Consultant - Look Back Study on Sustainability and Replicability of WASH Projects

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises. IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality. IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services. IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. IFRC also has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

Details / requirements:

TOR

Look Back Study on Sustainability and Replicability of WASH Projects

2021

1.  Background of the Study:

Nepal Red Cross Society has implemented Earthquake Recovery Operation (ERO) from 2016 to 2019 AD aftermath of 2015 devastating Nepal Earthquake in 4+1 component; Shelter, WASH, Livelihood, Health and ICB as an integrated program in 14 most earthquake affected districts in partnership with 10 Partner national societies (American, British, Belgian, Swiss, Danish, Japanese, Korean, Luxemburg, Norwegian & Canadian RC) and IFRC. Where Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) was the one of major priority component coving all 14 ERO districts. To carry out Look back study, not only in WASH rather shelter, Livelihood and Health program is important so then current operational or uses status could be known but looking on the nature of provided services and support, WASH is most potential to begin at the start as the test, particularly on provided services in Earthquake Recovery Operation (ERO). On the another, being a Red Cross, this is our responsibility to go back to see, how the provided services are functioning as designed.  

During Earthquake Recovery Operation (ERO), tangible result has achieved despite time limitation, considering the then situation, where more than 300 water supply schemes including four larger power grid and one solar lifting schemes has completed. Besides, 36 Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) system for the hygienic use of school latrines, more than ten thousands minimum resilient household level latrines and 120 Child Gender and Disable friendly schools latrines and 1200 utensils dryer has been constructed. During this period, 15 the then Village Development committee has Open Defecation Free (ODF) declared and 179,588 people has reached with hygiene promotion activities over 4 years back in Nepal. Most importantly, it would be an opportunity to strengthen the capacity of WUCs and linkage building with local government and supporting organization for their needful support for sustaining run of WASH facilities based on the study findings. Besides, Final evaluation report of these three IFRC supported districts has recommendation for cost effective technology endorsement, especially for power grid (electric) triple staged three water lifting systems for their sustaining run and social affordability. 

Thus, this would be an appropriate time to carry out Look back study on sustainability and Replicability of WASH component completed under Earthquake Recovery Operation (ERO), as we are standing at the edge of fifth year Earthquake Recovery Operation (ERO)completion in 14 most EQ affected districts.

NRCS is seeking external support to ensure the quality of the study process and reporting. 

2.  Purpose of the Study:

The prime purpose of this study is to find out the current functional status of the WASH facilities constructed during Earthquake Recovery Operation (ERO). And recommend for further intervention/support strategy to address the noticed functionality gap in WASH and adoption of possible technology innovation, especially in power grid lifting system for their sustaining and economic run, not only in IFRC supported three districts rather in rest eleven ERO districts, which will be addressed in two phases as mentioned below:

3.  Rationale of Look back study on WASH Component

This is to seek the present sustaining functional status of WASH facilities constructed 2-4 years back, and now we are standing at the edge of 4 years after completing the Earthquake Recovery Operation (ERO) after devastating Nepal EQ in 2015. Where huge chunk of resource has spent to rehabilitate and new construction of WASH facilities in ‘A’ categorized 14 districts. Thus, to carry out the Look back study of Earthquake Recovery Operation WASH project, initially in IFRC supported three districts (Sindhuli, Ramechhap and Okhaldhunga) is the right time to find out the current operational status of WASH facilities to know either constructed facilities are working as per their designed period or not. 

On the another, WASH itself is not only to deliver the services, rather to ensure sustaining safety is most. Past studies shows that, quality of water keep changing due to different reasons; natural and man-made. Clean and safe water at the project completion time might not be safe enough for eternity, so this is our responsibility to look back in these safety aspects, which is directly linked with the live of the people. 

Most importantly, to carry out Look back study is more appropriate for WASH facilities as they are for the community and communal institutions so they belongs to whole society for eternal run however some of other facilities are limited with individual level as the support or grant completes. If we see shelter support, livestock support, it turned into individual property immediately after planned task completes. 

4.  Study process:

Following steps will be followed while carrying out the look-back study;

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5.  Expected Outcomes:

Primarily key outcome of this study will be as mentioned below;

StagesOutcomes
Existing Functional Situation Findings 
  • Finding of current sustaining functional status of 35 water schemes; 9 water schemes including 3 power grid lifting system of Ramechhap, 7 gravity fed of Sindhuli and 19 gravity fed water schemes of Okhaldhunga
  • Study and finding of operation and management system of 35 water schemes of Ramechhap (9), Sindhuli 7 and 19 (Okhaldhunga) including 3 power grid and 1 solar lifting system.
  • Beneficiaries’ reflection on water tariff and cost replacement option of 35 water supply schemes, especially 3 power grid and 1 solar lifting water supply scheme.
  • Implementation approach (demand driven) and social acceptance.
  • Technical appropriateness of constructed WASH facilities and technical capacity to regulate the water supplies.
  • Explore the need/possibility of technology innovation/solar connection, especially in 3 power grid water schemes of Ramechhap
  • Availability of tools, spares parts and needful materials on site to regulate the systems.
  • Findings on hygienic uses of 15 Child, Gender and disability friendly latrine constructed in community schools at present.
  • Findings on hygienic uses of Household level latrines & personal hygiene behavior at present in project area
Gap Analysis 
Gap analysis of above findings 
Recommendation 
Recommendation for mitigation measures to address the seen gap in existing WASH facilities/services.

6.  Competency of the Consultant :

  • Experience in working and report writing of water sanitation and hygiene sector
  • Experience on quality report writing in developmental organization; minimum of 5 years’ experience. 
  • Very good on data analysis and consolidation 
  • Having experience working in Earthquake Recovery operation, especially in WASH program is an additional advantage 
  • Having experience working with Red Cross and Red Crescent (RCRC) movement is preferred

7.  Expected Support from the consultant/expert

StageDescriptionTentative dates for implementation
Specific role of the expert
How much time this required (full time or what %)
Comments (if any)
1Data analysis
7 days in 2nd and 3rdweek June 2021
Analysis of collected data through Kobo platform and other means
Full-time work from the distance
Synthesize the collected information based on the nature of the information together with the other team members
2Reporting/Report writing
14 days between in 4th week and end of July 2021
Report writing and finalization 
Full-time work from the distance
Standard report could be shared in wide; I/national forum. 

8.  Consultant Required Time

Look back study consultant will be required from mid of June 2021. 

9.  Duration: 

21working days during the assignment period of 7 weeks.

10.  Suggested final report outline 

No.ContentDescription
1Executive summarySummarizes the overall findings of the study with key conclusions and not more than 10 key recommendations. Executive Summary must be specific to the review and clearly outline the specific context of WASH projects. 
2BackgroundA general section that outlines the overall objectives, aims, strategy for the intervention, policy frameworks, targets, main stakeholders, institutional arrangements etc.
3MethodologyOutlines the overall approach used, the tools applied and the key assumptions. This should focus on consideration for validity, impact and sustainability. 
4FindingsOutlines the findings of the review, both statistical and narrative.
5ConclusionsOutlines the main conclusions that have emerged from the findings
6Lessons learned and recommendations
Key lessons learnt, gaps and recommendations to improve system and approaches for future WASH interventions.

11.  APPLICATION PROCEDURES 

Interested candidates should submit their expression of interest to aliza.baidya@ifrc.org by 13 June 2021.The proposal should mention the position you are applying for, your surname and first name. 

The application should include:

1.  Cover letter clearly summarizing experience of the consultant team leader as it pertains to this assignment, remuneration, and contact details for three professional referees

2.  Curricula Vitae 

3.  Two samples of previous written work similar to that described in this Term of Reference (previous evaluations and reviews as team leader is acceptable. 

Application materials are non-returnable. We thank you in advance for understanding that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Overview

Category Development and Project
Openings 1
Position Type Contract
Experience Please check details below.
Education Please check details below.
Posted Date 28 May, 2021
Apply Before 13 Jun, 2021
City Kathmandu