Terms of Reference for Consultants and Contractors s2

UNICEF Pacific TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR CONSULTANT

Requesting Section: Health and Sanitation (SIFO) Date/updated date: 2 April 2014

Programme Area and Specific Project involved: IWASH Solomon Islands SC 110589

******************************************************************************************************************************* 1. Purpose of Assignment

Purpose Review of EU funded Improving Water Sanitation and Hygiene in Solomon Islands Project Title IWASH Level International Consultancy Senior-Level Professional Location Honiara, Solomon Islands, with travel to one Province (tbd) Duration 20 days Start Date May 2014 Closing date for proposal April 2014 Reporting to WASH Specialist, UNICEF Solomon Islands Office

UNICEF is seeking an independent consultant to conduct a mid-term review (MTR) of the European Union Water Facility-funded Improving Water Sanitation and Hygiene in Solomon Islands Project. Per the project description, the Mid-Term Review (MTR) shall be conducted to assess the progress of the action towards achieving its indicators for success, identify areas that are not making expected progress and to make recommendations for action to improve elements of implementation. The duration of the consultancy is 20 days and requires travel to the Solomon Islands to meet with UNICEF and partners.

2. BACKGROUND

In October 2011 UNICEF and EU signed a contribution agreement “Building Human Development: Improving WASH in the Solomon Islands” with a maximum budget totaling EUR 1,927,565. This contribution is matched by 25% of the undertaking by UNICEF; the whole budget therefore amounts to EUR 2,570,087. The Project period started in October 2011 and will continue until October 2015. The project is aligned with UNDAF and Solomon Islands Government National Development Strategy.

Solomon Island is unlikely to meet its 2015 MDG targets for either improved water supply or sanitation coverage. The project aims at addressing urgent problems such as: (i) poor rural water supply and sanitation coverage (37% and 18% respectively as per the project document); (ii) high risk of water-borne diseases; (iii) lack of maintenance of installed systems; and (iv) lack of resources and poor coordination within the institutional framework.

The project targets 50 rural communities, schools and health centres in five provinces of Solomon Islands (Isabel, Choiseul, Rennell, Makira and Temotu), in order to provide improved water and sanitation facilities and promote better hygiene behaviors for 15,000 persons and for 3,000 school children. UNICEF is the implementation agency whiles Live and Learn Environmental Education (LLEE), a regional NGO, together with World Vision Solomon Islands (WVSI), an INGO, are the primary implementing partners. The Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS) Unit within the Environmental Health Division (EHD) of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and its network of RWSS Services in the five targeted provinces are the government partners.

The Overall Objective of the project is to accelerate the delivery of sustainable health economic and human development outcomes building MDG achievements in rural communities in the Solomon Islands. The Project Purpose is to ensure sustainable access to WASH and reduce diarrhoea related diseases in the provinces of Isabel, Makira, Temotu, Choiseul and Renbel by the end of the action. There are three Expected Results:

i. rural communities including school children use improved water supply facilities, ii. rural communities including school children use improved sanitation facilities and practice improved hygiene behaviours, and iii. Sector planners and managers support rural community WASH in line with national RWSS policy and legislation. 3. Scope of Work/ Work assignments

The MTR is an independent assessment of the performance of the project to date, based on the project proposal, log frame, activities and budget, in the current policy and economic environment as this may affect the WASH Programming. MTR will focus on five evaluation criteria: relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability and impact. Each is associated with a number of key evaluation questions that are to be addressed and explored. The MTR will identify key lessons and propose practical recommendations for follow up actions. Key focus areas which has to be addressed through this review are:

 Changes in context and review of assumptions: Is the program design adequate to address the various challenges and needs in the selected target communities? Is the program’s theory of change explicit, appropriate and well understood by all who are involved in implementing the project? What internal and external factors have influenced the ability of beneficiary groups, Government, and other stakeholders to meet projected targets or otherwise? Does the program remain relevant considering changes in context? Is there a need to reformulate program design and budget for action given changes in the country operational situation? Is it viable to conduct the proposed action in all 50 communities with same cost? How about the methodology? Log frame? Action sustainability measures? Is it possible for the implementing agency to deliver this project in the stipulated time, or there is a need of extension?

This will also include the review of indicators and data referred to, need of establishing a new baseline and to assess the likelihood of achieving them upon completion of the project in light of the existing challenges and opportunities; The evaluation should cover the adequacy and quality of the management, including project monitoring tools and mechanisms and delivery mechanisms of the program as well as the related stakeholders.

 Results in terms of outputs achieved vis-a –vis projected targets: Has the program reached the expected number and type of beneficiaries within the expected timeframe? Are the program’s activities in line with the schedule of activities as defined by the program team and annual work plans? Are the disbursements and program expenditures in line with the expected budgetary plans? The evaluation should examine the general operational relationships with Government, MHMS, EHD, RWSS, NGO’s, etc. and how these relationships have contributed to effective implementation and achievement of program objectives. Consultant will identify the challenges in the implementation and will come up with recommendations to overcome these in the next half of the Project implementation.

 Achievement of projected performance indicators and targets: What has the performance by IWASH project by objective with respect to their projected performance indicators? Does the current performance indicate probability in achieving the projected purpose (specific objectives and outcomes)? Have there been any unintended outcomes? What are the key lessons learned, and what challenges were encountered?

The consultant should provide key recommendations or considerations for improving program performance for the remaining period of program implementation, corrective actions for the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the program, needed follow up actions to reinforce initial benefits and proposal for future directions underlining each specific objective. Identify areas which the funding and implementing partners and program management should pay attention to for the remaining period of program implementation. Review the institutional/partnership arrangement for program implementation and recommend changes, if needed. Make recommendations on how to improve performance with respect to program management, planning, coordination, collaboration with government, civil society, monitoring and evaluation in the next phase of the project.

 In addition, the review should assess whether the project considered any of the cross-cutting issues below: To what extent has the program impacted on available local knowledge and understanding, and their capabilities on sustainability how this has been integrated in planning? To what extent has gender equality been taken into consideration? To what extent has civil society been engaged in the community mobilization? To what extent the project concurs with the available policies, standards and guidance?

4. Work Schedule:

Activity Place Responsibility Estimated Number of days (Working days) Desk review and preliminary preparations Honiara Consultant 1 Desk Review, Preparation of Evaluation design, Honiara Consultant 2 methodology and detailed work plan and Inception Report Activity Place Responsibility Estimated Number of days (Working days) Presentation of draft Inception Report and Honiara Consultant 1 finalization Partners consultation (EHD/ RWSS, WVSI, Honiara Consultant 2 LLEE) – stake holders analysis Field visits, interviews with partners, and key Provincial Consultant 5 stakeholders visit (TBC) Presentation of Key Findings and draft Honiara Consultant 1 recommendations Drafting and Submission of draft report Honiara Consultant 3 Presentation of draft report to UNICEF and Honiara Consultant 1 Project partners Finalization of the report based on inputs Home Consultant 3 received based Submission of the Final Report to UNICEF Home Consultant 1 base

Total estimated inputs: 20 days

5. Deliverables/End Product(s):  Inception report with detailed work plan, methodology and tentative report outline within the first five days of the evaluation.  Presentation of the main findings and recommendations of the assessment before departure with UNICEF and partners  Final report detailing the above identifying the necessary adjustments in program design, objectives, strategies and implementation arrangements in the light of challenges throughout the implementation period. Recommendations and the way forward. A reporting format will be agreed during the inception meeting. A draft report will be submitted before the departure of the Consultant and the final report can be submitted after a week taking in to account any comments received. The report should report should comply to the maximum extent possible with the UNICEF-Adapted UNEG Evaluation Reports Standards1

6. Payment Schedule:

Payments by UNICEF are delivery-based, i.e. payments are triggered by satisfactory submission of specified deliverables and accompanying invoices. Any deliverable not meeting the required specifications will have to be reworked and resubmitted at no additional cost to UNICEF. Due to the short duration of the contract, the consultant shall be paid in one lump-sum following UNICEF’s approval and acceptance of the final report.

7. Type of Supervision that will be Provided:

The Consultant will report to the UNICEF WASH Specialist based in Solomon Islands, under the guidance Chief of UNICEF Solomon Islands Field Office. UNICEF Solomon Islands Field Office will provide overall operational, administrative and day to day support for this consultancy. UNICEF/ MHMS-RWSS / WVSI / LLEE will provide evaluation support to the consultant with relevant documentation, contacts and other relevant information.

8. Consultant’s work plan and Official Travel Involved: Consultant work plan is as stated in the work schedule. All Official travel of the consultant will be arranged and costs incurred by UNICEF in accordance with UNICEF rules and policy, including mobilization to the duty station and any domestic travel (flights).

9. Consultant’s Work Place: Consultant will be provided with the desk and the needed documents, literature, or related information deemed necessary for this consultancy when working from the Solomon Islands Field Office. Internet will be made available to the consultant while at the office during working hours. The consultant will have to use his/her own computer and associated IT equipment.

10. Qualifications or Specialized Knowledge/Experience Required:

Qualifications of consultant to be contracted:  Advanced university degree in Public health, Hydrology, Social Sciences, or related technical field.2 1 Available at http://www.unicef.org/evaldatabase/files/UNEG_UNICEF_Eval_Report_Standards.pdf 2 A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Work experience of consultant to be contracted:  Ten years of relevant work experience at the national and international levels in programme evaluation, management, and implementation in the field of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.  Experience in Pacific Island Countries and working with EU projects is considered an asset. Language:  Fluency in English. Knowledge of the Solomon Islands Pijin / Bislama / Tok Pisin is an asset. Competencies required for this consultancy:  Communicates effectively to varied audiences, including during formal public speaking.  Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.  Analyzes and integrates diverse and complex quantitative and qualitative data from a wide range of sources.  Demonstrates, applies and shares expert technical knowledge on WASH and Project Monitoring and Evaluation.

General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants / Individual Contractors

1. Legal Status

The individual engaged by UNICEF under this contract as a consultant or individual contractors (the “Contractor”) is engaged in a personal capacity and not as representatives of a Government or of any other entity external to the United Nations. The Contractor is neither a "staff member" under the Staff Regulations of the United Nations and UNICEF policies and procedures nor an "official" for the purpose of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, 1946. The Contractor may, however, be afforded the status of "Experts on Mission" in the sense of Section 22 of Article VI of the Convention and the Contractor is required by UNICEF to travel in order to fulfill the requirements of this contract, the Contractor may be issued a United Nations Certificate in accordance with Section 26 of Article VII of the Convention.

2. Obligations

The Contractor shall complete the assignment set out in the Terms of Reference for this contract with due diligence, efficiency and economy, in accordance with generally accepted professional techniques and practices.

The Contractor must respect the impartiality and independence of UNICEF and the United Nations and in connection with this contract must neither seek nor accept instructions from anyone other than UNICEF. During the term of this contract the Contractor must refrain from any conduct that would adversely reflect on UNICEF or the United Nations and must not engage in any activity that is incompatible with the administrative instructions and policies and procedures of UNICEF. The Contractor must exercise the utmost discretion in all matters relating to this contract.

In particular, but without limiting the foregoing, the Contractor (a) will conduct him- or herself in a manner consistent with the Standards of Conduct in the International Civil Service; and (b) will comply with the administrative instructions and policies and procedures of UNICE relating to fraud and corruption; information disclosure; use of electronic communication assets; harassment, sexual harassment and abuse of authority; and the requirements set forth in the Secretary General's Bulletin on Special Measures for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse.

Unless otherwise authorized by the appropriate official in the office concerned, the Contractor must not communicate at any time to the media or to any institution, person, Government or other entity external to UNICEF any information that has not been made public and which has become known to the Contractor by reason of his or her association with UNICEF or the United Nations. The Contractor may not use such information without the written authorization of UNICEF, and shall under no circumstances use such information for his or her private advantage or that of others. These obligations do not lapse upon termination of this contact.

3. Title rights UNICEF shall be entitled to all property rights, including but not limited to patents, copyrights and trademarks, with regard to material created by the Contractor which bears a direct relation to, or is made in order to perform, this contract. At the request of UNICEF, the Contractor shall assist in securing such property rights and transferring them to UNICEF in compliance with the requirements of the law governing such rights.

4. Travel

If UNICEF determines that the Contractor needs to travel in order to perform this contract, that travel shall be specified in the contract and the Contractor’s travel costs shall be set out in the contract, on the following basis:

(a) UNICEF will pay for travel in economy class via the most direct and economical route; provided however that in exceptional circumstances, such as for medical reasons, travel in business class may be approved by UNICEF on a case-by-case basis.

(b) UNICEF will reimburse the Contractor for out-of-pocket expenses associated with such travel by paying an amount equivalent to the daily subsistence allowance that would be paid to staff members undertaking similar travel for official purposes.

5. Statement of good health

Before commencing work, the Contractor must deliver to UNICEF a certified self-statement of good health and to take full responsibility for the accuracy of that statement. In addition, the Contractor must include in this statement of good health (a) confirmation that he or she has been informed regarding inoculations required for him or her to receive, at his or her own cost and from his or her own medical practitioner or other party, for travel to the country or countries to which travel is authorized; and (b) a statement he or she is covered by medical/health insurance and that, if required to travel beyond commuting distance from his or her usual place or residence to UNICEF (other than to duty station(s) with hardship ratings “H” and “A”, a list of which has been provided to the Contractor) the Contractor’s medical/health insurance covers medical evacuations. The Contractor will be responsible for assuming all costs that may be occurred in relation to the statement of good health.

6. Insurance

The Contractor is fully responsible for arranging, at his or her own expense, such life, health and other forms of insurance covering the term of this contract as he or she considers appropriate taking into account, among other things, the requirements of paragraph 5 above. The Contractor is not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to UNICEF and United Nations staff members. The responsibility of UNICEF and the United Nations is limited solely to the payment of compensation under the conditions described in paragraph 7 below.

7. Service incurred death, injury or illness

If the Contractor is travelling with UNICEF’s prior approval and at UNICEF's expense in order to perform his or her obligations under this contract, or is performing his or her obligations under this contract in a UNICEF or United Nations office with UNICEF’s approval, the Contractor (or his or her dependents as appropriate), shall be entitled to compensation from UNICEF in the event of death, injury or illness attributable to the fact that the Contractor was travelling with UNICEF’s prior approval and at UNICEF's expense in order to perform his or her obligations under this contractor, or was performing his or her obligations under this contract in a UNICEF or United Nations office with UNICEF’s approval. Such compensation will be paid through a third party insurance provider retained by UNICEF and shall be capped at the amounts set out in the Administrative Instruction on Individual Consultants and Contractors. Under no circumstances will UNICEF be liable for any other or greater payments to the Contractor (or his or her dependents as appropriate).

8. Arbitration

(a) Any dispute arising out of or, in connection with, this contract shall be resolved through amicable negotiation between the parties.

(b) If the parties are not able to reach agreement after attempting amicable negotiation for a period of thirty (30) days after one party has notified the other of such a dispute, either party may submit the matter to arbitration in accordance with the UNCITRAL procedures within fifteen (15) days thereafter. If neither party submits the matter for arbitration within the specified time the dispute will be deemed resolved to the full satisfaction of both parties. Such arbitration shall take place in New York before a single arbitrator agreed to by both parties; provided however that should the parties be unable to agree on a single arbitrator within thirty days of the request for arbitration, the arbitrator shall be designated by the United Nations Legal Counsel. The decision rendered in the arbitration shall constitute final adjudication of the dispute.

9. Penalties for Underperformance

Payment of fees to the Contractor under this contractor, including each installment or periodic payment (if any), is subject to the Contractor’s full and complete performance of his or her obligations under this contract with regard to such payment to UNICEF’s satisfaction, and UNICEF’s certification to that effect.

10. Termination of Contract

This contract may be terminated by either party before its specified termination date by giving notice in writing to the other party. The period of notice shall be five (5) business days (in the UNICEF office engaging the Contractor) in the case of contracts for a total period of less than two (2) months and ten (10) business days (in the UNICEF office engaging the Contractor) in the case of contracts for a longer period; provided however that in the event of termination on the grounds of impropriety or other misconduct by the Contractor (including but not limited to breach by the Contractor of relevant UNICEF policies, procedures, and administrative instructions), UNICEF shall be entitled to terminate the contract without notice. If this contract is terminated in accordance with this paragraph 10, the Contractor shall be paid on a pro rata basis determined by UNICEF for the actual amount of work performed to UNICEF’s satisfaction at the time of termination. UNICEF will also pay any outstanding reimbursement claims related to travel by the Contractor. Any additional costs incurred by UNICEF resulting from the termination of the contract by either party may be withheld from any amount otherwise due to the Contractor under this paragraph 10.

11. Taxation

UNICEF and the United Nations accept no liability for any taxes, duty or other contribution payable by the consultant and individual contractor on payments made under this contract. Neither UNICEF nor the United Nations will issue a statement of earnings to the consultant and individual contractor.

Prepared by Section Chief: Approved by Deputy Representative ** Name/Title: Name: Date: Date

** All Programme TORs to be approved by Deputy Representative and Operations TOR to be approved by Operations Manager. ETHICS FOR SAFEGARDING THE INTERESTS/RIGHTS OF CHILDREN AND WOMEN IN RESEARCH

NON-DISCRIMINATION When consultants conduct interview/focused group research/survey that involves third party, consultants shall ensure that selection of participants and the processes and methods used serve to correct, not reinforce, patterns of exclusion. This requires attention to socio-economic barriers including gender and age discrimination as well as the different ways and capacities in which children and women express themselves.

PARTICIPATION Consultants shall ensure that the purposes and processes of the research are fully explained, using alternative forms of communication where necessary and making reference to any implications for participants of time, cost and the possible influence of the outcomes. The way information is conveyed must be appropriate to the context and to the child capabilities when child is involved.

INFORMED CONSENT Consultant shall ensure that the participants know their right to refuse or to withdraw from the research at any time and obtaining verbal or written consent without coercion. Parental consent is not an adequate standard in light of the rights of the child and consent should be ongoing negotiation process with child.

IDENTIFICATION OF RISKS Consultant should be mindful of the risks involving children and women in the research. Consultant should withhold information where that information may place them at risk and take necessary measures to protect them from placing themselves at risk.

CONFIDENTIALITY Consultants shall offer conditional anonymity and confidentiality to all participants and explain to participants the limitation of confidentiality and possible intervention based on what is in their best interests. Consultant is fully responsible for identifying the follow-up action and referrals to be made in case confidentiality is broken.

MISUSE OF INFORMATION Consultants are fully responsible for considering the short and long term consequences of the research from the different perspectives of participants, policy-makers, researchers and UNICEF.