World Bank RFP: Strengthening Public Financial Management for Climate-Resilient WASH Service Delivery in Post-Conflict Regions

This World Bank RFP, issued in May 2026, calls for proposals to strengthen public financial management (PFM) for climate-resilient WASH service delivery in post-conflict regions. The project aims to design and pilot a comprehensive PFM framework that integrates climate risk assessments into subnational budget planning, procurement, and audit cycles for WASH infrastructure. Geographic focus includes post-conflict regions in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Sahel, and the Horn of Africa. The project budget is estimated at $15-25 million over a 4-year implementation period. Key deliverables include a diagnostic PFM and climate vulnerability assessment toolkit, a training curriculum for 500+ government staff, a digital dashboard for real-time budget tracking, and a set of policy recommendations for scaling. The World Bank emphasizes fiduciary compliance, requiring robust anti-corruption measures and environmental safeguards. This RFP is an ideal opportunity for organizations with dual expertise in PFM and WASH, particularly those able to demonstrate previous experience in conflict-affected settings.

Eligible applicants are legally registered non-governmental organizations, for-profit consulting firms, academic institutions, and public-private consortia with a minimum of 10 years of demonstrated experience in international development. Specifically, organizations must have proven track record in at least two of the following areas: public financial management reforms (including budget formulation, treasury operations, and audit), climate-resilient WASH infrastructure (including water safety planning and sanitation marketing), and capacity building in fragile or conflict-affected states. Applicants must submit audited financial statements for the past three fiscal years, demonstrating annual revenues exceeding $5 million for sole applicants or $10 million for consortia. Consortium lead must have a country office or operational presence in at least one target region (West Africa, East Africa, or the Horn). The World Bank requires evidence of past performance in managing World Bank Trust Fund-financed projects (IFR or TF grants) with a performance rating of satisfactory or above. Additionally, the organization must have relevant professional certifications (e.g., ISO 9001 for quality management, or equivalent) and a proven capacity to mobilize technical experts within 30 days of contract signing. Women-led and youth-led organizations are strongly encouraged, as are partnerships that include local organizations from target countries. Preference will be given to entities that have demonstrably applied gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) principles in previous PFM or WASH projects.

The World Bank's strategic priorities for this RFP center on institutionalizing climate-responsive public financial management at the subnational level. Key performance indicators include: (1) 100% of target districts integrating climate risk variables into their annual budget submissions by Year 3; (2) a 30% reduction in budget execution variance for WASH capital projects measured quarterly; (3) establishment of functional community budget monitoring committees in at least 80% of target water utilities; and (4) gender-disaggregated data demonstrating that at least 40% of PFM training beneficiaries are women. The donor prioritizes innovation in participatory budgeting using mobile technologies, especially in areas with limited internet connectivity. The World Bank also expects applicants to propose a sustainability plan that ensures local governments can continue PFM reforms without external support after the project ends, including strategies for domestic resource mobilization and public-private partnerships. Emphasis is placed on harmonization with national PFM reform strategies and alignment with the World Bank's Country Partnership Framework. Cross-cutting themes include conflict sensitivity, do-no-harm approaches, and integration with humanitarian-development-peace nexus frameworks. The World Bank requires a clear theory of change linking PFM improvements to tangible WASH outcomes such as reduced waterborne disease incidence and improved customer satisfaction.

Eligibility is restricted to organizations that can demonstrate legal registration and good standing in their country of origin. The World Bank requires that applicants meet its fiduciary standards, including no history of fraud, corruption, or debarment by any major donor. Proof of liability insurance (general and professional) of at least $2 million is mandatory. The organization must have a documented anticorruption policy and whistleblower protection mechanism. Geographically, the organization must have the legal capacity to operate in the target countries (to be specified in the RFP) and be able to secure necessary visas and work permits. Financial eligibility: The organization must submit evidence of a minimum of $5 million in annual revenue for the past three years, with at least 60% derived from international development contracts. A debt-to-equity ratio of less than 1.5 is required. For for-profit entities, a minimum credit rating of BBB or equivalent is preferred. The World Bank also mandates that applicants have experience managing grants or contracts of at least $10 million in value within the past five years. Joint ventures or consortia must designate a single lead entity responsible for all contractual obligations. The lead entity must have a valid UNGM (United Nations Global Marketplace) registration and must complete the World Bank's standard integrity due diligence questionnaire. Additionally, all key personnel proposed must be available for the full project duration.

To win this World Bank RFP, organizations should follow this strategic roadmap integrating GSLI training programs: Step 1: Build a specialized PFM-WASH team. Invest in the 'Financial Management for NGOs' and 'Procurement & Supply Chain' courses to embed financial compliance and procurement best practices into the project design. Step 2: Conduct a pre-proposal landscape analysis. Use the 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' course to design a rigorous needs assessment framework that maps PFM gaps and climate vulnerabilities in target districts. Step 3: Develop a compelling technical narrative. Enroll in 'Writing Winning Proposals' to craft a proposal that articulates a clear theory of change, risk mitigation strategies, and sustainable impact. Step 4: Strengthen institutional capacity. Complete 'Project Management for Development' and 'Grants Management' to ensure robust project management and compliance with World Bank fiduciary standards. Step 5: Forge strategic partnerships. Leverage the 'Fundraising & Resource Mobilization' course to identify complementary funding sources from bilateral donors and foundations. Throughout, maintain a gender and conflict sensitivity lens as emphasized by the World Bank.