Consultancy to Conduct Feasibility Study: Sanitation Solutions and Safe Solid Waste Management in Overspill and Zambia Compounds of Choma Town

CONSULTANCY TO CONDUCT FEASIBILITY STUDY: SANITATION SOLUTIONS AND SAFE SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN OVERSPILL AND ZAMBIA COMPOUNDS OF CHOMA TOWN

SNV Netherlands Development Organisation

SNV is a global development partner, deeply rooted in the countries where we operate. Driven by a vision of a better world where all people live with dignity and have equitable opportunities to thrive sustainably, SNV strengthens capacities and catalyses partnerships that transform agri-food, energy, and water systems. We help strengthen institutions and effective governance, reduce gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion, and enable adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises. With 60 years of experience and a team of approximately 1,600 people, we support our partners in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia, tailoring our approaches to different contexts to achieve large-scale impact and create more equitable lives for all.

Management of Water Resources and Sanitation for Medium-Sized Cities (MWRS4MC) Project
With support from KfW, SNV in collaboration with the Southern Water and Sanitation Company (SWASCO) and local authorities, is implementing a transformative sanitation project in Overspill and Zambia compounds of Choma Town. The MWRS4MC project is for four years, from 2024 to 2028. It is committed to delivering business-driven, climate-resilient service provision, ensuring the safe management of the entire sanitation chain, including treatment and re-use stages. The project aims to address the sanitation status that has compromised the public health of 31,705 inhabitants in the two compounds, as most of the sanitation containments in place are either unlined or inadequate and unsafe disposal of solid waste to cope with the frequent and intense floods that both areas experience. In addition, the project focuses at capacity strengthening of the stakeholders responsible for planning, managing, monitoring and enforcing safe sanitation. A key component of the project involves raising awareness among the affected populations to create demand for safe containment and professional services.

Background to the study

Unplanned settlements often characterized by high population density, lack of infrastructure and limited access to basic services poses significant challenges to effective sanitation and safe solid waste management. The challenges are exacerbated by the vulnerability in settlement layouts, social economic conditions and local environmental factors.
Many households in Overspill and Zambia Compounds, lack access to safe sanitation facilities, leading to high use of unimproved pit latrines. Furthermore, the inadequate formal solid waste management services have resulted in widespread illegal dumping and burning of waste, contributing to environmental degradation and health hazards. Some households also dump some solid waste in pit latrines which add hazards to emptying operations and creates difficulties for sludge reuse. A comprehensive feasibility study is required to assess the current state of sanitation solutions and services; and solid waste management in these areas focusing on different nodes across the sanitation and solid waste management service chains to provide context specific and scalable interventions. Container Based Sanitation (CBS) is also explored as one of sanitation solutions.

Objective of the consultancy

The objective of the study is to evaluate the feasibility of implementing sanitation solutions and solid waste management in Overspill and Zambia compounds of Choma town. The study aims to identify viable context specific interventions that can be implemented to improve sanitation and waste management, thereby enhancing public health and environmental sustainability. In addition, the study will assess if the sanitation solutions and solid waste management services are viable for businesses.

Study Specific Objectives and Research Questions

Table below show the specific objectives and research questions under three service chain types:
i. Conventional Sanitation
ii. Container Based Sanitation
iii. Solid Waste Management

Consultancy Methodology

The consultant/team is expected to employ a mixed-method approach, which may include the following:
Desk Review: Review of relevant documents, policies, and previous studies on sanitation and SWM
Field Data Collection:
– Household surveys to assess current SWM and sanitation practices and preferences.
– Key informant interviews with local leaders, government officials, and sanitation and solid waste service providers.
– Focus group discussions with various community groups (youth, women, people with disabilities, elderly etc.).
Data Analysis:
– Qualitative and quantitative data analysis to draw insights into SWM and sanitation preferences, gaps, and opportunities.
– Comparative analysis of different sanitation options against local conditions and community feedback.
Deliverables
The consultant will be expected to produce the following deliverables:
1. Inception report outlining the methodology, research questions, work plan and timelines for this study
2. Interim report presenting primary findings from the data collection assessment and stakeholder consultation
3. Draft final report detailing the full analysis of feasibility assessment and proposed recommendation
4. Final report incorporating feedback from the stakeholders on the draft report including comprehensive implementation road map
A formal presentation of study findings and recommendation to relevant stakeholders

Timeframe
The feasibility study is expected to be completed within Two months starting from the date of contract signing.

Reporting and Coordination
The consultant (s) will be accountable to the Country Director. For daily coordination, the consultant will report to the project manager.

Qualifications and experience
The consultant should possess the following qualifications
1. A minimum of five years of experience in water, sanitation, hygiene and solid waste management particularly in urban and peri-urban context
2. Proven track record in conducting feasibility studies or similar assessments in the field of WASH that is water, sanitation and hygiene
3. Strong understanding of the social economic and environmental challenges in unplanned settlement
4. Ability to investigate user preferences and perceptions on sanitation with particular focus on satisfaction and motivation for usage including willingness to pay
5. Good stakeholder engagement and communication skills
6. Relevant academic qualification in environmental engineering public health urban planning or related field

Documents to be submitted as part of the Consultants application:

1. Bidder Profile
1.1 Document summarizing the bidder’s background, qualifications and experience
1.2 If a team of individuals/consultancy firm, all the CVs of the proposed individuals by the firm to work on the assignment

The submission requirements
Interested consultants or firms should submit the documents specified below to [email protected] by close of business on 17-01-2025.
1. A detailed proposal outlining the approach, methodology and the timeline for the study
2. A budget breakdown including fees or any other costs
3. CVs of the key team members and relevant work experience
4. Examples of similar work previous conducted

2. Past Performance
2.1. Include three references related to similar assignments within the past five years (max), attaching contact details and evidence of the work produced

3. Mandatory Requirements
5.1 For Zambian national individual consultants: copies of Tax Registration certificate and the most recent tax clearance certificate.
5.2 For a firm registration document: Business license/Certificate of Registration for all, Tax Registration, Current Tax Clearance Certificate and VAT if applicable

Failure to provide a full package of documents listed above them will result in disqualification of the whole bid. Only Shortlisted Candidates will be contacted.

Detailed specifications and requirements are well stated in the RFP which can be found on this link.

Application Criteria:

• Only electronic submissions will be accepted.
• Submission should be made through [email protected] not later than 08:00AM, 20th Jan 2025.
• For any clarifications, contact [email protected].

Note: SNV Zambia may request for necessary and/or more information during the evaluation. SNV will only contact the successful bidder (s) within the period of 2 weeks from the closing date of submission.