Consultancy

Job description

TERM OF REFERENCE

Midterm Review (MTR) and Baseline Assessment of expanded CSO membership under the Water Voices United Project: Strengthening CSO Capacity and Cooperation for the Realization of the Human Right to Water and Sanitation in Zambia–

Lusaka, in Zambia

SNV Netherlands Development Organisation

SNV is a global development partner driven by a vision of a better world: a world where across every society, all people live with dignity and have equal opportunities to thrive sustainably. We aim to make this a reality through our mission to strengthen capacities and catalyse partnerships in the countries we are rooted in. By doing so, we aim to transform the agri-food, energy, and water systems to enable sustainable and more equitable lives for all. Our work goes beyond the implementation of impactful projects – together with actors and partners – towards a deeper, more lasting change. We work towards systems transformation, and we make sure to build capacities for a long-lasting change driven by the transformational principles and objectives set out by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In Zambia, SNV has been present since 1965 and is currently active in 8 of the 10 provinces, with a diversity of projects ranging from Urban to Rural Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Climate resilient Agriculture, Energy and Youth Employment.

The NGO WASH Forum

The NGO WASH Forum is a network of non-governmental organizations working together to advocate for improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) access and practices. It strives to amplify the voices of its members and achieve positive change through collaboration, capacity building, knowledge sharing and impactful advocacy. It seeks to meaningfully connect and establish partnerships with relevant stakeholders.

The Water Voices United project

SNV Zambia is implementing in partnership with the NGO WASH Forum a European Union funded project that seeks to strengthen WASH civil society organizations (CSOs) capacities and cooperation for the realization of the Human Right to Water and Sanitation in Zambia. The project, named Water Voices United, aims to strengthen Zambia’s WASH CSOs engagement as actors of good governance and development through the improvement of their internal management systems, through the 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. The project is structured around 3 planned outputs:

NGO WASH Forum and WASH CSOs internal systems strengthened and performance improved.

Improved capacities of 40 WASH CSOs and of the NGO WASH Forum for enhanced policy dialogue, and for implementation of EU and national development plans and programmes.

Improved networking and visibility of the WASH CSOs under the Forums coordination, and increased awareness and engagement of rights holders.

Description of works

At project inception, in 2024, a baseline assessment of the role of CSOs in supporting the advancement of the Human Right to Water and Sanitation, and the Human Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment, was conducted using combination of methods, including secondary and primary data collection (self scoring, consensualized agreements, quantitative data), for a set of 19 impact, outcome and output indicators.

At impact level, the baseline measured the role that CSOs play in advancing the human rights to water and sanitation and promoting a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment in Zambia and related level of progress (measured through selected JMP indicators). At outcome level, the baseline measured the level of CSO influence and duty bearers accountability. At output level, it measured the level of performance of CSO internal management systems, their technical and advocacy capacities, the coordination and networking effectiveness of the NGO WASH Forum, including effectiveness of advocacy engagements, collaboration with other institutions (also internationally), visibility, and stakeholder satisfaction.

The findings of the baseline were used to sharpen and prioritize the approaches and activities delivered by the Water Voices United project. Over the course of two years, the project supported multiple capacity development activities; subnational, national and international advocacy initiatives; the enhancement of the awareness and engagement of the Rights’ Holders with key WASH issues; and the strategic alliances established by the Forum with like-minded institutions.

The MTR will measure progress over the 1.5 years period against all 19 indicators, by investigating the activities conducted and their results; by consulting the direct beneficiaries of the project (the NGO WASH Forum and their CSO members); by consulting the indirect beneficiaries of the project (key ministries of the Government of Zambia, key government agencies, Parliament of Zambia, and communities supported by the Forum and its member CSOs); and by assessing secondary data sources. The MTR should adopt a collaborative and participatory approach, engaging relevant stakeholders throughout the process to ensure accuracy, shared learning, and ownership of the assessment findings. It is estimated that the engagement with the CSOs will take place across Lusaka (23), Copperbelt (5), Central (2), Luapula (1), Eastern (1), and Southern (1) provinces. It is expected that the MTR zooms in the works conducted by a sub-group of 7 CSOs, that have been awarded funds to implement activities in Chongwe, Chipili, Chembe, Vubwi, Chasefu, Petauke, Chipata, and Mpongwe.

In addition to the MTR and its 19 indicators, it is expected that the consultant conducts a baseline assessment for new CSOs that have joined the Forum in the meantime. These are 26 CSOs, based in Lusaka (10), Mansa (2), Chipata (2), Kabwe (2), with the remaining CSOs distributed across several other districts. The data collection tools for this baseline exercise are exactly the same as those used to baseline the 40 CSOs that have been participating in the project since the beginning.

Objectives of the Consultancy

The consultancy has two main objectives:

MTR: To assess progress across impact, outcome, and output levels; evaluate the relevance, coherence, effectiveness, sustainability and impact of implementation; identify key enabling and constraining factors; and generate lessons to inform adaptive management and strengthen progress toward the goal of the Water Voices Project of improved WASH governance and human rights realization in Zambia.

Baseline: To establish capacity levels of newly admitted CSOs, providing a reference point for tracking future progress and informing targeted capacity strengthening, adaptive programming, and results monitoring throughout the remaining project period.

The specific objectives of this consultancy are:

MTR

Measure progress against baseline for all indicators to determine the extent to which targets are being met at mid-term (refer to the list of indicators attached)

Assess whether the Action is on track to achieve its agreed objectives by Year 4, identifying gaps, delays, or deviations.

Evaluate the relevance and coherence of WVU’s strategies and activities in addressing the needs of rights-holders, duty-bearers, and the evolving WASH context.

Assess effectiveness of project implementation modalities (for capacity development activities, for advocacy initiatives, for external alliances and engagement of Rights’ Holders), with specific attention to the use of CSO led Output Based projects as a modality to both strengthen the CSOs capacities and drive positive change at the subnational level and lessons learnt.

Identify factors contributing to success or hindering progress, including enablers, constraints, and risks.

Assess the likelihood of the sustainability of key results, particularly CSO capacities, partnerships, and advocacy practices.

Assess the extent to which GESI and Climate Change, as cross-cutting issues, are being effectively adopted and reflected in the CSOs work, both towards the Duty Bearers and towards the Rights’ Holders.

Baseline

Establish the baseline capacity profile of the targeted 26 CSOs’ internal management systems, identifying key strengths and gaps across governance, financial management, planning, monitoring and evaluation, amongst other (a full list will be provided)

Assess baseline capacity levels of targeted CSOs in key WASH thematic areas and core skills, including WASH in Schools, WASH in Health Facilities, IWRM and Climate Change, amongst other (a full list will be provided)

Scope of work

The consultant will undertake the following tasks:

Conduct a comprehensive desk review of project materials, including project proposal, logframe, capacity measurement tools, baseline report, training reports, activity reports and any other relevant outputs produced by the project that show the breath and depth of the work conducted so far.

Consult relevant national and international data, statistics including disaggregated data by location, socioeconomic status, gender, climate vulnerabilities and other relevant factors), and of studies, legislation, policies, and strategies related to water and sanitation.

Consult with a wide range of stakeholders, particularly established and prospect members of the NGO WASH Forum, the Forum itself, and including government officials at national and sub-national levels, allies and partners of the Forum (in Zambia and in the SADC region) media houses and community representatives

Conduct field visits to the communities that received interventions from CSOs members of the Forum through financing of the Water Voices United project

Analyse the findings and develop a comprehensive report that responds to the general objective and specific objectives stated above

Prepare and present the findings and recommendations to relevant stakeholders, through a validation, public dissemination event

Methodology

MTR: The MTR will apply a mixed-methods participatory approach, using triangulated data collection and analysis methods. It will incorporate an outcome harvesting approach in selected cases to capture success cases and/or unexpected achievements. The MTR will be guided by the OECD/DAC evaluation criteria of relevance, coherence, effectiveness, sustainability and impact.

It is expected that the consultants use the same tools and methodologies for the 19 indicators as applied at baseline, to ensure comparability of the results. In addition, it is expected that the consultants jointly with SNV develop a set of additional research questions and related methods and tools, that allow to capture information expected from an OECD/DAC criteria led assessment.

Baseline: The consultant will use the existing CSO Diagnostic and Capacity Assessment Tool, a self-administered instrument designed to collect data on selected output indicators and assess the capacity and performance of Civil Society Organizations across key institutional and technical areas. The baseline assessment will focus on the output indicators 1, 2, 3, and 4 in the attached indicator table.

Consultancy deliverables

Approved inception report outlining the methodology, evaluation matrix, workplan and table of contents for both the Midterm Review (MTR) and Baseline Assessment.

Adapted and finalized evaluation and baseline assessment tools.

Validated datasets and assessment outputs.

Draft Midterm Review (MTR) report with evidence-based, actionable recommendations.

Final Midterm Review (MTR) report incorporating stakeholder feedback.

Draft Baseline Assessment report on newly admitted CSO capacities.

Final Baseline Assessment report reflecting stakeholder inputs.

Presentation slides summarizing key findings for stakeholder consultation.

Final presentation of consolidated findings and recommendations.

Timeframe

Consultancy is estimated to last 42 days, spread across 2 months (April to May), counting from the day the contract with the selected consultant is signed.

Duty station: Not applicable; however, consultations with key stakeholders will be conducted face-to-face in Lusaka, where most CSOs are based and in the other locations where CSOs are based as detailed above. The consultant is also expected to undertake a limited number of community-level consultations in districts where the CSO led projects were implemented.

Desired consultant team/consultant firm profile

At least one of the team members with Master’s degree in the WASH field and/or Project Monitoring and Evaluation or related (minimum)

At least 10 years of relevant experience for the team leader

Proven experience of research, research methodologies and tools, and data analysis

Knowledge of the WASH sector status in Zambia, key policies, legislation and programmes and of the key stakeholders in the sector in Zambia

Proven experience in conducting similar WASH assignments, that also include actionable recommendations

Demonstrated expertise in Gender and Social Inclusion and on Climate Change issues

Experience working in Zambia is highly desirable but not essential

Documents to be submitted as part of the Consultants application:

Bidder Profile

Document summarizing the bidder’s background, qualifications and experience

If a team of individuals/consultancy firm, all the CVs of the proposed individuals by the firm to work on the assignment

Technical Proposal

The Technical Proposal should include but not limited to the following (10 pages max, 9 point Verdana font):

Interpretation of the objectives of the assignment from consultant’s perspective

Proposed methodology to produce the deliverables

Approach to showcase inclusion of vulnerable groups and of climate change vulnerabilities

Tentative timeline for the production of the deliverables and number of days for each

Financial Proposal

3.1. The financial proposal shall indicate total budget estimated in USD for international consultants and ZMW for national consultants and present the detailed breakdown of budget items namely daily fee rate (and include other costs, if arguably required to deliver the assignment)

Past Performance

Include three references related to similar assignments within the past five years (max), attaching contact details and evidence of the work produced (for published reports).

Mandatory Requirements

5.1 For Zambian national individual consultants: copies of Tax Registration certificate and the most recent tax clearance certificate:

5.2 for Non-Zambian Nationals Individual Consultants: of Tax Registration certificate and the most recent tax clearance certificate.

5.3 For a firm registration document: Business license/Certificate of Registration for all, Tax Registration, Current Tax Clearance Certificate and VAT if applicable

Terms of submission

Please submit the above listed in five (5) packages of documents to zambiaprocurement@snv.org by one email with the subject line “WVU MTR and Baseline Evaluation in Zambia” by 17:00 hours on March 6th 2026.

Failure to provide a full package of documents listed above them will result in disqualification of the whole bid. Only Shortlisted Candidates will be contacted.

Evaluation Criteria

Criteria

Maximum score

1

Bidder profile – capacity and experience of the proposed individual/team

20%

2

Technical proposal – reflecting the understanding of the ToR, relevance of the proposed methodology in relation to the ToR objectives and WASH issues, level of creativity/innovation, and proposed approach to the inclusion of vulnerable groups

30%

3

Financial proposal – relevance of proposed costs in relation to the technical proposal and level of experience/qualifications of the bidder

30%

4

Past performance with samples of previous works in the mentioned areas completed within the last five years – Three references for similar assignments implemented in the past five years

20%

For more information on SNV please refer to our website: www.snvworld.org

The Water Voices United Project Indicators

Impact Indicators

Impact

Indicators

Enhanced CSO’s contribution to the progressive realization of the Human Rights to Water and Sanitation and to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment in Zambia

Level of Adoption of Policy and Programmatic Submissions/Recommendations Proposed by the NGO WASH Forum by National or Local Government

Level of Commitment Displayed by the Zambian Government with Respect, Protection, and fulfilment of the Human Right to Water and Sanitation and to a Clean, Healthy, and Sustainable Environment

Percentage of People with Access to Basic Drinking Water (Limited in JMP Ladder) (Disaggregated by Urban/Rural)

Percentage of People with Access to Improved Sanitation (Disaggregated by Urban/Rural)

Degree of Implementation of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM)

Outcome Indicators

Outcome

Indicators

Strengthened Zambia’s WASH CSOs engagement as actors of good governance and development

Level of Willingness of National and Local Governments to be Held Accountable by WASH CSOs

Degree of Influence that CSOs and the Forum Have on Critical Water-Related Decision-Making Processes/Dialogues (National and Local)

Output Indicators

Outputs

Indicators

Strengthened internal management systems across 5 performance areas of 40 WASH CSOs and of the NGO WASH Forum

Percentage of Targeted CSOs with Internal Management Systems at Performance Level 3

NGO WASH Forum Internal Management System’s Performance Level

Improved capacities of 40 WASH CSOs and of the NGO WASH Forum to engage in policy dialogue, implementation and monitoring of EU and national development plans and programmes

Percentage of Targeted CSOs with Enhanced Capacities in Key WASH Themes and Skills

NGO WASH Forum Capacity Level in Key WASH Themes and Evidence-Based Advocacy Skills

Number of CSO-Led, Local-Level Initiatives Achieving Planned Results

Number of NGO WASH Forum-Led Evidence-Based Advocacy Initiatives/Dialogues Conducted

Improved coordination and networking capacities of WASH CSOs through the strengthening of the Zambian NGO WASH Forum ability to support, empower and connect its 40 WASH CSO members

Percentage of WASH CSO Members with a Satisfaction Level of 7 (Minimum, on a Scale of 1 to 10) on the NGO WASH Forum Coordination Capacity

Number of Joint Actions Conducted by (at least 2) NGO WASH Members

Number of Visibility Actions Led by the NGO WASH Forum Targeting Communication and Awareness of Rights’ Holders

Number of Followers of the NGO WASH Forum on Facebook/Instagram

Number of Initiatives Conducted by the NGO WASH Forum in Partnership with Other Relevant Platforms (Human Rights Commission, Youth, Climate Change, Disability-related)

Number of International Events Where Zambian Civil Society is Collectively Represented by the NGO WASH Forum