Consultancy Services for Development of Technical Guidelines on Designing, Developing, and Operating Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) in Water Resource Ma

WaterAid Pakistan is inviting qualified consultancy firms to develop detailed technical guidelines for designing, developing, and operating Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) in water resource management. This consultancy supports WaterAid’s Climate Change and WASH Programme, which focuses on promoting climate-resilient and gender-inclusive WASH facilities in vulnerable areas of Pakistan. The guidelines will cover rooftop and surface rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, and decentralized wastewater treatment systems, ensuring inclusive access for marginalized and vulnerable groups. The assignment is scheduled for three months and involves field visits to Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) models in Sindh and Punjab to document results and generate evidence for scaling NbS interventions.

Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct a thorough situation analysis and literature review of national and international frameworks, mapping existing NbS practices and identifying gaps.
- Develop rainwater harvesting design standards by analyzing historical rainfall data, calculating harvestable volumes for various rooftop sizes and surface runoff, and producing design-ready outputs such as sizing charts and technical drawings.
- Design groundwater recharge systems tailored to Pakistan’s diverse soil types and water table depths, including recharge wells, trenches, and check dams, along with site suitability criteria.
- Detail ecological wastewater treatment options, including constructed wetlands and anaerobic baffled reactors, providing flow diagrams, design specifications, and ensuring compliance with effluent standards.
- Prepare step-by-step construction guidelines emphasizing safety, accessibility, and the use of local materials, supported by quality control checklists and environmental safeguards.
- Develop operation and maintenance (O&M) manuals, preventive maintenance schedules, simple water quality testing protocols, and define roles for caretakers and community stakeholders.
- Create capacity-building tools such as training modules, pictorial guides, and presentation materials for dissemination to provincial and district stakeholders.
- Facilitate a one-day validation workshop to present draft guidelines to relevant stakeholders, coordinating with WaterAid Pakistan for event arrangements.
- Document and analyze outcomes from ZLD/desalination models in Lodhran and Karachi, producing evidence-based learning and advocacy briefs to support institutional adoption of the guidelines.

Required Qualifications:
- A minimum of 10 years’ experience in WASH infrastructure and Nature-Based Solutions within South Asia.
- Proven expertise in guideline/manual development, hydrological analysis, and institutional engagement.
- Demonstrated experience working with government bodies, UN agencies, or international NGOs in Pakistan.
- Strong technical skills to analyze rainfall data, design NbS models, and develop user-friendly technical documents and training materials.
- Ability to conduct field visits and stakeholder consultations effectively.

Preferred Qualifications and Benefits:
- Experience collaborating with diverse stakeholders, including development partners, academia, and local civil society organizations.
- Familiarity with Pakistan’s national policies such as the Punjab Climate Change Action Plan, National Adaptation Plan, and Pakistan Water Policy 2018.
- Capacity to propose innovative, low-cost, scalable, and environmentally sustainable NbS solutions using participatory and digital tools.
- Financial capacity to manage consultancy services of similar scale and complexity.

The consultancy will report directly to the WASH Specialist at WaterAid Pakistan and work closely with the organization’s team. Deliverables include an inception report, rainfall zoning and feasibility matrix, draft and final technical guidelines, O&M toolkits, and documentation of ZLD models. Payments will be made in three installments linked to the approval of key deliverables. WaterAid reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal without providing reasons. Interested firms must submit separate technical and financial proposals by July 14, 2025.