Background
The Government of Uganda has, through United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) received financial support from Global Environment Facility (GEF) for a project on “Strengthening climate information and early warning systems in Africa for climate resilient development and adaptation to climate change-Uganda”. The fundamental problem this project seeks to address is that the current climate information (including monitoring, processing and development of tailored advisories) and early warning systems are no longer functioning as optimally and they could for effectively supporting the adaptive capacity of local communities and key sectors.The project is being implemented by the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE), Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA) and the Department of Water Resource Management (DWRM) in partnership with the Department of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Management (DRDPM)/Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries Resources (MAAIF).
The main objectives of the project are to:
- Establish a functional network of meteorological and hydrological monitoring stations and associated infrastructure to better understand climatic changes;
- Develop and disseminate tailored weather and climate information (including colour-coded alerts – advisories, watches and warnings – for flood, drought, severe weather and agricultural stresses, integrated cost-benefit analyses and sector-specific risk and vulnerability maps) to decision makers in government, private sector, civil society, development partners and local communities in the Teso and Mt Elgon sub-region; and
- Integrate weather and climate information into national policies, annual work plans and local development including the National Policy for Disaster Preparedness and Management, and district and sub-county development plans in priority districts in the Bukedi, Busoga, Elgon, Teso, Acholi, Karamoja and Lango sub-regions. The project is expected to be completed by December 2017.
- Enhanced capacity of UNMA and Department of Water Resource Management (DWRM) to monitor and forecast extreme weather, hydrology and climate change;
- Efficient and effective use of hydro-meteorological and environmental information for making early warnings and long term development plans.
The fundamental problem that this project seeks to address is that the current climate information (including monitoring) and early warning systems in Uganda are not functioning as optimally as they could for effectively supporting the adaptive capacity of local communities and key sectors. Obsolete and inadequate weather, climate and hydrological monitoring infrastructure, which limits data collection, analysis and provision of hydro-meteorological information for planning. Most operational stations are manually operated and therefore do not report data with sufficient frequency to provide adequate lead times to respond to impending climate hazards, as measurements are generally reported days to weeks after a climate hazard has passed.
Duties and Responsibilities
Scope of WorkThe project is currently being implemented in 28 Districts comprising: Bukedi, Busoga, Elgon, Teso, Acholi, Karamoja and Lango sub-regions. This consultancy is expected to be carried out within Kampala, Entebbe (or Mbale) and the beneficiary regions, within 20 working days/one month.
Overall Objective of the consultancy
The main objective of the consultancy is to undertake a systematic analysis of existing manual hydro-met and Automatic Water Level Stations (AWLSs) in each Water Management Zones (WMZs) to determine gaps in coverage and priority stations for data rescue and rehabilitation.
Specific Objectives
- To determine gaps in coverage and priority stations for data rescue and rehabilitation;
- To identify new stations to be integrated in the Department of Water Resources Management (DWRM) existing network;
- To link these stations with the Meteorological network and forecasting systems under the Uganda National Meteorology Authority (UNMA).
- A desk review of relevant documents (Water Resource Management Policy, Climate Change Policy, project document, etc.);
- Assess the status of current hydrometric network and make proposals on how to improve it;
- Propose hydrometric network design for old and new equipment and make proposal to assist in installation of a sustainable hydrometric network in the project area;
- Provide initial training for personnel in basic river gauging techniques and data interpretation techniques; Train local staff in operation of hydrometric equipment and data collection;
- Prepare technical specifications for network equipment to be procured;
- Assist in the design and operation of data management system for collected data, Propose and design possible products that can be generated from data captured relevant to provide early warning information.
- A Concept document on the methodology for the assessment;
- Assessment of the status of current hydrometric network and suggestions for improvement;
- Initial training for personnel in basic river gauging techniques and data interpretation techniques; Train local staff in operation of hydrometric equipment and data collection;
- Technical specifications for network equipment to be procured Draft and Final Report;
- Support to data management.
- The Consultant will report to Executive Director of Uganda National meteorological Authority and will be facilitated through the Project Management Unit for his/her day-to-day work;
- The Programme Management Unit will support and assistance to gain access to relevant documents and stakeholders for consultations.
Competencies
- Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;
- Mature judgment and initiative;
- Ability to present complex issues in a simple and clear manner;
- Ability to work under pressure;
- Initiative and independence.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:- A Master’s degree in related fields preferably in Hydrology / Metrology / Hydrometry. A background in Water Resources Management or related discipline is an added advantage.
- 5 years of relevant experience in water resources management, hydrometrics, hydrological data analysis or related disciplines;
- Familiarity with water related disasters in Uganda;
- Working experience with UNDP or the UN system in general;
- Proven experience in report writing and drafting;
- Knowledge and skills in hydrological network designing;
- Knowledge and skills in operation and maintenance of hydrological network;
- Computational and Analytical skills.
Language:
- Fluent in English.
Payment shall be by the lump sum modality in the following 3 instalments. These shall be all inclusive and the contract price is fixed regardless of changes in the cost components
- Upon signature of contract by both parties and presentation of an approved inception report (1 week after signing of contract) - 20%;
- Presentation of acceptable and approved output 2-3, - 30%;
- Presentation of acceptable and approved output 4-5, - 50%.
The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
- Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and;
- Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.
- Technical Criteria weight; - 70%;
- Financial Criteria weight; - 30%.
Technical Criteria – Maximum 70 points
Criteria
- Education in relevant field (Advanced degree is added advantage) - 5;
- Knowledge of the Water Resources Management - 20;
- Relevant experience in conducting similar assignments - 15;
- Relevance of experience in report writing and drafting - 5;
- Description of approach/methodology to assignment- 25.
Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications in one single PDF document:
- Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP (Annex II);
- Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.
- Technical proposal
- Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment;
- A methodology, on how they will approach and complete the assignment;
- Financial proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided (Annex II)