National Consultant for Spring Water Revival Project: Situation Analysis, Costed Investment Case, and Documentation of Pilot Initiatives for Scale-up Individual Consultant National Position

National Consultant for Spring Water Revival Project: Situation Analysis, Costed Investment Case, and Documentation of Pilot Initiatives for Scale-up

Job no: 592308

Contract type: Consultant

Duty Station: Thimphu

Level: Consultancy

Location: Bhutan

Categories: WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene)

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For every child, a future.  

Background and Rationale

Spring water systems form the backbone of rural water supply in Bhutan, especially across mountainous regions where communities depend on natural springs to feed their piped water schemes. In recent years, these vital sources have come under growing pressure from climate variability, shifting rainfall patterns and land‑use changes. Together, these factors are causing declining spring discharge and the drying of water sources that once sustained entire villages.

This situation reflects a broader regional trend across the Himalayan belt, where climate change is accelerating water insecurity as historically dependable springs begin to fail. In Bhutan, the issue is increasingly visible. A 2021 assessment by the Department of Forest and Park Services (DoFPS) found that 25.1 per cent of 7,399 assessed water sources showed signs of drying. With Bhutan’s steep terrain, fragile ecosystems, and climate‑sensitive hydrological systems, the rapid decline of springs signals a concerning trajectory for the country’s water future.

Springs are the primary source of safe drinking water for many remote communities and underpin essential services such as health, nutrition, sanitation, education, and livelihoods. Reduced spring flow heightens the risk of water‑borne diseases, compromises hygiene practices, and places additional time and labour burdens on women and children who are often responsible for collecting water. Ultimately, drying springs undermine community wellbeing, climate resilience, and the ability of children to thrive.

Recognizing the critical role of springs, UNICEF is working alongside the Department of Water to revive, manage, and safeguard these water systems. This initiative aligns with national priorities for climate adaptation and supports efforts to enhance the resilience of rural water supply. In 2025, UNICEF further strengthened Bhutan’s climate agenda by supporting the integration of children’s rights, social sector needs, and climate adaptation priorities into the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 3.0 advancing commitments under SDGs 6, and 13.

UNICEF’s long‑standing support in strengthening WASH systems, improving institutional standards, and expanding climate‑resilient services provides a strong foundation for scaling spring revival efforts. As Bhutan continues to advance safely managed sanitation (currently 81.4 per cent) and drinking water services (around 63 per cent), protecting and restoring spring sources is becoming increasingly urgent.

Spring revival is now widely recognized as a nature‑based solution that enhances water security, restores ecosystems, and supports sustainable rural livelihoods. Pilot initiatives are currently underway, and documenting these experiences along with developing a costed investment case will be essential for informing policy dialogue, enhancing programme design, and guiding future scale‑up across the country.

How can you make a difference?  

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

The purpose of this consultancy is to generate a robust technical and analytical evidence base to inform national policy dialogue, programme design, and resource mobilization for scaling up climate-resilient spring water revival initiatives.

The consultancy will:

Analyse the current situation of spring water systems and related climate and WASH challenges.

Develop a costed investment case for scaling up spring revival interventions.

Document the pilot initiative as a case study to capture lessons learned and opportunities for replication.

Scope of Work and Key Responsibilities:

The consultancy will include three components.

Component A: Situation Analysis

The consultant will undertake a comprehensive assessment of the status of spring water systems.

This will include:

Overview of the status of spring water systems and trends in drying springs in the country.

Analysis of climate-related drivers, including rainfall variability and ecosystem degradation.

Assessment from a WASH systems perspective, including implications for drinking water access, sanitation, and hygiene.

Consideration of cross-cutting issues, including gender, disability inclusion, and climate resilience.

Analysis of impacts on children and communities, including health, nutrition, education, and wellbeing.

Examination of livelihood and food system implications, including impacts on agriculture and rural economies.

Review of the policy and institutional context related to water security, climate adaptation, and natural resource management.

Identification of gaps and opportunities for scaling up spring revival initiatives.

Component B: Investment Case and Costed Plan

The consultant will develop a costed investment case to support resource mobilization, government planning, and partner engagement for scaling up spring water revival interventions.

The investment case should explicitly reflect technical uncertainties and risk factors associated with spring recharge and groundwater dynamics and propose mitigation measures to enhance investment effectiveness and climate resilience.

This will include:

Articulation of the rationale for investment and the potential consequences of inaction.

Development of a costed implementation plan, including:

o Spring source protection and catchment restoration

o Water infrastructure improvements

o Community engagement and governance mechanisms

o Capacity building and sustainability measures

Estimation of overall investment needs and costs.

Analysis of economic, social, and environmental benefits, including impacts on children’s health, nutrition, livelihoods, and climate resilience.

Component C: Documentation of the Pilot Initiative (Pilot project underway in Jurmey Gewog in Mongar district and planned in one Gewog in Dagana district)

The consultant will document the pilot project initiative as a structured case study to capture technical, institutional, and community-level lessons for replication and scaling.

The case study should document the implementation process, including community governance arrangements, technical approaches (such as springshed and recharge zone identification), enabling factors, challenges, and lessons learned.

This will include:

Description of the design and rationale of the pilot initiative.

Documentation of innovative elements, including nature-based solutions and community engagement.

Analysis of the implementation process and lessons learned.

Documentation of results and expected outcomes.

Identification of opportunities for scaling up and replication.

The Situation Analysis, Investment Case, and Pilot Case Study are interlinked products. Evidence and lessons from the pilot initiatives will inform costing assumptions and design considerations within the investment case, while the Situation Analysis will provide the national framing and justification for scale-up.

The consultant is expected to engage with key stakeholders including relevant government departments, local authorities, community representatives, technical partners, and UNICEF sections. At least one validation or dissemination workshop will be conducted to present key findings and recommendations

Work Assignment Overview

Under the supervision of WASH Officer of UNICEF Bhutan, the consultant is expected to deliver the following outputs: 

Sl. No.
Work Assignment Overvie
Deliverables/Outputs
Delivery deadline

1

Inception report and presentation, including detailed work plan with timelines and methodology. Finalized Inception Report incorporating feedback and comments with approved methodology.

Inception report and presentation with detailed work plan, followed by finalized inception report incorporating feedback.
Week 2 after contract award

2

Conduct desk review of existing reports and studies. Coordinate and conduct stakeholder consultation meetings including government focal points and other key partners identified.

Field visit to pilot sites (Jurmey geowg in Mongar and one gewog in Dagana) and meeting with key community members and local leaders and photo collection.

Desk review, stakeholder consultations, and field visits with photo documentation for reporting
by week 7

3

Develop a standalone situation analysis, a costed investment case for scaling spring revival, and a case study documenting pilot implementation, lessons learned, and scalability considerations.

All documents review of Center of Excellence (COE), UNICEF.

Situation analysis report
by week 9

Costed investment case for scaling up spring revival initiatives
by week 11

Case study documentation of the pilot initiative
by week 13

4
Draft final consolidated report which will include situation analysis, costed investment case for scaling up spring revival initiatives and case study documentation of the pilot initiative. Stakeholder consultation and presentation for government, development partners and COE
Consolidated report with analysis, investment case, case study, plus stakeholder consultation presentations.
by week 16

5
Final consolidated report after incorporating all the comments.
Submission of final consolidated report incorporating comments
by week 17

Duration of Contract: 100 working days spread over 6 months

Travel:  International travel is not foreseen for this assignment. However, local travel within the country will be required. The travel cost should be incorporated in the financial proposal. 

Payment terms and conditions:

The consultant’s payment terms and conditions are specified below upon certification by UNICEF’s WASH Officer that all deliverables have been satisfactorily submitted and the feedback and comments incorporated. The final payment to the consultant will be made after successful completion of all deliverables and submission of consultancy performance appraisal.

16% upon submission and endorsement of submission of final consolidated report incorporating comments

20% upon completion and endorsement of desk review, stakeholder consultations, and field visits with photo documentation for reporting.

40% upon consolidated report with analysis, investment case, case study, plus stakeholder consultation presentations and endorsement by the Contract Supervisor.

24% upon submission and endorsement of final consolidated report incorporating all the comments

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…  

Minimum requirements:

1. Education Qualification: 

Master of Environmental Science, Water Resources, WASH or any other relevant subjects.

2. Work experience/Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required

At least 7 years’ relevant professional experience in conducting assessment, situation analysis and development of analytical reports preferably on WASH system and water resources management.

Knowledge and skills related to Results-Based Programme Management is required.

Excellent report writing and presentation, facilitation and interpersonal communication skills.

Prior experience with similar assignments completed for UN or the Government would be an advantag

Submission of Proposals and Evaluation Criteria

Proposal should include the following:

Motivation letter

Consultant’s full Curriculum Vitae.

Proposed approach and methodology that will be followed in executing the assignment.

A lump sum fee structure, indicating a breakdown of professional fee for the anticipated number of working days, including travel.

Name(s) of collaborator(s) (if applicable) with their full curriculum vitae.

Sample of previous relevant work (final products or links to previous work can be shared along with the proposal if any)

Selection will be done by UNICEF Bhutan as follows:

1. Technical Evaluation (70 points)

Overall Response (Understanding and alignment os proposal to Terms of Reference) – 20 points

Relevant work experience and qualification – 30 points

Proposed methodology and Approach – 20 points

2. Financial Evaluation (30 points)

Procedures and Logistics

The consultant is expected to use his/her computer and work from his/her own workstation and arrange his/her own logistics for the travel.

The consultant will report the progress periodically to the UNICEF’s WASH Officer who will monitor the progress, provide further directives and endorse the report.

Remarks: 

The consultants must submit the financial proposal along with the technical proposals. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

[ add the 8 th competency (Nurtures, leads and manages people) for a supervisory role ]. 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children.  The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone , irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. 

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:   

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable [Insert candidates from targeted underrepresented groups] are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here .

Advertised: 13 Apr 2026 Bangladesh Standard Time

Deadline: 27 Apr 2026 Bangladesh Standard Time

Advertised: 13 Apr 2026 Bangladesh Standard Time
Deadline: 27 Apr 2026 Bangladesh Standard Time

Tagged as: Consultant

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