a difference?

Under the direct supervision of UNICEF WASH Section Chief, the consultant will work in close collaboration and coordination with other experts engaged in the formulation of the concept note, from project partners including FAO, UNICEF, GWP, the Ministry of Hydraulic and Sanitation, the Ministry of Environment and other key stakeholders.

Scope of Work:

1. Support the review of climate change diagnostic analysis

2. Pre-feasibility study

•   Review the NDC and NAP to identify priority areas and how WASH is represented in these key national climate documents

•   Prepare a diagnostic report summarizing climate change trends and collect evidence of impacts to date and projected impacts on WASH infrastructures and water resources

•   Liaise with relevant experts in the Government, NGOs, CSOs, Private Sector, Development Partners to obtain critical inputs and advice

•   Review and synthesize information from relevant documents that can feed into the preparation of the pre-feasibility assessments.

•   Organize and lead a series of stakeholder consultations and collate information to support the pre-feasibility study development.

•   Conduct research and technical analysis in coordination with national authorities and stakeholders to flesh out project components and all technical sections to ensure a strong Climate Rationale and adherence to GCF’s six Investment criteria, which are impact potential; paradigm shift potential; sustainable development; country needs; responsive to recipient needs; promote country ownership and efficiency and effectiveness

•   Conduct appropriate site background information gathering (including but not limited to vulnerability and exposure to climate events, potential economic opportunities, private sector capacity, as well as gaps and needs for climate resiliency of the communities)

•   Ensure that the technical pre-feasibility study is evidence-based and has all necessary references to proof of concept that the proposed project demonstrates its feasibility

•   Collect the information required for the pre-feasibility study ensuring that all sections are complete

•   Identify the barriers and challenges (Knowledge and research related barriers; Policy and Institutional, Technical & Financial barriers)– if any, that could determine/impact the project sustainability

•   Prepare the project theory of change with well-defined indicators, targets, inputs and outputs, making sure that indicators fully respond to the GCF indicator framework

•   Identify and analyze any governance and capacity issues that will be critical for the feasibility of the project during implementation as well as sustainability of results beyond duration of the project

•   Prepare the pre-feasibility study document with all the technical details necessary to meet the requirements of the GCF

3. Preparation of the project concept note

•   Coordinate with the government, UNICEF, FAO, GWP, all consultants and stakeholders engaged in concept note formulation process to capture their inputs in the project document

•   Prepare concept note based on the technical pre-feasibility of the project proposal and outline financial structure of the project (with inputs from FAO, GWP and UNICEF) and all main cost categories at the input level corresponding to all outcomes and outputs

•   Provide recommendations for the preparation of the project institutional framework, exit strategy and sustainability plan

•   Address comments during the GCF review process until final approval.

Contract Duration:

The consultancy contract is for 90 working days within the period not exceeding 5 months from 1st July 2024 to 30th November 2024.

Reporting requirements and taking instructions:

The consultant will report to the Chief, WASH Section, or his designate who will monitor and issue instructions on expected deliverables and timelines. The consultant will prepare a work plan covering the duration of the assignment and subsequently submit deliverables against the approved work plan.

Location:

The consultant will work remotely from his/her work from home and the consultant will undertake travel to Niger in line with the travel plan to be agreed mutually.

Note:

As part of their application package on the UNICEF online portal, interested candidates should submit:

• A technical offer including understanding and comment of the ToRs, methodological approach, proposed activities, work plan, etc.
• A financial offer in US Dollar including total fees, DSA (daily subsistence allowance), logistic, travels and any other relevant costs
• A cover letter (letter of motivation)
• An up-to-date CV
• A copy of the highest obtained academic diploma

Evaluation Criteria:

(This will be used for the Selection Report (for clarification see Guidance)

A) Technical Evaluation (80 Points) B) Financial Proposal (20 Points).

Candidates who have not submitted both technical and financial offers separately as described below will not be considered during the selection process

Work Assignments Overview, Deliverables and Delivery deadline:

Work Assignments Overview	Deliverables/Outputs	Delivery deadline
Preparation of the inception report and initial consultation	Inception report	15-Jul-24
Support diagnostic analysis of climate change and its impacts on WASH infrastructures and water resources	Diagnostic report	15-Aug-24
Preparation of project concept note, and Pre-feasibility study	Pre-feasibility report and Project concept note	30-Nov-24

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• master’s degree in water resources, engineering, economic sciences, climate related sciences or relevant fields is a requirement
• A minimum 10 years of experience supporting WASH and climate solutions in the context of developing countries, out of which at least five years of experience in the development of GCF, GEF and Adaptation funds projects and, technical pre-feasibility studies for GCF are preferred
• Demonstrated experience developing approved concept note, pre-feasibility or feasibility studies for development projects, preferably with a focus on climate change adaptation and climate resilient WASH services
• knowledge of and experience in supporting the development and design of GCF, GEF and Adaptation funds projects is preferrable
• Experience in working with international organizations including developing countries is a strong asset
• Fluency in spoken and written French and English is a requirement.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit  here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks: 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.