Call: Short-term consultancy

Published on by for Rural Water Supply Network

Call: Short-term consultancy

Call: Short-term consultancy

Periodically it is important that we update our network’s governance processes and guidelines and we are looking for a consultant to help us shape the future of the network to make it more inclusive and responsive to your needs. In particular, we have some exciting developments in the pipeline that will enable us to establish one or more regional RWSN chapters, or hubs, and I hope to be able to share more news on that soon!

We are looking for a consultant or consultants to undertake a short assignment to find answers to the following questions:

1.      How can Regional RWSN “chapters” or “hubs” be incorporated into RWSN’s overall global governance?

2.      How can the structure and processes of the RWSN Executive Steering Committee be more reflective of the key principles?

Background

The Rural Water Supply Network (RWSN) is a global network with over 13,000 members in 168 countries. It is an informal organisation that does not exist legally. The Secretariat is hosted by Skat Foundation, in Switzerland, which collaborates with volunteer Theme Leaders, who lead networking and knowledge exchange activities around six thematic areas. The network is governed by an Executive Steering Committee (ExecSC), which comprises representatives from the African Development Bank, IRC, SDC, Skat Foundation, UNICEF, WaterAid and the World Bank.

RWSN is currently reviewing and revising its governance. The objective is that by the end of 2022, RWSN has a clear governance document that sets out the rules and protocols of how the network operates.

Key principles

The RWSN Governance Structure should:

• Enable the RWSN Strategy to be delivered.

• Be fair and transparent.

• Include southern & diverse voices.

• Enable effective networking, collaboration and knowledge sharing activities.

• Be mission-driven based on interest in the content and not on “representation” for its own sake.

• respond to the needs of today but allow for periodic revisions.

• Fit-for-purpose avoiding unnecessary bureaucracy.

The mind-set in approaching this is:

• Embrace change.

• Dedicate sufficient but not endless time.

• Follow a stepwise approach.

• Communicate transparently.

We are looking for a consultant or consultants to undertake a short assignment to find answers to the following questions:

1. How can Regional RWSN “chapters” or “hubs” be incorporated into RWSN’s overall global governance?

2. How can the structure and processes of the RWSN Executive Steering Committee be more reflective of the key principles?

The budget frame is: USD 11,000 (CHF10,000).

The time frame is completion is 6 weeks from 2 May to 17 June 2022. Indicative Activities

• Review available information on governance of RWSN and like-minded or similar networks, e.g., the Sustainable Sanitation Alliance (SuSanA), WASH Agenda for Change, Sanitation and Water for All (SWA). Examples and experience from beyond the water/WASH sector welcome.

• Bilateral calls with each ExecSC member, and any supporting colleagues, to ask them about how RWSN is governed and suggestions for improvements

• Exchanges with the Secretariat

• Bilateral contact with RWSN Project Clients/Funders who are not on the ExecSC

• Focus group conversation or bilateral contact with RWSN members from the following groups:

o Young professionals

o Member Organisations o Rural water service providers

o Local government

o National government in recipient countries

o NGOs/CBOs

o Academia/Research/Training

o Regional RWSN champions in Latin America (LAC) and Southern Africa (SADC) Deliverables:

1. Inception report, which refines the submitted Method Statement with agreed proposed approach, methodology and questions.

2. Summary report (15-20 pages) and PowerPoint presentation presenting key findings and recommendations.

Requirements

• Significant experience (10+ years) of organisational governance, experience with networks, associations and partnerships, especially with decentralised structures.

• Professional level written and spoken English, knowledge of French and Spanish an advantage.

• Familiarity with RWSN and other global, regional and national WASH networks and partnerships is an advantage.

• Remote based.

Interested parties should submit the following by email to sean.furey@skat-foundation.ch no later than

15:00 Central European Summer Time 6 April 2022:

1. Method Statement of how you would gather evidence to answer the questions above.

2. Any other questions that you think should be included.

3. Who will do the work: CV(s)/Resumés

4. Simple Gantt Chart of activities and timelines.

5. Budget Breakdown.

In case you have any questions, please contact us via the email above. Please note that we will share the questions and responses with all short-listed parties (anonymously).

• Deadline for questions about the assignment: 25 March 2022

• Short-listed candidates will be notified by 11 April 2022.

Annex: Key Documents/Resources  RWSN website: https://rural-water-supply.net/

Introducing RWSN: https://rural-water-supply.net/en/resources/details/1014 RWSN Strategy 2018-2023: https://rural-water-supply.net/en/resources/details/798 The 2017 Rural Water Supply Network evaluation: https://rural-watersupply.net/en/resources/details/793 RWSN Roadmap consultation: https://rwsnroadmap.wordpress.com/ Rural Water Supply Network - Annual Report 2020: https://rural-watersupply.net/en/resources/details/946 RWSN Member Survey 2020: RWSN Member Survey 2020 https://rural-watersupply.net/en/resources/details/947

Industry experience

Education: Bachelor

Seniority: Expert, Engineer, Consultant

Years of experience: 10 to 20 years

Taxonomy