Research and Data Monitoring Consultant at WaterAid

Background

• WaterAid is an international non-governmental organisation working to transform lives by improving access to clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene in some of the world's poorest communities. 
• WaterAid's Global Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns Department (GPAC) leads the organisation's efforts to influence global and national policy, grounding its advocacy in high-quality evidence and data.
• The Global Policy Team within GPAC hosts the Policy Advisor – Research and Data Monitoring role, which is responsible for maintaining WaterAid's internal research and data infrastructure, providing analytical support across the federation, and convening internal knowledge-sharing processes. 
• This function is critical to ensuring that WaterAid's policy influencing and advocacy remain credible, evidence-based and consistently aligned with the most current global WASH data.
• WaterAid is seeking to commission a short-term consultant for a period of four (4) months to cover key responsibilities of the Policy Advisor – Research and Data Monitoring during a planned absence. 
• The consultant will be expected to maintain continuity of ongoing workstreams and ensure that no critical data infrastructure, reporting or coordination commitments fall behind during the assignment period.

Objective:

• The primary objective of this consultancy is to ensure continuity of WaterAid's research and data monitoring functions during the assignment period. Specifically, the consultant will:
• Manage and maintain WaterAid's internal data infrastructure (i.e. the Knowledge Research and Statistics Portal (KRSP)) by reviewing, integrating and updating key data sources and key point of contact for all KRSP related matters;
• Support the operationalization and expansion of the newly launched statistics bank in collaboration with the IT team;
• Update internal systems with the most current JMP WASH data for schools and healthcare facilities and other key datasets as instructed;
• Deliver regular reporting on the performance and usage of the KRSP;
• Convene and facilitate WaterAid's internal quarterly research clinics to support knowledge exchange across the federation; and
• Provide research support to the Policy and Research Team and other teams across the organization, as needed.

Scope of Work:

• The consultant will be responsible for the following areas of work during the four-month assignment:

Managing and maintaining the Knowledge Research and Statistics Portal:

• The consultant will be the main point of contact for all KRSP related matters and enquiries. This will include:
  • Providing necessary training on the KRSP across the federation as per the training schedule, including ad-hoc capacity building requests
  • Managing the KRSP in conjunction with the Knowledge Officer and SharePoint Manager to ensure the KRSP is up to date and functional
  • Attend the regular KRSP check-ins and update the Research and Evidence Lead on ongoing technical discussions.

Integration of new databases into the Statistics Bank platform:

• Working closely with WaterAid's IT team, the consultant will support the incorporation of reviewed and approved databases into WaterAid's newly update Statistics Bank. This will include:
  • Liaising with the Research and Evidence Lead on what additional datasets are to be included in the Bank;
  • Working with IT team to understand technical requirements and data ingestion processes; using the documentation manual to guide implementation and ensure consistency.
  • Preparing and formatting data sources for upload into Power BI platform ensuring alignment with WaterAid’s Statistics Bank standards; and
  • Testing integrated data layers to ensure accuracy and usability and documenting any issues or limitations to escalate to the internal IT support team.
  • Expanding the Statistics bank database to include newly identified WASH finance data
  • Maintain a record of updates and/or changes to the database and platform

Update of JMP WASH Data for Schools and Healthcare Facilities:

• The consultant will update WaterAid's internal data systems with the latest available JMP (Joint Monitoring Programme) WASH data for schools and healthcare facilities set to release in August 2026 and GLAAS in December 2026. This will involve:
  • Accessing and extracting the most current JMP datasets for WASH in schools and healthcare facilities;
  • Updating the relevant modules or data layers within WaterAid's internal systems and platforms; and
  • Cross-checking updated figures for consistency with data published on WaterAid's websites and in federation-wide communications materials;
  • Synthesising and disseminating the newly released data across the federation and being the main point of contact for all enquiries.

Monthly Reporting on KRSP Repositories:

• The consultant will produce monthly reports on the performance and usage of WaterAid's Knowledge Research and Statistics Portal (KRSP), particularly the Research and Statistics Hub.
• These reports will be share to the Research and Evidence Lead and relevant GPAC colleagues with actionable insight to support ongoing improvements. Each monthly report will include:
  • Analytics on overall system usage, including volume and frequency of access;
  • Document-level usage data, identifying which resources are most and least consulted;
  • An assessment of SharePoint usage trends, with recommendations for improving uptake and engagement across teams; and
  • A brief summary of any system issues, updates or maintenance actions taken during the reporting period.

Convening of Research Clinics:

• The consultant will serve as the primary convener of WaterAid's internal research clinics during the assignment period.
• Research clinics are a key mechanism for sharing research insights, building analytical capacity and promoting evidence-informed practice across the WaterAid federation.
• The consultant's responsibilities will include:
  • Coordinating the scheduling, agenda and facilitation of research clinic sessions, with guidance from the Research and Evidence Lead;
  • Identifying and liaising with relevant speakers or contributors from within or outside WaterAid;
  • Circulating pre- and post-session materials and summaries to participants in a timely manner; and
  • Maintaining a record of research clinic attendance, topics covered and key takeaways.

Deliver and support research design and delivery:

• The consultant will contribute to the design and commissioning of research projects that support advocacy, campaigns and media communications across the Global Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns Department.
• The consultant's responsibilities will include:
  • Reviewing and refining Terms of Reference to ensure research objectives, methodologies, deliverables and timelines are clearly articulated;
  • Supporting the commissioning and procurement of research consultants and service providers, in line with procedures;
  • Monitoring the progress of commissioned research and supporting quality assurance of outputs and deliverables.

Executing additional assignments as stipulated by the Research and Evidence Lead:

Deliverables:

• The consultant will be expected to produce the following deliverables over the course of the four-month assignment:
  • Inception Note – A short 1–2 page inception note confirming understanding of the assignment scope, workplan, and any clarifying questions or risks (to be submitted by the end of Week 2).
  • Data Update – Confirmation that JMP WASH data for schools and healthcare facilities, along with other instructed datasets, have been updated across relevant internal systems and checked for consistency with published data.
  • Data Source Review Report – A structured summary of new data sources reviewed, including assessment of relevance and quality and recommendations for integration (by the end of Month 1).
  • Power BI Integration Log – Documentation of databases integrated into the statistics bank, including data sources, methodology, limitations, and outstanding issues (by the end of Month 1).
  • Monthly KRSP Usage Reports – Three monthly reports covering system usage analytics, document usage, SharePoint performance, and recommendations for improvement (one report per month).
  • Research Clinic Summaries – Pre-session communications and post-session written summaries for each research clinic facilitated, including agenda, key points, and action items.
  • Update of Handover Notes – A detailed handover note outlining progress against the workplan, outstanding items, and recommendations for the returning post-holder (during the final week of the assignment).

Timeline:

• The assignment is expected to run for fourmonths from the agreed start date.

Budget:

• Daily rate depends on the market and country, and applicants are encourage to share their proposed daily rate within their proposal.

Reporting:

• The consultant will report directly to the Research and Evidence Lead, Global Policy Team, WaterAid UK. Regular weekly check-ins will be scheduled to review progress, address any emerging issues and agree on priorities.
• The consultant will also maintain communication with GPAC colleagues and relevant members of the IT team as required by the scope of work.

Data Protection and Confidentiality:

• The consultant will be required to comply with WaterAid's data protection policies and relevant data protection legislation (including UK GDPR) throughout the assignment. All internal data, systems and documents accessed during the consultancy remain the property of WaterAid and must not be shared with third parties without prior written authorisation.
• The consultant will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement prior to commencement of work.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

• The consultant must comply with WaterAid's AI Policy throughout this assignment. Any proposed use of AI tools in undertaking the scope of work must be explicitly declared to WaterAid prior to use. AI tools may support technical or administrative tasks (e.g. data formatting, drafting support), but must not replace skilled human subject-matter expertise, analytical judgement, or data governance responsibilities. Internal WaterAid data — including system usage data, SharePoint content, internal reports and research materials — must not be uploaded to public or unapproved AI platforms. Any AI-assisted data processing must adhere to WaterAid's data classification rules and applicable data protection legislation, and must be approved by WaterAid prior to use.
• The consultant must explicitly disclose: (1) whether AI tools will be used; (2) for what purposes; (3) what safeguards will be in place to protect data privacy and confidentiality; and (4) how transparency of any AI-assisted outputs will be ensured. Non-disclosure or inadequate data safeguards may constitute grounds for contract termination.

Requirements
Essential:

• Demonstrable experience in data management, data analysis and research support, preferably within an international NGO or development sector context;
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Power BI, including experience integrating data sources and building or maintaining data dashboards;
• Working knowledge of JMP (WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme) WASH datasets and familiarity with WASH sector data systems;
• Experience managing or contributing to SharePoint-based knowledge and information management systems, with the ability to interpret usage analytics and identify improvements;
• Excellent analytical and written communication skills in English;
• Strong organisational and coordination skills, including experience facilitating meetings or knowledge-sharing forums; and
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple workstreams with minimal supervision.

Desirable:

• Familiarity with WaterAid's research and data infrastructure, or prior experience working with the GPAC department;
• Knowledge of global WASH policy landscape, including key actors, datasets and advocacy frameworks;
• Experience preparing and delivering data communications for non-technical audiences; and
• Proficiency in additional languages (French, Portuguese or Spanish).

Submission of Proposals:

• A brief technical proposal (maximum 2 pages) setting out the consultant's understanding of the scope, proposed approach and workplan;
• A financial proposal stating a daily rate and total estimated cost for the duration of the assignment;

An up-to-date curriculum vitae;

• One or two examples of directly relevant previous work (e.g. data reports, dashboard documentation, or research clinic/workshop materials) ;
• List of references who can speak to the quality of their work.