• About WWF 

WWF is the world’s leading independent conservation organization with a mission to create a world where people and wildlife can coexist harmoniously. To achieve our mission, we’re finding ways to help transform the future for the world’s wildlife, rivers, forests, and seas. We strive for a reduction in carbon emissions to mitigate catastrophic climate change and advocate for sustainable living within the ecological limits of our planet.

WWF North Africa (WWF NA) was established in Tunisia in 1994 with a vision of a Nature Positive North Africa region, where natural threats are minimized, and ecosystems regain their full potential to support biodiversity and human well-being. In collaboration with individuals, civil society members, businesses, local communities, and institutions, WWF NA works to identify and implement conservation solutions through research, fieldwork, policy advocacy, education, and awareness campaigns.

On October 29, 2024, the EIB and WWF International signed a memorandum of understanding to develop their cooperation on the deployment of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in the water sector across the various countries where the EIB operates.

• Context

Tunisia faces acute water scarcity and climate-related challenges, including floods and pollution, which threaten water security and ecosystem health. This project seeks to advance the adoption of Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) for sustainable wastewater treatment, particularly in small communities (<3,000 inhabitants). Aligned with EU and European Investment Bank priorities, the initiative aims to foster dialogue between Tunisian stakeholders, international donors, and project developers to scale NbS deployment

WWF’s Definition of Nature-based Solutions for Climate: Planned conservation, management, and/or restoration interventions of ecosystems designed to deliver measurable climate adaptation and/or mitigation benefits, with co-benefits for human development and biodiversity, while addressing anticipated climate risks to nature that may undermine their long-term effectiveness.

The IUCN Global Standard for NbS: The IUCN self-assessment tool is based on the 8 criteria of the Global NbS Standard and their associated indicators. These criteria and indicators cover the pillars of sustainable development (biodiversity, economy, and society) as well as resilient project management.

The Opportunity – Nature Based solutions enhancement in Tunisia 

WWF and the EIB have agreed to work, in collaboration with the National Sanitation Office (ONAS), on developing the use of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in Tunisia for wastewater treatment. This initiative is part of a broader effort by both parties to promote the dissemination of knowledge related to nature-based solutions in the Mediterranean region, which faces both increasing water scarcity and extreme weather events (particularly flooding). It also reflects the Bank’s—and more broadly the European Union’s—commitment to supporting enhanced dialogue and cooperation between the Bank and local civil society organizations, particularly in relation to the projects it finances and in partnership with the public and private promoters of those projects.

The initiative aims to enhance understanding and analysis of potential wastewater treatment solutions in Tunisia, with a focus on nature-based solutions (NbS). It will support the dissemination of knowledge on NbS implementation to improve water quality and ensure the long-term sustainability of these approaches. In addition, the initiative will identify and propose pilot sites to demonstrate the practical feasibility of the recommended solutions.

• Objectives of the consultancy 

The consultant will prepare a pre-feasibility study in collaboration with relevant Tunisian research institutions which have proven expertise in water quality. In accordance with the memorandum of understanding between the EIB and WWF NA, this study will provide the scientific foundation to promote the deployment of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in Tunisia’s water sector, particularly for small communities with fewer than 3,000 inhabitants.

The study will include:

1. A comparative analysis of methods currently used in Tunisia for wastewater treatment in small communities, examining their technical efficiency, economic viability, and social acceptance
2. An assessment of potentially applicable Nature-based Solutions, aligned with the IUCN Global Standard for NbS, to ensure sustainable environmental, social, and economic benefits
3. The identification and selection of potential pilot sites, in consultation with ONAS and WWF, where partners already have relevant data on biodiversity, water resources, and pollution sources
4. An integrated analysis of the connected  watersheds to ensure a coherent ecosystem approach

The findings of this study will be presented at a knowledge-sharing event in Tunis organized by WWF, focused on the opportunities offered by NbS for wastewater treatment in Tunisia. This event aims to disseminate knowledge about the use of NbS for wastewater treatment and management while providing ONAS with relevant assessment elements to identify possible actions and pilot projects for implementation. The event will also serve as a platform to engage with international donors and funders (particularly the EU delegation and IFIs/DFIs) to discuss financing possibilities for both pilot projects and larger-scale deployment, in line with the objectives of enhanced cooperation between the EIB, ONAS, WWF, and local civil society organizations.

• Tasks to be undertaken 

The consultant will:

• Conduct a pre-feasibility study to assess NbS opportunities for wastewater treatment :
  -review current wastewater treatment methods used in small Tunisian communities (<3,000 inhabitants)
  -Existing NbS implementations in Tunisia and relevant international case studies

-Technical, social, and economic parameters affecting the feasibility of NbS in the Tunisian context

• Apply the IUCN Global Standard for NbS tool to evaluate proposed solutions
• Participate and engage stakeholders during a high-impact knowledge-sharing Event in Tunis to validate findings, identify pilot projects, and secure funding commitments.
• Strengthen collaboration between Tunisian authorities, civil society, and international partners.

• Deliverables

The consultant(s) will provide the following deliverables and will ensure regular exchanges with the 3 project partners (WWF, EIB and ONAS) to ensure all comments are taken into consideration 

Note: WWF will cover room rental and related expenses for the event. Additional coordination meetings may be arranged as necessary throughout the consultancy period., a final review meeting, and others as needed.

• Timeline 

The duration of the consultancy is  15 person days spread over 5 months from the date of the contract signing, with specific milestones and deadlines outlined in a detailed work plan to be agreed upon at the start of the consultancy. 

• Pre-Feasibility Study: 12 working days 
• Event: 3 working days.

• Consultant Qualifications    

The consultant(s) must meet the following qualification criteria:

• Advanced degree in environmental science, economics, water management, hydraulics  
• Experience working on water resources management with a focus on water pollution reduction in communities of less than 3000 inhabitants 
• Knowledge of Nature based solutions and the potential applications in the water sector 
• At least 5 years of experience in similar projects. 
• Previous collaboration on environmental projects
• Familiarity with the IUCN Global Standard for NbS and its assessment methodology is preferable
• Experience in stakeholder engagement and implementation of leading environmental initiatives with international and national institutions  ;
• Familiarity with the Tunisian context, particularly the water sector and water pollution reduction in rural areas.
• Fluency in French and Arabic (mandatory); English proficiency (desirable).

• Application Process

Applicants should submit:

Technical offer

• CV(s) of consultant(s) detailing the experiences similar to this assignment including the references and supporting documents for the work carried out;
• A methodological note with a timetable detailing the approach to be followed to carry out the tasks assigned and to achieve the expected results of this consultancy;
• Valid registration certificate, VAT number registration.

Financial offer 

• Financial offer specifying the remuneration detailing the number of days per deliverable requested. 

• Submission of Offers

The application file containing the technical and financial offers must be sent to the following e-mail address: procurment@wwfna.org . The deadline for receiving applications is 30/05/2025 at 23h59 (Tunis Time). The following subject line should be included in the application e-mail: Applicant’s name_NbS Expert for water quality). Applications that do not comply with the submission procedure or reach WWF NA after the deadline will not be considered.

• Evaluation process

Technical evaluation 

A technical score is assigned to each proposal with a maximum score of 100 points, based on the following criteria:

• Profile (experience and qualifications) of the consultant(s) in relation to the subject of this mission;
• Proposed methodological approach;
• Detailed schedule and timeline.  

The technical evaluation will be made following the evaluation grid : 

Any proposal that does not achieve the minimum score of 70 points will be eliminated. If no proposal reaches 70 points, the consultation process is declared unsuccessful.

Financial evaluation 

After the technical evaluation, the committee will proceed with the verification and analysis of the amounts of technically valid financial offers. 

The financial offer will be scored based on 100 points as follows: 

Sf = 100 x Fm/F

Sf is the financial score, Fm is the amount of the lowest bid, and F is the amount of the bid under consideration.

Overall Evaluation

The proposals will be ranked in descending order of the combined value of both the technical and financial scores. 

The technical score (St) will be weighted at a rate of 80%, while the financial score (Sf) will be weighted at a rate of 20%. The total score (ST) will be evaluated as follows:

ST = 0.8 St + 0.2 Sf = 0.8x… + 0.2x…