US Leadership in Global WASH - Advocacy Strategy Consultant

WaterAid America, Inc.•Washington, DC

13d•Remote

About The Position

This project will conduct and present a brief analysis of the current and future political landscape, and develop a five-year, U.S.-focused global WASH strategy to increase U.S. policymakers’ shared understanding of, and championship for, global WASH assistance. This analysis and strategy should consider broader U.S. foreign policy matters that could impact global WASH, with a strong focus on improving basic, safe, and sustainable water access for people at the household level. This body of work will support current and future planning in support of U.S. Government engagement with global WASH. The work products will mainly be used for internal purposes by WAA and MWA. The presentation will also inform internal discussions among the WASH Funders Group, a group of like-minded foundations and philanthropists. The products are not intended to be shared widely or made publicly available.

Responsibilities

Work with WaterAid and Millennium Water Alliance staff to consolidate already known information and to conduct up to twelve (12) one-hour interviews with a range of stakeholders (to be identified by the consultant and agreed by WAA and MWA) to inform analysis and guide strategy development.
Within 45 Date of Agreement: 2-3 pages, a bulleted, highly distilled analytic overview that includes: An overview of recent changes in U.S. foreign policy and international development impacting global WASH, including reduced political championship. This should include the views of non-WASH advocates, non-development political experts. An outline of expected changes in the U.S. political context, U.S. Congress and Administration in the next five years and their impacts on U.S. global WASH. This should include consideration of retirements, political/power shifts, policy, and legal trends. An overview of the current U.S. global WASH advocacy community’s U.S. Government relationships and partners. A snapshot and brief analysis of the current capacity of the U.S. global WASH advocacy community, identifying strengths and weaknesses. This should include brief reference to the comparative investment made for advocacy in similar development sectors. Views from decisionmakers of development organizations that implement WASH but who rarely engage in WASH advocacy, noting what conditions under which they would engage in global WASH advocacy.
Identification of new partnerships that would benefit the advocacy work US global WASH community and what roles they would play in advocacy advancement, along with a brief assessment of potential narratives that would entice collaboration and the overall likelihood of collaboration if provided with a compelling and rallying narrative.
Within 160 days from Date of Agreement: (3-4 pages), a bulleted, highly distilled strategy that: Identifies actions to expand the WASH advocacy community and identify potential 3-5 organizations/actors to approach. Consideration of new advocacy partners should include prioritized private sector, non-profit, and security-focused entities; local communities and experts; international organizations; and partner-country representatives.
Utilizes analysis to provide a roadmap that includes actions and potential benchmarks for increasing bipartisan U.S. policymaker championship of WASH now and over the next five years. Identify actors to be prioritized amongst Administration structures, Congress, and related staffers.
Identifies and captures politically neutral language and framing to present WASH to a diverse group of policymakers.
Identifies and captures topline themes/narratives that are judged to be less effective or harmful.
Proposes the most enticing narratives and data for various policymaker audiences, with an aim to grow Congressional and Administration understanding and championship of global WASH in the current context and near future.
Identifies and estimates any gaps in resources required to develop advocacy partnership and execute the strategy.
Highlights any additional data or scope that is required to support the development of a stronger strategy.
Prioritizes key areas of work for further investment.
Within 185 Days of Agreement: PowerPoint Deck and One presentation with stakeholders at a mutually agreed upon date A PowerPoint deck summarizing the most salient points from Deliverables 1 & 2.
This deck should include key findings and recommendations, any emerging questions, caveats to analysis or strategy.