Urban Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (Urban WASH)

Development of Training Curriculum, Manual, Competency Assessment Tool, and Capacity Building for Fecal Sludge Characterization and Laboratory Analysis

Reporting to SHSE/DLevel of Effort1 consultant (45 working days each)Period of Performance January 20, 2025, to March 21, 2025.Activity No. 1.3.5Grant Agreement No.EWTI-IK-LSGA-0016 In-Kind

Urban WASH, a $44.9M USAID-funded initiative, focuses on enhancing the quality and sustainability of sanitation services. Proper fecal sludge characterization and laboratory analysis are essential for designing effective treatment systems and managing fecal sludge across the service chain. This activity aims to build the capacity of laboratory technicians, sanitation engineers, and utility staff to perform accurate sludge characterization and analysis to inform decision-making and improve sanitation service delivery.

Purpose of STTA

To enhance the technical capacity of laboratory technicians, sanitation engineers, and utility staff in fecal sludge characterization and laboratory analysis, enabling them to generate accurate data for improved planning, design, and management of sanitation systems.

Specific Tasks 

 The consultants will undertake the following activities:

Specific Tasks

1. Needs Assessment:

   • Conduct a review of current practices and tools used for fecal sludge characterization and analysis.

   • Identify capacity gaps and training needs among laboratory and field staff.

2. Curriculum Development:

   • Develop a comprehensive curriculum covering sludge sampling, characterization techniques, and laboratory analysis.

3. Manual Development:

   • Create training manuals and guides, including step-by-step protocols for laboratory procedures and data interpretation.

4. Competency Assessment Tools:

   • Design tools to assess participants’ understanding of laboratory techniques and sludge analysis processes pre- and post-training.

5. Stakeholder Collaboration:

   • Engage with EWTI, laboratory experts, and sanitation stakeholders to align training materials with national standards and best practices.

6. Validation Workshops:

   • Facilitate workshops with key stakeholders to refine and validate training materials.

7. Training Delivery:

   • Conduct hands-on training sessions for laboratory technicians and relevant personnel.

8. Finalization and Handover:

   • Finalize training materials based on feedback and submit all deliverables in both soft and hard copies.

Deliverables

• Needs assessment report identifying gaps and opportunities in fecal sludge characterization.

• Approved curriculum for fecal sludge characterization and laboratory analysis.

• User-friendly training manuals, including laboratory protocols and data interpretation guides.

• Competency assessment tools tailored to laboratory analysis scenarios.

• Validation workshop report summarizing feedback and revisions.

• Completion report for training sessions delivered to participants.

Comprehensive final report summarizing STTA activities and outcomes.Estimated Level of Effort 

This Each consultant will work for 45 working days, distributed as follows:

Task Estimated No of days Needs assessment 5 days Curriculum development 15 days Manual and tool development 15 days Validation workshop preparation 3 days Training of EWTI staff (ToT)5 days Revisions and finalization 2 days

Period of the assignment 

This assignment will run from January 20, 2025, to March 21, 2025., covering 45 working days.

Working arrangements

The consultant will work and coordinate with Urban WASH and EWTI for training resource development, validation workshop, ToT session, and submission of deliverables.

Job Requirements

Minimum Qualifications 

• Advanced degree in WASH, environmental science, or related fields.

• Proven experience in fecal sludge characterization and laboratory analysis.

• Knowledge of laboratory protocols, sampling techniques, and data interpretation.

• Strong curriculum development and training facilitation skills.

• Expertise in inclusive and sustainability-focused approaches to sanitation management

How to Apply

Interested and qualified applicants should apply through Ethiojobs website by clicking THIS LINK

Deadline is January 10, 2025