Deadline: 19-Jun-2026
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has launched a Call for Expression of Interest (EOI) to identify strategic partners for the implementation of climate resilient and sustainable WASH programmes across Pakistan. The initiative aims to improve equitable access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services for vulnerable communities through technical, operational, and community-based interventions.
The programme is being implemented under the UNICEF Pakistan Country Programme Document 2023–2027 and focuses on strengthening sustainable WASH systems, climate resilience, emergency preparedness, and institutional capacity across multiple provinces and territories in Pakistan.
Program Objectives
The initiative aims to:
- Expand access to safe and climate resilient WASH services
- Improve sanitation and hygiene systems in vulnerable communities
- Strengthen WASH services in schools and healthcare facilities
- Enhance resilience to climate-related disasters and emergencies
- Promote sustainable water management and conservation practices
- Improve institutional governance and stakeholder coordination
- Support evidence-based and scalable WASH solutions
Geographic Coverage
The programme will be implemented in:
- Balochistan
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- Sindh
- Punjab
- Federal Territories of Pakistan
Focus Areas
Supported interventions may include:
- Basic sanitation and hygiene services
- Sustainable drinking water systems
- Climate resilient WASH infrastructure
- WASH in emergencies and humanitarian response
- Water services and water resource management
- Water and land information management
- Renewable energy integration in WASH systems
- Wastewater treatment and water conservation
- Managed aquifer recharge and nature-based solutions
- Institutional WASH services in schools and healthcare facilities
Key Program Components
Climate Resilient WASH Infrastructure
Activities may include:
- Infrastructure feasibility assessments
- Community consultations and planning
- Design and construction oversight
- Renewable energy integration for water systems
- Sustainable sanitation infrastructure development
Community Engagement and Sustainable Management
Partners will support:
- WASH committees and community ownership models
- Operation and maintenance systems
- Stakeholder participation and local governance
- Capacity strengthening for local institutions and communities
Social and Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC)
The programme emphasizes:
- Safe hygiene promotion
- Water conservation awareness
- Sanitation marketing
- Community participation and behavior change initiatives
Evidence Generation and Knowledge Management
Partners may support:
- Data collection and analysis
- Technical documentation and case studies
- Development of scalable WASH service models
- Research and evidence-based planning
Emergency Preparedness and Humanitarian WASH Response
The initiative also focuses on:
- Disaster preparedness planning
- Emergency WASH response systems
- Climate and humanitarian resilience
- Rapid response coordination mechanisms
Institutional Strengthening and Coordination
UNICEF seeks partners capable of:
- Coordinating with provincial and district governments
- Working with sector stakeholders and communities
- Supporting harmonized and sustainable interventions
- Strengthening institutional governance and financing systems
The programme encourages strong collaboration between civil society organizations, local institutions, and government agencies.
Expected Outcomes
Expected programme outcomes include:
- Increased access to climate resilient drinking water services
- Improved sanitation and hygiene facilities
- Enhanced WASH services in schools and healthcare facilities
- Stronger community ownership and system sustainability
- Improved emergency preparedness and resilience
- Better environmental sustainability and water management practices
Eligible Partners
Eligible applicants may include:
- Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
- Technical and development institutions
- Community-based organizations
- Organizations with WASH implementation expertise
- Institutions experienced in climate resilience and emergency response
Why This Initiative Matters
The programme helps:
- Improve child health and wellbeing
- Reduce vulnerability to climate-related disasters
- Strengthen sustainable WASH service delivery systems
- Promote environmental sustainability and water security
- Enhance resilience in vulnerable communities
- Support equitable access to essential services across Pakistan
How to Apply
- Review the EOI requirements and programme priorities
- Develop a technical proposal aligned with UNICEF WASH objectives
- Demonstrate experience in WASH, climate resilience, or humanitarian response
- Include strategies for sustainability, governance, and community engagement
- Present operational capacity and implementation experience
- Submit the Expression of Interest according to UNICEF guidelines before the deadline
Evaluation Criteria
Applications are likely to be assessed based on:
- Technical expertise in WASH programming
- Experience in climate resilience and emergency response
- Institutional and operational capacity
- Community engagement and sustainability approaches
- Coordination and partnership capabilities
- Innovation and evidence-based methodologies
- Financial and programmatic management systems
Tips for Strong Applications
- Demonstrate strong WASH implementation experience
- Include scalable and sustainable service delivery models
- Highlight climate resilience and environmental sustainability approaches
- Show experience in community participation and governance strengthening
- Include monitoring, evaluation, and knowledge management plans
- Demonstrate coordination experience with government and humanitarian stakeholders
FAQ
What is the purpose of this UNICEF Call for Expression of Interest?
The initiative seeks strategic partners to support climate resilient and sustainable WASH programmes in Pakistan.
Which regions are covered under the programme?
The programme will be implemented in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Punjab, and Federal Territories.
What types of activities are supported?
The programme supports drinking water systems, sanitation, hygiene promotion, climate resilience, emergency WASH response, renewable energy integration, and community engagement activities.
Does the programme focus on climate resilience?
Yes, climate resilience and sustainable WASH systems are central priorities of the initiative.
What role will selected partners play?
Partners will provide technical and operational support, community engagement, infrastructure implementation, coordination, and capacity-building services.
Are humanitarian and emergency response activities included?
Yes, emergency preparedness and humanitarian WASH response are important components of the programme.
Conclusion
UNICEF’s Call for Expression of Interest for WASH Programmes in Pakistan supports partnerships that strengthen climate resilient, equitable, and sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene systems. Through infrastructure development, community engagement, evidence generation, and emergency preparedness, the initiative aims to improve health, resilience, and long-term service delivery for vulnerable communities across Pakistan.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.