Research Consultant – WASH, NDCs and Climate Adaptation

Research Consultant – WASH, NDCs and Climate Adaptation

Water Aid’s vision is a world where everyone has access to safe and sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). As part of our work to achieve this, we influence global commitments and policies on water supply and sanitation and wider issues of climate change and water security.

Background

WaterAid has been advocating and working with partner governments to incorporate climate resilient WASH into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs). As a crucial part of climate adaptation and resilience, as well as holding significant mitigation potential, it is important that WASH is mainstreamed into all climate action. Many countries have successfully integrated WASH into their climate plans, with more still in progress.

Objective

To examine the integration of WASH in NAPs and NDCs in low- and middle-income countries and analyse to what extent and in what ways climate resilient WASH is incorporated into climate plans. More specifically:

• Provide quantitative data on how many of the NAPs and NDCs contain planned actions on climate resilient WASH, including disparities across water, sanitation and hygiene
• Provide qualitative insights on the degree of inclusion of climate resilient WASH in the relevant NAPs and NDCs in line with WaterAid’s 5 criteria for integrating WASH into national climate plans and building block conceptualisation of the WASH system.

Research Questions

How many low- and middle-income countries have integrated climate-resilient WASH into their most recent NAPs and NDCs, and in what form?

To what extent is climate-resilient WASH incorporated into these countries NAPs and NDCs?

Scope of Work

Geographic scope

The consultant will obtain and review all of the most recently published NDCs and NAPs of low- and middle-income Parties to the Paris Agreement, 154 countries in total, as well as any subsidiary plans and strategies (such as investment, financing, implementation and monitoring and evaluation plans).

Thematic considerations

The consultant will consider all elements of water, sanitation (including wastewater) and hygiene as included in the plans, providing differential information on how each of these is represented. The consultant, in consultation with the client, will define the inclusion and exclusion criteria and keywording for different activities listed in the plans. The consultant will follow WaterAid’s five criteria for including WASH in NAPs and NDCs and WaterAid’s building block conceptualisation of the WASH system in their analysis of strengths and weaknesses in the inclusion of climate-resilient WASH in NAPs and NDCs. They will also draw on existing analysis from sector partners, which will be made available to them.

Raw data on the inclusion of water within the latest round of NDCs will be shared by WaterAid with the consultant. They will be expected to supplement this with data from NAPs and any further data needed on NDCs, which will be obtained through the relevant governments’ websites.

Where a document is not available in English, the consultant will be required to translate the relevant documents and factor any associated cost in their proposal.

Approach and Methodology

The consultant will propose the detailed methodology, conduct the research and provide the findings to WaterAid. This will include defining the indicators for assessing the strengths and weaknesses of WASH inclusion against WaterAid’s five criteria for including WASH in NAPs and NDCs.

The key task and activities will include:

• Inception stage: conducting kick call, and inception alignment on proposed methodology and other project details
• Develop and sign-off on the assessment criteria and approach with Head of Climate Policy
• Check in regularly with WaterAid staff to refine findings and structure of report
• Draft high-quality report
• Present results at a validation workshop

Expected Outcomes

This work will be used to provide evidence for WaterAid’s advocacy on NDCs and NAPs. The findings will be incorporated into multiple advocacy products, including briefings, letters and reports, to evidence the existing country-demand for action on climate-resilient WASH and highlight areas for improvement.

Timeline

Overall duration: July-August 2026

Key milestones:

• Inception presentation by July 10th
• Draft report by July 24th
• Final report by August 21st

Reporting

The consultant will report to the Lead Policy Analyst on Climate.

Ethical and Data Protections Considerations

All data and analysis shared by sector partners must be used exclusively for this analysis and not shared or reproduced further.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Bidders must comply with WaterAid UK’s AI Policy. Any proposed use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the design, analysis, or reporting of this research must be explicitly disclosed and justified. AI tools may support technical tasks (e.g. transcription and translation support or coding assistance), but they must not replace qualified human subject-matter expertise. Responsibility for analytical rigour, interpretation, and ethical decision-making remains with the consultant team.

Personally identifiable or sensitive data—including transcripts containing names, contact details, or contextual identifiers—must not be uploaded to public or unapproved AI platforms. Any AI-assisted data processing must comply with applicable data protection regulations and WaterAid’s internal data classification standards.

Bidders must clearly state: (1) whether AI tools will be used, (2) for what purpose, (3) what safeguards will protect data privacy and confidentiality, and (4) how transparency of AI-assisted outputs will be ensured. Non-disclosure of AI use or inadequate data safeguards may constitute grounds for contract termination.

Eligibility and Qualifications

• Experience (>5 years) designing and conducting desk-based research analysing national-level plans and strategies.
• Experience (>5 years) in designing and conducting analysis on climate or development issues.
• Advanced knowledge and expertise on WASH and/or climate and water.
• Experience of developing research which delivers findings for advocacy organisations or international NGOs.
• Excellent research, writing, communication and project management skills.
• Experience working across an international environment remotely.
• Advanced understanding of NAPs and NDCs.
• Good knowledge of climate finance and the global goal on adaptation.