Expertise: Water, Sanitation, Hygiene, Behavior Change, Knowledge product development
Expertise Group: Social & Political Science
Consultant Source: International
TOR Keywords: Water, Sanitation, Hygiene, Behavior Change, Knowledge product development
Objective and Purpose of the Assignment
The Asian Development Bank’s South Asia Water and Urban Development Unit is looking to recruit an
international knowledge management expert (the Expert from hereon) with experience from the water,
sanitation, and hygiene sector and/or the field of behavior change to produce a high-quality knowledge
product. The purpose of the knowledge product is to capture and share the key lessons learned from the
evidence-based water, sanitation, hygiene, and health (WASH+H) intervention carried out in urban Sri
Lanka during 2023–2024. The knowledge document is expected to highlight significant insights related to
the intervention’s design, impact, sustainability, and implications for future similar programs. To
achieve this outcome, the Expert will collaborate closely with ADB staff, officials from the National
Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB), and any other relevant stakeholders—including individual
consultants, if engaged—to complete all assigned tasks.
Scope of Work
The international Expert will be responsible for preparing a 12-20 page knowledge document (learning
brief) which documents and disseminates key lessons from an evidence-based intervention to change WASH+H
behaviors among disadvantaged urban populations in Sri Lanka. The knowledge document is expected to
capture and clearly communicate significant lessons related to intervention design, impact, and
sustainability as well as contain a discussion of the implications of these lessons for future similar
interventions.
To produce the knowledge product, the Expert will be expected to: (i) review relevant project
documentation as well as key research and documentation related to similar interventions
internationally, (ii) gather additional data as needed, (iii) analyze primary and secondary data to
identify significant lessons learned, and (iv) produce and submit a draft document for review, (v)
revise the document as required, and (vi) collaborate and coordinate with an editor and graphic designer
to produce an attractive and easily accessible final product. To the extent possible, a good and
concise storyline and captivating infographics will be used in lieu of or to explain highly technical
language/terms. The content of the report to be produced will be discussed with ADB staff, NWSDB, and
agreed upon mobilization with mutual consent.
Detailed Tasks and/or Expected Output
With a view to delivering a high-quality knowledge product, the Expert will be expected to carry out the
following tasks:
Preparation of inception report: At the outset, the Expert will produce a brief inception report which
lays out the proposed methodology and work plan for the development of the knowledge product. The
inception report is to be submitted to the ADB for review and approval prior to the start of the core
work on the assignment.
Review of key documentation and evidence: As a first step in the knowledge product production process,
the Expert will be expected to review all relevant project documentation related to the design, impact,
and sustainability of the WASH+H intervention. In addition, the Expert is expected to familiarize
herself/himself with earlier similar interventions and their results. Based on this first review, the
Expert will identify initial lessons learned as well as areas where further insights are necessary to
gain a deeper understanding of lessons learned.
Gather supplementary data: Where and if needed, the Expert will collect additional data to gain deeper
insights into specific aspects of project design, impact, and sustainability. To this end, the Expert
shall guide NWSDB staff in gathering data through field visits, interviews, and photography. Where
possible, the Expert will also be expected to conduct remote interviews with key project stakeholders.
Distill key insights / lessons learned: Using the available and collected data, the Expert will distill
a set of key insights to be shared in the knowledge product. The key insights will be shared with ADB
and NWSDB (e.g. in the form of a rough knowledge paper draft) to obtain their feedback and approval
prior to proceeding to an extensive knowledge product write-up.
Write and edit knowledge product: The Expert will prepare a 12-20 page learning brief presenting the
lessons learned. The knowledge product should be written in a manner which complies with ADB’s Handbook
of Style and Usage. The Expert should be prepared to produce a rough draft, one revision, and be
available for follow-up questions/edits that may arise in the various editing stages of the paper.
Other Details
Coordination
The Expert is expected to work in close coordination with ADB staff, NWSDB, individual consultants,
and other government stakeholders in collecting any other information relevant to the assignment.
Duration of Assignment
The assignment is expected to be intermittent from January to July 2026. A detailed work plan will be
prepared for discussion and agreement.
Logistical Support Requirements
The Expert will work independently with support and in close coordination with ADB staff. The writer
will liaise directly with NWSDB in coordinating the interviews to be conducted in the field.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
The Expert should have relevant professional experience in the fields of WASH and/or behavior change, as
evidenced by published content in national and international publications, journals, etc. Additionally,
the Expert should have good knowledge about the work of ADB and/or international development finance,
preferably with experience in undertaking similar assignments with international development agencies.
The Expert should be able to work independently as a writer and should follow best practices on ethical
data gathering. Prior work with water, sanitation, and hygiene in the Sri Lankan context is highly
desirable.
Minimum General Experience: 20 Years
Minimum Specific Experience (relevant to assignment): 10 Years
