Jobs - 62157- Consultancy for Mapping Interventions for the Baka

Consultancy for Mapping Interventions for the Bakassi Returnees

Location :

Abuja, NIGERIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

28-Dec-2015

Application Deadline :

18-Dec-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Month

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

One Month with the possibility of Extension

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Following the International Court of Justice ruling on the international boundary dispute between Cameroon and Nigeria, the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission (CNMC) recognized the need for confidence building measures between and among the populations affected by the demarcation, in order to secure peace and cooperation between the two States.

The Nigeria United Nations Country Team (UNCT) and United Nations Civilian Observers (UNCO) participated in a Joint Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) with agencies of the Nigeria government in December 2011. The purpose of the joint assessment was to obtain information from the Bakassi returnees on their needs, resulting from the conflict, the demarcation exercise and the poor environmental conditions and economic status of the host communities.

Bakassi returnees are found mainly in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers States. An important number of returnees have been living in camps in Akwa Ibom since 2003. The estimated number of returnees is 170,000. The team visited affected communities in seven locations from three States: Adamawa, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States and engaged the returnees, traditional leaders of the host communities and LGA officials. In addition, the Governors of these states were debriefed on the outcome of the exercise.

The areas have various challenges in terms of socio-economic indicators, such as poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, poor health conditions, lack of public services such as improved drinking water and sanitation, energy, health and education facilities, agriculture, fisheries, livestock services. In addition, issues of human security and social protection, including gender based discrimination and violence, rule of law and justice, feature prominently as key priorities.

Many of the host communities have borne the burden of the returnees. Some returnees still live in camps, without significant assistance.

Therefore, after the NAM, the Federal Government set up a sub-committee to develop the Returnee Community Focused Reintegration (RCFR) programme for future interventions from the Federal Government as well as from partners.

The programme document is organised according to the four main components enhanced by the NAM report:

Llivelihoods, resettlement and reintegration;
Access to basic services;
Security and protection of human rights;
Infrastructure.

For each component, priority projects have been determined in the diverse locations assessed, directed at the returnees in the various camps and in their respective host communities.

Recommendations from the NAM report include assistance by the UN through advocacy to address the problems of ensuring livelihoods, resettlement and reintegration, the shortage of basic services, the lack of human security and infrastructure, in line with the MDGs. UNCT is to encourage the FGN to ensure that the returnees are equipped with the requisite skills needed for employment. In addition, since the predominant occupation of the returnees is fishing and farming, there should be fish and farming implements and inputs as well as a fairly secured source of market. Community outreach programmes should help tackle health and education issues and promote greater self-reliance as well as reduce tensions and burden on the host communities. In addition, UNCT is to encourage the FGN to build requisite infrastructure (roads, bridges, schools, health centers) that would promote integration of the returnees. Advocacy should also be made for the FGN to strengthen protection of the border and civilians through increased presence of law enforcement agents at the border, setting up community based police posts, establishing border markers especially on the waters, joint patrols if necessary, and emphasizing to the Government of Cameroon observance of international rights, including respecting the right of Nigerian nationals living in the Bakassi peninsula to continue their agricultural and fishing activities.

Further to this, the UNCT is committed to developing an integrated and costed intervention plan putting together and linking activities in UNDAF to FGN and State Government reintegration plans and activities.

UNICEF will participate in this integrated intervention by the UNCT, through the provision of safe drinking water and improved sanitation for the communities under the component for access to basic services based on the availability of funds.

The identified activities include rehabilitation and construction of water points in the communities, support to RUWASSA and LGAs to establish community Water and Sanitation Committees (WASHCOM), build communities’ capacity through training, orientation and sensitization to create ownership including O & M of WASH service delivery facilities, Community triggered using Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach to eradicate open defecation (OD), Community awareness activities for the promotion of House hold level water treatment and safe storage systems and Community awareness activities for hygiene promotion specifically the hand washing.

It is expected that communities will own and manage the water supply facilities and that the community members including women and children would practice proper sanitation and hygiene practices.

Purpose:

The purpose of the Terms of Reference is for the engagement of a state level Consultant based in Cross River state to cost the identified projects along with an action plan to ensure access to safe and sustainable drinking water and sanitation for communities (Bakassi Returnees) in Cross River, Awka Ibom and Adamawa States.

Scope:

The Consultant will work with the UNICEF WASH team to determine the scope of each intervention, guided by information on the proposed location, the target population and the tasks required for the achievement of results along with the resource requirements.

Existing Information:

There is existing information on the intervention areas in the Report on Inclusive and Sustainable development for peace and stability along the Nigeria/Cameroon border.

Duties and Responsibilities

Desk review of the WASH situation in camps of the Bakassi returnees in Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Adamawa States
develop the instruments for assessment;
rapid assessment to determine the number of affected communities, households per communities and the population;
work closely with the government partners in determining the water and sanitation needs and estimate the cost for rehabilitation/construction of water facilities and institutional sanitation facilities, where required;
prepare a detailed bill of costed quantities for new feasible water and sanitation (institutional) facilities;
develop the action plan along with the strategies needed to implement the identified activities. The template for the action plan will be finalized in consultation with the WASH specialist and should at the minimum include the list of activities, time line, estimated budget, implementing partner, monitoring indicators;
develop work plans with UNICEF WASH Specialist) and submit monthly reports to him/her summarising activities and achievements against the agreed work plan using the approved formats for progress updates.

Output/Product:

Finalized Assessment Instrument;
Rapid Assessment report with clear identification of needs;
Costed Projects and action plan as per outcome 2 in matrix.

Competencies

Excellent communication skills in English;
Proficency in coordinating complex technical consultation processes and in preparing technical specifications and bills of quantities for water and sanitation facilities;
Strong organizational awareness, client orientation and advisory skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

University Degree in Social Science or Civil/Environmental Engineering, water and sanitation, Public Health, or any related field.

Experience:

At least 5 years of relevant experience in programme planning, implementation and monitoring preferably in water and sanitation sector;
Experience of humanitarian assessment processes in the area of WASH;
Experience in the area of WASH in humanitarian an advantage.

Language:

Excellent report writing and analytical skills in English.