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Grenada, like many Small Island Developing States (SIDS), remains highly vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters. Intensifying hurricanes, rising sea levels, prolonged droughts, and extreme heatwaves are already present realities that threaten daily life and long-term development. These hazards disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, particularly children. The devastating impact of Hurricane Beryl in 2024 highlighted the fragility of critical infrastructure, including WASH systems in schools. According to the WHO-UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP), over 99% of schools in Grenada have access to basic water and sanitation services. However, recent disasters have shown that these services are not sufficiently resilient. Hazard events usually damage WASH infrastructure and limits access to safe WASH services. Droughts have become more frequent, sometimes necessitating school closures, due to inadequate water for drinking and the practice of good sanitation and hygiene. Inadequate water storage capacity further compromises water availability. These vulnerabilities sometimes contribute to prolonged school closures, affecting education continuity.
To ensure the sustenance and adequacy of WASH services in schools, WASH facilities must meet certain minimum operational requirements. School managers, staff and students must also adhere to established guidelines that ensure that facilities and services continue to operate and deliver services. WASH facilities design and construction must consider climate risks and vulnerabilities, ensuring they can withstand climate hazards.
This assignment is to support the development of a set of minimum standards and guidelines for climate resilient WASH in schools services in Grenada and train selected education stakeholders on the use of the guidelines.
Scope of Work
The assignment is for the development of climate resilient WASH in schools standards and guidelines for Grenada.
The consultant will therefore be required to undertake the following tasks:
- Literature review: The consultant will be required to review national climate, education and WASH sector frameworks. A review of global and regional WASH in school specific documents will also be relevant for the assignment.
- School WASH facility and services assessments: A visit to schools to assess WASH facilities to understand current gaps and challenges. A climate risk and vulnerability assessments for school WASH facilities and services will need to be done to feed into the development of the standards and guidelines.
- Standards development and validation: Develop concise climate resilient WASH in schools standards and guidelines for Grenada’s context and conduct a validation session with stakeholders to seek inputs for finalizing the documents.
- Capacity building on standards and guidelines: Conduct training for selected education officials and school staff as well as staff of the National Water and Sewerage Authority (NAWASA) on the developed standards and guidelines. Trainers should be able to conduct further downstream training and support the implementation of the standards and guidelines
Minimum requirements
Work Experience:
At least 5 years of progressive experience in water, sanitation and hygiene programmes/projects planning, implementation and monitoring
Proven experience of development of WASH related strategies, policies, guidelines or similar frameworks
Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required
Knowledge/Expertise/Skills:
In-depth knowledge of global and regional WASH context, and frameworks and linkages with climate
Strong communication, presentation and documentation skills
Desirables:
Experienced in WASH in schools programming
Knowledgeable in education sector policies related to WASH and climate resilience
For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
- An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
- Cover letter
UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.
Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.