Globally, approximately 52% of the female population (26% of the total population) is of reproductive age. Most of these women and girls will menstruate each month for between two and seven days. To manage menstruation hygienically, it is essential that women and girls have access to water and sanitation. There is also a need for both men and women to have a greater awareness of menstrual hygiene.

In Ethiopia, out of 51% of the female population, 23% are of reproductive age. As in other parts of the world, menstruation is seen as a taboo in many communities. In rural Ethiopia, the majority of primary school girls who have reached puberty do not use appropriate sanitary wear during their menstrual period.  Girls use rags torn from old clothes and use their dress tied in a knot to keep the sanitary cloths in place. Most girls rinse their rags in water without using soap;  dry them under the bed; hang it in well–hidden, often unhealthy places in the house or on the roof, where they can grew mold. Such practices may increase their susceptibility to infection.  Most Schools found in the country are not equipped with the basic facilities for menstrual management. In Ethiopia, 51% of girls miss between one and four days of school because of menses and 39% reported reduced performance.

Objective:

the overall purpose of the task is to support UNICEF Gambella region in implementing the MHM project by bringing together good MHM practices

Job Purpose

• Provide technical support and oversight for the effective and efficient implementation of MHM projects in all selected woredas and school.
• Provide field level support through Trainings, effective monitoring & evaluation, conducting regular filed visits to review progress on MHM friendly WASH facilities to be constructed, upgraded or rehabilitated.
•  Capacity building to MHM woreda based agents, School principal and ensure quality of the field interventions and appropriate targeting’s
• Support to further develop and strengthen of MHM projects/interventions and timely internal and external reporting.

Reporting line:

The MHM consultants will report directly to HPDP Core-process owner

Key working relationships:

Internal: Deputy Bureau head, HPDP core-process owner and RHB wash officers.

External: UNICEF WASH Program Officer, C4D specialist and Rural WASH Manager

Key Responsibilities:

Project Management Support:

• Undertake regular field visits to intervention areas to assess effective and efficient delivery of the pilot MHM program and provide feedback with respect to achievements, shortcomings and further improvement. This may entail conducting field visits for personal observation and substantiating woreda based agent claims.
• Ensure effective and timely delivery of agreed outputs and outcomes as set-out in the project guidelines and documents.
• Develop & compile monthly/quarterly/six-monthly and annual progress reports for RHB and UNICEF per prescribed format & contents.
• Work closely with RHB HPDP Core process owner, RHB WaSH officers,  and UNICEF WASH PO
•  Receiving and reviewing weekly progress
• Ensure that required project data and information is collected as per agreed standards.
• Build strong rapport and linkage with target communities for effective coordination and support
• Prepare, implement and review project plans, project proposals, annual activity plans, project budgets,
• Document and compile MHM case studies
• In consultation and close coordination with UNICEF WASH Program officer, C4D Specials and Rural WASH Manager organize regional and national level events, planned in the project
• Assist and facilitate the mid-term and final project evaluation processes
• Maintain effective communication with the supervisor and team
• Establish an interface with other programme units
• Undertake any other programme related official task assigned by the supervisor

Support and Capacity Building of agents, school principals and girls groups

• Identify the capacity building needs of the agents and support in addressing the identified capacity gaps through training and coaching.
• Assist in organizing experience sharing and exposure visits.
• In close coordination with HPDP Core process owner, RHB WaSH officer, UNICEF WASH Program Officer, C4D specialist and Rural WASH manager developing TORs for formative and action research studies planned under the project
• In close consultation with Team provide support in development of effective and relevant IEC materials on MHM

Reports to : RHB -HPDP core process owner

Manages: Activities related to MHM projects

Employment type: Temporary, for 8-12 months

Knowledge

Essential

• Masters’ degree in development studies, Public Health or social sciences preferably with background studies in health related fields with zero yrs of  experiences or BSc degree in health sciences with 4 yrs of experiences.
• Understanding of technical, social and institutional issues relating to menstrual hygiene management both in rural and urban areas
• Knowledge of  provincial poverty, gender, social inclusion and development issues

Desirable

• Understanding of gender and women issues in rural context of Gambella.
• Understanding of basic marketing and entrepreneurship concepts.
• Knowledge of regional level administrative structures and policies

Experience

Essential

• Between 3-5years of experience of project implementation, monitoring &reporting.

Desirable

Experience of planning & organising regional/national level seminars/conferences

• Experience of developing training programmes and facilitating training activities

Skills

Essential

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Amharic. Knowledge on local skills is an asset
• Analytical and reporting skills
• Facilitation and negotiation skills
• Presentation skills
• Computer literate (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and web searching/browsing)

Desirable

• Knowledge of local/regional languages
• Demonstrable understanding and experience of gender equity issues and their relevance to development work.
• Have at least a basic knowledge and understanding on MHP program

Others

Essential

• Time management and ability to prioritise multiple competing tasks
• Self motivated person able to work without close supervision
• Able to work effectively in a diverse team environment
• Ability to train and motivate partners and staff effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Able to effectively promote UNICEF’s mission values, and objectives

Desirable

• Fitness and willingness to spend substantial time on field visits
• Ability to work independently in the initiation of new approaches and development of existing ones
• Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team.
• Good understanding of community management approaches and WASH issues.
• Knowledge of low cost sanitation and hygiene technologies