Closing date: 22 Jan 2020
The Global WASH Cluster (GWC), Oxfam and Elrha would like to carry out a study to provide an updated Emergency WASH Gap Analysis for 2020. This is a follow-on study from the 2013 Gap Analysis in Emergency WASH. They are looking for an experienced partner to support and strengthen its understanding of WASH gaps, as experienced and identified by communities affected by humanitarian crises. The full background and ToR for this partnership is available here
An academic partnership is also sought to work with the accountability partner. ToR for this partnership are available here
Terms of Reference for the Study Accountability Partner
Purpose of the Accountability Partner
The study Management Team is looking to the accountability partner to provide innovative ways to engage inputs on WASH gaps from crisis-affected communities.
It is envisaged that the accountability partner will work with the academic partner and the implementation lead (Oxfam) to integrate the consultation with affected communities into the overall study design and implementation. Accountability partners may also consider, as an option, proposing similar data collection in their areas of presence from WASH practitioners and representatives from sectors whose work directly involves WASH, eg Health, Nutrition, Shelter and Education.
It is envisaged that:
The academic partner will provide the overall study design and analysis framework with support from the accountability partner and the implementation lead
The implementation lead will then coordinate the overall data collection at global and country level
Data will be collected in-country by the accountability partner and a range of other actors in areas where the accountability partner has no presence, with the WASH Sector/Cluster Coordinators acting as in-country focal points.
Data collected globally will be supported by the implementation lead
Whilst ToRs are being advertised for both accountability and academic partners, it is possible for one organization/institution to submit an application for tasks of both partnerships. Terms of Reference (ToR) for the academic partner are available separately.
The linkages and roles of the different key stakeholders are proposals and the Management Team is open to different proposals of the configuration of roles.
The key tasks below are indicative of how the Management Team envisages the accountability component of the study would be implemented. The Management Team are also open to proposals for different tasks according to the interpretation by the accountability partner of how the objective of the study can be met.
Key Tasks
Secondary Data Collection
- Using its own network and networks accessible through global and country-level WASH clusters, identify and gather secondary data on WASH from various assessment and feedback mechanisms from people affected by humanitarian crises – eg needs assessment, perception surveys and feedback on response measures. Collate the data in a format agreed with the academic partner to facilitate analysis to be carried out by them.
Study Design, Methodology
- Work with the academic partner as lead for the overall design of the study methodology and analysis, to design the component that relates to data collection from people affected by crises, including:
a. Proposing innovative methodologies to consult different groups of affected people and (optionally) WASH practitioners and representatives from sectors whose work directly involves WASH; include suggestions of how participants can feed back on how the engagement and data were collected
b. Propose which affected population groups will be consulted
c. Propose mechanisms for recording data inputs from affected people
d. Propose means by which the feedback loop can be closed, by identifying how the research findings will be provided to participants
e. Stratification of overall data will be critical to allow the interrogation of data to analyse both the inclusivity of the research (both affected populations and WASH/WASH-linked respondents), eg gender, disability, age, and intersectionality[1]; both of which may result in very distant perspectives. The accountability partner should consider how this will be reflected in the design, collection and recording of data.
Primary Data Collection
It is envisaged that data collection by the accountability partner will take place directly only in locations where the accountability partner already has presence, to minimize costs. However, the guidance will also be used to collect data from affected people in locations where other partners are present.
With the academic partner, contribute to data collection guidelines to support ethical, consistent, quality data collection, recording and collation. These guidelines will be used by all parties.
Collect data (according to agreed methods and mechanisms) on WASH gaps from affected people in agreed locations.
As an option, facilitate data collection activities with WASH practitioners and (separately) those whose work integrates with WASH, eg Health, Nutrition, Shelter and Education.
Collate/input data in a format agreed with the academic partner and implementation lead, to facilitate data analysis.
Identify planned data collection mechanisms at field level where key questions around WASH gaps could be integrated to support broader data collection, eg perception surveys and needs assessment. Coordinate with relevant interlocutors to ensure integration of questions and access data post-collection.
Coordinate field data collection with key interlocutors as appropriate in each location, eg WASH Sector Coordinator, Accountability Platforms and WASH Partners. The implementation lead will provide overall coordination support between global and country level and make initial connection with interlocutors.
Contribute to communications from which to promote awareness of the study and enable two-way communication with the humanitarian WASH community, eg online blogs, e-discussions, updates and social media.
Working with the academic partner, propose mechanisms by which the accountability feedback loop can be closed by ensuring that information is given back to those who make input to the project – that they receive feedback on what was done with the inputs that they made.
Review relevant components of the draft analysis report to be drawn up by the academic partner.
It is expected that the academic partner will publish findings from the overall study in a peer-reviewed journal. There will also be the opportunity for the accountability partner to contribute to this publication.
Experience and Capacities of Accountability Partner
Ideally the Management Team is looking for one organization that can cover the full scope of work. However, they are open to submissions from consortia, and, where a specific added value is offered – eg reach and access to a diverse group of affected people – from organisations for the primary data collection component only.
An organization, or institution with experience in innovative ways of engaging with crisis-affected communities to gain insights into their experiences and perceptions of humanitarian response, ideally within WASH activities.
Organizational/Institutional presence in countries affected by crisis and ability to access populations affected in order to consult them on WASH gaps.
Strong understanding and experience of the methods and constraints of research/data collection in humanitarian response contexts.
Expertise in research design and analysis in humanitarian contexts, ideally in the context of WASH programming.
Ability to communicate with affected communities in their own language.
Ideally, experience of data collection in the WASH sector and engagement with sector stakeholders in data collection.
Ability to provide reference details of three clients of similar studies.
Ability to integrate national/local organisations/institutions from within the country is an advantage.
Experience of working with multiple stakeholders in similar work.
Interest in innovation in engaging with communities.
Experience of production of practical field-oriented reports.
Ability to support awareness building of the study in the accountability, academic and/or humanitarian community.
[1][1] the interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender as they apply to a given individual or group, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage.
How to apply:
Submission of Applications
Applicants should indicate which components of the tasks their application includes:
Reflections of study requirements and applicant’s approach to the study task, including any assumptions and identifiable risks (max 4 pages).
Budget: It is understood that a more exact budget can only be determined once a final methodology is determined. Therefore applications should include costs for a range of potential activities/ways to design and engage affected communities and WASH practitioners/representatives of sectors that work with WASH in identifying WASH gaps (optional), to enable the Management Team to consider increases/decreases in activities. It is proposed that applicants consider activities that could be done for two budget scenarios (i) up to £20,000 and(ii) up to £40,000, indicating:
a. Different and approaches that may be undertaken according to available budget
b. Costs for each potential activity
c. Involvement of different team profiles in different types of activity
Indicate experience of involvement in similar research work (max 2 pages).
The study aims to target all locations/countries where there are ongoing humanitarian responses or that experience regular emergencies, including natural disasters, IDP and refugee contexts. Applicants should indicate:
In which countries they have networks to gather secondary data
In which countries they have presence/partners to carry out in-field data collection – no subcontracting of data collection is allowed without permission of the implementation lead
Overview of individual team profiles that would be working on the project (max 2 pages).
Description of how the partner would be able to support awareness of the study.
Study activities and indicative timeline, including a description of diversions from ToR proposed activity/timeline (max 1 page).
Please send applications to Andy Bastable abastable@oxfam.org and Jean McCluskey jmccluskey@oxfam.org.uk (please note differences in email domain)
Closing date for applications is 23.59 on 22 January 2020.
Shortlisted institutions will be contacted in the week of 27 January.
Questions
Questions on the study can be directed to Andy Bastable abastable@oxfam.org and Jean McCluskey jmccluskey@oxfam.org.uk. Questions and their responses will then be available for all applicants at http://washcluster.net/WASH-Gap-Analysis-Project.