Consultant - Strategic Framework for Private Sector Engagement and G.A.C.

About this role

Consultant – Strategic Framework for Private Sector Engagement and Global Affairs Canada Competitiveness About the role 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) 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…