Laos nationals: Consultant Water Safety Planning Specialist

SNV is a mission-driven global development partner working across Africa and Asia. Our mission is to strengthen capacities and catalyse partnerships that transform the agri-food, energy, and water systems, which enable sustainable and more equitable lives for all.

SNV established its presence in Lao PDR in 1993. It operates under an agreed framework with the government of Lao PDR. We are well positioned within the ‘9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan’ and the ‘National Growth and Poverty Eradication Strategy’. Our advisory work focuses on agri-food, energy, and water sectors. Three cross-sectoral core themes on gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), climate adaptation and mitigation, and strong institutions and effective governance underpin our interventions in all three sectors. Our work is implemented across the country’s north, south, and central provinces.

SNV’s WASH program aims to accelerate progress in water, sanitation and hygiene by strengthening capacity of provincial and district level local governments, private sector actors and other local stakeholders for more efficient and effective service delivery in climate resilient water, sanitation and hygiene. The activities of the team are focused on strengthening decentralized climate resilient WASH systems with an emphasis on climate change adaptation, gender, disability, social inclusion and safely managed water, sanitation and hygiene services.

The purpose of this consultancy is to implement and build capacity of partners to complete holistic water safety plans and progress towards resilient, safely managed sanitation in target communities.

Phase 1 – Preparation (15 Days)

• Standard Operating Procedures and associated training materials for water point mapping, water quality testing protocols and water safety plans are developed (these will be based upon the revised guidelines currently under development in partnership with UNICEF and National Nam Saat Centre)
• Water point data collection system and mapping console is built (in MWater or other suitable platform)
• Develop water safety plan summary reporting template.
• Awareness raising and training materials are developed on key training topics for resilient, safely managed sanitation.

Phase 2 – Implementation Outputs (75 Days)

• Training is carried out for internal team and partners on standard operating procedures for water point mapping, water quality testing and water safety plan implementation.
• Provide oversight, coaching and quality management of thirty (30) water safety plans (with associated water point mapping and water quality testing) across three districts in Savannakhet Province
• Oversight, coaching and quality management of partners and staff to deliver resilient, safely managed sanitation in target communities

Phase 3 – Final Reporting (10 Days)

• Completed summary reports on thirty water safety plans (it is expected that these will be drafted by team members with the consultant providing support, coaching and review to ensure quality reporting and analysis)
• Final Water Safety Plan Analysis and Evaluation Report

• Minimum of Masters degree in a relevant discipline
• At least ten (10) years of experience providing capacity building, advisory service and project management in WASH and water management development programs
• MUST have experience in building data collection systems and data dashboards MWater or other similar platform
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in applying best practice GEDSI participatory processes
• Demonstrated understanding of climate resilience concepts and their application to WASH services
• Extensive experience working with government partners at the National and sub-national level
• Experience working within the WASH development sector and a strong understanding of the sector challenges, trends and outlook is essential
• Must be able to demonstrate, the ability to produce high quality communications and written knowledge product development
• Fluency in both English and Lao are essential

The consultant will report directly to the SNV Laos Water Sector Leader.

The consultant will be supported to complete project deliverables by two project facilitators and district-level government partners.

The consultant will be supported by the Project Coordinator and Project Advisors to ensure high quality implementation.

This consultancy is for 100 days carried out between April – October 2023