UNDP Global Water and Sanitation Governance Program: Capacity Building for Public Sector Institutions

The UNDP Global Water and Sanitation Governance Program: Capacity Building for Public Sector Institutions is a comprehensive initiative aimed at transforming water and sanitation governance in developing countries. This multi-year, multi-country program recognizes that sustainable water and sanitation services depend not only on infrastructure investments but also on strong institutions capable of planning, regulating, and managing service delivery equitably and accountably. The program seeks to address critical governance gaps such as weak policy frameworks, fragmented institutional responsibilities, lack of technical skills, and insufficient financial management. By building the capacity of public sector entities at national and subnational levels, the program aims to improve service delivery outcomes, attract investment, and enhance resilience to climate change. The program is expected to be implemented in 10-15 countries, with a total budget of $40 million. Each country component will be tailored to national priorities and may focus on different aspects of governance, such as regulatory reform, tariff setting, or integrated water resource management. The UNDP invites proposals from qualified organizations with expertise in capacity building, governance, and water sector reform. Proposals must outline a clear theory of change, a comprehensive work plan, a results framework, and a budget. The selection will be based on technical merit, organizational capacity, and cost-effectiveness. A key feature of the program is its emphasis on sustainability, requiring partners to develop exit strategies that ensure capacities are retained after the program ends. The program also encourages innovative approaches, such as the use of digital learning platforms and peer-to-peer exchanges. For organizations like GSLI, this represents an opportunity to offer specialized training courses as part of the capacity-building package, adding value to the consortium's proposal.

This opportunity is specifically designed for international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), for-profit development consultancies, academic and research institutions, and non-profit entities with a proven track record in public sector capacity building, particularly in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) governance. Eligible applicants must have at least five years of demonstrable experience in designing and delivering institutional strengthening programs for government entities in low- and middle-income countries. They must also possess deep technical expertise in water resource management, regulatory frameworks, and governance reform, supported by a team of senior experts with advanced degrees (Masters or PhD) in relevant fields such as civil engineering, public policy, environmental science, or public health. Financial eligibility requires a minimum annual operating budget of $5 million for the past three years, audited financial statements, and proven fiduciary responsibility. Geographically, organizations should have active registration and operational presence in target regions, particularly Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, or Southeast Asia. Additionally, the UNDP mandates that applicants demonstrate gender parity in their leadership and field teams, as well as a commitment to local capacity building by sub-contracting to national firms or community-based organizations. Organizations with prior UNDP implementing partner status or those that have successfully executed similar World Bank or bilateral donor-funded projects will be prioritized. The program expects a strong organizational capacity for monitoring and evaluation, including dedicated M&E staff and experience with results-based management systems.

The UNDP's primary investment priority under this program is to strengthen the institutional and technical capacity of public sector institutions to govern water and sanitation services effectively, equitably, and sustainably. Key performance indicators (KPIs) include: (1) Number of government officials trained in water governance, with a target of at least 500 per country; (2) Percentage of trained officials demonstrating improved knowledge, measured through pre- and post-training assessments (target: 80% improvement); (3) Number of policy documents or regulatory frameworks developed or revised with UNDP support (target: at least 3 per country); (4) Percentage of water service providers achieving minimum service quality standards (target: 30% increase in service quality metrics); (5) Establishment of functional multi-stakeholder platforms for water governance (at least one per region); (6) Integration of gender-sensitive and human rights-based approaches in all capacity-building materials; (7) Improved budget execution rates for water and sanitation sectors (target: at least 15% increase); (8) Reduction in non-revenue water (target: 10% decrease within program lifespan). The donor also prioritizes climate-resilient water management, requiring that at least 40% of training modules address climate adaptation. Additionally, the UNDP emphasizes South-South and triangular cooperation, expecting partners to facilitate knowledge exchange between countries. Digital innovation in capacity building, such as e-learning platforms and mobile data collection tools, is highly valued. The program underscores the need for sustainability, with a requirement that all capacity-building activities lead to certification or accreditation by national institutions. Finally, the UNDP prioritizes projects that align with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCFs) and national water sector strategies.

Comprehensive eligibility criteria for the UNDP Global Water and Sanitation Governance Program are delineated for financial, spatial, and corporate legal audits. Financially, organizations must submit audited financial statements for the past three fiscal years, demonstrating a consistent annual turnover of at least $5 million. They must also have a minimum of $500,000 in liquid assets to pre-finance initial activities pending UNDP reimbursement. The organization must not be listed on the UN Security Council Sanctions List or any terrorist watchlist. For-profit entities must provide proof of tax compliance and business registration. Spatially, applicants must have a physical office or registered branch within the target country or region, except in cases where a consortium includes a local partner with established presence. The organization must have a valid legal status (e.g., NGO registration, company incorporation) in its home country and, if required, in the countries of operation. Additionally, the entity must not have been involved in any fraud, corruption, or human rights violations. The UNDP also requires a corporate governance structure that includes a board of directors or advisory board, with clear anti-fraud and anti-corruption policies. For audit purposes, organizations must agree to annual external audits as per UNDP requirements, and must maintain an accounting system that allows for separate tracking of UNDP funds. Capacity-wise, the organization must have at least three full-time senior experts with over 10 years of experience in water governance. It must also demonstrate past performance in at least two similar projects with a budget exceeding $2 million each. Environmental and social safeguards are paramount; therefore, the organization must have an environmental and social management framework in place.

Step 1: Strategic Alignment and Early Engagement (Month 1-2). Immediately download the full RFP from the UNDP procurement portal and conduct a thorough gap analysis against your organization’s capabilities. Register as a UNDP supplier if not already done. Engage with the UNDP country office in the target region via email or introductory call to express interest, seek clarification, and gather intelligence on national priorities. Simultaneously, form a consortium with in-country partners who have established relationships with local governments and have a proven track record in WASH capacity building. GSLI Integration: Enroll key project staff in GSLI’s 'WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene)' and 'Writing Winning Proposals' short courses to enhance technical acumen and proposal writing skills, respectively. This ensures your team is aligned with global best practices and can articulate a compelling narrative. Step 2: Technical Design and Curriculum Development (Month 2-3). Develop a detailed theory of change that links capacity-building activities to improved water governance outcomes. Design a modular training curriculum covering topics such as integrated water resource management, regulatory compliance, fiscal planning, and gender-sensitive service delivery. Incorporate adult learning methodologies, case-based discussions, and field exercises. Define clear performance indicators aligned with the donor’s KPIs. GSLI Integration: For the M&E component, leverage GSLI’s 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' course to design a robust results framework. Also, consider including 'Project Management for Development' as a cross-cutting module to strengthen officials’ project execution skills. Step 3: Budgeting and Compliance (Month 3-4). Prepare a realistic, activity-based budget that includes personnel costs (at least 40% of total), training logistics, travel, equipment, and overheads (max 15%). Ensure budgeted costs are in line with UNDP cost norms. Complete all compliance documentation: proof of eligibility, audited financial statements, organizational profile, and CVs of key personnel. Obtain necessary insurance (e.g., professional liability, travel). GSLI Integration: Have your finance team complete GSLI’s 'Financial Management for NGOs' course to ensure adherence to UNDP’s stringent financial reporting requirements, reducing audit risks. Step 4: Submission and Follow-Up (Month 4-5). Submit the proposal via the UNDP e-tendering system before the deadline. Ensure all attachments are in PDF format and named clearly. After submission, send a follow-up email to the procurement contact to confirm receipt. Prepare for potential negotiations or clarifications by having the technical and financial leads available. If selected, initiate contract negotiations immediately. GSLI Integration: Once awarded, enroll the core implementation team in 'Grants Management' and 'Procurement & Supply Chain' courses to ensure efficient project execution and compliance with UNDP procurement rules.