Terms of Reference Consultancy to Conduct Research aimed at Assessing Barriers Preventing Collaboration and Coordination among CSOs.

1.    Project background

Water Voices United is a transformative four-year project, co-funded by the European Union and Danish People’s Aid and spearheaded by SNV in partnership with the NGO WASH Forum. This initiative aims to enhance the capabilities and synergies among WASH Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Zambia. By fostering the CSOs role in WASH governance, the project supports the Zambian Government’s efforts towards the progressive realization of the Human Right to Water and Sanitation. Together, we are not just aiming for change; we’re ensuring a sustainable and equitable future where access to clean water and safe sanitation becomes a reality for all.

2.    Purpose of the Consultancy

The specific objective of the project is to strengthen Zambia’s WASH CSOs engagement as actors of good governance and development through the improvement of 40 CSOs and of the NGO WASH Forum internal management systems, development of their capacities to engage in policy dialogue, implementation and monitoring of EU and national development plans and programmes, and through their improved coordination and networking.

To enhance collaboration and the ability of CSOs to work as a collective, the project intends to conduct in-depth study with selected members of the NGOWASH Forum aimed at understanding the barriers preventing collaboration among CSOs and other bottlenecks around trust and knowledge sharing affecting CSOs ability to work as a collective.

The research delves to understand issues of mutual respect and trust regarding organisation mission, values and perception on WASH issues and CSOs ability to share meaningful WASH   information such as financial reports or WASH business plan.

Findings from this research will be used to develop actions aimed at enhancing collaboration and coordination among CSOs thereby strengthening the ability of CSOs to work as a collective.

3.    Scope of Work and Methodology

The NGOWASH Forum has 40 members spread across different provinces and districts in the Country. It has 20 International Organisations,13 Local Community Based and Non-Governmental Organizations and 5 National Organizations. The consultant shall conduct the following:

Develop data collection tools: The consultant shall develop data collection tools that will allow an in-depth discussion to understand barrier preventing collaboration among CSOs and other bottlenecks preventing CSOs to work as a collective.

Sampling and data collection: The consultant will select a representative sample from the membership of the Forum. The sample should consider the size, status, and location of the CSO, ensuring that balanced representation of all organization types and areas of work. The minimum expected sample size will be at least 30% of the membership of the Forum.

Data analysis and reporting: The consultant will analyse the data using the appropriate qualitative analysis methods. Based on the analysis, the consultant will prepare 1) a report presenting the findings and recommendations, 2) a PowerPoint presentation summarising the key findings and recommendations. The consultant is further expected to facilitate a workshop with the Forum members where the results and recommendations will be presented.  The workshop should also include the presentation of a team building plan with key milestones.

4.    Expected deliverables

The following are expected deliverables from the consultant:

1.   Inception report, and research questions – 30th October 2024.

2.   First Draft report & draft PowerPoint presentation – 8th November 2024.

3.   Finalised report & PowerPoint presentation with key findings and recommendations, the final report shall be submitted withing 10 working days after receiving comments from the project – 22nd November 2024.

4.   Results/ team building workshop to be held within 1 week of the final report being accepted

5.    Duration of the Work

This activity will be conducted in 4 weeks. The consultant shall be paid for specific deliverables over the contractual period.

6.   Qualifications of a Successful Candidate

•   The candidate should be experienced with not less than 7 years’ experience in qualitative data collection through interviews, or FGDs.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage and facilitate discussions with a diverse range of stakeholders, including CSOs
• Experience in capacity building and organizational development within the WASH sector is desirable.
• Prior experience conducting research, stakeholder analysis, or organizational capacity assessments, preferably involving CSOs and network-based organizations
• Ability use qualitative data analysis tools such ATLAS.ti, NVivo etc.

6.    Application Process

Please send the application documents as follow:

•  Application Letter
• Technical and Financial Proposal

To admin@washforum.co.zm and navileybangwe@ngowash.co.zm by 25th October 2024 with the subject “WVU Research: Collaboration between CSOs and the NGOWASH Forum