Expertise: sanitation, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), water supply
Expertise Group: Biological Sciences & Ecology
Consultant Source: International
TOR Keywords: sanitation, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), water supply
Objective and Purpose of the Assignment
ADB’s Pacific Department has approved a regional knowledge and support technical assistance (TA) which
aims to strengthen Pacific developing member countries’ (DMCs) capacity to prevent disease transmission
through enhanced water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) practices and the associated enabling environment.
Interventions will directly address the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic by (i) improving WASH
practices through behavioral change campaigns; and (ii) strengthening the capacity of WASH service
providers and other stakeholders so that WASH improvements will be sustained and expanded. This
assignment for Sanitation Specialist will be until June 2023 intermittently, with the potential to
extend depending on performance and need.
Scope of Work
The TA is an opportunity to advance sanitation agenda across the Pacific, and to plan for demonstration
interventions and sustainable solutions with transformative impact. Several clients under the TA require
support for analytical work and diagnostics related to sanitation and household wastewater management,
assistance in defining sanitation strategies and implementation plans, and technical advice in
developing sanitation policies and programs. There is also a need to improve knowledge around good
practices and options for improving sanitation and household wastewater management in the Pacific
context. The expert will be expected to provide thought leadership on sanitation, and practical ideas in
role that is a combination of advisory, knowledge production and project design.
In May 2022, ADB engaged an NGO under the WASH RETA to support Vanuatu’s Ministry of Health (MOH) in
implementing its National Sanitation and Hygiene Policy 2018 by strengthening WASH oversight, governance
and services at the village- and area council levels to address gaps. The implementation period is 12
months. The services of a sanitation expert are required to provide technical oversight of the NGO’s
work and document lessons learned from the pilot to share with WASH partners across Vanuatu.
The consultant will also provide support to PAUW and governments to identify opportunities for
implementing citywide inclusive sanitation (CWIS) approaches through pipeline projects, to ensure more
sustainable and impactful sanitation projects, and develop knowledge products to build greater
understanding among sanitation stakeholders of technical, institutional, financial and social factors.
The consultant will be expected to engage in gap analyses and participate in dialogue with ADB’s clients
on the topic of CWIS.
Detailed Tasks and/or Expected Output
TA 6551 – WASH RETA Project Activities
Specific tasks required for support to NGO –led project, Strengthening Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene
Programs and Practices in Vanuatu
including:
(i) Review NGO’s key activity outputs and deliverables and provide technical advice and guidance as
required
(ii) Attend regular progress review meetings
(iii) Attend steering committee meetings and provide guidance to members on implementation, coordination
and approval of activities/outputs, including policy-level decisions
(iv) Ensure the NGO’s work is aligned with government policy and good practices
(v) Prepare quarterly progress assessment reports to track the NGO-led project progress, identify issues
and recommend any course correction required (1st assessment due in August)
(vi) Help ensure alignment and identify opportunities or synergies with ADB’s projects in Vanuatu
(vii) Help resolve challenges as they arise and facilitate discussions between relevant stakeholders as
required
Sanitation diagnostics
(i) Support countries on a demand basis in preparing fecal sludge diagrams, policy, regulatory and
institutional arrangements, and training government staff in their utility (starting with Samoa with
potential to expand to other countries)
Knowledge work
(i) Participate in and contribute to sanitation-related webinars
(ii) Contribute to the preparation of a Good Enough Guide for on-site sanitation facilities in the
Pacific, including in partnership with research institute(s). Lead on the preparation of a detailed TOR
in coordination with identified partners or other leaders in the sector and provide technical inputs
throughout its preparation to ensure practical relevance and value addition for the sector.
Other project specific activities
(i) Work with Luganville Municipal Council (LMC) to design the soakaway incentive improvement program
(including scope, institutional framework, financing plan, procedures, eligibility, training
requirements, outreach requirements, GESI considerations); support implementation and refinement of the
approach; document lessons learned for replication in Vanuatu and across the region.
(ii) Prepare LMC’s sanitation business plan as an upstream input of the proposed Luganville Urban Water
Supply and Sanitation Project (LUWSSP).
(iii) Support design of the sanitation improvement component for a proposed waste management project in
the Solomon Island’s Western Province; and inputs into the Town & Country plan preparation; prepare
preliminary concept and costs of the priority interventions on sanitation and planning prior to ADB’s
reconnaissance mission schedule for 22 August 2022 where the concept paper shall be agreed with the
government, and participate in the mission. Provide inputs into the concept paper and work with
government to agree on the sanitation approach and identify follow-on studies/diagnostics required.
(iv) Provide advisory support to ADB project officers on ensuring CWIS approach in other pipeline
projects on a demand basis
Participate in WASH TA meetings, review documents, participate in dialogue with clients and provide
other support as requested related to the above scope of work.
The Specialist will work closely with the ADB Project Officer, TA9347 Project Officer, TA6551 Team
Leader. ADB will review all outputs.
With particular reference to coronavirus disease (COVID-19), any need for international and/or national
travel shall be assessed by ADB and the Consultant using ADB’s advice at the time of travel.
The consultant shall submit an inception report detailing the approach to each activity envisaged in the
first 3 months and a workplan. Progress against the workplan shall be summarized in each monthly report
and workplan for the next 3-month period submitted.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
The specialist should have a bachelor’s degree in political science, economics, engineering or related
discipline, with preferably a master’s degree in public sector policy and management-related discipline.
S/he should have at least 10 years’ experience in policy development/ guidance with at least 5 years’
experience in the WASH sector and demonstrated experience in CWIS approaches. Working experience in the
Pacific region is required and background in gender-related work will be an added advantage. Experience
in Melanesian countries is preferred. Experience with IFI projects/ TAs is preferred.
Minimum General Experience: 10 Years
Minimum Specific Experience (relevant to assignment): 5 Years
