TERMS OF REFERENCE
WASH CLUSTER COORDINATION TO DEVELOP PROPOSAL FOR A
TRANSITIONAL MEDIUM-TERM WATER SCARCITY RESPONSE PLAN FOR UN-SERVED
AND UNDER-SERVED COMMUNITIES AT HIGH RISK
IN THE WEST BANK
Summary:
Title
Purpose
Expected Cost
Location
Duration
Start Date
Reporting to
Individual Consultant
WASH Cluster Coordination to Develop “Proposal for a
transitional medium-term water scarcity response plan for unserved and under-served communities at high risk in the West
Bank.
L4 level
Jerusalem
21 working days
Mid June 2013
WASH Chief
Background:
From 27 December 2008 till 19 January 2009, Gaza was hit hard by an Israeli military incursion,
named ‘Cast Lead’. In light of the Gaza crisis, the WASH cluster was initially activated in
Ramallah shortly after the end of the military operations in Gaza in early 2009, in accordance to
the global cluster approach. Later on the WASH cluster coordination was set up in East
Jerusalem with an International WASH Coordinator and an international Information Manager,
a structure, which still exists to to-date.
There have been two reviews of the WASH cluster, which documented the relevance and
effectiveness of the WASH Cluster coordination within the context of the humanitarian response
in oPt. In addition, several structures of a new WASH coordination has been proposed and this
is yet to be implemented in due consideration with the ongoing humanitarian situation and
structural reforms at the Palestinian Water Authority.
As part of the water scarcity intervention, the WASH cluster has been providing water at the
domestic level in the most vulnerable communities in West Bank. With the continued
humanitarian intervention required to address the water scarcity, WASH cluster initiated a short
and medium term strategy on water scarcity and was adopted by the “Water Scarcity
Taskforce”, chaired by the Ministry of Agriculture.
The proposed programme under the strategy addresses communities in the West Bank, which
are 'un-served', i.e. un-connected to water networks due to Israeli military restrictions on
infrastructure in Area C and to 'under-served' communities, those, which are connected but only
receive water after long periods of time due to lack of primary water resources and/or due to
lack of optimized geographical distribution.
These communities purchase water which is delivered to them by trucks. The water trucking
service is predominantly in the hand of the private sector that buys water at Filling Points and
sells it to customers to market prices between 10 and 45 NIS per m3, depending on location
and time of the year. Compared to the average cost of 5 NIS/m3 for served communities, the
poorest families in Area C and B pay the highest cost of water, two to nine times as much as the
normal water price.
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In the South, communities customarily collect rainwater during the rainy period from December
to March, thus easing the economic stress on their households. However, collected rainwater
lasts in the best case until June and in years of reduced rainfall it has to be bought as soon as
in April. In the Centre and the North, rainwater collection is rarely possible and water has to be
purchased throughout the year.
The high cost of water is eroding livelihoods. In area C where the population mainly consists of
herders, families sell their sheep and thus lose their assets in order to buy water. In the end,
families are forced to move away from their homes. Leaving land in Area C vacant carries the
high risk of permanent loss due to Israeli settler annexation practice.
Since 2005, the donor and humanitarian assistance community has in years of severe lack of
rainfall repeatedly responded with short term emergency projects, whereby I/NGOs contract
suppliers from the private sector for water trucking for a specific amount of time with little
inclusion of Palestinian Authorities.
In 2011, ECHO, OCHA, the Italian Cooperation and the Canadian Cooperation for the first time
agreed a subsidized form of water trucking for approximately 60'000 beneficiaries based on the
two-fold formula that (1) beneficiaries would pay a contribution of 10 NIS/m3 (2) the water
trucking would be implemented by the water authorities with NGOs acting as facilitators and
donors subsidizing the cost of water.
In a round table approach, a multi-stakeholder group designed a roll-out plan for the response.
The team was composed of the Palestinian Water Authority (PWA), the West Bank Water
Department (WBWD), the Joint Service Councils of Bethlehem, Dura and Yatta, Village
Councils of the respective geographical regions, the Wash Cluster Lead Coordination Cell and
the implementing I/NGOs CISP, DCA&YMCA, GVC&PHG, ACF&RCSD.
High risk communities in Tubas, Jericho, Ramallah, Bethlehem and Hebron governorates
benefitted from the response.
After successful implementation, DG ECHO issued a consultancy in order to analyze the 2011
response and to develop a strategic formulation proposing scenarios for a water scarcity
response for un-served and under-served communities.
Rationale:
The consultancy is part of UNICEF’s commitment as the lead agency for WASH Cluster
Coordination to define the structure of the WASH Cluster Vis a Vis the socio-political context of
the country. The WASH cluster has been activated in oPt for over four years, and the PWA is
progressing in the establishment of National Water Information System and creation of
“Coordination Cell” under is on-going reform programme. Opportunities exist in broadening the
scope of the coordination cell to address both the humanitarian and development coordination
mechanisms.
The consultancy report recommends a transitional mid-term water scarcity response as the
necessary link between short term emergency interventions and long-term Area C development
plans. The Water Scarcity Taskforce has validated the report. It was also agreed that UNICEF
will initiate to develop an operational methodology including the budget and mapping of the
partners and this will enable to seek for funds as short/ medium term water scarcity intervention
project.
Objectives:
The objectives of the consultancy are:
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To define linkages between the WASH cluster coordination and Coordination cell at
PWA as part of exit strategy of WASH Cluster coordination;
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To formulate and develop in a participatory, transparent and inclusive manner a
proposal for a 'Transitional medium-term water scarcity response plan for un-served
and under-served communities at high risk', which outlines the contents of the proposed
program and can be presented to the donor community for endorsement and funding.
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To achieve this objective by bringing all actors groups together (Public Sector, Private
Sector, Donor Community and I/NGOs, Beneficiary Representatives and Civil Society)
and develop an outline of the program in a consultative process through the use of
roundtable meetings.
Specific tasks:
UNICEF is seeking a service provider engaged in humanitarian capacity building, for developing
and delivering the module that responds to the learning needs.
Service Provider will carry out the following tasks;
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Review the report on “Water Scarcity Strategy” and develop the draft operational
modalities with mapping of key stakeholder responsibilities;
Prepare draft on funding requirements to implement the operational modalities
Coordinate with DB and Water Information System (WIS) at PWA for integration of the
water scarcity intervention in the WIS;
Coordinate with PWA to define linkages between the “Coordination Cell” and the WASH
Cluster;
Presentation of the report to UNICEF, WASH Cluster partners and PWA.
Methodology:
The following methodology will be adopted by the service provider:
1. Desk review of the available documents such as Water Scarcity Strategy Report, PWA
water strategy, PWA reform reports.
2. Discussions and consultations with the all the WASH stakeholders to review the strategy
paper and seek approaches on the possible transitional medium term Water Scarcity
Response Plan for un-served and under-served Communities at high Risk.
3. Mapping of key stakeholders responsibilities.
4. Preparation of the budget to implement the transitional medium term water scarcity
Response Plan.
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5. Discussions and consultations with the TPAT and concerned departments at PWA on
the on-going reforms and understanding role of Coordination Cell.
6. Preparation of a concept report on the linkages between the coordination cell and the
humanitarian interventions.
7. A debriefing conducted with UNICEF after completion of the assignment.
8. Reports will be submitted to UNICEF
9. Total number of consulting days expected against specific tasks: 21 person days
(including travel day to duty station)
Schedule of Works:
Activities
Travel to duty station
oPt based briefing, and literature review of water
scarcity strategy report, WASH cluster documents,
PWA sector strategy.
Discussion with the key WASH stakeholders and
preparation of medium term water scarcity
intervention operational modalities including the
budget and mapping of partners.
Discussion with TPAT at PWA and other
concerned departments to streamline database
and harmonize humanitarian interventions with
Coordination Cell created at PWA.
Produce reports on i) draft on water scarcity
operational modalities, ii) concept on linkages
between
humanitarian
interventions
and
Coordination Cell at PWA.
oPt based Debriefing
Timeframe
1 person day
1 person day
11 person days
4 Person days
3 person days
1 Person day
Expected deliverables:
The service provider will deliver the following to UNICEF:
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Draft report on transitional (operational modalities) medium-term water scarcity
responses plan for un-served and under-served communities at high risk;
Draft concept report on role of “PWA Coordination Cell” on humanitarian interventions
and WASH coordination.
Terms of Payment:
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The mode of payment will be as below:
1. Initial advance payment of 30% will be made upon contract award
2. Remaining payment of 70% will be paid upon submission of the daft report on water
scarcity and concept plan report on PWA Coordination Cell linkages with humanitarian
coordination.
Reporting:
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Draft report on Transitional medium-term Water Scarcity Intervention Plan including
stakeholder mapping and budget requirement for the implementation of the plan;
Concept report on the linkages between the Coordination Cell and humanitarian
interventions.
Expected background and Experience:
Proposed Resource person should have:
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have sound knowledge of the underlying political context in oPt
be acquainted with the water sector problematic
have the capacity for strategic thinking and strategy formulation
possess strong coordination and facilitation skills
be able to follow a thorough methodical approach in the presence of a multitude of
actors with varying objectives
Experience in developing and leading interactive presentations specific to country and
cultural contexts
Masters degree in Water and Sanitation, Civil Engineering, Public Health Engineering, or
Public Health is preferred;
Familiarity with WASH cluster system and Humanitarian Reforms is an asset;
Spoken and written fluency in English and additionally Arabic would be an asset;
Proven good analytical, communication and facilitation skills;
Prior work experience in the duty station(s) region would be advisable, though not
mandatory.
General Conditions (Procedures and Logistics)
The following general conditions will apply:
1. The recruitment process of the consultant will strictly follow UNICEF internal rules.
2. UNICEF will facilitate necessary access and permits required for the training
exercise and field review
3. The consultant will provide draft reports for review and amend as requested before
submitting the final report.
4. Under the consultancy agreements, a month is defined as 21 working days, and fees
are prorated accordingly.
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5. Consultants are not entitled to payment of overtime. All remuneration must be within
the contract agreement.
6. No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the
consultant.
7. For international consultants outside the duty station, signed contracts must be sent
by fax or email. Signed contract copy or written agreement must be received by the
office before Travel Authorisation is issued.
8. No consultant may travel without a signed travel authorisation prior to the
commencement of the journey to the duty station.
9. UNICEF will buy the tickets of the consultant. Unless authorised, UNICEF will buy
the tickets of the consultant. In exceptional cases, the consultant may be authorised
to buy their travel tickets and shall be reimbursed at the “most economical and direct
route” but this must be agreed to beforehand.
10. Consultants will not have supervisory responsibilities or authority on UNICEF budget.
11. Consultant will be required to sign the Health statement for consultants/Individual
contractor prior to taking up the assignment, and to document that they have
appropriate health insurance, including Medical Evacuation.
12. The Form 'Designation, change or revocation of beneficiary' must be completed by
the consultant upon arrival, at the HR Section.
UNICEF will provide office space with internet access. All other requirement including
transportation, visa, secretariat services, etc will not be covered by UNICEF.
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