Sanitation Economist Consultant: Economics of Sanitation Study and National Sanitation Investment Case for Zimbabwe
Organizational Context
UNICEF operates in over 190 countries and territories, dedicated to saving children's lives, defending their rights, and helping them reach their full potential. We are committed, passionate, and proud of our work, viewing the promotion of children's rights not just as a job, but as a calling. UNICEF offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development, fostering a sense of purpose while serving children and communities globally.
Job Purpose
The consultancy aims to conduct a comprehensive study on the economics of sanitation in Zimbabwe. This will involve estimating the economic, fiscal, health, nutrition, education, environmental, and social costs associated with inadequate and unsafe sanitation. Furthermore, the study will assess the costs and benefits of appropriate sanitation services and financing options, and determine the investment required to achieve Zimbabwe's national sanitation goals, open-defecation-free status, and SDG 6.2 commitments. The analysis will cover rural, peri-urban, and urban contexts, with a specific focus on vulnerable groups including children under five, school-age children, women and girls, persons with disabilities, low-income households, and populations in sanitation-deprived districts or those facing recurrent public health emergencies.
Responsibilities
The consultant will be responsible for estimating the economic, fiscal, health, nutrition, education, environmental, and social costs associated with inadequate and unsafe sanitation in Zimbabwe. This includes assessing the costs and benefits of various appropriate sanitation service delivery and financing options. A key responsibility will be to estimate the total investment required for Zimbabwe to meet its national sanitation targets, achieve open-defecation-free status, and fulfill SDG 6.2 commitments. The analysis must encompass rural, peri-urban, and urban settings, with particular attention paid to the needs of children under five, school-age children, women and girls, persons with disabilities, low-income households, and populations in high-deprivation or emergency-prone areas. The consultant will also be expected to translate technical analysis into policy briefs and senior-level financing messages, and facilitate government validation processes, potentially transferring economic models to national institutions.
Work Experience
Minimum of ten years of experience conducting economic research in developing countries, with demonstrated experience applying economic valuation methodologies to WASH, health, nutrition, environmental, or infrastructure sectors. Experience in undertaking national investment cases, cost-benefit analysis, or public expenditure reviews for governments or development partners is required.
Skills
Conducting research on rural and/or urban sanitation in developing countries, Economics of sanitation, WASH costing, Cost-benefit analysis, Public expenditure analysis, Infrastructure investment appraisal, Familiarity with World Bank ESI methodology and SDG/JMP sanitation classifications, Analyzing sanitation-health-nutrition pathways, Experience with rural, urban, and peri-urban sanitation and the full sanitation service chain, Strong quantitative skills, including scenario modelling and sensitivity analysis, Translating technical analysis into policy briefs and financing messages, Facilitating government validation processes and transferring economic models