Expressions of interest: research study on the economic case for investment in water supply, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)

14 July 2020

Safely managed water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services are essential foundations for human health, livelihoods and economies. Yet in many parts of the world they are undervalued and under-provided: more than 2 billion people are without access to safely managed drinking water; more than 4 billion are without safely managed sanitation; and 3 billion lack basic handwashing facilities at home.

The global COVID-19 pandemic and the accelerating climate and environmental crisis underscore the importance of achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 and ensuring the necessary investments are in place. However, the financing available in developing countries falls far short of what is required, with women and girls, and vulnerable and marginalised populations most impacted on and at risk from this chronic under-investment.

In a context where most countries face severe economic recession due to COVID-19 impacts and containment measures, we are seeking to strengthen the economic case for investment in the WASH sector as part of a healthy and green recovery. We are seeking Expressions of interest to conduct economic research and analysis of the WASH sector in developing countries. The principal outputs for the research are:

  • Detailed economic cost-benefit analysis of climate-resilient WASH interventions at global, regional and national level.
  • How investment in WASH infrastructure, services and jobs can support a healthy and green economic recovery ('building back better').
  • Recommendations for how best to frame or articulate this analysis to support advocacy by WaterAid teams, targeting governments and bilateral and multilateral donor agencies - i.e. how to make the most powerful and politically attractive case for investing in WASH as part of a green and healthy recovery.

Please send Expressions of interest, including CV of consultant(s), briefly outlining your organisation, expertise and suitability no later than 17:00 BST, Friday 24 July 2020 to: Dan Jones [email protected];Tina Mlinaric [email protected]; Claire Seaward [email protected]; and [email protected]. We will then review the submissions and select the successful consultant.