Request for Proposals
End of Program Evaluation
Accelerating Access to Safe Water and Sanitation in Bangladesh,
Cambodia, and India
Response deadline: 25 March 2026
The Subject line: “Research and Evaluation Consultant – Water and Sanitation, Financing”
Job Description
Water.org invites qualified research and evaluation firms to submit proposals for an end?of?program evaluation of a multi?country initiative that aims to expand household access to safe water and sanitation in Bangladesh, Cambodia, and India. The program leverages microfinance partnerships to help low?income households obtain affordable water and sanitation solutions. In Cambodia, a dedicated subcomponent of the program focuses on Private Water Operators (PWOs) that extend water services in underserved communities
About the Organization
For 35 years, Water.org has been at the forefront of developing and delivering sustainable solutions to the global water crisis. Water.org pioneers innovative, community-driven and market-based solutions to provide universal access to safe water and sanitation, giving women hope, children health and communities a future. To date, Water.org has positively transformed millions of lives around the world, ensuring a better life for generations ahead. More details can be found on the organization’s website.
1. General instructions
A. Water.org invites qualified research and evaluation firms to submit proposals for an end?of?program evaluation of a multi?country initiative that aims to expand household access to safe water and sanitation in Bangladesh, Cambodia, and India. The program leverages microfinance partnerships to help low?income households obtain affordable water and sanitation solutions. In Cambodia, a dedicated subcomponent of the program focuses on Private Water Operators (PWOs) that extend water services in underserved communities.
B. The evaluation will require the firm to facilitate and coordinate with Water.org staff and partners. The program requires the firm to submit the deliverables outlined in section 2 Scope of Work.
C. Water.org is not liable for any expenditure incurred by responding firms prior to issuance of an executed contract with Water.org.
D. Submissions must be typed and submitted only by email and must follow the format of the requests for information in Section 5: Submissions Requirements. Unless agreed upon with Water.org, no changes or corrections to a response will be allowed after the deadline. The proposals must be submitted by email to Ms. Heather Arney (harney@water.org ) and Diwakar Das (ddas@water.org ). The proposal must contain a technical proposal and a financial bid using Water.org’s budgeting format.
E. Proposed schedule:
- 25 March 2026 – request for proposal submission due
- 6 April 2026 – results announced
- 27 April – engagement begins
- 10 December – contract ends
2. Scope of work
A. Overview
For 35 years, Water.org has been at the forefront of developing and delivering sustainable solutions to the global water crisis. Water.org pioneers innovative, community-driven and marketbased solutions to provide universal access to safe water and sanitation, giving women hope, children health and communities a future. To date, Water.org has positively transformed millions of lives around the world, ensuring a better life for generations ahead. More details can be found on the organization’s website.
About the evaluation
Water.org is concluding a nearly three?year initiative, launched in 2024, to expand its WaterCredit activities and reach more than 850,000 people in Bangladesh, Cambodia, and India with access to safe water and/or sanitation. The initiative has been implemented through two primary channels:
WaterCredit: WaterCredit facilitates access to small, affordable loans for household water and sanitation solutions. Water.org provides financial and technical assistance to local financial institutions, strengthening their capacity to offer affordable water and sanitation (WSS) financing to customers at the base of the economic pyramid.
WaterCredit via Associations: An evolution of the WaterCredit model, this approach engages directly with Private Water Operators (PWOs) and with associations to work with their member financial institutions and Private Water Operators (PWOs). Through these partnerships, Water.org supports the development, rollout, and scaling of WaterCredit loan products tailored for both households and PWOs.
For detailed information, please check the complete version of the RFP attached below.
Download Attachment: Water.org Project Budget – template.xls
Download Attachment: Request for proposal_evaluation March 2026.pdf
