International Consultant to support the Joint Regional Study on Appraisal of Climate Risks on Groundwater Resources in the Horn of Africa

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT SELECTION)

Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)-Djibouti

Horn of Africa Groundwater for Resilience Regional Program

Grant No: IDA- E0140

Project ID No: P174867

Assignment Title: Recruitment of International Consultant to support the Joint Regional Study on Appraisal of Climate Risks on Groundwater Resources in the Horn of Africa

Reference: DJ-IGAD-431281-CS-INDV

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has received financing in the amount of US$ 10 Million equivalents from the World Bank/IDA toward the cost of the Horn of Africa Groundwater for Resilience Regional Program, and it intends to apply part of the proceeds to payments for consulting services for the Recruitment of National Consultant for Ethiopia to support the Joint Regional Study (JRS) on Appraisal of Climate Risks on Groundwater Resources in the Horn of Africa.

Objective(s) and Scope of the Assignment

The main objective of the JRS is to develop a joint methodology to map annual groundwater recharge volumes, suitable for the hydrogeological and climatic conditions in the Horn of Africa and building on the experience and aligned with data availability in MSs. Given the limited availability of historical groundwater data, indispensable for a reliable assessment of recharge processes and dynamics, the methodology to be developed aims at maximizing the use of remotely sensed data sets. The joint methodology will be validated in pilot aquifers in each participating MS and, if successful, can be converted into a monitoring tool to assess annual recharge volumes received by the region’s surface groundwater units, and fluctuations resulting from climate variability. Joint Regional Study Approach

The study will be conjunctively implemented by teams in the participating Member States Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, and the IGAD-Groundwater Centre (I-GWC), with support from 1 international and 3 national consultants, under the guidance of and coordination of IGAD-Water Unit(I-WU).

Member States (MS) ’s teams will be composed of professionals from the National Groundwater Centres (NGWCs), National Focal Groups or other national experts and will be supported by a National Consultant to be hired by the IGAD Groundwater for Resilience Project. IGAD-GWC will technically coordinate the study, supported by an International Consultant to be hired by the IGAD Project. I-WU will be in charge of the study coordination, management of contracts and organization of regional workshops included in the scope of work.

Based on the current status of knowledge in the participating MSs the proposed methodology includes the following steps:

Classify groundwater units.
Compile available reference data on groundwater recharge.
Determine rainfall – recharge relationships for different lithology or surface classes.
Elaborate methodology to calculate recharge for groundwater units;
Validate methodology through the assessment of recharge for pilot aquifers.
Apply recharge assessment methodology to all groundwater units of the participating MSs.
Innovative technologies and practices for improving borehole performance and resilience.
Community participation and engagement in borehole development and management.

(The Detailed Terms of Reference (TORs) are attached to this REOI).

IGAD now invites eligible individual consultants to indicate their interest in providing these services. Interested individual consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services of International Consultant to support the Joint Regional Study on Appraisal of Climate Risks on Groundwater Resources in the Horn of Africa Reference i.e., updated CVs, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, and availability of appropriate skills etc.).

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 3.14 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers “Procurement in Investment Project Financing, Goods, Works, Non-Consulting, and Consulting Services,” Fourth Edition, November 2020; the World Bank’s “Guidelines on Preventing and Combatting Fraud and Corruption” revised July 1, 2016.

Qualifications and experience required:

The expert should meet the following academic qualifications and experience as a minimum:

a) Master’s degree or higher in hydrogeology, groundwater management, water management

with special focus on groundwater resources or any other closely related field.

b) Minimum 10 years of demonstrable experience in the technical area of Groundwater management, international waters or related fields.
c) Previous proven experience in carrying out shared aquifer diagnostic/ assessments on at

least three assignments.

d) Proven experience in groundwater recharge assessment and evaluation
e) Proven experience in GIS and remote sensing applications for groundwater
f) Strong writing and communication skills.
g) Fluency in English is required.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office working hours from 09:00 am to 16:00 pm, Sunday-Thursday, EAT. Expressions of interest must be delivered by mail e-mail on or before Sunday 21 July 2024 to the address below: Please be informed that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)
Ibrahim Moahmed Ahmed (Ph.D.)

Project Team Leader/Coordinator

P.O Box 2653, Djibouti, Ave. Georges Clemenceau

T + 253 21 33 56 50 M + 253 77 374 001Fax: + (253)-21356994

Email: ibrahim.mohamed@igad.int copy to sagal.iman@igad.int

Website: igad.int