Individual National Consultant – WASH Laboratory support Expert

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture., coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, right.

The expansion of water and sanitation services in Nepal has advanced significantly, but there are still issues with regularly checking and guaranteeing the quality of water sources and wastewater treatment systems throughout the nation. With the help of UNICEF and the Pandemic Fund, the DWSSM is implementing systematic water and wastewater quality monitoring and surveillance in an effort to improve water safety and environmental health resilience. Along with supporting the incorporation of water quality data into digital platforms; this cooperative endeavor places a high priority on data-driven decision-making, field monitoring/surveillance for early detection and warning, and laboratory capacity strengthening.

How can you make a difference?

The purpose of this consultancy is to support UNICEF's WASH programme and Department of Water Supply and Sewerage Management (DWSSM) Water Quality Monitoring and Improvement Section providing technical assistance to implement, strengthen, and institutionalize systematic water and wastewater quality monitoring and surveillance system focusing on water and wastewater quality testing and report data management, climate change, and health in close coordination with UNICEF WASH Section, relevant government counterparts and other relevant stakeholders.

Under the overall guidance of the WASH Chief and supervision of WASH Specialist of UNICEF Nepal, the consultant will carry out the following duties:

1. Provide technical support for upgrading National/Federal and provincial water and wastewater monitoring and surveillance laboratories.
2. Assist DWSSM in collecting and assessing water and wastewater quality data, generating technical reports with recommendations for improvement, and monitoring compliance with national requirements.
3. Contribute to DWSSM/UNICEF’s training and capacity building programs on water and wastewater quality monitoring and surveillance and related topics at all levels
4. Assist DWSSM in creating a data entry inventory for seven provincial laboratories, as well as managing and integrating water and wastewater quality data.
5. Assist DWSSM/UNICEF and provincial laboratories with any public health concerns/emergencies raised to water and wastewater.
6. Support the preparation of progress updates of lab functions and challenges to DWSSM and UNICEF, WASH Section.
7. Perform other relevant duties as assigned by the supervisors. This includes duty travel and assignment on short notice as per the program requirements or for emergency response.

TASK

• Provide technical support for upgrading National/Federal and provincial water and wastewater monitoring and surveillance laboratories.
• Assist DWSSM in collecting and assessing water and wastewater quality data, generating technical reports with recommendations for improvement, and monitoring compliance with national requirements.
• Contribute to DWSSM/UNICEF’s training and capacity building programs on water and wastewater quality monitoring and surveillance and related topics at all levels
• Assist DWSSM in creating a data entry inventory for seven provincial laboratories, as well as managing and integrating water and wastewater quality data.
• Assist DWSSM/UNICEF and provincial laboratories with any public health concerns/emergencies raised to water and wastewater.
• Support the preparation of progress updates of lab functions and challenges to DWSSM and UNICEF, WASH Section.

Deliverables: Please click TOR-WASH Laboratory support Expert.pdf for more details

First Deliverable:

• Submission of a technical report on laboratory upgrades.

Second Deliverable:

• Submission of a water and wastewater quality data management report.

Third Deliverable:

• Submission of a report on training programs conducted on water and wastewater quality monitoring and surveillance.

Fourth Deliverable:

• Submission of a data entry inventory for seven provincial laboratories and a report on the integration of water and wastewater quality data.

Fifth Deliverable:

• Submission of a report on any public health concerns or emergencies related to water and wastewater.

Final Deliverable

• Submission a final report consolidating updates on laboratory functions, including documented challenges and bottlenecks.

Duration:

The consultancy is for a period of 9 months, tentatively starting from 1 April 2026

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Education:

Master’s degree or higher in Microbiology, Environmental Engineering Public Health or related field.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in water quality testing and monitoring and/or surveillance, wastewater monitoring public health including at least three years of practical experience on water and/or wastewater analysis in the laboratory.
• Experience in emergency WASH response, outbreak and/or pandemic preparedness and response is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with environmental surveillance systems, water safety planning, and laboratory coordination and support
• Strong communication, analytical, and report-writing skills.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

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.

Remarks:

Female candidates and candidates from the under-represented ethnic groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract.