Historique

Background

The Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment (MMDE) with the assistance of the United Nations Development Programme 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 38.1 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 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 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.

An important outcome expected from the Project’s interventions is an empowered farmer community who will manage their water and other natural resources using the cascade as the management unit. For this purpose, the Project plans to develop cascade water user organizations, whose responsibilities include, inter-alia, the management and allocation of water within a cascade in an equitable manner. Given the increased uncertainty of weather patterns, this is extremely important to mitigate both the droughts and the floods.

The National Consultant for Water Balance Study will be a part of the UNDP’s technical team for Project implementation and is responsible to develop a water balance study, conduct training needs assessment of the relevant officials of the Department of Irrigation, Provincial Irrigation Departments and Department of Agrarian Development on water management taking climate risks into account, and assist the Training consultants to develop modules based on the outcome of the training needs assessment.

Scope and Objectives

The objectives of this Consultancy are as follows:

1. To develop a cost effective, user-friendly computer model that will facilitate management decisions related to irrigation scheduling and water allocation among the Tanks within a cascade;
2. To field test the model in three cascades, representing three river basins (i.e. Mi Oya, Malwathu Oya and Yan Oya);
3. To assess the training needs of technical staff engaged in water management in village irrigation systems (i.e. Department of Irrigation, Provincial Departments of Irrigation, Department of Agrarian Development) and recommend training programmes;
4. To provide technical inputs to the Training Consultants to develop and deliver training programmes to address the identified training needs of the technical staff.

Devoirs et responsabilités

Responsibilities

Expected Deliverables

1. By 31st of October 2018 - Selection of cascades, collection and compiling data, and submitting the Inception Report. Inception reports shall outline:

• Literature survey;
• Inflow-outflow parameters to be used in the model;
• Methodology for calculating the parameters with a time-step.

2. 30th November 2018 - Consultation with WM staff and Proposals for capacity development among technical persons involved in water management of cascade systems.

3. 20th February 2019 – 1st Interim Report providing the details of the model without calibrating and inputs provided to the Training Consultants.

4. 31st August 2019 – 2nd Interim Report elaborating the progress of field testing of the Model.

5. 15th December 2019 – 3rd interim Report elaborating the progress of field testing of the Model.

6. 15th March 2020 – 4th Interim Report with draft of the training module developed to training the technical staff of the stakeholder agencies.

7. 30th June 2020 - Final report with details of the calibrated model after an introductory training to the selected field staff.

TIMEFRAME

The envisaged time frame of the Consultancy is 24 months from 3rd October 2018 to 2nd October 2020.

METHODOLOGY

Part 1. Water balance model development:

The study scope will include the cascades selected for development under the CRIWMP (16 no.s) in Puttalama, Vavniya, Anuradapura and Kurunagala districts.  

In the project, a cascade tank system is proposed to be modelled based on the principles of System Dynamics (SD), a well-known mathematical modeling approach that could be used to study the behavior of dynamic systems. The proposed model will incorporate the dynamic interaction among different sectors that comprise water resources systems, viz., physical components such as tanks, canals, etc., economical aspects, agricultural sector, etc., and hence will support making unique decisions for efficient management of cascade tank systems. Application of SD modeling for global, regional and basin-level water resources system has proven to yield remarkable results, though not many applications is found in literature.

The SD is a rigorous method of system description, which facilitates feedback analysis, usually via a simulation model, of the effects of alternative system structure and control policies on system behavior. Understanding of the system and its boundaries, identifying the key variables, representation of the physical processes or variables through mathematical relationships, mapping the structure of the model and simulating the model for understanding its behavior are the major steps that are carried out in the development of a system dynamics model. SD applications for water management decision making are rarely found. However, the SD model that incorporates the complexities and interaction among different activities in a cascade tank system will prove the usefulness of the modeling approach in terms of strategic decisions on water sharing to help all water-use sectors of the area.

The system model will be developed using the Vensim simulation environment, which facilitates use of the system dynamics modeling objects such as reservoirs, flows, feedback mechanisms and delays. The model will have the flexibility to input data using Excel spreadsheets, ability to adjust the configuration to different cascade geometries and will require minimum modeling skills to operate.

The Consultant shall select one cascade for model development and another one or two for validation as required. These cascades will be selected from the cascades with completed designs.

The Project will provide;

1. Depth-area-capacity curves;
2. Tank bed contours;
3. Water depth measuring gauges in the Tanks;
4. Approximate estimate of catchment area command area;
5. Hydrologic linkages among the Tanks.

Part 2. Capacity assessment:

This study will identify the skills and knowledge required among technical personnel to manage village irrigation systems in an integrated manner to enhance climate resilience.

The Consultant shall conduct one to one meetings with the selected representative sample of technical staff (Minimum 15), engaged in the water management of Village Irrigation Systems from the Provincial Departments of Irrigation, Department of Irrigation and Department of Agrarian Development and assess their capacity gaps and training needs using an appropriately designed Training Needs Assessment Tool. Consultant shall identify the suitable sample, while the Project Management Unit will assist the Consultant to fix the meetings at their respective Departments or offices.

Once the training needs of the sample group is obtained and recommended programmes are identified, the consultant shall conduct an interactive workshop to introduce the climate resilience aspects to design and water management in village irrigation systems. The participants will be; irrigation engineers engaged in water management from Northern, NC, NW and Eastern Provinces, DAD engineers and staff of the Irrigation Department from 7 Districts in which CRIWMP is active. The consultant will explain the climate resilience objectives and the skill required, and explain the findings of the training needs assessment conducted with the representative group and validate the findings. The Consultant shall also explain the recommended programmes and verify and validate the programmes that should be offered for the technical staff. The consultant may engage other resource persons’ subject to the concurrence of the UNDP. The output will be a report describing the training programs required to ensure climate resilience.

The Project Management Unit will organize the logistics of the Workshop, including inviting the participants in consultation with the Consultant.

Compétences

The Consultant Profile

Competencies:

• Excellent organizational skills;
• Strong analytical skills exceptional ability in communication and networking, negotiations and writing;
• 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;
• Good team player who has ability to maintain good relationships.

Qualifications et expériences requises

Qualification and working experiences:

The successful candidate will have a background in Irrigation and Water Management with an emphasis on Hydrological Modelling and with strong communication/writing skills and a successful track records in development of curricular and providing capacity development of technical staff.

Education:

• Postgraduate degree (M.Sc) in Engineering, water management, irrigation, or related fields;

Experience:

• At least 15 years of technical experience in water resources management in Sri Lanka;
• Substantial relevant experience in the hydrological modelling, designing of irrigation infrastructure, and conducting trainings for engineering / technical staff;
• Familiarity with capacity gaps of the technical staff engaged in water management in village irrigation systems, technical issues related to climate change adaptation of irrigation infrastructure, climatology of the project area, water management issues in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka;
• 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  

(a) All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee (Professional Fee): LKR 

or

All Inclusive Daily Fee: LKR

(b) All-inclusive Lump Sum Fee (Costs other than Professional Fee indicative below): LKR

Total Lump Sum Fee (a+b) LKR

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:

• 31st October 2018 - 20% of the Total Payment on submitting the inception report 31st of October 2018 - Selection of cascades, collection and compiling data, and submitting the Inception Report. Inception reports shall outline:

1. Literature survey;
2. Inflow-outflow parameters to be used in the model;
3. Methodology for calculating the parameters with a time-step.

• 30th November 2018 – 10% of the Total Payment on completing consultation with WM staff and submitting proposals for capacity development among technical persons involved in water management of cascade systems;
• 20th February 2019 – 20% of the Total Payment on submitting 1st Interim Report providing the details of the model without calibrating and inputs provided to the Training Consultants;
• 31st August 2019 – 10% of the Total on submitting the 2nd Interim Report elaborating the progress of field testing of the Model;
• 15th December 2019 – 10% of the Total Payment on submitting the 3rd interim Report elaborating the progress of field testing of the Model;
• 15th March 2020 – 10% of the Total Payment on submitting the 4th Interim Report with draft of the training module developed to training the technical staff of the stakeholder agencies;
• 30th June 2020 – Remaining 20% of the Total on submitting the Final report with details of the calibrated model after an introductory training to the selected field staff.

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.

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