Recruitment of an International Consultant for Formative Research and Development of a SBC Strategy in WASH in Mauritania
Qualifications of international Consultant for Formative Research and Development of a SBC Strategy:
- Location: Kiffa, Mauritania
- Vacancy No: 582389
- Salary: N/A
- Organization: UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund
- Deadline: 2025-08-10
Brief details about international Consultant for Formative Research and Development of a SBC Strategy:
About
Information about the organization that has offered the job:
UNICEF Mauritania is seeking a consultant to conduct formative research on social behavior change (SBC) related to WASH and develop a tailored SBC strategy. The assignment will also include capacity building for the UNICEF team and partners to adopt a behavioral approach in the participatory design and implementation of WASH activities.
The consultant will work under the supervision of the SBC Specialist in collaboration with the Chief of the WASH Section. He/she will be responsible for conducting the desk research, conducting the formative research, facilitating the consultative workshop with partners, and testing the prototype(s) of solutions on the ground in Mauritania.
Scope of Work:
Background and justification of the study
Mauritania is predominantly desert in the northern 2/3 of its surface area (1, is sparsely populated (around 4.5 million inhabitants in 2021), but remains subject to sustained demographic growth (+2.75% per year between 2000 and 2013), particularly marked in Nouakchott, Nouadhibou, in Inchiri and in most of the wilayas (regions) in the south of the country.
Mauritania’s population remains vulnerable to chronic food insecurity and a very worrying nutritional situation – Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) is 13 to 13.5%, including severe malnutrition affecting 2.5 to 3%. Chronic malnutrition affects approximately ¼ of children under 5 years old (SMART 2022 survey) – and difficult health conditions and access to water, hygiene and sanitation with recurring crises (food, nutritional, etc.) for several years. Climatic hazards also impact these structural vulnerabilities.
The rate of access to drinking water, i.e. the population of localities supplied by at least one modern water point (excluding wells) compared to the total population, is 84% nationwide and 68% for rural localities. Similarly, the rate of equipment in improved latrines for households is around 50% (SNADEA 2030). However, for both water and sanitation there is a triple disparity: 1. rural/urban; 2. Geographic; 3. linked to household income. Regarding handwashing with soap, the level of knowledge of the most important time to wash hands (i.e. “after defecation”) is relatively low for the country (54%) and significantly better in the regions of UNICEF projects: Assaba, 61%; Guidimakha, 73%. However, in terms of practice (measured by the observation of a handwashing point with soap in the home), the national level is 41%, and much lower in the UNICEF project regions: Assaba, 39%; Guidimakha, 35%.
Climate change is exacerbating ecosystem degradation, increasing the risk of zoonotic diseases, and impacting food security and community cohesion. Three out of ten children are exposed to drought and flooding. Poverty, insufficient access to basic services, and the security situation in the Sahel region are increasing the vulnerability and risks faced by communities, particularly children and youth.
This barrier analysis study falls within the framework of the WASH/hygiene promotion component and aims to identify the determinants of behaviors and practices of #1 handwashing with soap and #2 systematic use of a latrine.
Specific Objectives:
Formative research aims to collect evidence in order to:
Identify the main enabling and hindering factors 1. Hand washing with soap after defecation, 2. adoption and use of family latrines based on data collected in 2 areas (intervention Willayas)
Provide an in-depth analysis of supply and demand: the influence of psychological, sociological (including norms, sanctions and social dynamics); and environmental levels; and the analysis of capacity, opportunities and motivation for change
Identify and understand the weight of the different determinants/barriers and their dynamics in the daily routine with an emphasis linked to the behaviors cited in a).
Map existing community WASH structures and community decision-making processes related to WASH, high-impact initiatives as well as influential people who could be involved in potential SBC actions/solutions to be proposed.
Identify and analyze “target areas/groups” of reluctance and/or adherence and their link to community decision-making (at community and household levels) and to community WASH governance structures
Identify the role of women in the context of these practices and define solutions that place them at the center of the promotion and use of good practices.
Develop a SBC strategy aimed at abandoning the practices mentioned in a), including an action plan, respective budget, a theory of change, a monitoring and evaluation plan (including indicators for measuring behavior change), recommendations for prototype SBC WASH solutions adapted to the context and promoting systematic handwashing with soap after defecation, increased adoption/use of latrines, abandonment of open defecation as well as community ownership, commitment and responsibility. The strategy must be fully aligned with the UNICEF Mauritania CPD 2024-2027 and the UNICEF Strategic Plan 2026-2029.
Methodology and Technical Approach:
The consultant will be placed under the supervision of the SBC Specialist and will work in close collaboration with the head of the WASH section of UNICEF Mauritania. To carry out this mission, the consultant will work in the premises of UNICEF Mauritania as well as in the Kiffa office and the UNICEF antenna in Selibaby.
Out of a total of 70 working days, he/she will carry out two missions in Mauritania, for a total of 48 days (number of days of presence in Mauritania), of which approximately 44 days will be devoted to field missions (two field missions during the contract period) in Kiffa and Selibaby. The contract will take place between August and December 2025, according to the estimated schedule presented below (deliverables table).
The consultant will have access to his/her own laptop, a telephone number and access to printers and photocopying facilities while on UNICEF premises. The consultant will submit an application package including the following documents in addition to the application profile (TMS):
Candidate’s CV (maximum 5 pages)
Diploma of studies
Example of a SBC strategy developed in the WASH field, or alternatively, in health, including the integration of the formative research component (protocol and description of methodologies) and their results.
Two references of similar work experience
Technical Proposal (document detailing the approach, data collection methodologies by type of key informants/key targets, its rationale and respective advantages; detailed action plan of all activities and deliverables).
Financial proposal with all aspects of the service provision (including travel, fees, daily allowances, travel expenses).
Minimum Qualifications required:
- Master’s degree in a relevant field such as WASH, Health or Social Research, SBC
Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:
Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in implementing qualitative and quantitative research, including at least 3 years of experience in the development and implementation of SBC approaches and strategies, with demonstrated application in humanitarian and development programs related to WASH and health.
Proven experience in designing and conducting formative research, managing research teams would be an advantage.
Experience in developing monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) tools would be a major asset.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including strong facilitation and interaction skills with a wide range of stakeholders, including vulnerable communities would be an advantage.
Ability to produce high quality technical documents would also be highly appreciated for this consultation.
Demonstrated experience in building SBC skills and capacity within program teams would also be an asset.
Experience in data management tools and investigator management.
Work experience in Mauritania, Sahel countries or French-speaking Africa (asset)
Fluency in written and spoken French required
Other skills:
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and to establish harmonious and effective relationships both inside and outside the organization;
Demonstrated ability to lead, manage and supervise;
Competency Profile (For details on competencies please refer to the UNICEF Professional Competency Profiles.)
Have level 1 of the following skills:
· Establish and maintain partnerships
· Cultivate self-awareness and demonstrate a sense of ethics
· Focus on achieving tangible results
· Innovate and embrace change
· Work collaboratively
Our core values are Care; Respect; Integrity; Trust; Accountability and Sustainability.
Skills:
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- Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (1)
- Works collaboratively with others (1)
- Establishes and maintains partnerships (1)
- Innovate and accept change (1)
- Thinks and acts strategically (1)
- Anxious to obtain convincing results (1)
- Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)
Remarks :
UNICEF is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages all candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religion or ethnic origin, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to join the organization.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible work arrangements.
“UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy for any conduct deemed incompatible with its mandate and the standards of conduct for United Nations staff, including sexual abuse or exploitation, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. UNICEF also strictly adheres to the principle of child protection. All candidates considered for recruitment will be subject to rigorous reference and background checks and will be required to adhere to these standards and principles.”
Only candidates selected to take a written test will be contacted.
UNICEF provides reasonable accommodations to individual consultants/contractors with disabilities. These may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for assignments, or personal escorts.
We encourage you to declare your disability when applying in case you require accommodations during the selection process and later in your assignment.