The Institute of Water and Sanitation Development (IWSD) offers comprehensive consultancy and advisory services to guide and empower stakeholders in the water and sanitation sector. We work collaboratively at every level, from strategic planning to project implementation, to ensure informed decision-making and effective outcomes.
Our expertise extends across the entire water and sanitation landscape, encompassing both technical and non-technical aspects. We participate in sector meetings, prepare insightful case studies, and analyze critical information to improve the design and execution of programs and projects. Our consulting activities cover water resources management, waste management, and environmental protection, reflecting our revised institutional mandate.
Recognizing the interconnectedness of these areas, we address cross-cutting issues such as climate change, hygiene, social inclusion, and gender equality, ensuring our solutions are both sustainable and equitable. We tailor our technical support to meet the unique needs of each project, offering services such as:
Project and Program Evaluation: Thoroughly assessing effectiveness and impact to inform future strategies and ensure accountability.
Sector Reviews: Analyzing the broader water and sanitation landscape to identify trends, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
Needs Assessments: Gathering data to prioritize interventions and allocate resources where they are most needed.
Scoping Studies: Exploring the feasibility and potential of new projects or initiatives to guide decision-making.
Policy Analysis: Evaluating the effectiveness of existing policies and developing evidence-based recommendations for reform.
Human Resources Development: Building capacity within organizations and communities to manage water and sanitation resources effectively.
I
nstitutional Arrangements: Developing frameworks and structures for efficient collaboration and sustainable governance.
Training and Technology Testing: Empowering stakeholders with knowledge and skills, and piloting innovative solutions.
Our approach is rooted in collaboration, technical rigor, and a commitment to social and environmental responsibility. We strive to empower our partners to make informed decisions that lead to improved water and sanitation outcomes, enhanced resilience to climate change, and greater well-being for all.
Learn more about our project portfolio and how we are shaping sustainable water and sanitation solutions for a brighter future.
Contact us to discuss how our consultancy and advisory services can support your organization's mission.
Supporting the Hydrological Models Training for
Government Officials under the Building the climate resilience of vulnerable
agricultural livelihoods in Southern Zimbabwe Project
Client: UNDP
Duration: March 2024 to March 2025
Project
Locations: Manicaland, Masvingo and
Matabeleland South
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), commissioned the Institute of Water and Sanitation Development (IWSD) to provide comprehensive hydrological modeling and water resources allocation training.
Implemented from March 2024 to March 2025, this initiative targets key agricultural regions in Manicaland, Masvingo, and Matabeleland South.
Focused on enhancing climate resilience, the project aims to improve access to critical weather, climate, and hydrological information for decision-makers and irrigation farmers.
This ensures farmers are empowered to participate in water allocation decisions, contributing to a more equitable and transparent management of this vital resource while meeting environmental flow requirements.
IWSD's training program focuses on forecast-based water availability prediction, a crucial tool for agencies such as Zimbabwe's Department of Irrigation (DOI), the Meteorological Services Department (MSD), the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA), and Sub-catchment Councils.
By leveraging hydrological data and modern weather forecasting models, these organizations will gain the capacity to predict future rainfall patterns, river flows, dam levels, and groundwater recharge rates, enabling more informed and sustainable water management practices.
This project underscores the collaborative commitment to building a climate-resilient agricultural sector in Zimbabwe, ensuring food security and livelihoods in the face of increasing climatic variability.
Facilitation of the Water-Loss Management Regional
Exchange Conference for Local Authorities in Zimbabwe
Client: GIZ
Duration: August to November 2023
Project
Project
Locations: Matabeleland Region Conference (Matabeleland
North, South and Bulawayo as main participants) and Manicaland
Region Conference (Manicaland, Mashonaland East and Masvingo as main
participants)
In collaboration with GIZ, the Institute of Water and Sanitation Development (IWSD) successfully facilitated two regional conferences in Matabeleland and Manicaland, Zimbabwe, from August to November 2023.
The conferences aimed to enhance Non-Revenue Water (NRW) management and reduction strategies among local authorities.
IWSD's engagement focused on three key phases:
Pre-Conference Activities: Comprehensive preparation ensured a targeted and impactful conference experience, including identifying key stakeholders, developing tailored agendas, and coordinating logistical arrangements.
Conference Facilitation: IWSD led dynamic knowledge and experience exchange sessions, fostering collaboration among WASH service providers. This included:
Awareness Building: Highlighting the importance of NRW management and its impact on service delivery.
Practical Application: Training on the utilization of Water balance software and other technologies for effective NRW reduction.
Monitoring and Mentoring: Establishing mechanisms for ongoing support and continuous improvement.
Post-Conference Activities: IWSD provided follow-up support to ensure the knowledge gained during the conferences was translated into tangible action plans for local authorities.
By establishing a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration, the conferences significantly contributed to strengthening the capacity of local authorities in Zimbabwe to address water loss and improve WASH service delivery.
The initiative aligns with IWSD's commitment to promoting sustainable water management practices and empowering communities through technical expertise and knowledge exchange.
Continuous
Quality Improvement Consultancy- Manual Development Support
Client: Médecins Sans Frontiers (MSF)
Duration:
2021-2022
Location:
Harare
In 2021-2022, the Institute of Water and Sanitation Development (IWSD) partnered with Médecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) in Harare to strengthen the capacity of their health promoters.
Recognizing the need for standardized training materials to support MSF's vital Environmental Health and Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health (ASRH) programs, IWSD facilitated a comprehensive manual development process.
Key Activities:
Concept Design Workshop: IWSD led a two-day workshop with MSF health promoters to clarify project objectives, outline the manual development process, and create action plans.
Program Manual Development: MSF staff, guided by IWSD's expertise, crafted practical toolkits addressing critical areas:
Sexual abuse prevention at water points
Standardized ASRH messaging for schools
Solid waste management
Organic waste management and wastewater recycling in areas without reticulation
Implementation Tools Development: IWSD provided guidance on creating effective implementation tools to complement the manuals, ensuring seamless integration into MSF's training activities.
Outcome:
The collaboration between IWSD and MSF resulted in the creation of comprehensive, user-friendly toolkits that:
Standardize: Ensure consistent messaging and training delivery across MSF's programs.
Empower: Equip health promoters with reliable resources to enhance their work.
Sustain: Create a lasting reference point for future training and implementation activities.
By investing in the development of these vital tools, MSF is strengthening its capacity to deliver high-quality health promotion services and achieve sustainable improvements in the health and well-being of the communities it serves.
Development of WASH Behavior Change Management
Instruments
Client: Various
The Institute of Water and Sanitation Development (IWSD) remains dedicated to enhancing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) practices through the continuous improvement of behavior change management tools. Notably, our Participatory Health and Hygiene Education (PHHE) toolkits have been adapted and expanded to cater to diverse contexts and needs.
PHHE Toolkit Adaptations:
Schools (Rural & Urban): Empowering school health coordinators and clubs to lead hygiene education efforts.
Sanitation-Focused (SafPHHE): Targeting specific sanitation gaps within communities for improved outcomes.
Communities (Rural & Urban): Building the capacity of community health promoters and clubs to foster lasting behavior change.
Beyond Traditional WASH:
Our commitment to comprehensive well-being has led us to develop and update tools that address critical health and social issues, including:
Menstrual Hygiene Management: Promoting safe and dignified practices for women and girls.
WASH & Gender-Based Violence: Tackling the intersection of WASH and gender-related vulnerabilities.
Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs): Raising awareness and promoting prevention of these often overlooked diseases.
Blocking the Route: Acute Respiratory Infections: Evolved from our COVID-19 toolkit to address a broader range of respiratory illnesses.
Blocking the Route: HIV/AIDS & Substance Abuse: Updated to encompass the growing concern of drug and substance abuse.
IWSD's ongoing work demonstrates our commitment to innovative and responsive WASH behavior change management, ensuring healthier and more resilient communities across Zimbabwe.
Customer Care (CC) and Community Support to Service Delivery (CSSD)
Client: WHH/GIZ
Duration: 2019-2023
Project locations: Harare and Bulawayo
The Institute of Water and Sanitation Development (IWSD) partnered with WHH/GIZ from 2019 to 2023 to enhance customer care (CC) and community support to service delivery (CSSD) in targeted districts across Harare and Bulawayo. Our work aimed to improve urban WASH service delivery through community engagement and capacity building.
Key Activities:
Baseline and Endline Surveys: Conducted comprehensive surveys to assess existing CC and CSSD practices in Glenview, Glen Norah, Budiriro, Kuwadzana, Mzilikazi, Mpopoma, Warren Park, Dzivarasekwa, Pumula, and Magwegwe districts, providing valuable data to inform interventions.
Training Front-line Staff and Community Champions: Equipped both service providers and community members with the skills and knowledge to strengthen CC and CSSD, establishing clear pathways for improved service delivery.
Internalization of City Client Charters: Supported the internalization of city-specific client charters within targeted districts, fostering accountability and transparency in service delivery.
Participatory Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL): Developed and implemented a robust MEAL system to track progress, measure impact, and ensure accountability for interventions.
Impact:
Through our partnership with WHH/GIZ, IWSD successfully empowered communities to actively engage in urban WASH service delivery and strengthened the capacity of service providers to be responsive and accountable to their clients. This collaborative approach led to tangible improvements in the quality and accessibility of WASH services in the targeted districts.
Explore our past projects to see how our expertise has made a difference.
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