Expertise: Project Management
Expertise Group: Project Management/ Institutional Development
Consultant Source: National
TOR Keywords:
Objective and Purpose of the Assignment
Jaffna Kilinochchi Water Supply and Sanitation Project of Sri Lanka recognize that provision of water is
the most basic of needs and that it requires careful consideration because of the distinct
characteristics of Jaffna. Because of Jaffna’s unique topography and morphology, the peninsula depends
primarily on groundwater resources not only for drinking water but also for many other purposes,
including agriculture, the primary economic activity in the region. The aquifer is fragile and at risk
because of bacteriological contamination resulting from inadequate sanitation and nutrient contamination
resulting from agricultural run-off. Over-extraction of groundwater has also led to salinity intrusion.
Addressing threats to water resources in Jaffna requires an integrated, cross-sectoral, and
multidisciplinary institutional framework. Currently, no regulatory mechanism for water resources exists
to coordinate, plan, and oversee monitoring activities.
Key development problems affecting water and sanitation in Jaffna are related to (i) damaged sanitation
facilities and a lack of access to water; (ii) weak water resource coordination and planning and a lack
of essential policies for managing water resources; and (iii) poor institutional capacity of water and
sanitation authorities and inadequate awareness on water conservation, environmental protection, and
hygiene among beneficiaries.
Scope of Work
The project intends to implement a water conservation campaign to inform, educate, and motivate
government officials, schools, children and the public to adopt sustainable practices and behaviors that
reduce the demand and improve the quality of water. The objective of the campaign is to raise awareness
and encourage action among government officials, youth, children, the public and other relevant
stakeholders on the importance of water conservation and the challenges of water scarcity. The campaign
should reach at least 60,000 households . The campaign will consist of various activities, such as media
outreach, social media engagement, educational materials, events, workshops, and contests, that aim to
inform, inspire, and motivate the target audiences to adopt water-saving practices and support water-
related policies and initiatives.
The campaign will be implemented in collaboration with the National Water Supply and Drainage Board,
Water Resources Board, local authorities, civil society organizations, and other partners.
The specific objectives are:
• To educate relevant government officials, teachers, children and other stakeholders on the importance,
status, and challenges of water resources and their
interlinkages with other water sources and ecosystems.
• To engage government officials, teachers, children and other stakeholders in participatory and
creative activities that foster their knowledge, skills, and attitudes on water conservation,
environmental protection, and hygiene.
• To empower local governments, schools, children and other stakeholders to become agents of change and
advocates for water conservation in their schools,
families, and communities.
• To monitor and evaluate the outcomes and impacts of the campaign on the awareness, behavior, and
action of teachers, children and other stakeholders on water
conservation.
The expected outcomes of the project are:
• An increased level of knowledge, awareness, and practice of government officials, teachers, children,
and other stakeholders on water conservation and management.
• Strengthen the capacity of government officials, teachers, children, and other stakeholders to
participate in and contribute to water conservation and management initiatives in their schools,
families, and communities.
• Enhance the sense of responsibility and ownership of teachers, schools, and children towards water
resources and their protection and sustainable use.
• Improve collaboration and coordination among youth and children, teachers, parents, community leaders,
local authorities, and other stakeholders on water
conservation and management issues.
• To raise the profile and visibility of water conservation and management as a priority and cross-
cutting theme in the water sector and beyond.
Detailed Tasks and/or Expected Output
Conduct a situational analysis.
This involves assessing the current status and trends of ground water resources in the area, identifying
the main threats and challenges, and evaluating the existing policies and regulations. Identify the
needs, interests, and attitudes of the target audience, as well as the potential allies and opponents of
the campaign.
Define the goals and objectives.
Based on the situational analysis, formulate specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound
(SMART) goals and objectives for the campaign. This should particularly include increased awareness of
the importance of water conservation, to encourage the adoption of water-saving devices and practices,
and to advocate for the enforcement of water regulations.
Develop the message and strategy.
Develop clear, concise, and consistent messages highlighting the benefits of water conservation for the
target audience (school administrators, teachers, students, local governments, and households) with
attention to the tone, style, and language of your message, and tailor it to suit the preferences and
characteristics of the audience. The strategy should outline the main communication channels and
activities that you will use to deliver the message, such as social media, flyers, posters, workshops,
events, etc. The strategy should also show how to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the campaign.
Implement and manage the campaign.
This involves executing the planned activities, coordinating with the relevant partners. Keep track of
the progress and feedback and adjust the campaign accordingly.
Develop a knowledge publication:
This involves developing a knowledge publication on community-based and youth-led water conservation
practices. The document would inform ADB and other stakeholders of the best practices to be integrated
in future water sector projects. It will also include documenting and reporting the process,
achievements, challenges, successes of the campaign.
- Activities
The assignment will consist of the following key activities:
• A baseline survey to assess the level of knowledge, awareness, and practice of government officials,
teachers and students on water conservation and management.
• A series of workshops and trainings to introduce the concepts, principles, and practices of water
conservation and management to local government officials, teachers and students using interactive and
experiential learning methods.
• A development of educational and communication materials on water conservation and management, such as
posters, flyers, stickers, comics, videos, games, etc.
• A launch of a water conservation campaign in schools and communities, local governments and schools in
various activities, such as awareness-raising events, competitions, exhibitions, demonstrations, field
visits, etc.
• A follow-up survey to measure the changes in knowledge, awareness, and practice of youth and children
on water conservation and management after the campaign.
• A documentation and dissemination of the project results, lessons learned, and best practices to
relevant stakeholders and audiences. - Duration of the consultancy
The duration of the consultancy would be 100 person-days between 15 August 2024 and 30 March 2025 - Coordination
The Consultant should consult and get approval from the NWSDB’s Project Management, Coordination and
Implementation (PMCIU) and the ADB’s Senior Social Development Office (Gender) related to the mentioned
tasks. - Reporting:
The Consultant will report to ADB’s Senior Social Development Officer (Gender).
Minimum Qualification Requirements
a) An advanced degree in social science, law, or a relevant field with at least 10 years of experience
in research and/or advocacy work on social issues
b) Expertise in community development and water conservation and experience in working with local
governments in Sri Lanka.
c) Strong communication in both English and Tamil.
d) Prior work experience with the water sector and/or international development agencies and local and
international NGOs would be preferred.
Minimum General Experience: 7 Years
Minimum Specific Experience (relevant to assignment): 7 Years
