Josh’s Water Jobs – RFQ - Consultant/Agency for Participatory Rural Appraisal and Solid Liquid Waste Management Planning

Procurement Notice

Consultant/Agency for Participatory Rural Appraisal and Solid Liquid Waste Management Planning

Location: 3 districts of Bihar (Buxar/Bhagalpur/Aurangabad).

Duration: 4 weeks

Organization: WaterAid India (Jal Seva Charitable Foundation)

About WaterAid India

Jal Seva Charitable Foundation (JSCF) is registered in India as a not-for-profit company under Chapter 8 of the Companies Act, 2013. JSCF, is an associate member of WaterAid International and uses the brand name ‘WaterAid’ in India. JSCF or WaterAid India seeks to improve access to clean water, decent toilets, and good hygiene for everyone, everywhere.

WaterAid India country office is based in New Delhi with State Offices in Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Raipur, and Patna. WaterAid India currently works in 11+ states across the country. As a direct implementing agency, WaterAid India district and block-level teams are located close to our intervention villages. Further information regarding WaterAid India can be found online; https://www.wateraid.org/in/

Background

Under the Lohiya Swachh Bihar Abhiyan (LSBA) – Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) Phase II, the Government of Bihar is prioritizing the management of solid and liquid waste in rural areas to sustain Open Defecation Free (ODF) achievements and improve village sanitation conditions. While significant progress has been made in household toilet coverage, many villages continue to face challenges related to wastewater disposal, stagnant water, greywater management, drainage systems, and safe disposal of solid waste. These issues have direct implications for public health, environmental sanitation, and overall quality of life.

Effective Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM) requires locally appropriate solutions that are technically feasible, environmentally sustainable, and socially acceptable. To ensure community ownership and long-term sustainability, planning processes must be participatory and responsive to local needs and priorities. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) methodologies provide an effective platform for engaging communities, identifying sanitation challenges, mapping existing resources, and jointly developing practical solutions.

In this context, WaterAid India intends to support selected Gram Panchayats in Buxar, Bhagalpur, and Aurangabad districts through a participatory planning process for Solid and Liquid Waste Management. The initiative aims to facilitate community-led assessments, stakeholder consultations, village mapping, wastewater hotspot identification, and the preparation of habitation-level and village-level SLWM plans aligned with SBM-G Phase II guidelines.

To undertake this assignment, WaterAid India seeks to engage a qualified consultant or agency with proven experience in participatory rural appraisal, rural sanitation, community mobilization, and waste management planning. The selected consultant/agency will work closely with communities, Panchayati Raj Institutions, frontline workers, and relevant government stakeholders to develop practical and implementable SLWM plans that can contribute to cleaner, healthier, and more resilient rural communities.

Scope of Work

Community mobilization and stakeholder engagement.
Conduct PRA activities including mapping, transect walks, and FGDs.
Prepare participatory SLWM plans aligned with SBM-G guidelines.
Submit detailed reports and recommendations.

Deliverables

PRA and FGD documentation.
Village maps and wastewater hotspot identification.
Sample SLWM plans for each village/habitation
Final consolidated report.

Eligibility Criteria

Minimum 5 years of experience in PRA, rural sanitation, and community mobilization.
Proven understanding of LSBA – SBM-G Phase II guidelines.
Experience working with marginalised communities.
Strong facilitation and communication skills.

Evaluation Criteria & Scoring Rubric

Criteria	Max Score	Details
Relevant Experience	30	Depth and relevance of past work in PRA and sanitation.
Understanding of SBM-G Guidelines	15	Demonstrated knowledge and application.
Methodology and Work Plan	25	Clarity, feasibility, and participatory approach.
Community Engagement Experience	15	Experience with rural and marginalised groups.
Financial Proposal	15	Cost-effectiveness and alignment with the budget.
Total	100	Minimum qualifying score: 70

Code of Conduct, ICC and Safeguarding norms:The consultant/agency will adhere to WaterAid’s code of conduct, child protection and Safeguarding norms.

WaterAid India (Jal Seva Charitable Foundation) is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work, including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct, and is committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. WaterAid India expects all staff, volunteers, vendors and anyone representing WaterAid to share this commitment through our code of conduct and the Safeguarding policy.

How to Apply

Interested consultants should submit: