World Bank Institutional Capacity Building for Climate-Resilient WASH Service Delivery in the Sahel

The World Bank's Institutional Capacity Building for Climate-Resilient WASH Service Delivery in the Sahel is a transformative initiative targeting six Sahelian countries: Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Senegal. With a deadline of July 30, 2026, this procurement seeks qualified organizations to deliver comprehensive institutional strengthening programs that will enable water and sanitation service providers to anticipate, prepare for, and recover from climate-related disruptions. The program's overarching goal is to ensure sustainable access to safe water and dignified sanitation for at least 2 million people, with a focus on vulnerable groups such as women, children, and internally displaced persons. This initiative responds to the urgent need to break the cycle of emergency response and build long-term resilience in one of the world's most climate-vulnerable regions. The World Bank emphasizes a systemic approach that goes beyond infrastructure to encompass policy reform, financial sustainability, and community engagement. The program is aligned with the Sahel Alliance's priorities and aims to mobilize additional climate finance. Bidders must propose methodologies that are evidence-based, gender-responsive, and conflict-sensitive. The expected impact includes reduced waterborne diseases, improved livelihoods, and enhanced institutional credibility to attract further investment. The World Bank will evaluate proposals based on technical merit, capacity, and cost-effectiveness. Given the complexity and scale, consortia combining international expertise and local knowledge are encouraged. Successful implementation will contribute to achieving SDG 6 and building peace and stability in the region.

Strategic Overview

Who is it For?

This opportunity is designed for international and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), consulting firms, research institutions, and consortia with specialized expertise in institutional capacity building for climate-resilient WASH services. Eligible entities must have a registered office in a World Bank member country and at least 10 years of documented experience in similar assignments, preferably in Sub-Saharan Africa. The program targets organizations that can work with national governments (e.g., ministries of water, environment, and finance), regional bodies (e.g., the Permanent Inter-State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel), and local service providers. Ideal applicants must demonstrate a track record in developing training curricula, establishing monitoring systems, and advising on policy reforms. The procurement also encourages participation of local Sahelian institutions to ensure context-specific solutions and sustainability. Bidders should have a multidisciplinary team including climate scientists, WASH engineers, public financial management experts, and social behavior change specialists. Financial capacity is required to manage grants of $5-15 million, with audited accounts for the last three years. The World Bank also emphasizes past performance in implementing Environmental and Social Safeguards and fiduciary standards.

Priorities

The World Bank's global priorities for this program align with its Climate Change Action Plan and commitment to build resilience in fragile states. Key investment KPIs include: (1) increasing the percentage of WASH service delivery points with climate-resilient infrastructure from baseline to at least 50% within five years; (2) enhancing institutional capacity measured by a composite index tracking planning, budgeting, and operational performance; (3) expanding access to safely managed water and sanitation services for at least 2 million people, especially women and girls; (4) integrating climate adaptation into national WASH policies and investment plans; (5) mobilizing co-financing from governments, development partners, and private sector. The donor also prioritizes conflict sensitivity, gender equality, and social inclusion, requiring grantees to disaggregate data by sex, age, and disability. Innovation is encouraged, such as using mobile technology for data collection and real-time monitoring. The sustainability focus demands that capacity building leads to enduring changes in governance and financing, reducing dependency on external aid. Additionally, the program seeks to establish knowledge-sharing platforms and cross-country learning among Sahelian states.

Eligibility

Eligibility requires bidders to be legally constituted entities in a World Bank member country, with a minimum annual turnover of $2 million for the past three years. They must submit audited financial statements, a corporate registration certificate, and tax compliance documents. Technically, the lead organization must have at least 10 years of experience in institutional capacity building for WASH in low-income or climate-vulnerable countries, with at least three references of similar scale (budget >$3 million). The team must include a project manager with a master's degree and 10 years' experience, plus specialists in climate adaptation, public finance management, and social safeguards. The World Bank prohibits conflict of interest; bidders must disclose any relationships with government officials. Environmental and social criteria require an Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and a Stakeholder Engagement Plan. Local partnerships are mandatory for international bidders, with a minimum 30% budget allocated to local organizations. Fraud and corruption records are screened; any history of debarment disqualifies the bid. Bidders must also submit a detailed capacity statement and methodology demonstrating understanding of Sahelian political economy.

Path to Success

Step 1: Deepen Institutional Capacity through GSLI's WASH and Financial Management Courses. Enroll key personnel in WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) and Financial Management for NGOs courses to build foundational and advanced competencies required by the donor. These courses cover climate-resilient WASH planning, budgeting, and internal control systems, directly addressing World Bank fiduciary requirements. Step 2: Strengthen Proposal Development via Writing Winning Proposals and Grants Management courses. GSLI's training equips teams with techniques to articulate logical frameworks, results chains, and sustainability plans that align with donor KPIs. The courses also teach budgeting for institutional strengthening and risk mitigation strategies. Step 3: Enhance Monitoring & Evaluation Systems using GSLI's M&E course. The curriculum covers designing baselines, climate resilience indicators, and feedback loops that meet World Bank standards. This ensures compliance with the required M&E framework and improves data-driven decision-making. Step 4: Leverage Procurement & Supply Chain expertise from GSLI's course to manage procurements efficiently and transparently, reducing delays and audit risks. By completing these trainings, the bid team will demonstrate enhanced capacity, a key evaluation criterion. GSLI also offers post-training support and certification, which can be included in the proposal as a capacity-building component. This integrated approach increases the bid's competitiveness and aligns with the donor's emphasis on institutional sustainability.

Recommended GSLI Courses

WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene)
Project Management for Development
Financial Management for NGOs
Grants Management

Deadline: 2026-07-30

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal