Sustainability Services Checklist External Evaluator tenders at Water for People

Assess the level of sustainability of water and sanitation services using Sustainable Services Checklist (SSC), according to Water for People’s indicators and methodology. The consultant will assign scores for each metric in Water for People’s SSC tool in four Water For People countries in Africa across 15 partner area districts.

Target Countries and Districts:

• Malawi: Chikwawa, Chiradzulu, Peri-Urban Blantyre, Neno, Ntchisi
• Rwanda: Karongi, Kicukiro, Gicumbi, Gisagara, Rulindo, Nyamagabe
• Tanzania: Mpwapwa
• Uganda: Kamwenge, Luuka, Buikwe

I. Institutional Background

Water For People promotes the development of high-quality drinking water and sanitation services, accessible to all and sustained in the long term. Since 2011, Water For People has implemented the Everyone Forever model in nine countries: Bolivia, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Peru, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.

The Everyone Forever Model:

• Everyone: Every community, family, and public institution (e.g., schools, health centers) in the districts where we work has access to safe and reliable WASH services.
• Forever: Local governments, service providers, and citizens are equipped with the knowledge and resources to manage and sustain services in the long term.

Water Services Milestones:

• Universal coverage with an intermediate or high level of service in 90% of community systems, 95% of public institutions, and 95% of households.
• Achieving sustainability for eight indicators within the SSC for water services. These include Service Authority, Service Provider, and Water Resources Management.

Sanitation Services Milestones:

• Basic service levels for 90% of homes and 75% of safe sludge management.
• Achieving sustainability for three indicators within the SSC for sanitation services, focusing on the Service Authority.

SSC Methodology:
The SSC is used to assess the sustainability of services by evaluating the performance of local authorities, service providers, and water resources management.

II. Objective

Main Objective:
To assess the level of sustainability of water and sanitation services in four Water For People countries in Africa across 15 partner area districts using the Sustainable Services Checklist (SSC).

Specific Objectives:

• Assessing and scoring the sustainability of WASH services using the SSC tool.
• Validating the data with the country program(s) Review Team and stakeholders.
• Examining factors hindering or enabling sustainability, with a focus on pathways to exit or the need for a Strategic Exit.
• Identifying best practices and providing recommendations for achieving sustainability and preparing for exit.
• Assessing the SSC tool’s effectiveness and comparing it with similar tools.

III. Scope of Work

1. Orientation:
   • Participate in an orientation on Water For People’s Everyone Forever model and SSC tool.
   • Review relevant documents, including country program details and WASH sector operations.
   • Conduct field visits to water systems, household sanitation facilities, and wastewater treatment plants.
2. Work Plan Development:
   • Create a 3-month work plan detailing the activities and deliverables.
   • Coordinate data collection through interviews with service authorities and service providers (in Uganda).
   • Collect necessary data for the SSC scoring process.
3. Data Collection and Analysis:
   • Review service provider survey data and integrate it into the SSC.
   • Use the SSC tool to assign scores for each metric in 15 districts.
   • Facilitate asynchronous review and validation meetings with Water For People teams.
4. Report Development:
   • Finalize the SSC scores, compare them with previous years, and interpret the results.
   • Present a qualitative report with recommendations and lessons learned.

IV. Consulting Milestones and Deliverables

1. Orientation and Incorporation into Water For People (5 business days):
   • Completion of Water For People orientation and review of the Everyone Forever model and SSC tool.
2. Work Plan with Schedule of Activities (6 business days):
   • Creation and confirmation of the final work plan.
   • Review of SSC documentation and related materials.
3. Execution Plan (42 working days):
   • Interviews with service authorities and service providers (Uganda).
   • Field visits to districts and collection of data.
4. Data Validation (6 business days):
   • Processing and validating collected data.
   • Presentation of findings to the country program team.
5. Final Report and Recommendations (0.5 business days):
   • Delivery of a final report, including an executive summary and qualitative findings.
   • Presentation of results in workshops.

V. Duration of Service

• Maximum Duration: 38 business days.
• Estimated Start Date: April 1, 2025
• Completion Date: May 30, 2025

VI. Place and Hours of Work

• The consultant must conduct in-person interviews in each of the four countries (Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda).
• Interviews will be coordinated by the Water For People country teams, and the consultant must manage the logistics and conduct the interviews.

VII. Coordination and Supervision

• The consultant will be supervised by a Steering Committee composed of members from the Water For People Africa country programs.

VIII. Payment Method

• Total Payment: $25,500 USD (including taxes).
• Payments will be made in installments based on the completion of specific milestones.

IX. Consultant Profile

• Experience: At least 10 years of experience in the evaluation and monitoring of WASH programs.
• Skills: Expertise in participatory evaluation, knowledge of Water For People’s monitoring framework, and familiarity with the SSC tool.
• Qualifications: Degree in Civil Engineering, International Development, Social Sciences, or related fields.

X. Consultant Criteria Matrix

• Total Possible Points: 230
• Minimum Score Required for Consideration: 180

XI. Budget

• Total Budget: $25,500 USD, covering all consultant fees, travel, and expenses.

XII. How to Apply

Submit your CV and proposal by March 14, 2025 to the Hiring Committee via Meghan Prentiss at mprentiss@waterforpeople.org. The proposal should include:

• Professional references and evaluation report samples.
• Approach to the assignment.
• Budget proposal including daily consulting rate