UNICEF is selecting an adaptive-learning partner to strengthen integration between water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and nutrition programmes in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. This is an operational learning and systems-strengthening assignment rather than a stand-alone water infrastructure grant. Application deadline: 30 October 2026.
Opportunity overview
- UN Partner Portal reference: CEF/USA/2026/017
- Issuing agency: UNICEF
- Geography: Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger; UNICEF headquarters location also listed in New York
- Application deadline: 30 October 2026
- Planned implementation period: 30 November 2026 to 30 December 2027
- Indicative funding: Not disclosed
- Application channel: UN Partner Portal
Programme objectives and delivery model
The Accelerating Sanitation and Water for All Phase III (ASWA III) and No Time to Waste nutrition programmes are supported by the Government of the Netherlands. UNICEF seeks stronger alignment of these efforts across the three countries, including geographic co-location, shared planning, implementation and monitoring, and attention to ways poor WASH conditions contribute to nutrition risks.
The assignment responds to a practical question: how can government and UNICEF teams build integration into their everyday decisions rather than produce two disconnected workplans? The adaptive learning initiative is designed to accompany implementation as it happens, document country experience, facilitate reflection and help teams change practices on the basis of evidence.
Expected outputs include an inception report, stakeholder and systems mapping, an integration maturity assessment, an agreed learning framework, appropriate data-collection tools and ongoing learning products. The selected partner will work with governments, UNICEF teams and other actors to understand financing, governance, data systems, coordination and operational decisions.
The work covers multiple countries with different institutional arrangements. Comparative evidence must therefore preserve local context while highlighting lessons that can be useful across the region. A credible proposal should show both technical subject knowledge and facilitation skill, including methods to turn research into changes in day-to-day delivery.
Who should consider applying?
Organisations with strong technical experience in both WASH and nutrition, implementation research, multisector systems strengthening, programme evaluation or adaptive learning are a good fit. Collaboration with governments and UN agencies, preferably in West and Central Africa, is particularly relevant.
Selection criteria and competitive positioning
UNICEF gives 50 points to relevant organisational expertise, 30 to relevance and feasibility of the proposed adaptive-learning approach, and 20 to clarity of methodology and activities. The 50-point expertise criterion makes proven research-to-practice experience especially important.
Five application priorities
- 1. Demonstrate integrated WASH–nutrition work or credible cross-sector technical partnerships in the relevant countries.
- 2. Explain how the learning process will accompany implementation and feed into decision-making throughout the programme.
- 3. Map government and UNICEF stakeholders, programme governance, financing and existing monitoring systems.
- 4. Design practical country case studies and cross-country reflection routines without imposing an identical approach on every setting.
- 5. Budget appropriately qualified researchers, facilitators, local partners, translation, travel, evidence synthesis and learning products.
A practical evidence example
For example, a country team could record an agreed WASH–nutrition coordination baseline, test a shared review mechanism and document how the resulting decision improved referral, monitoring or programme alignment. A report published without evidence of use would be a weaker operational-learning result.
Important mistake to avoid
Do not position this as a traditional end-of-project evaluation or generic WASH construction grant. The assignment requires ongoing systems learning and collaboration with actual programme teams.
Frequently asked questions
Which countries are in scope?
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
Is the United States an implementation location?
New York appears as a UNICEF office location; the programme description identifies the three West African countries.
What is an adaptive-learning partner expected to do?
Support inception work, systems mapping, implementation learning, reflection and evidence-based programme adaptation.
What carries the largest selection weight?
Relevant technical expertise carries 50 out of 100 points.
When is the deadline?
30 October 2026.
Official source and application route
Applicants should locate CEF/USA/2026/017 on the official UN Partner Portal. Read the current full terms of reference and attachments, including the technical and financial proposal templates, exact closing time, safeguarding requirements and any amendments. These calls select prospective partners and do not guarantee an agreement.
Next steps for your organisation
A bid/no-bid review should begin with legal eligibility, local presence, demonstrable technical skills, sound financial controls and the time available to produce a credible proposal. Use the Africads Grant Funding Toolkit to organise evidence and implementation readiness. For an independent review of fit or a draft concept note, contact Africads Consultants. Subscribe to free Grant News to receive future opportunities.
