Terms of Reference -FANSA Advocacy-Influencing Training-Workshop

FANSA Advocacy-Influencing Training-Workshop

16-18 April 2023, Kathmandu, Nepal

Terms of Reference [ToR]

Introduction 

Formally launched in January 2008, Freshwater Action Network South Asia (FANSA) incorporated as a CSO network active in the WASH sector in South Asia. The concept to establish South Asia regional civil society organization’s network evolved during Freshwater Action Network (FAN) global meeting. The FANSA secretariat was initially hosted by Modern Architects for Rural India (MARI), India from 2008 to 2020 and recently been shifted to Lumanti, Nepal in 2021. FANSA’s vision and mission are

Vision: An inclusive, equitable and climate resilient WASH facilities and services for ALL in South Asia.

Mission: To support civil society organisations in South Asia for their meaningful engagement in WASH advocacy to enhance/ensure inclusive, equitable and climate resilient WASH facilities and services for all, particularly focusing on the key vulnerable populations. An integral part of its mission is to support and promote investigation on the policy-practice gaps in the WASH sector and their implications for SDG 6 targets in South Asia.

For over 12 years, FANSA has contributed to, and helped shape, the regional WASH agenda at national, regional and international forums. FANSA, through its programs and alignment with regional and global agendas such as the UN resolution on the ‘Rights to Water and Sanitation’ and UN Sustainable Development Goals, as well as its ongoing collaboration with the global consortium like the Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) and End Water Poverty (EWP) campaign, will continue to contribute towards achieving the target to provide universal access to sanitation and water by 2030 in South Asia, by bridging regional boundaries and facilitating dialogue between policymakers, practitioners, researchers, press/media and other relevant stakeholders

FANSA has grown tremendously and its CSO network members increased from 350 plus to 600 plus at present across South Asia. This is possible due to high level of dedication from the respective FANSA country chapters.

Evidence-based advocacy is imperative to find new ways to overcome these challenges through policy changes for sustainable sanitation and water supply facilities and services. Increased engagement of and collaboration among stakeholders are required to address further challenges ahead on sanitation and water supply in South Asia.

Background of the proposed advocacy – influencing skill share raining/workshop 

a. WASH Advocacy and policy influencing is central to FANSA’s mission – as mentioned above.

b. The first two goals of FANSA’s Strategy 2020-2024 are about promoting, supporting and doing WASH advocacy as well as capacity building/enhancement of partners and communities for advocacy and policy influencing.

c. FANSA believes and promotes communities’ direct participation and in advocacy based on communities’ lived experience, research and evidence. 

d. More specifically this advocacy – influencing training/workshop is conceived and organized under the broader programmatic umbrella of BMGF-funded Rising for Right (R4R) for  Citywide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS).

e. This training is to increase and strengthen direct advocacy-influencing by the communities where FANSA partners work.

f. This training is a series of FANSA’s capacity strengthening project and process, initially focused at FANSA’s Partners’ Advocacy Leads working directly with the community but will in the later phase engage with the community level leaders directly or indirectly. 

g. This in-person residential training in April in Nepal will be 70:30 knowledge and skills combination event. 

Broad objectives of the training (24 hours in 3 full working days)

• Develop a shared knowledge/understanding/skills about the concepts, practices, language and tools and methods for advocacy-campaigning-influencing. (10 hours)
• Learn from each-others’ in the workshop advocacy contexts, focus and efforts, so far, especially at frontlines – but also as state/province/national levels, as relevant. (Develop, share and seek feedback in the workshop from all about a specific advocacy project and plan (theory of change, expected outcomes, strategy, framing-messaging-engagement, methods-tools, etc) that each participant will bring or develop afresh in the workshop. 
• Agree an action-plan for participants, and a follow-up post training workshop.

FANSA Participants (13-20 in total)

• FANSA National or Advocacy function Lead from: Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India Bhutan and Maldives 
• FANSA Partners’ Advocacy function staff associated with FANSA work x2 each from Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan = (6 in total) 

Scope of Work: 

The Advocacy-Influencing Training Consultant will be responsible for designing and facilitating a three-day training workshop focused on enhancing advocacy and influencing skills among FANSA partners and stakeholders. The consultant will work closely with FANSA Regional Coordinator and Rising for Rights Program Manager to ensure the training aligns with organizational objectives and participant needs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct pre-design consultations with FANSA Regional Coordinators/Program Manager to understand training objectives and participant requirements.
• Design and develop the training curriculum, including workshop sessions, activities, and materials.
• Facilitate interactive and engaging training sessions, incorporating adult learning principles and participatory methodologies.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to participants in developing advocacy projects and action plans.
• Identify and invite external resource persons as needed, in coordination with FANSA Regional Coordinator and FANSA Regional Programme Manager.
• Produce a comprehensive report summarizing workshop outcomes, participant feedback, and recommendations for follow-up actions.

Qualifications and Experience:

Advanced degree in a relevant field such as international development, social sciences, or public policy.

• Proven experience in designing and delivering advocacy and influencing training programs, particularly in the WASH sector or related fields.
• Strong understanding of advocacy strategies, policy influencing mechanisms, and community engagement approaches.
• Excellent facilitation and communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences and foster participatory learning environments. 
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Fluency in English is required, knowledge of regional languages is an asset.

Qualified and interested individuals can mail their technical proposal along with CV and Financial proposal by 26th March 2024 to email: lumanti.vacancy@gmail.com.