SLED Opportunity · DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA · WORLD RESOURCES INSTITUTE
AI Summary
WRI seeks a consultant to develop and pilot a science-based national water assessment methodology in Ghana, including stakeholder engagement and capacity building through training. The contract runs May-November 2026 with a proposal due April 14, 2026.
Summary of Procurement WRI intends to award a 7-month Fixed Price type contract to support the Piloting of a Science-Based National Water Assessment Methodology in Ghana. The proposal deadline is April 14, 2026, at 12PM EST/4PM GMT. Support the Piloting of a Science-Based National Water Assessment Methodology in Ghana Date: March 31, 2026 Location: Ghana Contract Term: May 1, 2026 – November 30, 2026 Contract Amount: 9,000-10,000 USD (maximum) The World Resources Institute (WRI) has been contracted by UNESCO to develop an innovative and science-based water assessment methodology pilot in Ghana. UNESCO, through the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP), seeks to advance sustainable water resource management through the development and piloting of a science-based national water assessment methodology. The aim of the project is to design a comprehensive framework that would enable a systematic evaluation of water availability, risks, and management challenges for Ghana, using scientifically grounded indicators, modelling approaches, and integrated datasets. The pilot would then enable other UNESCO member countries to apply a similar methodology. WRI is seeking a consultant to support the development of this methodology, engage national and subnational stakeholders in Ghana to refine and contextualize the framework, and pilot the methodology through a national water assessment. The engagement will also include capacity building through the design and delivery of an online training course to strengthen national and subnational expertise in science-based water assessment approaches. The project will generate a validated methodology document, a pilot national water assessment for Ghana, and capacity-building materials to support wider adoption across UNESCO Member States. 2. Introduction and Background Water insecurity remains one of the most pressing challenges globally, affecting economic development, ecosystem health, and human well-being. Climate change, population growth, urbanization, and competing sectoral water demands are intensifying pressures on water resources, particularly in developing countries. Effective water management requires robust scientific assessment frameworks capable of evaluating water availability, water risks, ecosystem health, and governance capacity. However, many countries lack standardized methodologies that integrate scientific indicators, spatial modelling, and policy-relevant analysis at the national scale. UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) works with Member States to strengthen water governance, improve data systems, and support science-based decision-making in water management. As part of these efforts, UNESCO is supporting the development of a national science-based water assessment methodology that can be applied across countries to evaluate water conditions and inform evidence-based policy development. Ghana has been selected as the pilot country for developing, testing and validating this methodology due to its diverse hydrological conditions, strong institutional frameworks for water management, and commitment to strengthening water governance. The pilot will enable testing of the methodology’s practicality, robustness, and scalability, while generating actionable insights that can support improved water management in Ghana and potentially guide implementation in other UNESCO Member States. 3. Context and Rationale While multiple water assessment frameworks exist globally, there remains a need for a comprehensive, science-based national water assessment methodology that integrates hydrological data, water risk modelling, spatial analysis, and management approaches within a coherent framework applicable at the national level. Such a methodology should be capable of: Assessing water availability and demand pressures Identifying water risks and vulnerabilities Supporting integrated water resource management (IWRM) Informing national water policies and governance reforms Strengthening national monitoring systems and reporting mechanisms Ghana provides an appropriate environment for piloting this approach. The country faces multiple water management challenges, including increasing water demand, climate variability, watershed degradation, and urban water supply pressures. At the same time, Ghana possesses a strong institutional structure for water governance that allows for effective stakeholder engagement and integration of scientific assessments into policy processes. Leveraging WRI’s AqueductTM tool, the development and piloting of this methodology will therefore help address knowledge gaps while strengthening the capacity of national institutions and stakeholders to conduct science-based water assessments. 4. Overall Objective and Workplan Objective The main objective of this engagement is to support WRI in developing, validating, and piloting an innovative science-based national water assessment methodology, and to strengthen national capacity for its application through stakeholder engagement and training. Specifically, the engagement aims to: Develop and document a comprehensive national water assessment methodology based on scientific indicators and analytical frameworks. Engage stakeholders in Ghana to refine and contextualize the methodology. Pilot the methodology through a national water assessment in Ghana. Develop and deliver an online training course to strengthen capacity in science-based water assessment approaches. 5. Scope of Work The consultant will support activities across four interrelated components. WRI and UNESCO will cover expenses related to workshops and stakeholder convenings. i. Development and Documentation of a Science-Based National Water Assessment Methodology This component focuses on designing a comprehensive methodology that can be applied at the national level. Activities will include: Support identifying and defining key indicators required for a science-based national water assessment. Support developing the conceptual and analytical framework for the assessment methodology. Support reviewing and benchmarking existing national water assessment frameworks and tools. Identifying relevant datasets and institutional knowledge required for the pilot assessment. Identifying potential data sources relevant to develop the methodology and the national water assessment. ii. Stakeholder Engagement and Methodology Refinement in Ghana This component focuses on ensuring the methodology is practical, context-specific, supported and owned by national stakeholders. Activities include: Identify and map all relevant national stakeholders in the water landscape Help set up meetings with relevant institutions to understand the water landscape in Ghana. Identify relevant datasets and institutional knowledge required for the national level assessment. Engage with relevant experts and institutions to gather water related data in Ghana. Support consultations with national and subnational stakeholders in Ghana. Facilitate stakeholder dialogue to align objectives and expected outcomes. Support engagement with stakeholders to revise and refine the methodology to make it country specific. Help adjust indicators, modelling approaches, and data requirements as needed. iii. Piloting of the National Science-Based Water Assessment in Ghana Under this component, the refined methodology will be applied to conduct a national water assessment in Ghana. Activities include: Stakeholder mapping Collect data from national and international sources. Support an integrated local water risk modelling and spatial analysis. Support and pre-validate development of national-level assessment outputs. Help identify key water management risks, challenges, and opportunities. Help formulate evidence-based recommendations for improving water management and governance. iv. Development and Delivery of an Online Training Course on Science-Based Water Assessment This component focuses on strengthening national capacity and supporting wider dissemination of the methodology. Activities include: Help design a structured curriculum for a science-based national water assessment course. Support developing training materials including presentations, training manuals, case studies, and practical exercises. Help prepare facilitation guidelines for course delivery. Help deliver the course through the UNESCO Open Learning Platform. Help organize interactive webinars to training program, targeting at least 200 national and subnational stakeholders. 6. Main Deliverables The consultant will help produce the following key outputs: i. Inception report with Stakeholder Engagement Plan and Scheduled Meetings A brief report outlining identified key experts and institutions, along with a schedule and summary of initial coordination meetings to define the scope, objectives, and expected outcomes of the project. ii. Water Related Data Collected and Data Inventory Assessment Report Submitted A compiled dataset covering climate, water supply, sectorial water demands, water management, institutional frameworks, research and ongoing related water risk work and other relevant water-related data required for the national water assessment. iii. Stakeholder Consultation Workshop Convened (Methodology Phase) A consultation workshop scheduled and conducted to present and discuss the pilot national water assessment methodology and feedback and recommendations compiled in a brief report. iv. Stakeholder Validation Workshop Convened (Assessment Phase) A stakeholder consultation convened to validate the results of the national water assessment for Ghana, and compilation of stakeholder inputs and agreed revisions. v. Training and Webinar Delivery Delivered Online training and webinar held for at least 200 stakeholders at national and subnational level in Ghana. 7. Deliverables and Timeline A detailed timeline will be agreed upon with the consultant during the inception phase. Indicative deliverables include: Deliverables, Timeline, and Payment Schedule (May-November) | Deliverable No. | Deliverable | Description | Deadline | Payment | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | Inception report, stakeholder map, Stakeholder Engagement Plan and Scheduled Meetings | Submission of a brief inception report identifying key experts and institutions, including a stakeholder engagement plan and scheduled initial coordination meetings to define project scope, objectives, and expected outcomes. | May 30 | 15% | | 2 | Water Related Data Collected and Data Inventory Assessment Report Submitted | Compilation of relevant datasets (climate, water supply, demand, water management, and institutional frameworks) and submission of a structured data inventory and assessment report to support the national water assessment. | June 30 | 25% | | 3 | Stakeholder Consultation Workshop Convened (Methodology Phase) | Organization and delivery of a stakeholder consultation workshop to present and discuss the draft national water assessment methodology, including a summary report capturing feedback and recommendations. | July 15 | 25% | | 4 | Stakeholder Validation Workshop Convened (Assessment Phase) | Organization and facilitation of a validation workshop to present the results of the national water assessment for Ghana, including a report summarizing stakeholder inputs, validation outcomes, and agreed revisions. | August 31 | 20% | | 5 | Online Training and Webinar Delivered | Delivery of online training and webinars targeting at least 200 national and subnational stakeholders, including submission of a report summarizing participation, materials, and key outcomes. | November 30 | 15% | | Total | | | | 100% | The schedule for stakeholder consultations/meetings, validation and training workshops, and webinars will be decided together with WRI and UNESCO during the project period. 8. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in water resources management, natural resources management or a related field. Master’s degree preferred. Five+ years of relevant experience in water resources or natural resources management Experience working with both state and non-governmental actors 9. Evaluation and Selection The following elements will be the primary considerations in evaluating all applications submitted in response to this RFP: Completion of all required elements; The extent to which your application fulfills WRI’s stated requirements as set out in this RFP; Experience with similar projects; Overall cost of your proposal; Debarment and sanctions – WRI will not consider proposals from bidders that are presently debarred by the U.S. government or named on any restricted parties lists; Sustainability – WRI values sustainability and all other factors being equal, will favor a proposal to more sustainably perform the work. The bidder offering the best overall value will be selected. For this procurement, non-price is of relatively more importance. COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS WRI receives funding from a variety of sources, including governments and other non-governmental organizations. In addition to WRI’s standard contract terms, certain funder conditions may apply. COMPLAINTS Bidders with complaints or concerns related to the conduct of this procurement may contact don.spencer@wri.org or submit a report to WRI's Whistleblower Hotline .
SLED stands for State, Local, and Education. These are solicitations issued by state governments, counties, cities, school districts, utilities, and higher education institutions — as opposed to federal agencies.
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