For development of a proposal for a Climate Resilient Sanitation Marketing program for rural and semi-urban areas in Bangladesh.
TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR INSTITUTIONAL CONTRACT
Title of the assignment
Development of a proposal for a Climate Resilient Sanitation Marketing program for rural and semi-urban areas in Bangladesh
Purpose
Develop a fundable proposal for functional market-based sanitation system that promotes climate resilient sanitation services in Bangladesh.
Location
National
Estimated Duration
4 months after signing the contract
Reporting to Technical Supervisor of this assignment
WASH Specialist
- Background
Bangladesh has made considerable progress on sanitation coverage with currently less than 1 per cent of open defecation, using community approaches including Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) movement led by The Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE). Despite the progress, challenges remain in achieving safely managed, durable and climate-resilient sanitation in rural and semi-urban areas. About 56 million rural Bangladeshi still lack access to safely managed sanitation (JMP Report 2024). The economic cost of poor sanitation is estimated at USD 4.2 billion annually, equivalent to 1.5% of the country’s GNP in 2018. The Government of Bangladesh is therefore aiming to achieve 80% access to safely managed sanitation by the end of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) period in 2030.
To meet the SDG target 6.2 (achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations), 14.5 million rural and semi-urban households must adopt improved toilets by 2030, representing a USD 1.2 billion market. At current trends, it is estimated that over 7,000 Latrine Producers (LPs) will be needed with the assumption that, this will be the sole supply source for households to access improved and safely managed sanitation services.
To increase access to safe sanitation services, working through the market is widely recognized as one of the key strategies to ensure sustainable shifts in sanitation patterns at household levels. The Sanitation Market Systems Development (SanMarkS) project exemplifies this strategy, where private sector, behaviour change and enabling environment to interact together to stimulate demand, develop supply chain and provides options for the provision of improved and safely managed sanitation with affordable price.
In Bangladesh as a phase 1, the approach was piloted between 2016 and 2019 and the project trained over 500 LPs and facilitated the sale and installation of more than 160,000 improved toilets, reaching over 720,000 people in six districts.
During phase 2 (2020 – 2025), building on phase-1, the aim was to scale the model to 35 districts and reach 4.5 million people (1.2 million households), particularly women, children, and the youth. The project follows a scaling up strategy, considering several factors, particularly the increased efficiency of the training to 3000 LPs and increase of the number of districts covered (scaling out).
Starting in 2016, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), UNICEF, and DPHE have successfully established a functioning sanitation market system in Bangladesh. This market system now has the potential of scale up but needs to consider climate-resilient solutions and promote those among semi-urban and rural communities to tackle climate-related issues associated with sanitation systems.
2. Objectives, Purpose, and Expected Results
Objective: Develop a proposal with a methodology to promote Climate Resilient Sanitation Systems, using Sanitation Marketing approach in rural and semi-urban Bangladesh.
Purpose:
- Develop and design scalable methodology for a functional market-based sanitation system that can promote climate resilient sanitation services in Bangladesh.
Develop a conceptual framework to leverage private sector financing to improve climate resilient safely managed sanitation in Bangladesh the above can be achieved through conducting, market and context specific analysis for demand, supply, climate change, and enabling environment. Climate-resilient product/service options and supply chain to be weighted thoroughly.
Expected Results:
From the consultancy:
a scoping study/entry proposal on climate resilient safely managed sanitation improvement in Bangladesh Long-term objectives:
- Bangladesh sanitation sector has a reference document to promote climate resilient sanitation system for semi-urban and rural communities.
- A programmatic approach to implement climate resilient sanitation interventions using private sector led market mechanisms. Particularly targeting following two:
a) private sector-led financing, including microfinance and other financial services; and,
b) the mobilization of private sector investments in the rural sanitation business through a 'bankable approach.
- Private sector engagement plan with clear pathway for increased demand and alignment with the government policies.
3. Description of Assignment
Based on the current initiatives and situation, explained above, the firm should propose and develop a functional and practical market sanitation system for climate-resilient sanitation services in Bangladesh through a fundable proposal. Which requires a multi-faceted approach that strengthens existing structures, encourages private sector engagement, unlocks new financing, and ensures services reach the most vulnerable communities. The table below outlines the core components of this assignment.
System Component
Description
Inception and assessment
Inception meeting with client, stakeholders (online), refine the scope, market and climate risk mapping
Promoting climate-smart services including products and services’ design
Based on existing and secondary information including the recent evaluation of the program, refining sanitation options, developing bills of materials, providing technical specifications
Define ways, supporting private sector services delivery options and technologies that help communities to adapt.
Strengthening market linkages, business models and financing
Developing ways for connecting producers in climate-vulnerable areas with larger markets to create demand for resilient goods and services.
Design distribution models, locally scalable.
Assess financing options, including micro-finance and subsidy for the poor.
Engaging private sector
A strong focus on actively engaging private to leverage financing to improve sanitation market
Concrete ways forward for unlocking diverse financing mechanisms
Suggest fundable ways forward for mobilizing funding from public, private, and international sources, beyond traditional aid
Building institutional capacity
Ensuring local and national institutions can plan, fund, and sustain climate-resilient sanitation initiatives
The consulting technical agency will be asked to develop strong base for building a climate resilient sanitation market systems approach. This approach will be based on the foundation, already being laid through national policy reforms related to sanitation marketing program in Bangladesh and SDC led Sanitation Market System -II evaluation report (Annex 1). The Concept also required to synergies with the World Bank/PKSF sanitation program and the Government of Bangladesh's sanitation subsidy initiative to foster complementarities within the rural sanitation sector.
The key to success lies in strategically connecting these efforts assuring that national policies enable local actions and that successful local models are scaled up through efficient financing and strong market linkages.
4. Deliverables
SL
Deliverables
Time Frame
1
Inception Report
15 Days
2
1st Draft of the proposal
45 Days
3
Final proposal – a complete package
60 Days
5. Reporting requirements
(1) Inception Report: A detailed conceptual framework of the study and proposal development
(2) 1st Draft of the proposal: Proposal for internal UNICEF review
(3) Final Proposal: Complete package, including annexes, ready to share internally and externally
6. Payment Schedule
Milestone
Deliverables
Payment
(Based on physical and financial progress)
1
Project Inception Report
20%
2
1st Draft of the proposal
40%
3
Final Proposal submission
40%
7. Eligibility and Qualification requirement of the potential bidders
- Relevant Experience: The organization must have a minimum of five years of working experience in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene as well as in Climate Change, market systems development and program design in South Asia
- Technical Expertise: The organization must demonstrate technical knowledge and expertise in Climate Resilient Sanitation service provisions and Sanitation Marketing Approach. At least 2 comparable projects, evidence of program documents and successful proposal submission to the donors.
- Operational Strength: The organization should have institutional strength to develop the proposed proposal within the provided timeframe. This includes sufficient and qualified personnel, logistical capacity, and financial stability.
- Sustainability: The organization should exhibit a strong commitment to environmental sustainability and climate smart solutions.
- Team composition: Having Sanitation Market Specialist as team leader of the project with minimum of 10 years’ experience. Supported by WASH (preferably sanitation design) engineer, climate resilience analyst, marketing specialist, finance and business model experts.