About the Organization
Water For People India Trust was established in 2008 in alignment with the global vision and mission to provide improved access to water and sanitation in rural areas and urban. The organisation aims to provide universal access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and improved hygiene practices, sustained by local institutions, government, and private sector.
Water for People India Trust is operational in the state of West Bengal, Maharashtra, Assam and Odisha, and reached 2.6 million people through community drinking water, WASH in public institutions, and market-led approaches to sanitation. Over the past decade, Water For People India Trust has emerged as a niche organization with focused water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programs that cater to the most vulnerable and marginalized communities, inclusive of public institutions such as Anganwadi centers, schools, and health centres. Water For People India Trust is a direct implementation agency supported by civil societies, local NGO partners, and entrepreneurs.
Job Summary
Position Title: Agency/Consultant.
Organization: Water For People India Trust.
Location of the Study: Yavatmal, Maharashtra
Nature of contract: Short term consultancy
Water For People India Trust is initiating a three-year Water Source Sustainability project in Darwha block, Yavatmal district, an area experiencing persistent water scarcity, declining groundwater levels, incomplete piped-water schemes, and seasonal dependence on water tankers. The region faces challenges such as high groundwater extraction, water-intensive cropping patterns, inadequate recharge structures, and weak stewardship systems, all of which directly impact the reliability of drinking water services.
A baseline study is required prior to project implementation to establish benchmark conditions related to water availability, water use behaviour, governance capacities, climate-resilient agricultural practices, and the status of watershed and recharge structures. These benchmarks will support evidence-based planning, help set realistic annual targets, and provide the foundation for monitoring, learning, and evaluation across the three-year intervention.
Task: The selected agency/consultancy will conduct a comprehensive baseline study across 15 villages to assess current conditions in water access, groundwater availability, seasonal variability, water governance, agricultural water demand, climate-resilient farming practices, situation of water in institutions (School, Anganwadi Centers, Hospitals), situation of existing groups (SHG, WUC, Watershed Committees, Pani Samiti, etc.,), existing water security plans in watershed area, and existing soil and water conservation structures. This will require designing robust quantitative and qualitative tools, undertaking household surveys, water source assessments, farmer surveys, institutional mapping, and community consultations. The agency must also compile and analyse secondary data from GSDA, Rural Water Supply Department, Gram Panchayat records, rainfall datasets, and existing hydrogeological documentation, and integrate these insights with primary findings.
Based on this evidence, the agency will produce cleaned datasets, structured analysis, village-wise profiles, and a baseline report capturing gaps, risks, and opportunities for intervention. The report should include recommendations that inform project planning, prioritization of watershed measures, community engagement strategies, and the monitoring framework.
Audience:
Internal team: The baseline findings will guide strategic and annual planning, refine intervention approaches, validate target-setting, and strengthen evidence for internal monitoring and learning.
External audience:Â Outputs will support government engagement, donor discussions, and communication products that highlight context, needs, and opportunities for improved water source sustainability in Darwha.
Scope of Work
The agency will be responsible for the following activities:
1. Develop a Baseline Framework
- Prepare a research framework aligned with project objectives and indicators.
- Finalize research questions, sampling plans, and study methodology.
2. Develop and Pilot Data Collection Tools
- Household survey tools.
- Water source and infrastructure assessment tools.
- Farmer and agricultural practice tools.
- Qualitative tools for FGDs and KIIs with communities, Panchayats, community groups, para-hydrogeologists, and line departments.
3. Conduct Field Data Collection
- Administer quantitative surveys in all selected villages.
- Map water sources using GPS enabled methods (capture the geographical coordinates).
- Conduct FGDs and KIIs with key stakeholders and community groups.
- Document existing watershed structures and seasonal water challenges.
- Compile all relevant secondary data sets.
4. Data Processing and Analysis
- Clean, validate, and code datasets.
- Analyse quantitative and qualitative data to identify trends, gaps, vulnerabilities, and opportunities.
- Generate village-wise summaries and thematic findings.
5. Develop Baseline Outputs
- Draft and final baseline reports.
- Cleaned datasets and metadata.
- Knowledge products as described.
6. Ensure Ethical Standards
- All data collection must respect confidentiality, informed consent, and community dignity.
Deliverables and Timeline
Deliverable: The following deliverables should be with the best content and best design for dissemination.
- Inception Report with methodology, sampling, and tools
- Finalized data collection tools
- Cleaned and coded datasets
- Comprehensive Baseline Report
- Knowledge Products (2-3 case study, appropriate infographics, PPT summarising findings)
Timeline: Jan-Mar 2026
- Start of Assignment: No later than February 15, 2026
- Inception Report: Within 7 days of contract signing
- Fieldwork Completion: By March 05, 2026
- Draft Report Submission: By March 15, 2026
- Final Report and Knowledge Products Submission: By March 31, 2026
Required Skills and Experience
- Minimum 8 years of experience conducting research in WASH, water resources management, climate resilience, agriculture, or rural development.
- Demonstrated experience in baseline studies, field survey management, mixed-methods research, and statistical and qualitative analysis.
- Experience in groundwater, watershed development, or climate-resilient agriculture is highly desirable.
- Proven ability to produce high-quality reports, datasets, visual summaries, and knowledge products.
- Team must include Marathi-speaking enumerators and field investigators.
- Strong communication, coordination, and project management skills with the ability to deliver within tight timelines.
- Excellent report/ documentation skill in English.
- Ability to collaborate and achieve actionable results while meeting deadlines.
Request For Proposal
Interested agencies/consultants must submit the documents mentioned below as part of the proposal (technical and financial) to demonstrate their qualifications. All applications must contain the following information:
- Cover Letter summarizing competencies, motivation, and suitability for the assignment
- Technical Proposal outlining methodology, tools, timeline, and team composition
- Sample Work (previous studies/reports/case studies/frameworks)
- Financial Proposal with detailed costing including GST.
Last Date of Submission and How to Apply: January 15, 2026. Proposals should be sent to indiacareers@waterforpeople.org
Copyright: Copyright for all written, edited, and designed material rests with Water For People India Trust. No material may be used/published or reproduced without prior permission from Water For People India Trust.
