SAFE DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION MANAGEMENT IN TAJIKISTAN (SWSMT) PHASE I
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Short-term Consultant Services for Policy Dialogue Component
1. PROJECT BACKGROUND
Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) with consortium partners Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH), Mountain Societies Development Support Programme (MSDSP), Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS) and Branch of the Republican Institute for Professional Development in Education in GBAO (BRIPDE) implementing a four-year Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation Management Project in Tajikistan (SWSMT). The focus of SWSMT is on improving access to quality water and sanitation services for rural communities by developing water and sanitation infrastructure, improving rural hygiene and sanitation practices, strengthening inclusive and decentralised government and community water and sanitation management systems, and influencing national policy to support the evidence-based and responsive rollout of the Water Sector Reform Programme in rural areas.
The following outcomes are expected to be achieved by the end of the project.
1) rural population in targeted areas uses (benefits from) safe drinking water and adopts healthy behaviour in hygiene practices;
2) community, state, and non-state actors manage sustainable water and sanitation systems; and
3) government adapts and implements water policies allowing for sustainable and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene.
Outcome one will be achieved by constructing 72 feasible and safe water supply systems for in-need and committed communities, building 16 improved community latrines and facilitating the construction of 200 quality household latrines to demonstrate best practice, and delivering grassroots and gender-sensitive awareness raising to all 72 communities to improve hygiene and sanitation practices.
Outcome two will be achieved by empowering 72 water management bodies and 16 public latrine management bodies and building their capacity to effectively and sustainably manage the constructed infrastructure, including employing innovative approaches and viable tariff systems, and by delivering disaster risk awareness information to communities.
Outcome three will be achieved by testing policies revolving around five key strategic themes and disseminating lessons learned and recommendations into critical policy platforms. The key policy themes are: 1) ownership, rights, and responsibilities; 2) management models, 3) technology; 4) tariffs 5) regulation and conflict management.
2. PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGMENT
The Consultant will carry out a diagnosis of the drinking water sector, and an assessment of the current policies on an effective enabling environment to water management through community consultations. The assessment should discover the opinion and attitude of the community members with regard to water supply and sanitation and deliberate how it is associated with existing legal norms and regulations. Particular focus should be on soliciting and analysing women’s feedback, to determine if and how women are affected.
The consultant should assess the policy-related themes in field by gathering and documenting feedback and experience, with a focus on remote mountain areas. The key policy themes that needs to be assessed are: 1) ownership of water supply systems, rights, and responsibilities; 2) water system management models, 3) technology; 4) tariffs 5) regulation and conflict management (more details could be provided separately). As a result of the assessment of aforementioned policy themes the consultant is expected to formulate recommendations for policy dialogue and/or amendments to the existing policies.
Moreover, the assessment should involve, to extent possible, key project stakeholders to assess the following indicators:
· Perception of stakeholders regarding their empowerment to take ownership of WASH service delivery: (i) Operation & Maintenance (O&M) service providers (e.g. Water Users Committees (WUC), Khojagii Manziliyu Kommunali (KMK)) for O&M, (ii) regulation and oversight bodies;
· Perception of communities (users) regarding the responsiveness of policies;
· Perception of policy actors regarding the quality of implementation of tested water policies.
Consultant is also expected to conduct a benchmarking analysis on water and sanitation services management from other similar projects in other regions of Tajikistan. Following a diagnosis of the water sector and assessment of existing norms and regulations to actual needs the findings should derive lessons learnt and practical recommendations for future interventions and replication.
3. METHODOLOGY
The assessment will comprise four key phases such as Desk Research, Fieldwork, Data Processing, and Production of Report. The project team will assist the consultant in achieving the assessment objectives.
The assessment methodology will consist of:
Development of detailed checklist or schedule for key tasks;
Desk research and review of similar study/assessment reports on drinking water sector and effectiveness of current drinking water management policies;
Development of detailed methodology and tools;
Development of draft reports based on the assessment objectives and requirements;
Development of a pre-final report for review and feedback of MSDSP/AKF;
Development of a Final Report incorporating feedback from MSDSP/AKF.
4. DELIVERABES AND SCHEDULE
The assessment deliverables include: (i) research methodology and plan, (ii) report outline, (iii) draft reports, and (iv) final report. A draft report shall be submitted within two weeks of completing the fieldwork and two weeks of data processing, allowing one week for feedback; with the final report to be submitted one week following the final feedback.
5. TIMEFRAME
The assessment will take place during January – February 2021.
6. PAYMENT AND LOGISTICS
AKF will pay based on deliverables as following:
· 30% from total contract amount will be paid upon submission by consultant the research methodology and plan and its acceptance by AKF;
· Remaining 70% from total contract amount will be paid upon submission by consultant the final report and its acceptance by AKF.
Contract reporting line: Adab Abdulkodirov - SWSMT Project Manager
7. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
AKF will retain all intellectual property rights for any and all materials produced, in any media format, for this consultancy assignment.
8. REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
· Degree in Policy Sciences, Development Studies or any other related fields;
· Prior experience/references in conducting policy analysis or assessments (sharing samples of relevant work is appreciated), preferably in Water and Sanitation sectors;
· Familiarity with the geographical locations and context of operation, and with project content;
· Excellent writing and communication skills;
· Ability to meet short deadlines and produce quality reports;
· Excellent command of English and Tajik.
AKF will take no liability for security risks (if any) related to the service.
How to apply:
1. SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS
Interested candidates can submit their applications to AKF Human Resource Department at hr.recruitment@akdn.org. Deadline for submission of applications is 10 January 2021.
Applications should include: a) Tentative outline of the assessment methodology and timeline for completing the activities, b) budget estimate indicating lines and associated costs, c) a report outline d) sample of similar reports produced by consultant as the lead author, e) reference letters from previous clients of consultant or reference contacts.
While AKF gives equal chance to all applicants, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
For more information on the Aga Khan Foundation and Aga Khan Development Network visit: http://www.akdn.org.
AKF Tajikistan recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to equal opportunity, safeguarding of children from abuse and zero tolerance of sexual harassment.
DISCLAIMER
By sharing their cover letter and resume with AKF in response to this job application, applicants consent for AKF to keep this information on file for recruitment and human resources management purposes.