Consultant, WASH, CHE, EMRO/HPD Band level A

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Purpose of the consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to draft, based on the existing WHO SSP manual, a standardized SSP Evaluation Guideline, Checklist and Procedure for use by WHO and Member States in assessing the technical quality and WHO-alignment of Sanitation Safety Plans (SSP), compile technical materials and prepare inputs for organizing a Regional Workshop on Wastewater Environmental Surveillance, and to support and co-facilitate a WASH FIT Training of Trainers (TOT) workshop in Pakistan. This will be executed as part of the Climate Change, Health and Environment unit (CHE) within the Healthier Populations Department (HPD) at WHO/EMRO.

Background

SSP is the approach recommended by WHO to support the implementation of the WHO Guidelines on sanitation and health and guidelines on safe use of wastewater, excreta and greywater at the local level. SSP complement Water Safety Plans (WSPs) in protecting public health. WHO/EMRO's Climate Change, Health and Environment (CHE) unit supports Member States of the Eastern Mediterranean Region in adopting and applying these tools, including through advocacy, training and direct technical engagement with national authorities and water utilities.

Following the successful Water Safety Forum held in Oman in 2025, including the training on WSP, and the subsequent several rounds of strategic planning meetings held with Oman's counterparts, including a visit to WHO/EMRO/CHE in Amman during which the WHO SSP tool was introduced in 2025, Oman's counterparts, represented by NAMA Water Services Company, showed strong interest in adopting the tool and subsequently developed their first draft of SSP. NAMA Water Services Company has since requested an independent evaluation from WHO to ensure the plan's alignment with the WHO SSP manual. This request has highlighted the need for a standardized SSP evaluation methodology that WHO and Member States can apply consistently when assessing SSPs across the Region.

Wastewater and Environmental Surveillance (WES) is a public health surveillance approach that uses wastewater samples to detect and monitor circulating or emerging pathogens at the population level. It complements clinical surveillance systems by enabling early outbreak detection, informing targeted public health interventions, and assessing their effectiveness. WHO has developed a technical guidance package and decision-support tool to assist national authorities in prioritizing pathogens for WES based on public health relevance, technical and operational feasibility, acceptability, and opportunities for integration with existing surveillance systems. WHO/EMRO/CHE is organizing a Regional Workshop on WES, bringing together countries from the region to strengthen national capacities, promote peer learning, facilitate pathogen prioritization using WHO tools, and support the integration of WES into national surveillance, preparedness and decision-making systems.

The Water and Sanitation for Health Facility Improvement Tool (WASH FIT) is a risk-based quality improvement framework developed by WHO and UNICEF to support health care facilities in assessing and improving WASH, infection prevention and control, environmental cleaning and health-care waste management, with a focus on continuous quality improvement. WHO/EMRO supports Member States in strengthening WASH in health care facilities through capacity-building and the use of WASH FIT. A WASH FIT Training of Trainers (TOT) workshop is planned in Pakistan to strengthen national capacity to apply and cascade the tool, for which technical support and co-facilitation will be provided under this consultancy.

WHO/EMRO therefore requires the services of a consultant to draft, based on the existing WHO SSP manual, standardized SSP Evaluation Guideline, Checklist and Procedure, compile technical materials and prepare inputs for the regional workshop on WES, and support and co-facilitate the WASH FIT TOT workshop in Pakistan.

Work to be performed

Output 1: A standardized SSP Evaluation Guideline, Checklist and Procedure, based on the WHO SSP manual, for use by WHO country offices and Member States in assessing SSP, tailored to EMR.

Deliverable 2:1: A first draft of the SSP Evaluation Guideline, Checklist and Procedure, with measurable assessment criteria structured around the core components of the WHO SSP manual.

Deliverable 2:2: Finalized SSP Evaluation Guideline, Checklist and Procedure, following review by WHO/EMRO/CHE, in a format suitable for use by WHO and Member States.

Output 2: Technical support and assistance in organizing and facilitating the Regional Workshop on Wastewater Environmental Surveillance.

Deliverable 2:1: Technical inputs provided to the preparation and follow-up of the workshop, including the agenda, potential speakers, discussion topics, expected outputs, and key messages.

Deliverable 2:2: Compiled technical materials and presentation slides, and coordinated technical sessions and group work, including panel discussions & world café-style poster presentations.

Deliverable 2:3: Facilitation and documentation of workshop proceedings, including meeting documentation, evaluation and photos to be shared with the participants following the workshop.

Deliverable 2:4: Workshop summary report, including key findings, recommendations and follow-up actions.

Deliverable 2:5: Communication products arising from the workshop, including newsletter contributions, web and photo stories, and social media content package.

Output 3: Technical support and co-facilitation of the WASH FIT Training of Trainers (TOT) workshop in Pakistan.

Deliverable 3:1: Technical inputs to the preparation of the WASH FIT TOT workshop, including review/adaptation of the agenda, training materials, presentations and practical exercises.

Deliverable 3:2: Co-facilitation of WASH FIT TOT sessions, group work and practical exercises during the workshop, in coordination with WHO/EMRO/CHE facilitator.

Deliverable 3:3: Technical support to workshop participants and facilitator during the TOT, including clarification of WASH FIT concepts, application of the tool and discussion of implementation considerations.

Deliverable 3:4: Contribution to workshop documentation and a brief summary of key outcomes, participant feedback and recommended follow-up actions.

Required Qualifications

Essential: University degree in civil/environmental engineering, public health, water and sanitation engineering, or a related field.

Desirable: Postgraduate degree (Master's) in WASH, environmental health, or a related field.

Experience:

• Up to 5 years of professional experience in WASH and environmental health with experience conducting technical reviews or assessments of WASH-related plans, or guidance documents.

• Experience conducting training workshops relevant to WASH.

• Demonstrated professional experience of WHO WSP and/or SSP

• Desirable: Prior experience working with WHO or the UN system, and familiarity with the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Skills/ Technical knowledge

• Strong analytical and technical writing skills, with the ability to translate review findings into clear, actionable recommendations and guidance tools.

Language

Essential fluent in English and Arabic

Location:

Amman, Jordan (on-site).

Medical clearance:

The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

Travel

(If travel is involved, a medical certificate of fitness for work will be req