Terms of Reference

District WASH Context Analysis

1. Introduction
   WaterAid Zambia is an International Non-Governmental Organisation established in 1981 with a mission to transform lives by enabling the world’s poorest people to gain access to safe water, improved sanitation, and hygiene. Our vision is a world where everyone, everywhere has safe water, sanitation, and hygiene. Our mission is to transform the lives of the poorest and most marginalised people by improving access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene.

   Over the years, WaterAid Zambia has been implementing WASH and Health integration projects in Zambia in response to emerging needs in the districts. To support the development of a coherent programme in the districts and to effectively deliver on its Country Programme Strategy, WaterAid Zambia requires an understanding of the district/city WASH context in relation to the blockages that prohibit access to WASH in public health and analyse the drivers of change at the district/city level.

   WaterAid Zambia recognises that awareness of the context and conditions prevailing at the district level in relation to WASH is crucial to the effective design of programmes that will catalyse the required changes to achieve sustainable outcomes. WaterAid Zambia therefore wishes to engage the services of a consultant to undertake an in-depth district WASH context analysis in three selected districts: Southern province (Choma and Mazabuka districts) and Western province (Mongu district).

2. Main Objective
   The main objective of this study is to provide an in-depth analysis of the context and conditions that are prevailing in the three districts/city in relation to WASH to inform the nature of programmes WaterAid should develop to contribute to the realisation of the right to WASH in these districts. Specifically, the study will cover the following:

   2.1 Current WASH Status Overview:

   • Provide a detailed assessment of the existing WASH conditions in the identified districts and towns.
   • Identify key stakeholders in the WASH sector, including their priorities, current programmes, and trends in financing.
   • Highlight gaps, challenges, and opportunities for improvement in WASH services and infrastructure.

   2.2 Analysis of Influencing Factors:

   • Examine the political, economic, environmental, institutional, legal, and policy landscapes that influence WASH service delivery and integration.
   • Analyse how these internal and external factors either facilitate or hinder effective progress on WASH.
   • Consider their implications for sustainable and inclusive WASH service delivery.

   2.3 Integration with Other Sectors:

   • Assess the extent to which WASH is integrated with key sectors, including Maternal and Child Health (MCH), Nutrition, Environment, Livelihoods, and Education.
   • Identify opportunities for strengthened programmatic linkages, focusing on areas like health outcomes, nutrition, environmental conservation, and economic empowerment.
   • Recommend interventions to enhance the alignment of WASH initiatives with these sectors to maximize impact.

   2.4 Stakeholder and Citizen Engagement:

   • Map key actors and institutions with the authority and influence to shape WASH priorities, policies, and implementation at the district or town level.
   • Evaluate the role of citizens and community structures in influencing decision-making processes and ensuring accountability.
   • Highlight mechanisms for fostering meaningful community involvement in WASH governance.

   2.5 Strategic Recommendations:

   • Provide actionable recommendations to strengthen WASH programming and advocacy efforts.
   • Outline strategies for creating an enabling environment for effective WASH service delivery, with a focus on policy, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable funding mechanisms.

   The study will provide WaterAid with:

   • A clear understanding of the current WASH landscape in the targeted districts.
   • Evidence-based insights into factors affecting WASH service delivery and integration.
   • Strategic guidance for designing impactful WASH programmes and influencing policy to drive sustainable change.
3. Scope of Work
   The study will be carried out in Mazabuka, Choma, and Mongu districts. The consultant will work with local authorities and key government ministries, including the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Education. Additionally, the consultant will engage with community leadership and other non-governmental organisations operating in these districts to gather WASH information. The consultant will be responsible for conducting the following activities in accordance with the terms and conditions of the consultancy contract. These include:
   • Develop an appropriate methodology including the work plan for the study.
   • Conduct the study to identify and analyse major issues within the targeted districts.
   • Submit all deliverables as specified in section 6 following the agreed timeline.
   • Address relevant queries from WaterAid Zambia related to the study for up to three months after submitting the final report.
4. Methodology
   Overall, the consultant is expected to develop a robust methodology that effectively addresses the objectives of the study. The proposed methodology, along with relevant tools, must be presented to and approved by WaterAid. At a minimum, WaterAid Zambia expects that the consultant will employ a combination of approaches, including:
   • Desk reviews
   • Focus group discussions (FGDs)
   • Survey questionnaires
   • Literature analysis
   • Consultations with various stakeholders including key informant interviews
   • Focus group discussions with selected communities (where appropriate)
5. Expected Outputs
   • An inception report, including a detailed description of the proposed methodology and work plan.
   • A comprehensive factor analysis report.
   • A thorough stakeholder analysis report.
   • A presentation for a validation workshop with relevant stakeholders from both district and national levels.
   • A final report summarising the study’s findings, conclusions, and recommendations, incorporating observations and insights/recommendations that arise from the validation workshop.
6. Timeframe
   The assignment is expected to be completed in 30 days. Below is the timeline for activities:

   Activity	Responsible	Number of Days
   Submission of inception report	Consultant	3 days
   Data collection	Consultant	12 days
   Data analysis	Consultant	7 days
   Submission of draft final report	Consultant	5 days
   Submission of final report	Consultant	3 days
   Total		30 days

7. Essential Skills and Experience
   The expertise and inputs required for the consultancy during the project duration are as follows:

   Lead Consultant – The consultant will provide the full-time input, in person-months, as outlined in their technical proposal throughout the duration of the project. The consultant is expected to commence their services as per the agreed work plan. The following credentials and qualifications are strongly desired for the role:

   • Relevant educational background in general management or a technical field, with a comprehensive understanding of the WASH sector.
   • Experience in managing and administering field research, including the effective dissemination of study results.
   • Demonstrated ability to collaborate closely and efficiently with counterpart staff from executing agencies and public sector organizations in Zambia.
   • Proven track record of conducting research design within the country.
   • Strong skills in data management and analysis.
   • Advanced capabilities in report writing and presentation.

7.1 Tasks and Responsibilities The tasks will require a team of experts in the WASH sector, each bringing complementary skills and expertise in line with the scope of this work. The lead consultant’s primary responsibilities will include:

• Mobilising a skilled team and taking full responsibility for delivering the work.
• Establishing the WASH context in the targeted districts and finalising a detailed WASH context report.
• Designing the study and developing appropriate methodologies.
• Producing district-specific WASH context analysis reports.

7.2 Qualifications

• A minimum of an Advanced University degree in a relevant field (e.g., Demography, development studies, sociology, etc.) with a good understanding of the WASH, nutrition, and education sectors.
• Expertise in governance and WASH at a minimum.
• A proven track record in carrying out similar work, including political economy analysis, development analysis, and examining social-political and operational perspectives.
• Experience working with national and local government bodies.
• Familiarity with WASH issues; WASH integration, and previous involvement in WASH-related research is highly desirable.
• In-depth knowledge of the Zambia WASH sector.

8. Requirements
   The consultant will be required to be registered with PACRA and provide the following:
   • Company’s registration certificate.
   • Research firm/Company registered with ZaMEA.
   • Summary of corporate structure and business area.
   • Previous experience in their field. Provide 3 referees.
   • Location of offices with valid telephone, fax, and email address.
   • Valid Tax Clearance Certificate.
   • CVs and experience of key personnel.
   • Proposed schedule of works.
9. Duration of the Assignment
   The assignment is expected to be executed within a period of 30 working days starting from the date the contract is awarded. The consultant is required to provide a detailed time schedule, which should be submitted as part of the inception report.
10. Ethics and Risks
    • The consultant is expected to comply with WaterAid’s Global Evaluation Policy (in particular ‘4.2 Standards’) and safeguarding standards, policies, and procedures at all times.
    • Safeguarding training will be undertaken for all external consultants, facilitators, and research fellows engaged throughout the strategy engagement process.
    • The consultant is expected to adhere to government regulations and WaterAid local security protocols.
    • The consultant will be bound by the General Data Protection Regulation upheld by WaterAid.

    WaterAid is committed to ensuring that there is no tolerance for the abuse of power, privilege, or trust in any form. All staff, consultants, partners, and everyone we work with are required to share in this commitment through our Global Code of Conduct.

11. Application Process
    Interested candidates/firms will be expected to submit the following documentation:

• A technical proposal detailing the approach and methodology the consultant will employ for the assignment, along with an initial work plan based on the proposed methodology.
• A financial proposal detailing the proposed costs for undertaking the study.
• A consultant profile including evidence of similar work undertaken, and at least three traceable references from previous assignments.

Technical and financial proposals should be submitted as separate documents in PDF format. The deadline for submission of both technical and financial proposals is 15th December 2024. Proposals should be submitted electronically by emailing to ZambiaCareers@wateraid.org with the subject “District WASH Context Analysis Consultancy.” Please ensure that you adhere to this format, as failure to do so will result in your submission not being considered.