Technical Writer/Consultant: Market-Based WASH in Crisis-Affected Sudan and Lebanon

Jan 2, 2019 | Near East Foundation
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Near East Foundation (NEF) UK’s work is based on a conviction that, to play an active role in the development of their communities and countries, people need opportunities and tools: the knowledge to participate in civic and economic life, a voice in public decisions that affect their wellbeing, and a means of making a meaningful living. We call this approach “Knowledge, Voice, and Enterprise”- a philosophy reflected in all of NEF’s work.

Currently, NEF UK has programs in Armenia, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Sudan, and West Bank that focus on microenterprise development, peacebuilding through economic cooperation, natural resource management, and the facilitation of water, hygiene, and sanitation (WASH) best practices.

The project aims to ensure crisis-affected people in six communities in Darfur, Sudan, and in five communities in Bekaa, Lebanon, will reduce their risk of morbidity and mortality through improved access to clean water, adequate sanitation, and good hygiene and environmental health.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

  • Developing and promoting 13 collaborative or individual WASH entrepreneurship activities;
  • Instigating and investing in 11 market-based WASH interventions through civil society-led or private-public partnerships;
  • Developing the capacity of seven local civil society organisations to lead, catalyse, sustain and advance local WASH programmes;
  • Collaboratively improve learning and developing position papers to expand the scale, scope and replication potential of the intervention in additional communities.

PURPOSE OF ToR

The Near East Foundation UK seeks to gather high-level learning about its intervention and appraise it in comparison to emergent best practices and trends relative to work in market-based WASH programmes. The final written product should capture:

  • Best practices and new learning that has emerged through this process;
  • How programmes involving i) WASH entrepreneurship in crisis-affected communities; ii) market-based private-public WASH service provision is enhanced; and iii) improving civil society-led enabling environment can respond to the need for clean water, adequate sanitation, and good hygiene and environmental health in target communities in a sustainable manner.

The paper will be conducted through desk research and consultation with project teams. Further consultation with participants and key organisations can be facilitated either directly or indirectly (with the assistance of the project teams).

DELIVERABLES

A final product that (1) captures high-level lessons associated with NEF’s intervention, (2) maps these lessons in relation to applicable international best practices and models, (3)illustrates the findings using in-depth profiles of 3-6 WASH actors, beneficiariesand/or entrepreneurs, and (4) develops in-depthrecommendations that will inform future programming. Quality photos will be provided by the project.

SEARCH PROCESS AND TIMETABLES

Once the finalists are identified, they will be reviewed on their process, portfolio, and ability to work within the budget. Selection will be made immediately after that review. The assignment is expected to be completed within seven weeks.

CAPABILITIES

NEF is looking for a consultant that can work in partnership with the London-based NEF UK team and the NEF Sudan and Lebanon teams (remotely) to accomplish the desired results. The selected individual will have proven capability in developing exceptionally written programmatic learned lessons and personal profiles geared toward peer organisations, practitioners, funders, and general mass audience. Must be able to deliver on a writing and editorial style that is consistent with the values and essence of the organisation. Should have a clear vision for how to approach subjects and be able to build a trust and rapport with the subjects and communities being profiled.

PERSPECTIVE ON THE TOR

Please provide us with your comments and perspective on the proposed TOR, key challenges and opportunities, and your understanding on your vision for what the final product will look like.

PROCESS

Please provide a clear outline of your process of how we would work together to successfully implement the outlined tasks and the steps that need to be taken on both sides to produce the desired results. Please include everything you would need from NEF to be successful. This can include knowledge support as well as logistic support. NEF will not support international travel under the ToR. Please propose a remote coordination and management plan.

DISTINGUISHING CAPABILITIES

What is it that distinguishes you from other candidates in a setting such as the one where NEF is positioned (international development)? Include the reasons why we should select you.

PHILOSOPHY

The selected consultant will help us create a product that contains elements that would ideally be multipurpose (knowledge product, website testimonial content, donor products, etc.) and for multiple audiences. We would like for you to share your philosophy on this point. Please explain how you would define and measure the success of this pursuit.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

Please provide us with an overview of your past experience and examples of your relevant work, particularly relevant work with humanitarian and development actors.