TOR FOR THE ENGAGEMENT OF A CONSULTANT TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF WATER, SANITATION, AND HYGIENE (WASH) FINANCE STRATEGY IN CROSS RIVER AND KANO STATES, NIGERIA

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1.    About Self Help Africa

Self Help Africa is an international development organisation headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, operating across 17 countries and dedicated to the vision of sustainable livelihoods and healthy lives for all in a changing climate. At SHA, our mission is to alleviate hunger, poverty, social inequality and the impact of climate change through community-led, market-based and enterprise-focused approaches, so that people have access to nutritious food, clean water, decent employment and income, while sustaining natural resources.

SHA has been operating in Nigeria for over 25 years, first as Concern Universal and later as United Purpose, leading innovative development programs focused on agriculture and food systems, climate adaptation, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and waste management, market systems, business support and services, and sustainable landscapes. Through our work in nearly 4,000 communities across Akwa Ibom, Benue, Cross River, Ebonyi, Kano, Sokoto and Zamfara States, we have driven impactful change, empowering communities with sustainable solutions for resilience and growth.

2.    About the WS4H Programme

In 2024, Self Help Africa secured funding from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to implement a WASH systems strengthening programme across Nigeria and Sierra Leone. Nigeria is leading the overall consortium and programme implementation within the country, while GOAL is leading the work in Sierra Leone. The programme aims to strengthen the systems required to deliver and sustain reliable, resilient, and inclusive WASH services. It will run for four years in Kano and Cross River States, with a national coordination hub based in Abuja.

  1. Rationale for Developing the Kano and Cross River States WASH Finance Strategy

Kano and Cross River States have made notable progress in improving access to WASH services. However, inadequate and uncoordinated financing continues to limit effective service delivery. The recently enacted Cross River State Water Law (2025) and the revised WASH Policies for both Kano and Cross River States (2025) provide an updated policy and legal framework to achieve sustainable and inclusive WASH access.

Both states also plan to develop medium-term WASH Strategic Plans for the pilot LGAs under the WS4H Programme, providing a clear roadmap for improving sustainable, reliable, and climate-resilient access to WASH services.

To put these policies and plans into action, a Sustainable WASH Finance Strategy is required. This strategy will guide the mobilisation, allocation, and efficient use of financial resources to meet state WASH targets in line with Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), the National Action Plan for Revitalising Nigeria’s WASH Sector, and each state’s development agenda.

The strategy will build on lessons from the LGA-wide assessments in Makoda and Yala pilot LGAs, the Cross River State WASH Investment Plan (2024), and other global best practices. It will provide practical guidance for achieving long-term financial sustainability, climate resilience, and improved service delivery.

In line with this, Self Help Africa’s WASH Systems for Health (WS4H) Programme, in collaboration with the Kano and Cross River State Ministries of Water Resources, seeks to engage a qualified consultant to develop Sustainable WASH Finance Strategy for each of the two states.

  1. Objectives of the Consultancy

The objective of this consultancy is to develop a comprehensive and sustainable WASH Finance Strategy for both states that:

  1. Assesses the current WASH financing landscape, including funding flows, gaps, and opportunities.
  2. Defines life-cycle costing for sustainable WASH services.
  3. Identifies the financial gap to achieve short-, medium-, and long-term WASH targets.
  4. Develop a financing framework and investment roadmap that outlines potential public, private, and innovative financing mechanisms.
  5.  Propose institutional and governance arrangements for improved coordination, accountability, and sustainability of WASH financing.
  6. Provide costed recommendations and implementation guidance for rolling out the strategies in both states.

5.    Technical Deliverables

  1. Inception report detailing methodology, work plan, and outline of each state’s finance strategy.
  2. Report on the final stakeholder validation workshop
  3. Draft costed implementation plan for the finance strategy
  4. Final harmonised draft of the Sustainable Finance Strategy for each state.
  5. Briefing notes to support high-level stakeholder by-in and adoption
  6. Finalised Finance Strategy Documents (both clean and tracked versions for both states)
  7. PowerPoint presentation summarising key policy highlights for the official launch

As per the terms of the contract, the consultant will be expected to adhere to SHA standards for safeguarding, social responsibility, human rights and will be provided with copies of relevant policy documents (Child Protection, Gender Equality, Whistleblower Protection, Sexual Harassment and Sexual Exploitation Policy).

1.     Safeguarding:

Everyone has a role in creating and sustaining a safe and respectful working environment, where no one is harmed or maltreated. At SHA, we take our responsibilities very seriously and will act against wrongdoing. We will do everything we can to ensure that we do not engage people who pose a safeguarding risk and will undertake criminal record checks as required. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals. We encourage and facilitate a flexible working environment. Data collected through this engagement will not be used for any purpose other than the anticipated purpose in this arrangement.

2.    Our Values

      At SHA, our values are impact, innovation and community.

  • Impact: We are accountable, ambitious and committed to systems change.
  • Innovation: We are agile, creative and enterprising in an ever-changing world.
  • Community: We are inclusive, honest and have integrity in our relationships.

How to apply:

Suitably qualified individuals with the required knowledge, expertise and skills should apply by sending a proposal with the following requirements via email to [email protected] on or before 13th January 2026.

  1. A detailed proposal of the consultancy (not more than 10 pages), including how you meet the criteria, proposed approach and work plan.
  2. A technical and financial proposal, stating the technical specifications and budget as per this ToR.
  3. An electronic copy of a curriculum vitae, including references to places/organisations where similar work was carried out.
  4. Evidence of financial capability to pre-finance 40 per cent of the total assignment cost.

Applicants from Nigeria are encouraged to apply. Otherwise, applicants outside Nigeria must be authorised to work in Nigeria.

Selection Process:

SHA’s selection process includes rigorous background checks that reflect our organisational integrity and commitment to making humanitarian action more principled and effective.

The Consultant’s proposal will be assessed on technical merit, additional value and services offered, relevant experience, value for money, lead time and price.

This work cannot be subcontracted, and the client must agree to any changes in writing.

The consultant will report to the Senior Policy and Governance Advisor for the WASH Systems for Health Programme.

Only shortlisted consultants will be contacted.

Full details of TOR are available for download here.