Terms of Reference TITLE LOCATION MISSION LOCATION

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1 Terms of Reference TITLE LOCATION MISSION LOCATION Job Title: WASH Officer Location: Greater Maban, North Upper Nile State, South Sudan Family location type: Non Family duty station DURATION Six Months OPERATIONAL CONTEXT The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Background and Operational context The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is mandated to lead and coordinate international action to protect and assist refugees and other persons of concern. It is constantly seeking talented, compassionate candidates with high-integrity to strengthen its capacity to respond urgently to crises with the right skills. Given the nature of UNHCR's work, it is essential that its workforce has the right mix of skills and qualities to fulfil its mandate. Upper Nile State(Greater Maban Counties) is home to approximately 143,000 refugees (Source: UNHCR), most of whom came as a result of the ongoing fighting that erupted in the Blue Nile State of Sudan in The number of refugees in Upper Nile State represents 57% of the overall population of refugees residing in South Sudan (as per end of September 2017, Source UNHCR). Humanitarian interventions have led to significant improvements of living conditions however most refugees still rely on humanitarian agencies for the provision of life-saving and basic services including water, sanitation and hygiene. UNHCR is strategically capitalizing on gains from previous years by continuing investing in sustainable, costefficient and participatory approaches in order to foster sustainable self-coping strategies that will translate to greater self-reliance and resilience amongst the refugee populations. On overall the refugee population in South Sudan stood at 275,187 individuals consisting of 65,376 households spread in 21 different locations across South Sudan. During the month of July, South Sudan received 275 new arrivals (mainly from South Kordofan in Sudan) and registered 1,186 new born babies. 52% of the refugees are female with women and children representing 82% of the total population. Sudanese refugee population remains the largest at 254,150 individuals (92%) followed by DRC Congo 14,794 individuals (5%), Ethiopia 4,351 individuals (2%) and Central African Republic 1,857 (1%). Majority United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

2 (90%) of the refuges are hosted in Upper Nile and Unity States in South Sudan. It is worth noting that South Sudan also hosted 2,400 asylum seekers and over 1.95 million IDPs at the end of July The emergency response web portal for South Sudan Situation has been updated with the latest statistics and the attached document and can be accessed on the link The numbers of refugees are expected to keep on increasing due to the ongoing conflict in Sudan; this increase is expected to be more noticeable in Unity. UNHCR s health, nutrition, WASH, and HIV/AIDS programmes in the Republic of South Sudan (RSS) are implemented through implementing partners (IPs) and operational partners (OPs). MSF-B (Health and Nutrition) and Medair (Health, nutrition, WASH) are OPs in Upper Nile while MSF-F (Health and nutrition) is an OP in Ruweng State. IPs include IMC (Health, nutrition), Samaritan Purse (health and nutrition), and Acted (WASH) in Upper Nile State; IRC (Health, nutrition), Samaritan Purse (WASH), Africa Humanitarian Action (Health and Nutrition), and CARE (health and nutrition) in Ruweng State; ACROSS in Central Equatoria (two camps: Gorom and Lasu); and World Vision International in Western Equatoria (one camp-makpandu). Health partners do also implement HIV/AIDS programs. As at July 2017, the UNHCR Public Health/Nutrition/WASH Team consists of a Senior Public Health Officer, Senior Public Health Associate (Health Information System), and Nutrition/Food Security Officer based in Juba; Associate Public Health Officer, WASH Officer, WASH Assistant, and a Field associate ( WASH) based in Jamjang; and a Public Health Officer, Senior PH Associate, a WASH Officer, WASH Associate, a Nutrition / Food Security Officer, and a Senior Nutrition Associate and based in Bunj, Maban. Though the health status among refugees is currently stable, the risk of epidemics still exists. Health seeking behaviors is yet to be optimal; hygiene practices and water/sanitation coverages need to be kept within UNHCR standards. There are huge risks of water borne diseases including cholera, acute jaundice syndrome, and bloody diarrhea. Malnutrition rates have been high towards the end of 2015 and early 2016 in all camps in Ruweng State and in Upper Nile State due to ration cuts, bad feeding practices, logistic difficulty, malaria, and other contributing factors. Mental health and psychosocial support, and reproductive health and HIV/AIDS services need to be scaled up and strengthened. County referral facilities need continuous technical and material support. The main sectors for implementation in in Public Health in the refugee settings in South Sudan comprise of Health including mental health and psychosocial support; Nutrition and Food Security; Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS; Water, Sanitation and Hygiene promotion (WASH); Health Information System (HIS) 1 ; provision of essential medicines and medical supplies; support to host communities; infrastructure improvements; and coordination, monitoring, and technical support. There are HIV/AIDS/TB and New Born care projects being implemented from funded by IGAD/GFATM and by Melinda and Gates foundation respectively. While implementing these sectors, the focus will be on scaling up community involvement; coordination and harmonization of partnerships; standardization of services in the camps; standardization and harmonization 1 The Health Information System is a cross cutting component. It provides the collation and management of health information including analysis and reporting. The HIS is not further discussed here; however it remains central in reflecting the quality and impact of public health services. 2

3 of health packages to align with the Ministry of Health policy; capacity building; improving on standards and quality of public health services; streamline and strengthening of community health; and improved monitoring, quality control, and supportive supervision. Generally, counties hosting refugees are difficult to access during rainy season creating huge logistical requirements. Capacity to provide quality health services is also compromised partly due to shortage of qualified health workers in the remote areas compounded by high turnover, inadequate supplies of essential medicines and medical supplies, and capacity for secondary care. The WASH Officer will support the UNHCR Country Operation, in coordination with the Government, to assess needs and coordinate the provision of WASH services to persons of concern to UNHCR. This will include WASH contingency and preparedness planning, assessment and development of long term WASH Strategy and operational plans. Implementation approach will ensure that an adequate level of WASH service is provided at each site in accordance with the UNHCR WASH Manual and Technical Guidelines, and applicable UNHCR Standards and/or National Standards. AIM OF THE MISSION Functional Statement Programme/Project Management Ensure the availability of accurate, complete and up-to-date sex desegregation information required for effective WASH programme and project design, implementation, management, monitoring and evaluation. Draft sound WASH programme budgets, including concrete steps to enhance emergency preparedness and response. MISSION OBJECTIVES Programme Efficiency and Effectiveness Enhance programme efficiency and effectiveness through evidence base approach and implementation follow-on, including monitoring UNHCR inputs, implementing partners, local conditions and resources, flow of supply and non-supply and emergency assistance and WASH programme status. Conduct field visits to monitor programmes, as well as conduct periodic programme reviews as scheduled. Ensure gender mainstreaming in WASH programming. Work Plan and Programme Documentation Analyse collected data and information and prepare progress reports; draft changes in WASH project work plans and assist in identification of required supplies and equipment. Programme Implementation Information and Data Ensure that WASH programme expenditures are within allotments and that data is consistent with the programme information and database. Follow up on queries or initiate corrective action on discrepancies. 3

4 Collaborate with partners on maintaining a gender & equity focus in WASH data collection and reporting. Ensure all WASH activities are fully in line with UNHCR Global and Country Strategy and SPHERE standards and other standards and guidelines as appropriate. Knowledge Sharing Compile WASH programme implementation, preparedness, training, and orientation materials to promote knowledge sharing with counterparts, WASH sectoral stakeholders, donors and media, to ensure programme sustainability. Communication and Networking Ensure the effective communication and networking developed and maintained through partnership and collaboration. Team with local Government, NGOs, other UN agencies and sectoral stakeholders counterparts to exchange information on WASH programme implementation, status, capacity and risk mapping, preparedness as well as movement, prepositioning and distribution of supplies. RESPONSIBILITIES Under the supervision of the Head of the Sub Office, the WASH Officer will: Responsibilities Lead the WASH team, coordinate the implementation of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) interventions based on priority needs to ensure WASH services in refugee camps are implemented as per UNHCR policies. Coordinate and provide technical support and guidance to UNHCR and partners in Maban, working in the refugee operation and host community. Review and update the WASH Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan to ensure continuity of services and timely response in case of any emergency. Guide the UNHCR Sub Office in preparation of strategic documents and tools including Roadmap, WASH strategy, Continuity plan and related Monitoring tools. Ensure effective mechanisms are in place to promote and monitor the performance of UNHCR partners on WASH activities in the refugee camp / host community and that there is a coordinated delivery of WASH services to beneficiaries that meet UNHCR standards of assistance. Review performance, monitor development and evaluate approaches adopted by partners in WASH and related sectors (i.e. natural resources management, environment assessment, technical capacity of implementing partners) and formulate appropriate designs and corrective measures as deemed necessary. Ensure regular, up-to-date assessments of beneficiary needs related to WASH services are undertaken and formulate project submissions to respond to these needs in collaboration with appropriate authorities, implementing partners, the UNHCR program and technical sectors at all levels. Regularly review the quantity and quality of water and sanitation services delivered in the camp and surrounding host community and maintain records of water and sanitation performance indicators for all locations. In direct collaboration and coordination with designated site planner, shelter officer, Livelihood/Environment Officer ensure design and identification of sites for the installation of WASH services in camp and surrounding host community. 4

5 Identify gaps and overlaps in programming, address unmet needs, and orient existing activities to address WASH priority. Contribute to develop training plans and tools and provide inputs in training sessions to ensure that implementing partners, refugees and other persons of concern to UNHCR acquire the required knowledge and skills. Report regularly on WASH activity implementation by all WASH partners, while maintaining accurate records of all relevant WASH performance indicators. Prepare regular sectorial reports and submit material for preparation of periodic project monitoring reports as required by UNHCR Sub Office in Maban. PROFILE Experience Minimum Qualifications and Professional Experience Required: Education: Degree in Civil/Environmental/Water/Public Health Engineering or related field. Job experience: Minimum 5 years of relevant (international) experience with graduate degree (equivalent of a Master s), 6 years with undergraduate degree (equivalent of BS) Essential requirements: Languages: Proficiency in English is required, working knowledge of another UN language (preferably Arabic) is an asset. The incumbent will need to have proven leadership skill to manage a team within a context where every staff member will require support in some way or rather, including counselling and a caring touch. The incumbent should be able to demonstrate a high level of patience, quality negotiation skills and a level of maturity to deal with changeable operational and security situations. The incumbent will need to show strength of mind, proven adaptability, maintain a consultative approach and be decisive when required. Personal Characteristics: Working & Living Conditions: Some important aspects of working & living conditions are: Bunj is the administrative capital of Maban County where all the refugee camps within the AoR are situated and is classified as an E non-family duty station with basic infrastructure and limited leisure facilities. Bunj is also an isolated location with limited access options, currently can only be reached by air with related complexities of cancelations and limited capacity. All staff reside at UNHCR provided accommodation. There is a UN imposed curfew for UN personnel restricting movements between 18:00 and 06:00; nevertheless, security situation is very unpredictable, and changes in curfew times and issuance of alerts by UNDSS occur often. The availability of and varied food supplies is inconsistent to non-existent especially for those with specific nutritional needs. 5

6 There are limited medical facilities. Therefore, staff assigned must be in good health, strong mental state and with strong coping capacities. The incumbent should also be well versed with security procedures and have relevant capacity to be able to manage and respond to fluid security changes. Candidates with conditions that would require regular treatment or medical supervision should be appropriately advised. Security Considerations: Security issues which should be considered are: Bunj is classified as security Level IV, with a UN imposed curfew from hours to hours. SSAFE Training: It is advisable but no longer obligatory, however anyone who has never been through the training is advised to do so in order to inculcate themselves and to be in tune with any security response needs. Wearing of PPE may be mandatory in some field locations. 6