TERM
OF REFERENCE
Community Resilience and Capacity
Development (CRCD) Project, Micronesia
WASH Quality Assurance Technical
Assistance
I.
Back ground and objective of
projects
Increased vulnerability of small-island and coastal communities to
disaster hazards is partly due to proximity of people living close to exposed
coastal areas. The vast majority of
Micronesia’s population lives directly adjacent to or within a few kilometers
country’s coastlines, including in hamlets and urban areas. With over 600
islands, comprised of only 702 square kilometers, spread over 1,600,000 square
kilometers of ocean, with 17 native languages and limited resources, makes for
a unique and challenging context to live and work in. Degradation of the coastal environment, because
of population concentrations and human actions, continues to threaten the food
security, livelihoods, and the overall economic development and well-being of
coastal communities. A significant level of coastal off-shore or tidal area
mangroves and on-shore shelter belts have been cut for firewood or other
purposes, while in areas such as Chuuk and Kosrae States, disasters such as the
2015 Typhoons or continual sea abrasion have both made coastal areas more
vulnerable to tropical storms and increased the loss of traditional
livelihoods, other coastal assets and marine products. The challenge for
coastal zone management in Micronesia is how to develop coastal and marine
resources on an optimal and sustainable basis for the utmost benefit of the
Micronesian people, by proportionally achieving sustained economic growth,
social equity, maintenance of the carrying capacity of coastal ecosystems and
mitigation of natural hazards.
Disasters associated with major
storms, including floods and landslides, are likely to occur again, and limited
formal preparedness exists at the community and/or institutional levels for
highly exposed and populated areas.
Underlying causes and preconditions that make coastal populations
vulnerable to disasters need to be addressed in order to mitigate negative
impacts and create resilient and sustainable societies. In 2015 alone, Micronesia has experienced two
early-season typhoons (Maysak and Dolphin). Other weather-related storms also
have severely affected Micronesia, such as heavy rains in 2002 from Tropical
Storm Chataan, which caused more than thirty landslides which cumulatively
killed forty-seven people and injured dozens others. Micronesia is one of the
countries hardest hit by natural hazards, most especially typhoons and
ENSO-related weather variability, that has seen both major droughts and floods
affect a significant number of vulnerable people, especially settled in coastal
areas, where virtually the entire population lives.
Based on the preliminary assessment and post-Typhoon Maysak
learning, the American Red Cross (AmCross) supports Micronesia Red Cross Society’s
(MRCS) Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction (CBDRR) and Water, Sanitation
and Hygiene (WASH) activities by improving disaster risk preparedness and other
disaster risk reduction (DRR) practices and the provision of safe water and
hygiene practices
The
project goal and outcomes are outlined below:
Project
goal: Reduce the number of deaths and injuries and
lessen the negative socio-economic impact caused by climate-related disasters
(e.g. typhoons) and environmental degradation in vulnerable Micronesian islands.
The
project intends to achieve this goal through focusing on two objectives:
1) To strengthen exposed disaster prone small island communities of Chuuk
State to be better prepared for or mitigate the negative impact caused from
reoccurring disasters (i.e. especially typhoons) and adapt to climate change by
improving their capacity and enhancing their resilience;
2) To contribute to improved national Red Cross institutional capacity to
confront DRR and climate change adaptation issues.
The
following results were proposed to USAID/OFDA and categorized by the
OFDA-mandated list of sectors and subsectors:
Sector Name:
Natural and Technological Risks
Objective: To strengthen the resilience of
vulnerable small island communities to mitigate risk and negative impact of
coastal hazards, especially typhoons
(a) Sub-sector
Name: Hydro-Meteorological Hazards
Result
1: Vulnerability to climate risk and coastal hazards is reduced through
increased capacity, knowledge and skills of community members to prepare for
and to mitigate disaster risk.
Result
2: Vulnerability to coastal hazards is reduced through small-scale mitigation
projects that improve safety and coastal land management
Result
3: Vulnerability to coastal hazards is reduced through a replicable integrated
community based disaster management program
Result
4: DRR/CCA-related partnerships
between MRCS and public-private sectors are strengthened
Sector Name:
Water and Hygiene
Objective: To strengthen coastal community resiliency through
improved water sources, sanitation along with corresponding hygiene practices
(a) Sub-sector Name
Water Supply Infrastructure
Result
1: Community vulnerability is reduced through improved and strengthened water
infrastructure especially protected from hazards such as typhoons.
(b) Subsector
Name: Hygiene Promotion
Result
1: Improved PHAST hygiene behaviors will be practiced; leading to better
environmental and community health.
(c) Subsector Name:
Sanitation Infrastructure
Result
1: Improved community sanitation infrastructure (4) available to assist persons
seeking refuge in evacuation centers, especially during typhoons
II.
Project progress
The first year of implementation
of the Micronesia CRCD project helped MRCS build a foundation for its
volunteers and its overall capacity to implement community-based programming.
Using a hands-on approach, MRCS has learned and delivered assistance for
targeted communities in resilience building, starting with the design of
community-based program planning, monitoring, and evaluation, followed by
program implementation. The CRCD project officially commenced later than
anticipated; however, the project has achieved the majority of its annual
targets for the first year of the project (FY 2017).
Over eighteen months of active implementation (June
16-December 17), the CRCD team has produced deliverables including:
ü Establishment
of Community Disaster Management Committee (CDMCs) in nine target communities comprised of representatives and volunteers
from community groups (e.g., community/religious leaders, members of women’s
groups) in all targeted communities. This body will liaise on any disaster
preparedness and mitigation efforts within the community, with the Chuuk Disaster
and Emergency Operation Center (CDEOC), MRCS and other relevant stakeholders.
ü Vulnerability Capacity Assessment (VCAs) in nine
target communities yielded findings around communities’ potential hazards,
risks, and capacity to adapt the risks.
They also led to the development of Community Action Plans (CAPs) in
eight communities.
ü Community Mitigation Assessments were completed
following the development of CAP, in nine communities. The assessment focused
on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) topics (e.g., needs assessment of new
rain harvesting systems and water tanks in identified evacuation shelters,
repairmen of existing water tanks, protection of water sources, and clean and
improved dug wells).
ü 109 WASH Small scale mitigation project in nine
targeted communities (14 completed) and 48 WASH infrastructure project (22
completed) in 30 community evacuation center identified mainly protection of
water source, well improvement, water supply networks, water tank
improvement/construction, gutter and roof improvement. Some WASH project on
going and still in the pipelines, and expected to be completed in the end of
March.
ü First Aid Training for community-based volunteers in
five target communities helped to prepare these volunteers to serve as first
responders in any upcoming disaster.
ü Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on establishment of
pilot thirty (30) well-prepared evacuation centers in Chuuk lagoon islands between
MRCS and Chuuk Disaster Emergency and Operation Center (CDEOC) is signed.
ü MOU on Coastal Green Belt Rehabilitation Initiative
by piloting in five communities between MRCS, CDEOC and Department of
Agriculture is signed.
ü MOU on Safe, Clean and Healthy environment
Initiative by piloting in nine communities between MRCS, CDEOC, Department of
Health and Environmental Protection Agency is recently initiated.
III.
Expected scope of work
The WASH
technical assistance will be responsible for carrying out the WASH
infrastructure and software (hygiene promotion, behavior change communication,
community outreach, trainings…) quality assurance by conducting random quality
assurance in some WASH infrastructure projects as well as WASH awareness raising
sessions. The WASH technical assistance will also provide a training on
relevant technical topics based on the observation and review to the MRCS
Public Awareness and Public Education (PAPE) team to help improve its knowledge
and skills. The WASH technical
assistance will work closely with AmCross DM
Delegate, and MRCS program team in conducting the quality assurance.
Purpose of Quality Assurance
To ensure that the WASH
infrastructure and its software are meeting global standards (SPHERE, IFRC) for
the maximum benefit of the people we are trying to serve to become better
prepared for future disasters.
Objectives of Review
-
To measure the WASH infrastructure and
software quality assurance in term of design, final result/product and service
delivery
-
To assess major factors of the WASH
infrastructure and software successes as well as challenges that contributes to
the variance of project achievements.
- To obtain inputs and recommendation in
term of design, final result/product and service delivery for future
intervention or improvement of its quality when possible.
Review criteria and questions
Reviews may consider many things,
but should include at least three broad areas: key criteria, main review
questions and sub-questions:
Criteria
|
Main
Review questions
|
Sub-questions
(to provide guidance)
|
Relevance
|
1.
How
appropriate was the WASH infrastructure and software design?
|
1.1
To
what extent were the WASH infrastructure and software’s assessment criteria, and
key activities relevant, appropriate and effective in the evolving context, considering
the project Goals (DRR and capacity of MRCS)
1.2
To
what extent did the WASH infrastructure and software’s
design meeting SPHERE/ IFRC/Country standards quality standard?
1.3
Is
there a need to revise the WASH infrastructure and software’s design for the
remaining project period or future intervention? If yes, how and what would
they be? Appropriateness of the program vs project Goals/objectives
1.4
How
well the program identified the needs, based on objectives vs needs
1.5
How
the design contributed to solve the challenges in DRR
|
Quality
|
2. How
did the actual quality of WASH infrastructure and software compare to international
quality standards and practices?
|
4.1
Were
quality standards defined, and did activities achieve high levels of quality
in implementation? Did the project have sufficient technical assistance i..e. civil
engineer/water engineer/HP specialist to assess different qualities?
4.2
Were
beneficiaries—in general or for specific groups (such as the elderly or
disabled) — involved in the planning and decision-making process?
4.3
Is the
project allocating sufficient budget and resources to ensure that quality of
service is provided?
4.4
Is
there a need to improve the
WASH infrastructure and software’s quality in the remaining project period or
future intervention? If yes, how and what would they be?
4.5
How
is the existing quality of design and its relevancies with the quality of
infrastructure on the ground?
|
Sustainability
|
3.
How well is
the project team ensuring the WASH infrastructure and software’s investments will
have lasting impact?
|
5.1
How
the community will maintain its investments?
5.2
What
is most appropriate sustainability plan?
5.3
Did
the project help the MRCS with any partnership with local agencies to ensure
its sustainability (technical assistance)?
5.4
Did
the project increase MRCS capacity in WASH i.e. to implement similar projects
in the future?
5.5
Was
local knowledge and design at community level considered?
|
The
specific scope of work is as follows:
1. To provide a detail quality assurance assessment of the WASH infrastructure and software’s implementation
in Chuuk.
2. To provide recommendations for improving the WASH infrastructure and software’s technical design
and content to better address the community needs and meeting accepted quality
standards.
3. To provide recommendations for future WASH programming in term of program
strategy, design and approach as relevant to North Pacific Context as well as the
MRCS capacity.
4. To facilitate discussions, meetings and workshop on quality assurance
findings review process as required
5. To facilitate any WASH infrastructure and software capacity building to
the project team as well as MRCS volunteers on specific thematic topics based
on quality assurance findings when relevant.
Methodologies
The review methods will use
qualitative methods of data collection which will cover all required
information to ensure that the findings are objective and reliable. Therefore,
the methods would include the following:
Method
|
Critical
element of Project review process
|
Desk review
|
|
Key
informant interviews
|
|
Group
discussion
|
|
Observation
1Site visits
|
|
Location of work
MRCS Chuuk Chapter and potential nine target communities.
Administrative and logistic support
The WASH
technical assistance consultant is expected to use her/his own computer,
equipment and software. Air travel and
accommodation will be covered by AmCross.
Reporting relationship
The WASH technical assistance consultant will report to AmCross
Disaster Management Delegate based in Micronesia.
Duration
The duration is 14 days excluding travel days and with
work expected to be performed in July 2018.
Project documents review
|
1 day
|
Field Assessment (MRCS Chuuk chapter, AmCross and
selected target communities)
|
7 days
|
Report findings
|
2 days
|
Quality Assurance review meeting/workshop/trainings
|
2 days
|
Final report
|
2 days
|
Qualifications
- A degree from a reputable, accredited university in WASH and/or relevant field is required. A Master’s Degree is preferred;
- At least 10 years’ experience providing technical support to WASH programs including prior work in role of a WASH consultant, preferably in the NGO sector
- Strong project assessment background (direct observation, focus groups, in-depth interviews..)
- Experience designing and leading trainings
- Strong familiarity with North Pacific, ideally including Micronesia
- Experience identifying and establishing institutional capacity building initiatives, particularly for local partner organizations;
- Experience collaborating with government agencies, international organizations and working through local implementing partners;
- Experience supporting and evaluating USAID and USAID/OFDA funded WASH projects
- Fluent in English (written and spoken)
- Superior writing and analytical skills
- Advanced computers skills (Windows, Spreadsheets, Word Processing);
- Understanding of and/or experienced with Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement preferred
Application procedures
Applications must include the following: Cover Letter, CV, Proposed
Methodology & Workplan, Proposed Budget (in USD) and References combined
into one Word or PDF file.
Please submit
your proposal application in English by June 24th, 2018 to recruitment@amredcross.org with Micronesia WASH Quality Assurance TA in the subject line and include your name
in the application filename. Please make sure to specify your availability
dates in your cover letter. Only short-listed candidates will be notified and
contacted for an interview. Applications received after the deadline or
incomplete applications will not be considered.
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