Terms of Reference (TOR)

SPL Project Endline Evaluation Survey

1. Background

WaterAid is an international non-governmental organization founded in 1981 and focused on improving poor people’s access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation in developing countries. WaterAid Rwanda is one of the many Country Programmes of WaterAid around the world and it was officially registered and started operating in Rwanda in 2010. We work with various partners including the Ministry of Infrastructure for overall coordination and performance of the WATSAN sector including policy work.

WaterAid Rwanda has been implementing a four-year Gender-Sensitive and Climate Resilient WASH Project (2022–2026) funded by the Swedish Postcode Lottery (SPL) in Burera, Nyagatare, and Bugesera districts, in line with its vision of universal access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene. The project responds to growing climate-related challenges such as floods, droughts and erosion, which threaten WASH services and disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, especially women and girls who bear a heavy burden of water collection and face higher sanitation risks. 

A baseline study conducted revealed major gaps in safely managed water and sanitation, low uptake of hygiene behaviors, climate vulnerability of WASH infrastructure, and persistent gender inequalities. The project therefore focused on expanding inclusive and climate-resilient WASH services, strengthening community capacity and hygiene behavior change through Community Hygiene Clubs, and promoting water resource conservation, particularly around the Rugezi Marsh. As the project nears completion, WaterAid Rwanda plans to conduct an endline evaluation survey to assess progress against these objectives, evaluate sustainability and value for money, and generate learning to inform future gender-transformative and climate-resilient WASH programming.

Project Summary

The Gender-Sensitive and Climate Resilient Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Project implemented by WaterAid Rwanda was designed to improve the health, wellbeing, and resilience of vulnerable communities in Burera, Nyagatare, and Bugesera districts. The project responds to increasing climate variability and its adverse impacts on water resources, sanitation systems, and public health, particularly among rural and underserved populations.

The overall goal of the project was to improve lives through gender-sensitive and climate-resilient WASH services, with a strong focus on reducing vulnerability to climate shocks and promoting inclusive access to services. The project aimed at reaching at total of 62,040 Direct Beneficiaries (32,137 women and 29,903 men)

To achieve this, the project implemented a combination of WASH infrastructure development, environmental conservation, hygiene behavior change, and institutional strengthening interventions.

In the area of water resource management and environmental conservation, in the design, the project planned to focus on protecting and restoring the Rugezi Marsh, a critical ecosystem that plays a key role in water regulation and climate mitigation. Activities included planting over 56,543 indigenous trees, constructing 20 km terraces to reduce soil erosion, establishing 8 fodder grass fields and supply fodder grass to at least 1,200 families signing conservation agreements to commit to protecting the marsh. 

In terms of WASH infrastructure development, the project planned to improve access to safe and reliable water through the construction and rehabilitation of water systems. This included the construction of 10 stone masonry and reinforced concrete underground rainwater harvesting tanks, each with a capacity of 90 m³ and rehabilitation of natural 3 water springs. The project also implemented 5 water source catchment protection construction and extension of water supply from existing district networks to rural schools, healthcare facilities, other public institutions, and nearby communities. Additionally, rainwater harvesting tanks were installed for 100 vulnerable and poorest households identified by districts, as well as 70 tanks for selected low-income households, including female-headed households. The project further carried out water quality improvement for 16 constructed water points.

These interventions were designed to ensure climate-resilient water supply systems that can withstand variability in rainfall and extreme weather conditions.

To address sanitation and hygiene challenges, the project was designed to engage and empower communities to identify and address personal hygiene, household sanitation, and environmental health challenges, supporting communities to actively participate in problem-solving through a combination of hygiene education and practical actions aimed at improving hygiene behaviors and sanitation at individual, household, and community levels. These outcomes were pursued through the roll-out of the Community-Based Environmental Health Promotion Programme (CBEHPP), a community-led approach implemented through Community Hygiene Clubs (CHCs). Project interventions included creation and equipping of existing CHCs, training of 400 CHC facilitators, provision of support for HH latrine construction to 200 of the most vulnerable and marginalized households, and the facilitation of quarterly hygiene campaigns alongside the celebration of international hygiene-related days.

2. Objective of the Assignment

The purpose of the endline evaluation is to assess the extent to which the SPL-funded project has achieved its intended outcomes and contributed to sustainable, climate-resilient, gender-equitable WASH services, while generating evidence-based learning and accountability for donors, government, and WaterAid.

3. Scope of Work

The evaluation will assess work delivered over the entire four-year period of the project, from July 2022 to 30 June 2026 in the area of implementation, as a comparative analysis of the gender sensitive and climate resilient WASH situation of pre-and post-interventions this will imply the usage of materials used during the baseline surveys including data collection questionaries, and analysis tools . 

The evaluation will be conducted in Nyagatare, Burera and Bugesera districts’ communities and schools that the project has supported. 

The evaluation will be limited to the scope of the project and according to WaterAid evaluation protocol. 

The evaluation will also review project monitoring data, baseline findings, and the results framework.

4. Evaluation Period

The evaluation survey will cover the work delivered over the entire four-year period of the SPL project, from July 2022 to 30 June 2026 in the area of implementation.

5. Deliverables

1. Inception report detailing the methodology, tools for data collection and the timelines. 
2. Draft evaluation report
3. Final evaluation report
4. Data sets
5. Fact sheet of key findings 
6. PPT for research dissemination 

6. Duration of the Assignment

The duration of the assignment is 30 days.

7. Consultant Firm Qualifications

The evaluators should have the following key competencies:

• The Principal Investigator should be a PHD holder with five years of experience in similar work 
• Master’s degree in social sciences, Development Studies, Public Health, and/or related fields with 10 years of experience in similar work 
• Experience in the use of participatory qualitative and quantitative methodologies and tools, preferably including work with marginalized communities and particularly women and girls.
• Experience in leading evaluations of WASH programmes. 
• Experience in use of mWater data collection and analysis tool 
• Working knowledge of local language(s) in the project areas.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills - in English and local language 
• Ability to write concise, readable and analytical reports, with recommendations (examples to be provided)

8. Consultant firm Requirements

• Commitment to uphold WaterAid’s values and adhere to relevant WaterAid policies as set out above.
• Consultant team members with NGO and donor project evaluation experience
• Excellent understanding of the Community hygiene behavior changes and WASH in Rwanda.

9. Confidentiality

The consultant shall treat all information obtained during the assignment as confidential and shall not disclose such information without prior written consent from the organization.

10. Proposal Submission Requirements

Interested firms should submit:

Technical Proposal

• Understanding of the TOR
• Proposed methodology and approach
• Team composition and CVs
• Relevant experience and proof of references (Minimum 3 NGOs reference is preferred)

Financial Proposal

• Consultant fees (including applicable taxes)
• Any additional or incidental costs
• Proposed terms of payment

Supporting Documents

• Company profile
• Legal registration and licensing documents
• Recommendation letters or certificates of service.

11. Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Technical quality and consultant approach
• Relevant experience with INGOs and donor-funded programs
• Qualifications and experience of proposed consultant team
• Cost-effectiveness, breakdown with clear details
• References and past performance

12. Submission Details

Proposals should be submitted to WARwanda@wateraid.org no later than 31st May 2026. Late submissions will not be considered.

13. Disclaimer

WaterAid Rwanda will contact only shortlisted applicants for further negotiation; If not required, only the selected candidate will be notified.