Sanitation Technical Expert Consultant – USAID/DRC Sanitation Activity At Concern Worldwide

Concern Worldwide (Concern) is currently seeking an experienced Sanitation Expert with a successful track record of contributing innovative and evidence-based technical approaches and inputs to the design of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) programs/proposals to USAID and other USG/international donors, particularly related to market-based sanitation. This is a short-term consultancy position based in Concern DRC’s office (preferred, in Goma or Kinshasa).

Organizational Background: Founded in 1968, Concern Worldwide (Concern) is an international humanitarian aid organization dedicated to reducing extreme poverty and alleviating suffering through emergency relief and long-term development programs spanning livelihoods, education, nutrition, health, and WASH. Concern currently operates in 24 of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Middle East, and works in partnership with communities, public and private service providers, local government, academic institutions, and other local and international organizations to ensure sustainable delivery of effective services. Concern Worldwide has operated in the DRC in 1994, successfully implementing programs in emergency response, livelihoods, protection, and health and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) throughout the country.

Activity Background: The USAID/DRC Rural and Peri-Urban Sanitation Activity (addendum under the Diversifying Partnerships in WASH [DiP-WASH] APS found here) is a multi-year program that aims to improve basic sanitation in rural and peri-urban areas in Eastern DRC. The program focuses on establishing a dynamic market system for sanitation in Eastern DRC, simultaneously building supply and demand for sanitation through engaged and strengthened private and public sectors and creating an enabling environment for sanitation marketing in rural and peri-urban areas.
Concern plans to develop a full proposal for the Activity, pending USAID’s approval to advance from concept note to co-creation/full proposal stage. We anticipate the project will be further designed in consultation and collaboration with USAID.

Purpose of the Consultancy: If the concept note is selected, the Sanitation Expert consultant will provide senior-level technical guidance and inputs to the program design and full proposal development process. The consultant will ensure the program approach and activities are rooted in best practices in market-based sanitation and are poised to improve basic sanitation in poor and vulnerable peri-urban and rural communities.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Lead Proposal Writer, and designated staff of Concern (e.g. proposal manager, cost proposal lead, reviewers, and Concern WASH technical advisors) and its key partners in this bid. The successful applicant will possess strong knowledge and understanding of market-based sanitation, including strengthening the demand for and uptake of basic sanitation at household levels; increasing private sector-led supply of accessible, affordable, and desirable sanitation and hygiene services and products; expanding inclusive financing for households and private sector suppliers; and strengthening an enabling environment for market-driven sanitation.

Specific tasks and responsibilities: The consultant will develop, in consultation with Concern management team, a detailed work plan that will include undertaking at least the following tasks:

1 – Preparation and Co-Creation:
1.1. Review consortium concept note, partner documents, and solicitation documents (APS and Addendum), identifying key approaches and activities to be strengthened and elaborated.
1.2. Review secondary literature on market-based sanitation and sanitation governance in DRC (particularly Eastern DRC), as well as existing innovative pilots and their evidence from other stakeholders.
1.3. As indicated, participate in co-creation with USAID to jointly identify and further develop innovative and responsive market-based sanitation solutions to basic sanitation needs in Eastern DRC.
1.4. Support the development of a rapid sanitation needs assessment, inclusive of policy, regulatory, public, and private service delivery gaps/bottlenecks.

2 – Technical Proposal:
2.1. Provide direction and leadership to the program/proposal team, including partners, on identification of market-based solutions to household sanitation. They will advise on technical areas inclusive of sanitation marketing, participatory product development, and sanitation financing.
2.2. Contribute comprehensive technical inputs to the program design and proposal development process, through written proposal inputs and review processes.
2.3. Contribute to the development of the logical framework and other proposal annexes (e.g. workplan).
2.4. Undertake thorough proposal reviews to ensure approaches are technically sound and clearly articulated.
2.5. Working with the proposal team and other Concern technical advisors, provide recommendations or inputs into the cost proposal process in line with the technical solutions proposed.

Outcomes of the Consultancy: A competitive, technically sound proposal for the Rural and Peri-Urban Sanitation (RAPS) program in DRC. Other deliverables may include participation in co-creation and brief write-up on co-creation process/outcomes; rapid sanitation needs assessment; technical assistance plan developed to guide implementation.

Lines of Communication: Throughout the contract period, the Consultant will be reporting to Concern DRC Programme Director.

Timeframe: If our concept note is selected to advance to full proposal stage, we anticipate approximately 20 working days, starting in summer or fall of 2021 until submission (approximately 5 weeks from the invitation to advance to full proposal stage). Please note the start/end date of the assignment may change due to unavoidable circumstances in which case a revised timeframe will be drawn up with the mutual agreement of both parties. An additional approximately 10 working days starting in August 2021 is anticipated for preparation/co-creation. This timeline and exact number of working days is subject to change.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Preferably an advanced university degree (masters or equivalent) in international affairs/studies, development, WASH, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant technical experience in the design and delivery of market-based sanitation services to promote access to and uptake of household level sanitation services, preferably in DRC.
• Demonstrated experience leading the technical design of donor-funded projects required. Experience with USAID-funded projects strongly preferred.
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively with team members in various locations and from multiple organizations, including remotely writing and revising proposal documents.
• Fluency in English required. French speaking skills an advantage.
• Excellent technical writing skills.
• Knowledge of government and political structure and existing laws, rules and regulations on sanitation and its implementation in the DRC will be an advantage.**Note:** Individuals, groups of individuals as well as consultancy firms having the requisite skills/experience are eligible to apply. Concern is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community, including nationals of all countries. The above mentioned tasks to be performed are intended as a guide and should not be viewed as an inflexible specification as it may be modified following discussion with the selected consultant or firm.