Consultant – Strategic Framework for Private Sector Engagement and Global Affairs Canada Competitiveness

WaterAid Canada is seeking a qualified consultant or consulting firm to develop a strategic and operational framework to strengthen its engagement with the Canadian private sector in support of Global Affairs Canada (GAC)-funded programming. As Canada’s international assistance approach increasingly emphasizes partnerships, co-investment, and trade-development integration, this consultancy will position private sector collaboration as a core driver of WaterAid Canada’s competitiveness and impact.

The resulting framework will provide clear, actionable guidance to identify high-value partnership opportunities, align with GAC priorities, and establish repeatable models that integrate private sector actors as co-investors, implementers, and innovation partners. Ultimately, this work will enhance WaterAid Canada’s ability to deliver sustainable, large-scale water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) outcomes while advancing shared development and economic objectives.

Terms of Reference (ToR)

Consultant – Strategic Framework for Private Sector Engagement and Global Affairs Canada Competitiveness

1. Background

WaterAid Canada (WAC) is a Canadian-based international nonprofit organization and a member of the global WaterAid federation, working across more than 20 countries to improve access to clean water, decent toilets, and good hygiene. We are seeking a consultant or consulting firm to develop a private sector strategic and operational framework to strengthen our ability to secure and implement Global Affairs Canada (GAC)-funded programming in partnership with the Canadian private sector.

This work responds to Canada’s evolving international assistance approach, which increasingly emphasizes trade-development integration, mutual prosperity, blended finance, co-investment and corporate partnership models.

The consultancy will position Canadian private sector engagement not as an isolated fundraising strategy, but as a mechanism to enhance WAC’s competitiveness for GAC funding opportunities by integrating private sector actors as co-investors, implementers, technical partners, and innovation collaborators.

The framework will include opportunities for longer-term philanthropic and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) partnerships while maintaining alignment with WaterAid Canada’s mission and WASH priorities.

The consultant will develop practical and actionable recommendations that enables WaterAid Canada to:

• Align with Global Affairs Canada’s priorities and funding mechanisms;
• Identify and prioritize high value private sector partnership opportunities;
• Strengthen WAC’s positioning as a partner of choice for private sector actors by defining WAC’s unique value proposition and positioning for prospective partners particularly within water utilities, infrastructure, food systems, climate resilience, and international development programming; and
• Build repeatable partnership models linking GAC funding, private sector engagement and investment, and development outcomes including structuring and facilitating complex multi-organizational partnerships with local stakeholders, the private sector, development banks and other international partners.

2. Purpose of the Consultancy

This work will develop a strategic and operational framework, enabling WAC to effectively engage Canadian private sector actors in support of GAC-funded international development programming.

Framework will demonstrate:

• Value proposition of WASH investments private sector actors, GAC and WaterAid Country Programs;
• How different types of private sector partnerships can strengthen GAC proposals and implementation;
• Which sectors and partnership models, including the entry points for partnerships, offer the strongest opportunity for WaterAid Canada; and
• How WaterAid Canada should operationally structure and govern private sector engagement internally.

3. Objectives

The consultant will:

1. Develop a strategic framework for private sector engagement aligned with GAC priorities and WaterAid Canada’s strategic objectives;
2. Identify and prioritize Canadian private sector actors and companies with strong alignment to WASH, climate resilience, trade, infrastructure, and inclusive economic growth;
3. Develop practical partnership models that integrate private sector partners into GAC-funded programming;
4. Building on existing federation and sector-wide research, define a compelling “Investing in WASH” narrative demonstrating the economic, operational, and ESG value of WASH investments;
5. Recommend an operational model and staffing structure for managing private sector engagement within WaterAid Canada;
6. Develop a risk registry regarding governance, operational, and financial considerations; and
7. Produce a practical implementation roadmap to support pipeline development, partnership cultivation, and proposal integration.

4. Scope of Work

The consultant will undertake the following activities:

A. Situational Analysis and Opportunity Assessment

• Review WaterAid Canada’s current strategic positioning, partnership approaches, and business development priorities related to private sector engagement;
• Review existing approaches for private sector partnership across the WA federation, including with global Regional and Country Program Offices;
• Assess current GAC priorities, trends, and funding mechanisms relevant to private sector engagement;
• Analyze differences between private sector and GAC decision-making timelines and engagement expectations;

B. Sector Prioritization

Identify and rank priority sectors for engagement. Sector examples can include but are not limited to: mining and extractives; agri-food and agriculture; infrastructure and engineering; clean technology and climate solutions; and financial services and fintech.

For each priority sector, the consultant will identify:

• Strategic rationale and motivation for private companies to be interested in partnership with WaterAid Canada and to become involved in WASH programming;
• Relevant WASH intervention opportunities and approaches;
• Potential partnership entry points;
• Illustrative list of Canadian companies and stakeholders.
• Identification of barriers or limitations to partnership.

C. Partnership Model Development

In consultation with WaterAid federation colleagues in various member, regional and country program offices, develop practical partnership models including:

• Consortium models with embedded private sector partners;
• Private sector-led initiatives with WaterAid Canada as technical implementation partner;
• Co-investment or blended finance approaches;
• Supply-chain and climate resilience partnerships;
• Multi-company or pre-competitive WASH platforms.

Each model should include: roles and responsibilities of WaterAid and prospective private sector partner; provide case examples of how the models work; indicative program design; funding flow approach; risk profile; timeline considerations; and potential implementation challenges.

D. “Investing in WASH” Positioning

Develop a positioning framework and narrative that articulates:

• Economic returns of WASH investments;
• Productivity and operational benefits;
• ESG and reputational benefits for companies;
• Alignment with GAC priorities including climate resilience, inclusive growth, innovation, and trade.

Messaging should be tailored separately for:

• Private sector audiences; and
• GAC and institutional donors.

E. Operating Model and Governance

Develop recommendations for:

• Internal staffing and organizational structure relevant to the size and projected growth of WaterAid Canada;
• Roles and responsibilities across fundraising, business development, and partnership functions;
• Partnership governance and approval mechanisms;
• Risk management approaches;
• Required internal capabilities and competencies.

F. Implementation Roadmap

Develop a phased implementation plan outlining:

• Immediate and medium-term priorities;
• Partnership pipeline development;
• Engagement sequencing;
• Resource requirements;
• Key performance indicators and success metrics.

5. Deliverables

The consultant will deliver the following:

Deliverable

Description

Inception Report

Detailed methodology, workplan, and consultation approach

Situational Analysis Report

Assessment of market opportunities, GAC dynamics, and organizational readiness

Sector Prioritization Matrix

Ranked sectors, partnership opportunities, and illustrative target companies

Draft Strategic Framework & Partnership Models

Draft framework including partnership models, governance, and positioning

Risk and Governance Framework

Risk matrix and mitigation recommendations

Operating Model Recommendations

Organizational structure and staffing recommendations

Final Strategic Framework

Final revised framework incorporating feedback

Implementation Roadmap

Practical roadmap for execution and partnership development

6. Consultant Qualifications and Experience

The consultant or consulting team should demonstrate:

• Minimum 10 years of experience in international development, strategy, or private sector engagement;
• Demonstrated experience working with public-private partnerships and/or blended finance models;
• Strong understanding of Global Affairs Canada programming and funding mechanisms;
• Experience in WASH a requirement;
• Experience in climate resilience, infrastructure, ESG, or international trade-related sectors;
• Proven strategic planning and facilitation experience;
• Strong analytical, stakeholder engagement, and report-writing skills;
• Experience working with Canadian private sector stakeholders is considered an asset.

7. Duration and Level of Effort

The consultancy is expected to take a maximum of 3 months from contract signing.

The consultant is expected to work closely with WaterAid Canada staff while consulting with WaterAid federation team members and participating in key stakeholder consultations throughout the assignment.

8. Reporting and Management

The consultant will report to the Director, International Programs at WaterAid Canada.

Regular progress updates and review meetings will be scheduled throughout the consultancy period.

9. Proposal Submission Requirements

Interested consultants should submit the following by July 5, 2026 to canada-partnerships@wateraid.org.

• Technical proposal outlining methodology and approach;
• Financial proposal;
• CV(s) of consultant(s);
• Examples of relevant previous work;
• Two references.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.