CALL FOR PROPOSALS

Independent End-Term Evaluation of the Ethiopia WSS Financing Programme (Phase I)

1. About Aqua for All

Aqua for All is an international foundation headquartered in the Netherlands that works to accelerate universal access to safe water and sanitation. Through blended finance, technical assistance, market development and partnerships, Aqua for All mobilises public and private capital and supports sustainable water and sanitation markets.

In Ethiopia, Aqua for All works with financial institutions, enterprises, government stakeholders and other ecosystem actors to expand access to affordable and sustainable financing for water and sanitation services.

2. Background

Aqua for All implemented the Ethiopia WSS Financing Programme – Phase I from April 2024 to June 2026 with financial support from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.

The programme aimed to address limited access to affordable finance for households, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and safe water enterprises. The programme focused on strengthening the financial ecosystem for water and sanitation by supporting financial institutions to develop and scale water and sanitation lending products, build institutional capacity and mobilise commercial capital.

Aqua for All is now commissioning an independent end-term evaluation of Phase I.

Two evaluation components will be undertaken through one integrated assignment:

• 
  Programme-Level SDG 6 Impact Assessment, focusing on access to safe drinking water, improved sanitation, and employment opportunities for women and men.
  • WASH Enterprise/MSME Outcome Evaluation, assessing changes in business operations among enterprises that accessed financing, including revenue growth and/or expansion in business units or branches.
  

The selected consultant or firm will undertake both components under a single contract and produce an integrated end-term evaluation report.

3. Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of the assignment is to independently assess the effectiveness, outcomes, sustainability and lessons learned from the Ethiopia WSS Financing Programme – Phase I.

The evaluation will assess the extent to which programme-supported financing has contributed to improved water and sanitation access, employment opportunities, enterprise growth and the institutionalisation of water and sanitation lending within participating financial institutions.

The findings and recommendations will also inform the implementation of Phase II and the design of future blended finance interventions.

4. Scope of Work

The selected consultant or consulting firm will design and implement an integrated evaluation covering the full Phase I implementation period.

The assignment is expected to include:

• Review and analysis of relevant programme documents, portfolio data and existing monitoring information;
• Assessment of programme contributions to SDG 6 indicators relating to safe drinking water, sanitation and employment;
• Assessment of the quality, reliability and sustainability of water and sanitation services accessed through programme-financed loans;
• Measurement of changes in the business operations of financed WASH enterprises and MSMEs;
• Assessment of the extent to which water and sanitation lending has been institutionalised within participating MFIs and banks;
• Interviews with relevant financial institutions, enterprises, government stakeholders and other actors;
• Quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis; and
• Identification of key lessons and actionable recommendations for Phase II and future blended finance facilities.

The evaluation is expected to cover a sample of participating MFIs and banks, financed enterprises, and selected programme locations in and around Addis Ababa, Amhara Region and Oromia Region.

Detailed requirements are provided in the accompanying Terms of Reference (ToR).

5. Expected Methodology

Consultants/firms are expected to propose a robust and practical methodology. At a minimum, proposals should demonstrate:

• A mixed-methods approach combining quantitative and qualitative methods;
• A clearly justified sampling strategy;
• Appropriate approaches for measuring changes against available baseline information;
• Interviews with relevant financial institutions and other key stakeholders;
• Strong data quality assurance and triangulation procedures;
• Gender-disaggregated analysis where relevant; and
• A realistic and efficient approach to fieldwork, data analysis and reporting.

6. Key Deliverables

1. Inception Report, including the final methodology, sampling strategy, evaluation matrix and detailed work plan.
   2. Data Collection Tools, including survey instruments and guides for key informant interviews and focus group discussions, where applicable.
   3. Draft Evaluation Report, presenting findings, analysis, conclusions and recommendations covering both evaluation components.
   4. Final Evaluation Report, incorporating feedback from Aqua for All and relevant stakeholders.
   5. Executive Summary and Presentation, summarising key findings, conclusions and recommendations.
   

The final report should clearly distinguish between findings related to the programme-level SDG 6 impact assessment and the WASH Enterprise/MSME outcome evaluation.

7. Assignment Period and Location

The assignment is expected to take approximately 4–8 weeks and will be undertaken during the early implementation period of Phase II.

The assignment will involve work in Addis Ababa and selected locations in Amhara and Oromia Regions, with a combination of field-based and remote work where appropriate. The exact start date and detailed timeline will be agreed with the selected consultant or firm.