International Consultant - Formative Evaluation of the Water Safety Planning (WSP), Ghana at UNICEF

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on WASH places special emphasis on the quality of drinking water. The indicator for Goal 6.1, on universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all, seeks to measure the Population using safely managed drinking water services. 

This is particularly important in Ghana. Recent data indicate that in Ghana as much as 48% (57% in rural areas) of the population are at risk of drinking contaminated water from source (including improved water sources). The risk is worse at the point of use, where 76% (88% in rural areas) of the population may drinking contaminated water at the point of use. (MICS 2017).

Purpose of Assignment

To conduct an evaluation of the implementation of the Water Safety Planning approach in the rural water sub-sector in Ghana within the context of the National Drinking Water Quality Management Framework.

Accountability: This evaluation will provide both the donor (vertical accountability) and the expected beneficiaries (horizontal accountability) some solid evidence on the extent to which the WSP pilot achieved its envisaged objectives.

Learning: This evaluation is expected not only to inform the programme implementation strategies in the years to come but it will also shed some light on potential corrective actions that may want to be explored further in the future.

Task Includes
 

• Phase 1 - Inception :Development of inception report (this will include the desk review, the design of the methodology and the development of the evaluation design and the data collection tools) + Inception Meetings
• Phase II Field Assessment : Enumerators training, pre-testing of tools and start of Data collection + Debriefing on preliminary findings before leaving the country
• Phase III Analysis, Mop-up & Reporting: Data analysis, report writing (draft and final), validation and dissemination
   
• The Expected Deliverables Will Include The Following
• Inception Report covering review of the situation based on literature and limited field studies, detailed description of the methodology, data collection tools, fieldwork guide (s) and detailed plan for the execution of the entire work. (Two Weeks after signing contract)
• Briefing Session with field data collection teams/ agencies (especially the water quality testing organisation) to clarify expectations, including testing work plan, methodology and quality assurance mechanisms (before field assessments).
• Draft Evaluation Report covering the conduct and results of assignment (Two Months after signing of contract).
• Validation process facilitated by consultant, as agreed with UNICEF.
• Final Evaluation Report with relevant appendices, incorporating the comments made by UNICEF staff and the Reference Group members (should also include a 15 slide (maximum) PowerPoint Presentation Summarising the Report) . (Four Months after signing of contract).
• An Infographic Briefing Notes summarizing the key findings and conclusions (Four Months after signing of contract).
• Raw data in electronic medium, data collection instruments in electronic medium, transcripts in electronic medium, completed data sets, etc. (Four Months after signing of contract).

The Consultant will need to make sure that the draft report and final report will be consistent with the international evaluation quality standards namely: the UNEG Checklist on Quality Evaluation Reports, the GEROS Quality Assessment Criteria, and the UNEG Guide on the Integration of Gender Equality and Human Rights in Evaluation. Should the draft or the final report not be compliant with the GEROS and UNEG quality standards, the report will not be accepted as satisfactory by UNICEF.

Note: Refer to the attached TOR for details of the assignment.

Qualification And Experience

• Advanced university degree in Water and Sanitation/ Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Public Health, Project management, Evaluation, Sociology or any WASH/ Programme/ Emergency Management related discipline.
• Advanced academic or professional qualification in Water Quality Management, and or evidence of specific knowledge/ qualification in Water Safety Planning would be a clear advantage.
• A minimum of 10 years post qualification experience in the WASH sector, working with government at the policy/ strategy level, in assessments, the development of policies, guidelines and frameworks and sector coordination mechanisms in different countries.
• A minimum of 6 years of conducting program and policy evaluations, especially in the WASH sector
• Demonstrated experience in implementation, assessment, monitoring and evaluation of WSPs or Water Safety Planning approach, would be a clear advantage.
• Have good knowledge and understanding of the WASH sub-sector in a developing country context, such as Ghana.
• Must be proficient in English (writing and verbal communication).
• Demonstrable analytical ability.
• Ability to work and relate well with people.