Background

The Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment (MMDE), with the technical assistance of the United Nations Development Programme and in collaboration with the Department of National Planning (NPD), Ministry Irrigation and Water Management (MIWM) Ministry of Agriculture (MA), Ministry of City Planning and Water Supply and Ministry of Disaster Management, secured financing from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to implement a USD 52.1 million project aimed at strengthening the resilience of Smallholder farmers in the dry Zone to climate variability and extreme events.

This Project will support the Government of Sri Lanka to implement integrated solutions to water management in three river basins in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka. The Project aims to achieve higher levels of food, livelihoods and water security for flood and drought affected poor communities. GCF resources together with the co-financing from the Government of Sri Lanka will be invested in improving access to irrigation and eco-system based agricultural practices, improved community managed drinking water infrastructure, scaling up decentralized drinking water systems and strengthening early warning, forecasting and climate advisories to protect farmers, particularly women from climate related impacts.

The Project will benefit 750,000 people living in the three river basins directly through investments in irrigation, drinking water and disaster risk management. Moreover, around 770,000 people living in these districts will indirectly benefit from the project interventions in capacities and early warning systems. Under this Project, which will be implemented from 2017 to 2024 UNDP will work with a number of government institutions to deliver the Project outputs and activities and measures its impacts.

The Project covers three key components:

1. Component 1: Climate resilient investment to rehabilitate small tank-based cascading systems and related infrastructure and facilitate sustainable, climate-proof agricultural practices in targeted areas  
2. Component 2: Investments to increase access to and quality of drinking water in remote and rural areas through a multi-pronged partnership approach that seeks to replenish sources, build storage, purify contaminated water and address root causes of water quality issues
3. Component 3: Improve community access to timely early warning for flood and drought to avoid losses and impacts on key livelihood assets. This includes the generation, coding, modelling, dissemination and access to weather related data/knowledge including advise and early warning.

The Project implementation modality includes a Project Management Unit established under the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment with the Project Director, Deputy Project Director, Project Accountant and other project staff. UNDP as the responsible party for Project assurance will provide technical assistance to implement the Project. Under this, the service of a team of technical specialists will be provided by UNDP to facilitate the implementation of the Project. Further, a national level technical advisory committee will be established to obtain specialist advice to ensure integrated approach for climate resilient water management.

The Technical Specialist for Climate Resilient Irrigation Infrastructure will be part of the UNDP’s technical team for Project implementation and is responsible to provide overall technical guidance to implement the Output 01 of the Project.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope and Objectives:

The main objective of the consultancy is to Provide overall guidance on the direction and strategies to implement the irrigation component of the Output 01 of the Project, including cascade water resource development and management planning and designing of the village irrigation infrastructure upgrading. In addition, the Senior Irrigation Specialist’s scope also covers the followings:

1. Review the as built drawings of the VISs against the design criteria, in view of the observed flood risks during the North East monsoon in 2019, and advise the Project to take necessary measures to ensure the resilience of the VISs upgraded under the Project.
2. Review the designs submitted by the Engineering Consultants for 2020 construction programme and ensure that Climate change adaptations measures are adequately addressed in the irrigation designs
3. Assist the Project to finalize the cascades and VISs lists to undertake surveys and designs in 2020. Special emphasis should be given to identify the scope of the VISs in Trincomalee district
4. Provide inputs to select engineering consultancy firms to conduct surveying, designing, construction supervision of the VISs, selected to be constructed in 2021.
5. Provide expertise inputs to surveying and designing teams to incorporate climate resilient features and ensure that survey and design guidelines are followed by the surveying and designing teams
6. Provide inputs to the cascade water resource development and management planning (Level 01) of the selected cascades, covering ground water management plan, surface water management plan, operations and maintenance plan, environmental management plan, and co-governance of cascade water resources and provide inputs to the Project team, including the CSOs to develop and operationalize the cascade water resource development and management plans
7. Provide inputs for formation of Cascade Water User Organization, incorporating the community views and recommendations for the implementing process
8. Monitor the O&M Plans implementation during 2019/2020 Maha season in the eight cascades upgraded in 2018/19
9. Provide inputs to develop operations and maintenance plans for Aluth Halmillewa, Kadawala, and Ratmale cascades
10. Review the designs of the Etha Bendi Wewa, Kumbuk Wewa, Mottapetthawa and Divul Wewa cascades to ensure whether the design criterion is adequately followed in designing the VIS upgrading work
11. Assist the Project to organize the technical trainings for Engineers and also provide inputs to the training modules
12. Provide inputs to Water Balance Study and groundwater management plans in three cascades (Palugaswewa, Mathavuvaithakulam and Thudduvakaikulam)
13. Provide inputs for setting up cascade water resources development and management plans in Aluth Halmillewa, Kadawala, and Ratmale cascades
14. Provide inputs for Cascade Water Resource Management and Development Plans (level 2) for the cascades in the 2018/2019 Work Plan
15. Conduct a Status report of the cascades rehabilitated in 2018 - 2019 years and provide recommendations for improving the resilience
16. Review the calibration of Water Balance model and recommendations for further calibration and linking with cascade water resources management
17. Provide inputs to the Project to promote the cascade prioritization model developed under the Project
18. Conduct the status report of O&M Plans of Sinnakunchukkulam, Etha Bendi Wewa, Kumbuk Wewa, Mottapetthawa and Divul Wewa
19. Assist operationalization of Technical Working Committee for the Output 01 of the Project and also to identify the areas for which TWC inputs are required
20. Liaise with Technical Expert Committee to obtain recommendations to solve irrigation component related technical matters
21. Routinely inspect irrigation rehabilitation works and related ecosystem restoration works to ensure project design concepts are followed and quality is assured
22. Liaise with the TWC, submit papers for their review and approval, and facilitate incorporation of their advice to the designs and construction activities
23. Assist the Technical Advisor to liaise with other similar projects and programmes and to ensure that CRIWMP concept is promoted
24. Provide inputs to setup information management system for water management covering the Department of Meteorology, Department of Agrarian Development, Department of Irrigation and Department of Agriculture
25. Assist the Component 03 of the Project to establish the generation and dissemination of water management advisories for the project areas
26. Any other tasks assigned by the UNDP

Expected Deliverables

1. 10th February 2020 – Report on the formation of Cascade Water User Organization, incorporating the community views and recommendations for the implementing process
2. 15th March 2020 – Report on the selection of Consultants for 2020 survey, design, engineering supervision and quality assurance programme
3. 31st May 2020 – Review of Sinnakunchukkulam designs and the status of surveys and investigations under 2020 programme in Trincomalee and Anuradhapura
4. 30th July 2020 – Report on the O&M Plans implementation during 2019/2020 Maha season in the eight cascades upgraded in 2018/19
5. 30th September 2020 – Report on the status of O&M Planning process in Aluth Halmillewa, Kadawala, and Ratmale cascades
6. 31st October 2020 – Report on review done on designs of the Etha Bendi Wewa, Kumbuk Wewa, Mottapetthawa and Divul Wewa cascades
7. 15th December 2020  – Report on technical training modules for Engineers and their implementation
8. 31st January 2021 - Status of Water Balance Study and groundwater management plan in three cascades (Palugaswewa, Mathavuvaithakulam and Thudduvakaikulam)
9. 15th March 2021- Report on the status of setting up cascade water resources development and management plans in Aluth Halmillewa, Kadawala, and Ratmale cascades
10. 30th April 2021 - Status report on the Cascade Water Resource Management and Development Plans (level 2) for the cascades in the 2018/2019 Work Plan
11. 10th June 2021 - Final report on the Cascade Water Resource Management and Development Plans (level 1) for the Aluth Halmillewa, Kadawala, and Ratmale cascades
12. 31th July 2021 - Status report of the cascades rehabilitated in 2018 - 2019 years and recommendations for improving the resilience
13. 10th September 2021 - Review of the calibration of Water Balance model and recommendations for further calibration and linking with cascade water resources management
14. 31st October 2021 - Report on the status of O&M Plans of Sinnakunchukkulam, Etha Bendi Wewa, Kumbuk Wewa, Mottapetthawa and Divul Wewa
15. 10th January 2022 - Report on the status of setting up cascade water resources development and management plans (level 1) of Sinnakunchukkulam, Etha Bendi Wewa, Kumbuk Wewa, Mottapetthawa and Divul Wewa

Competencies

• Excellent organizational skills.
• Strong analytical skills exceptional ability in communication and networking, negotiations and writing
• Excellent financial and budgetary skills
• Ability to prepare publications, reports and presentations
• Ability to manage and work with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team
• Ability to seek and apply knowledge, information and best practices from multiple sectors
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Excellent written communication skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize relevant collected data and findings for the preparation of case studies and progress reports
• Excellent leadership, coordination and team working skills
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Flexibility and ability to operate in different cultural settings and with a variety of stakeholders; culturally and gender sensitive
• Good team player who has ability to maintain good relationships

Required Skills and Experience

The successful candidate will have a background in poverty reduction with an emphasis on disaster risk management and/or climate change adaptation in in Sri Lanka with strong communication/writing skills and a successful track record in project design and management.

Education:

• Postgraduate degree (M.Sc) in development, water management, irrigation, engineering, climate change adaptation or related fields;

Experience:

• At least 15 years of technical experience in water resources management in Sri Lanka

• Substantial relevant experience in the design and implementation of integrated development projects, e.g. poverty reduction, food livelihood and water security including working on community based initiatives
• Experience in the formulation and management of similar projects with global funds including:
  • Project design, management, and monitoring & evaluation
  • Working with multi-disciplinary teams, including local and expatriate technical experts
• Work experience related to poverty reduction in dry zone Sri Lanka.
• Experience in economic and financial analysis for project viability and budget formulation
• Familiarity with technical issues related to adaptation, methods of cost-benefit analysis for adaptation options, identification of multiple benefits of adaptation, including, economic, social and gender related
• Flexibility and ability to operate in different cultural settings and with a variety of stakeholders; culturally and gender sensitive.

Languages/ Other:

• Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English;
• Fluency in Sinhala and/or Tamil is an additional requirement;
• Good computer literacy including Microsoft Office.

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply please access UNDP Jobs site http://jobs.undp.org.

The application should contain:

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work.
• Updated CV to include qualifications/competencies and relevant past experience in similar projects and contact details of 3 professional referees who can certify your competencies, professionalism, quality of writing, presentation and overall suitability to this TOR
• Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a combination of factors including cover letter, the credentials on offer and brief interview (optional) and the offer which gives the best value for money for the UNDP.
• Please send the Financial Proposal separately to the following e-mail address: consultants.lk@undp.org  stating the vacancy number/position  in the subject line.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL   

All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee: LKR

Or

All Inclusive Daily Fee: LKR

Amount in words: Rs.

Note: Payments will be based on invoices on achievement of agreed milestones i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR and certification of acceptance by the UNDP. The applicant must factor in all possible costs in his/her “All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee” including his/her consultancy and professional fee, travel (economy class flights is required to and from the Duty Station) honorarium, board and lodging, and any other foreseeable costs in this exercise. No costs other than what has been indicated in the financial proposal will be paid or reimbursed to the consultant. UNDP will only pay for any unplanned travel outside of this TOR and Duty Station on actual basis and on submission of original bills/invoices and on prior agreement with UNDP officials. Daily per diems and costs for accommodation/meals/incidental expenses for such travel shall not exceed established local UNDP DSA rates.

For an Individual Contractor who is 65 years of age or older, and on an assignment requiring travel, be it for the purpose of arriving at the duty station or as an integral duty required travel under the TOR, a full medical examination and statement of fitness to work must be provided.  Such medical examination costs must be factored in to the financial proposal above. Medical examination is not a requirement for individuals on RLA contracts. 

PAYMENT FOR SERVICES

Payments will be based on milestones certified by the Technical Advisor – CRIWMP.

Payment Milestones will be as follows:

1. 6% of the total on submitting the Report on the formation of Cascade Water User Organization, incorporating the community views and recommendations for the implementing process
2. 7% of the total on submitting the Report on the selection of Consultants for 2020 survey, design, engineering supervision and quality assurance programme
3. 6% of the total on submitting the Review of Sinnakunchukkulam designs and the status of surveys and investigations under 2020 programme in Trincomalee and Anuradhapura
4. 8% of the total on submitting the Report on the O&M Plans implementation during 2019/2020 Maha season in the eight cascades upgraded in 2018/19
5. 6% of the total on submitting the Report on the status of O&M Planning process in Aluth Halmillewa, Kadawala, and Ratmale cascades
6. 7% of the total on submitting the Report on review done on designs of the Etha Bendi Wewa, Kumbuk Wewa, Mottapetthawa and Divul Wewa cascades
7. 6% of the total on submitting the Report on technical training modules for Engineers and their implementation
8. 8% of the total on submitting the Status of Water Balance Study and groundwater management plan in three cascades (Palugaswewa, Mathavuvaithakulam and Thudduvakaikulam)
9. 6% of the total on submitting the Report on the status of setting up cascade water resources development and management plans in Aluth Halmillewa, Kadawala, and Ratmale cascades
10. 7% of the total on submitting the Status report on the Cascade Water Resource Management and Development Plans (level 2) for the cascades in the 2018/2019 Work Plan
11. 6% of the total on submitting the Final report on the Cascade Water Resource Management and Development Plans (level 1) for the Aluth Halmillewa, Kadawala, and Ratmale cascades
12. 7% of the total on submitting the Status report of the cascades rehabilitated in 2018 - 2019 years and recommendations for improving the resilience
13. 6% of the total on submitting the Review of the calibration of Water Balance model and recommendations for further calibration and linking with cascade water resources management
14. 6% of the total on submitting the Report on the status of O&M Plans of Sinnakunchukkulam, Etha Bendi Wewa, Kumbuk Wewa, Mottapetthawa and Divul Wewa
15. 8% of the total on submitting the Report on the status of setting up cascade water resources development and management plans (level 1) of Sinnakunchukkulam, Etha Bendi Wewa, Kumbuk Wewa, Mottapetthawa and Divul Wewa

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workplace, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.