Social Entrepreneur Model Development to Ensure Safe Drinking Water Supply for Low-Income Communities through Water ATM Booths.

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR INSTITUTIONAL CONTRACT Title Short title: Low Income Community (UC) Water ATM in Korail Social Entrepreneur Model Development to Ensure Safe Drinking Water Supply for Low-Income Communities through Water ATM Booths Purpose Engage a competent agency to install two inclusive Water ATM booths with two dispensers each; install appropriate treatment and digital monitoring systems and establish a self-sustaining social business model. Location Korail Slum, Dhaka, prioritizing Mosharraf Bazar and Jamai Bazar adjacent to Ershad School playground. Estimated Duration 15 months, including installation, commissioning, community mobilization, O&M support and business model development. Reporting to Technical Supervisor of this assignment WASH Officer, UNICEF   Background Bangladesh is experiencing complex water security challenges linked to climate change, rapid urbanization, environmental degradation, pollution and inadequate infrastructure. These pressures are particularly acute in dense informal settlements in Dhaka, where safe and affordable drinking water is constrained by contamination risk, poor drainage, seasonal flooding and limited-service infrastructure.   Korail, located on the banks of Gulshan Lake and recognized as one of Dhaka's largest informal settlements, faces persistent water insecurity. Residents often rely on communal taps, private vendors or unsafe surface water sources. Untreated wastewater discharge and poor drainage further increase contamination risks and expose children, women, persons with disabilities and economically vulnerable households to waterborne health risks.   UNICEF, in collaboration with Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (OWASA), Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and relevant stakeholders, proposes to model an inclusive and digitally monitored Low Income Community (LIC) Water ATM model in Korail. The initiative aims to improve equitable access to safe drinking water for children, adolescents, women and other vulnerable groups while generating evidence for scalable service delivery models in underserved urban settlements. The initiative will demonstrate an affordable, climate-resilient and financially sustainable lifeline water service, using DWASA's special tariff for LIC customers, disability-inclusive access, safe water treatment, loT-enabled monitoring, cashless user management and a cross-subsidy social business model.   Objectives, Purpose, and Expected Results Overall Objective: To establish a climate-resilient, child-friendly, disability-inclusive and financially sustainable Water ATM service model that provides affordable safe drinking water to low-income communities in Koraii slum and generates evidence for potential replication in other complex urban settlements in Dhaka, while contributing to improved public health outcomes and reduced exposure to waterborne diseases among children and vulnerable populations. Specific Objectives Install two Water ATM booths which is child-friendly and disability-inclusive in accessible locations within Korail, prioritizing Mosharraf Bazar and Jamai Bazar adjacent to Ershad School playground with appropriate water treatment technology and dispensing system. Establish detailed water quality testing protocol for treated and dispensed water and monitoring database for health-related parameters and drinking water safety compliance. Develop a cloud-based backend using Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) or cellular connectivity for real-time dispense logs, transaction records, card balance management, customer profiles, machine status, revenue visibility and dashboard reporting. Establish a self-sustaining social business model with a cross-subsidy structure that keeps water affordable for low-income and vulnerable users while supporting O&M cost recovery. Strengthen community awareness, demand creation, user registration and local accountability through sustained mobilization an