Historique

The project seeks to strengthen agricultural water management practices at both local and national levels in response to climate change-induced water scarcity.  The project is supporting the design and delivery of concrete water adaptation measures for local vulnerable communities in three typical agro-ecological regions in Turkmenistan.

These regions are:

  •  Desert irrigated agriculture (cotton, wheat production) in Sakar Chaga region;
  •  Desert pasture livestock (sheep, camel farming) in Karakum region;
  •  Mountain rain fed agriculture (fruit, vegetables) in Nohur region.

An initial scoping phase has identified a package of farm-level adaptation measures to be implemented.  These measures are designed improve resilience against potential reduction in water availability.  Some of these measures are irrigation-oriented.  Historically, approaches to irrigation have resulted in inefficient water use, low yields and high levels of salinisation.  For example, in Sakar Chaga, uneven fields are generally flooded for the production of cotton and wheat.

The project envisages the following activities to improve the use of irrigation techniques:

  • In Sakar Chaga, the project will establish a ‘demonstration zone’ of up to 4 hectares on the Dayhan farm.  This will be used to pilot new and innovative approaches to more efficient irrigation and land management (use of pipes, spray, drip) for the main crops (wheat and cotton).  Project funds will be provided for the necessary infrastructure and to measure their efficacy;
  • In Nohur, there is already some use of drip irrigation for the production of fruit and vegetables.  This will be expanded under the project, and there is scope to improve the technical application of these systems;
  • In Karakum, focus is on expanding access to water to meet the growing needs of livestock management. This is done mainly through construction of new and repair of the existing wells and reservoirs.

This contract is for a water management infrastructure and irrigation specialist with experience in the design and implementation of modern efficient irrigation systems as well as efficient water supply and storage facilities and infrastructure.  The consultant will provide support to the project team in the  commissioning of new irrigation infrastructure at the Sakar Chaga demonstration site, and review and support the improvement of drip irrigation efficiency at the Nohur pilot site, and construction and reconstruction of water supply and storage facilities (waters and reservoirs) in Karakum.

Devoirs et responsabilités

The consultant will report to the Adaptation Fund Project Manager and will be under the overall supervision of the UNDP Programme Specialist on Environment.  The role of the consultant will be to provide support to the project team in the introduction of innovative irrigation and water management approaches at the Sakar Chaga project site, the improvement of drip irrigation approaches in Nohur and enhancing access to water in Karakum.  The consultant will work from their home base of operations, with two trips to Turkmenistan.  The first will be a scoping mission of approximately one week (April-May), with an implementation visit of approximately two weeks. Dates of the visit will be defined later. Office accommodation will be provided in the National Institute of Deserts in Ashgabat when in Turkmenistan.

The specific duties will include the following:

Thematic functions:

  • Undertake a desk review the set of ongoing and proposed irrigation and water management measures (design, scope of work, selection of construction material, implementation approach in the relevant pilot regions based on the investment plans, and discuss with the project team by teleconference the implementation approach and ways to improve them;
  • Travel to Ashgabat to meet with the project team, and visit 3 project regions (Sakar-Chaga, Karakum and Nohur) to review the pilot sites and analyse the effectiveness of implementing adaptation measures (irrigation and water management) and make recommendations on their further improvements;
  • Draft a set of proposals and implementation plans for the introduction of innovative and more efficient irrigation and water management techniques  for all the three pilot areas, and agree an implementation budget with the project manager;
  • Provide support to the project team in specifying, evaluating and procuring any necessary equipment for the demonstration sites in all the three pilot areas;
  • Oversee the implementation of the irrigation and water management demonstration sites in all the three pilot areas, training the local project team and community in its operation and management;
  • Review a set of proposals that are prepared and submitted under “the water user association (WUA) framework”, funding of which is expected from the project in the form of grants or no-credit mechanisms, and prepare a technical evaluation and feasibility assessment for each proposal.
  • Prepare a lessons learnt note.

Operational functions:

  • Develop a detailed work plan for the duration of the assignment (milestones, deliverables);
  • Provide regular technical guidance to the project manager and expert team in daily implementation and monitoring of irrigation and water management measures under the project;
  • As required and needed, provide technical expertise and evaluation to support procurement processes for implementing proposed irrigation and water management measures;
  • Facilitate capacity building of project team and national partners through discussions and training sessions where appropriate;
  • Produce a lessons learned note (1 page) based on results of the assignment.

Other outputs expected:

  • Direct guidance for work of national project team;
  • Recommendations on the project documents, thematic reports, and materials;
  • Inputs for preparing project planning and implementation documents and reports;
  • Written mission report summarizing key findings.

Deliverables and timeframe

The contract is for 70 days over the period April – December 2015.  The following deliverables and indicative schedule are expected from the consultancy contract. The final schedule will be agreed upon in the beginning of consultancy assignment.

Deliverables

Deliverable 1

Set of costed technical proposals for introduction of innovative and more efficient irrigation and water management techniques in Sakarchaga, Nohur and Karakum, including timing, evaluation and procurement recommendations.

Timeframe: May 2015, 20 working days.

Deliverable 2

Advisory notes and set of clear and concrete recommendations on improving efficiency of irrigation and water management in Sakarchaga, Nohur and Karakum.

Timeframe: May 2015, 5 working days.

Deliverable 3

Monitoring and technical evaluation report on implementation of irrigation and water management measures under the project, with a section of concrete recommendations for improvement of each measure.

Timeframe: Tentatively September – October 2015, 25 working days.

Deliverable 4

Report on technical review and evaluation of proposals prepared and submitted under “the WUA framework” to be funded from the project budget. Timeframe: Tentatively November 2015, 15 working days

Deliverable 5

Lessons learned note.Timeframe: November 2015, 5 working days.

Payment Conditions

This is a lump sum contract that should include costs of consultancy and travel costs required to produce the above deliverables.
At least two missions to Turkmenistan are envisaged. The 1st mission (approximately 7 days) is tentatively in April 2015. The dates of the 2nd visit (approximately 10 days) are to be defined at a later stage. Payment will be made in 3 installments according to these TOR as per Deliverables outlined above to be certified by the Project Manager and accepted by the UNDP Programme Specialist o Environment, as follows:

 1st installment (40% of the total contract amount) to be made upon achievement of Deliverables 1 and 2
 2nd installment (40% of the total contract amount) to be made upon achievement of Deliverables 3
 3rd installment (20% of the total contract) to be made upon achievement of Deliverables 4 and 5.

Compétences

Corporate Competencies:

  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, age sensitivity/adaptability;
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
  • Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;
  • Positive, constructive attitude to work.

Technical Competencies:

  • Good understanding of climate change issues;
  • Outstanding time-management, organizational and interpersonal skills;
  • Training and community development experience.

Functional competencies:

  •  Strong analytical and research skills;
  •  Excellent ability to communicate in English both written and spoken;
  •  Good writing skills and computer literacy;
  •  Ability to meet deadlines;
  •  Excellent organizational, communicative, time-management and teamwork skills.

Qualifications et expériences requises

Education:

  • (Advanced) Degree in the field of agriculture, water management, irrigation engineering or related field.

Experience:

  • At least 7 years of practical experience in the design and implementation of agriculture irrigation and water management systems;
  • Experience of efficient irrigation techniques;
  • Experience in the use of drip irrigation systems;
  • Demonstrated experience in improving water management practices;
  • Experience and qualifications in agriculture and water management;
  • Working experience in developing countries and CIS countries is an asset.

Language:

  • Proficiency in English, excellent analytical and presentation skills;
  • Good knowledge of written and spoken Russian is an asset.

Submission of applications

Methodology

All applicants shall submit a brief methodology indicating phases, tasks, methods, techniques, time, resources, accessibility and tools to be applied for successful completion of assignment.

Financial proposal for implementation of the assignment

All applicants shall submit a detailed, carefully considered and justified financial statement based on a lump sum, which should include: a consultancy fee, administrative expenses (if applicable), travel expenses (two missions) to Ashgabat, and/or any other expenses the applicants deem necessary to incur during assignment.

In addition, interested individual consultants must submit:

Additional requirements for recommended contractor

Recommended contractors aged 62 and older, and if the travel is required, shall undergo a full medical examination including x-ray, and obtain medical clearance from the UN-approved doctor prior to taking up their assignment. The medical examination is to be cleared by the UN physicians, and shall be paid by the consultant.