UNICEF - CAPACITY ASSESSMENT, TECHNICAL COMPLIANCE AND PREQUALIFICATION OF TYPE ‘B’ BUSH PUMP MANUFACTURERS IN ZIMBABWE

Duration: 4 Weeks

Background
During the 1981-1990 UN General Assembly declared , International Drinking Water and Sanitation Decade, Zimbabwe spearheaded the development of various innovations including new technologies which spread across much of the developing world. Of importance were the significant improvements in water lifting devices from groundwater sources, that could be operated and managed by beneficiaries and to this end Zimbabwe developed the Type B Bush Pump. This pump having gone through rigorous testing was subsequently adopted by the National Action Committee (NAC) as a national standard for both boreholes and wells. The adoption of the Type B Bush Pump as a national standard resulted in attracting the private sector in establishing production lines for the pump and its spares in line with approved design specifications. Intensive competition among manufacturers resulted in high quality finished products. National WASH programmes supported the growth of this industry which attracted heavy capital investment through the design and development of jigs and automation of production lines. The production of high quality pumps and compatibility of manufactured components on the market contributed to low down time for hand pumps as user communities who were charged with operation and maintenance, could easily access quality parts to carry out repairs. The economic challenges that faced the country during the first decade of the new millennium resulted in a significant reduction in the capacity of the private sector to maintain the momentum of the nineties. This was aggravated by the reduction in funding of the WASH sector. However, the response to the cholera epidemic of 2008/9 was a turning point in the decline of the sector as the demand for the Bush pumps and spares for borehole rehabilitation and new works dramatically increased. This excess demand over and above what a shrunk private sector could meet led to the emergence of new “manufacturers” who are bringing to the market products with questionable quality posing a great risk and danger to the sustenance of the community based management system for pump maintenance.

Introduction The poor quality of manufactured pumps and spares has led to substandard pumps and spares being supplied to government, development partners and communities. This is presenting massive problems as spares are not interchangeable and incompatible with previously supplied components resulting in long borehole down time, community members wasting valuable resources in terms of time and money as they travel back and forth to suppliers looking for pump spares that are compatible with their own pump. The same problem presents challenges to Government as well as development partners supporting sustainable borehole drilling and rehabilitation programs In recognition of the dire need to improve the quality of pumps and the capacity of the Bush pump manufacturing sector, the GoZ-UNICEF 2012-2013 WASH rolling workplan included activities related to the development of a national WASH public/private partnership strategy to guide the private sector in the supply chain for spare parts for operation and maintenance of WASH facilities. The NAC, through its secretariat, the National Coordination Unit, has submitted a request to UNICEF to fund part of this activity which is to conduct the capacity of the private sector to deliver quality parts in desirable quantities. As part of the assessment team, NAC has recognised a need to engage a highly experienced technical person to enhance the capability of the assessment team in supporting technical compliance of the manufactured pumps and spares and aspects of the production line. The Consultant will be guided by these TORs and the Bush Pump Inspection Manual.

Objective (s) The overall objective of the Consultant’s contribution is to assess the technical compliance of the production line and the finished products to the technical specifications set out in the international and local standard of the B Type Bush Pump and its Inspection Manual. As a follow up to the main objective, the Consultant will be required to identify firms that have a capacity to immediately service the WASH sector, those that require capacity building and the extent of the capacity building.

Methodology & Expected Output The study consists of the following: •Assessment of firm’s capacity in terms of quantities and quality of finished Bush Pumps and pump components. •Assess adherence to standard bush pump specification and compatibility, and inter-changeability of components. •Measuring of tolerances of moving parts and assess whether they lie within allowable limits as set out in the Bush Pump Inspection Manual. •Inspect the down-the-hole components for adherence to specifications. •Document findings and recommendations for inclusion in the main NAC assessment report. •Develop technical skills in capacity assessment and technical specifications of the type ‘B’ bush pump amongst National Action Committee members.

The assessment will be undertaken through tours to cities and towns in which firms with a potential to manufacture quality Bush pumps are located. The factory tours will be undertaken to confirm information that will have been submitted by the firms as response to a questionnaire. The Consultant, as part of the NAC team, will meet the companies’ management teams to verify their responses and will inspect the factory production line and warehouses. Statistical sampling of finished pumps and spares will be done to check adherence to technical specifications. Since checking on technical compliances in terms of precision measurements and tolerances of moving parts may be a protracted process, some of the sampled pumps and component may have to be transported to the Consultant’s office for further verification.

Report, Critique The consultant will then compile a technical report that will be part of the NAC assessment report. The report will cover the compliance or non-compliance to the technical specification of the following items •The pump head, inclusive of the water delivery spout, clamping mechanism and pump handle •the rising main •The brass cylinder, piston assembly and the foot valve •The overall outlook of the pump in terms of the pant work, final surface of machined or welded components, and labelling of the pump The report will also recommend capacity building measures that will result in more suppliers of quality pumps and spares

Major Tasks, Budget & Timeframe Tasks 1.Inspection of factory facilities and the production liner 2.Checking measurements of manufactured components and adherence to technical specifications 3.Compilation of the draft and final technical reports and presentation to NAC and UNICEF

Deliverables A technical report incorporating all aspects covered under items1 and 2.

Consultancy Requirements

The assignment is highly technical where precise and accurate measurements have to be made and inferences drawn on compliance to standard specifications. The Consultant should, therefore, have a minimum of a Master of Science degree and should be a highly technical expert with at least 15 years of practical experience in the design and manufacture of Bush Pumps, especially in the inspection of Bush pumps. The Consultant must also have at least 15 years practical experience in the use of technical compliance manuals such as the Bush Pump Inspection Manual. In addition, the consultant should have a minimum of 15 years of experience in dealing with and providing advice to pump manufacturers as well as capacity development of government officers.

Supervision

The consultant will work under the supervision of the WASH Specialist in close corporation with the NAC and overall oversight by the Chief of WASH.

How to apply:

If you have experience of working in a similar capacity, meet the above profile and want to make an active and lasting contribution to build a better world for children, send your application letter and curriculum vitae quoting vacancy notice number to the following address.

Human Resources Manager (Vacancy Notice No. 22: Zim-2012) UNICEF, 6 Fairbridge Avenue, P O Box 1250 Belgravia, Harare

Or email: hararevacancies@gmail.com

Applications should be received by 13 May 2012. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

UNICEF is committed to gender equality in its mandate and its staff Well qualified candidates, particularly women are especially encouraged to apply.