Description
Request For Proposals
Consultancy Opportunity: Research Expertise on WASH, WASH investment, Cholera, Climate and related linkages.
The consultancy will focus on three countries selected from the following: Zambia, Bangladesh, Mozambique, Malawi and Ghana, based on data availability and contextual relevance.
Background
WaterAid has consistently illustrated the significance of Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in the prevention and control of communicable diseases, including cholera. WaterAid, through its Country Programmes, has implemented initiatives demonstrating the collaboration between the WASH and health sectors for cholera prevention and control. Furthermore, consolidating insights from our initiatives such as the political economy analysis of cholera and disseminating to policy makers. At the Global level, WaterAid as a long-time member of the Global Task Force on Cholera Control (GTFCC)’s WASH Working Group and Advocacy Task Team, supports with the implementation of the Global Roadmap to End Cholera by 2030 including developing policy advocacy and communication strategies that highlight the connection between WASH and cholera.
Cholera, as compared to other WASH-related diseases, has a high case fatality rate and, if neglected, a cholera patient may experience severe dehydration within one hour of symptom onset and could die within 2 to 3 hours. The case fatality of untreated cholera can be high as 50%, but with the right interventions such as the provision of clean water and treatment, the case fatality could be as low as 1% [1] . This is due to the disease being highly infectious where there is either limited or no access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene services. WaterAid’s recent political economy analysis of the global cholera situation revealed that multiple issues contribute to or worsen cholera outbreaks, including underinvestment in safe and sustainable WASH services, a lack of political will to prevent outbreaks, and skewed, short- term reactive responses by health sector, often driven with the administration of vaccines. Climate change is also increasing health risks, especially for cholera. Unpredictable rainfall, drought and flooding, create optimal circumstances for the spread of cholera. Cyclones, storms, and droughts complicate disease control, worsening access to clean water and consequently putting a strain on the health system.
Objective
The purpose of the study is to develop an evidence-based narrative that demonstrates two main insights:
- the relationship between WASH infrastructure/services at household level, past and present WASH investment and spending, and cholera incidence and prevalence in selected PAMIs.
- the relationship between cholera trends, climate change and other variables in selected PAMIs and spread of cholera in PAMIs.
The specific objectives of the study include:
- To perform a spatial mapping to identify and visualize -the relationship between WASH infrastructure/services at household levels, WASH investment and spending at subnational- level, and cholera cases in selected PAMIs.
- To determine the relationship between climate change/variability (e.g. rainfall patterns, temperature patterns, flood occurrences, etc.) and trends of cholera case prevalence.
- To perform statistical modelling (multivariate analysis) to explore and understand the potential factors that may affect the relationship between WASH investment and spending, WASH infrastructure/service, and cholera outcomes, as well as the extent of their influence. The factors to be explored should include (but not be limited to) climate change/variability, attitude and behaviour around sanitation and hygiene practices, population, demography (gender, age), type of settlement and a gender angle (women’s increased vulnerability to cholera).
Scope of Work
WaterAid is seeking a consultant or a team of consultants to undertake a research study. The proposed study will prioritize countries where WaterAid works in Africa and possibly South Asia, and which have a high number of cholera cases and/or a high cholera case fatality. Based on the WHO Global Cholera and Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD) Dashboard, the countries that satisfy these two criteria include Zambia, Mozambique, Ghana, Malawi and Bangladesh. Three out of the five countries will be chosen in partnership with the consultant based on availability of data and other resources. It is imperative to note that PAMI is strictly treated as the dependent variable in this study. WASH infrastructure/services and WASH financing at household levels Request For Proposals are strictly treated as independent variables. As stated above, other moderating factors include but are not limited to; Climate change/variability, attitude and behaviour around hygiene practices, population, demography (gender, age), type of settlement and a gender angle (women’s increased vulnerability to cholera) would be very interesting to explore.
Proposed Methodology
The consultant will be responsible for developing a comprehensive approach and conducting Geographical Information Systems (GIS) mapping and spatial multivariate analysis to show subnational disparities and connections between WASH financing, infrastructure and service gaps, climate change, gender, attitude and behaviour around hygiene practices, and cholera outcomes.
- Methods: Use of mixed methods is highly recommended. Including targeted stakeholder interviews enriching insights into hygiene behavior and gender-specific vulnerability, complementing the quantitative analysis.
- Data Collection
- Data on PAMIs should be gathered from reliable sources (e.g., WHO Afro, GTFCC, Country CDC, Ministries health of selected study countries, and particularly, data from sub-nation health directorates). Key indicators to include are cholera incidence, cholera prevalence, case fatality over a period of 10 years in selected PAMIs.
- Climate change: data on rainfall and temperature patterns gathered from the national weather and meteorological agencies of the selected countries over a 10-year period.
Analysis
- Heat Mapping: Executed at three layers. Layer one emphasizes distribution and pattern of cholera PAMIs in the sub-national/district(s) of selected country. Layer two showcases the heatmap of WASH infrastructure and services at those hotspots. Layer three visualizes the heatmap of WASH financing in relation to the hotspots.
- Composite Mapping: reflects a visual consolidation of the three layers in the heatmapping, analysis, overlay mapping (map to present the spatial overlying to visualize highlight high risk areas) and multivariate spatial analysis that shows any cause-and-effect relationship between the variables.
Deliverables
- Inception Report: Detailing the objectives, methodology, countries to be investigated, dataset needed, data collection method, and a proposed timeline for completing the analysis.
- Final Report- Maximum of 10 pages summarizing the analysis, interpretations, and recommendations. This should include:
- Executive summary
- Introduction: with scope and objectives outlined
- Data collection summary: that summarizes all data sources used, and any limitations or data gaps identified.
- Results showing:
- The heatmaps (individual and composite), with explanations for each layer and technical instructions on how other layers can be included.
- Findings from the PAMIs/hotspot analysis.
- Findings from multivariate spatial analysis.
- Synthesis of key insights and recommendations for WASH funding prioritization based on identified high burden areas.
- Webinar/Presentation: A presentation to WaterAid and partners, summarizing the methodology, key findings, and recommendations.
Duration: The assignment is expected to take 90 days spread over 6 months, starting from August 2025 to January 2026. A detailed work plan and timeline will be co-developed by the selected consultant(s) and WaterAid supervisory team.
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Requirements
Qualifications and Experience
The consultant(s) or consulting firm should have:
- Lead consultant must have an advanced degree and expertise in public health, epidemiology, or a related field.
- Lead consultant must be based in any of the five potential countries.
- Experience in WASH-related projects and WASH financing and analysis.
- Strong data analytics and GIS skills, with a track record of producing informative heatmaps to communicate to non-technical audiences.
- Strong experience of developing accessible research outputs for use in advocacy and policy settings
- Familiarity with global datasets such as: the WHO, UN-Water GLAAS, and other health and WASH data sources.
- Experience of working across an international and multisectoral environment to deliver work remotely.
Budget: The consultant is required to submit a detailed budget proposal, including the daily rate, travel, and any additional costs.
Reporting: The consultant will report directly to Project Lead- Health Policy Analyst and work closely with the Research and Evidence lead in Global Policy and Campaigns Department throughout the consultancy period. Regular updates and meetings will be scheduled to ensure that the consultant’s work is aligned with WaterAid’s expectations and timelines.
Submission of Application
Interested consultants are requested to submit the following by June 20, 2025 to Irene Owusu-Poku: ireneowusu-poku@wateraid.org
▪ A technical proposal, including an understanding of the RfP, proposed methodology, work plan.
▪ Financial proposal, including total cost.
▪ Curriculum Vitae of the consultant(s).
▪ Examples of previous relevant work.
Note: All applications, as well as any questions about this RfP or requests for further information should be directed to Irene Owusu-Poku: ireneowusu-poku@wateraid.org
