Expertise: Environmental Specialist
Expertise Group: Biological Sciences & Ecology
Consultant Source: National
TOR Keywords: environment
Objective and Purpose of the Assignment
The proposed Climate-Resilient Water and Sanitation Services Project (CRWSSP) aims to improve the public
health and economy in Fergana, Andijan, Djizzak provinces and Republic of Karakalpakstan through
sustainable and efficient delivery of water supply and sanitation (WSS) services to 100% of the regional
population and addressing a set of challenges related to climate change, environmental pollution, energy
efficiency, operation and maintenance capacity, and public-private partnership investments. These
measures in turn will strengthen the livable environment by ensuring access to affordable and reliable
WSS services for about 3.2 million residents in the project areas, particularly in two districts and
three cities in Fergana, four districts and one city in Andijan, and one district in Djizzak provinces.
The project outputs are:
Output 1: Climate-resilient WSS infrastructure expanded. The project will finance upgrades of WSS
systems in nine districts and five cities in the Republic of Karakalpakstan and the provinces of
Andijan, Djizzak, and Fergana, thereby expanding water resources availability and preserving the quality
of water sources to cope with increasing climate-induced water scarcity; climate adaptation measures
will also be taken and implemented to protect the infrastructure from extreme climate events. Output 1
will include water supply augmentation facilities through the rehabilitation of one water treatment
plant (WTP) with a capacity of 140,000 m3/day, and the construction of one WTP with a capacity of
200,000 m3/day from the Andijan reservoir in Andijan region, 352 km of water supply transmission mains
pipeline, two water distribution centers composed of two booster pump stations and four water
reservoirs; bulk water supply meters will be installed at the main water sources locations. A NRW
program through a DMA approach in a selected area of the existing network will be implemented to
increase efficiency of the system. Output 1 will also expand wastewater systems through the construction
of five WWTPs with a combined capacity of nearly 40,000 m3/day, 347 km of sewerage networks, and on-site
sanitation options following the concept of city-wide inclusive sanitation. Facilities for re-use of
treated wastewater and sludge will be constructed and O&M services for the plants will be embedded in
the construction contracts. Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and asset mapping through a
geographic information system will also be implemented.
Output 2: Institutional capacity of Suvtaminots improved and sustainable WSS services delivery
strengthened. The physical investments will be complemented by strengthening the operational and
management capabilities of regional suvtaminots on (i) leak detection, repair, and preventive WSS system
maintenance; (ii) DMA development and NRW reduction; (iii) analysis of consumer consumption and
recommendations for reducing commercial losses; and (i) preparation of a business plans for suvtaminots
that covers technical, operational, institutional, and organizational restructuring; and human resources
management (iv) energy efficiency—in conjunction with the capacity building activities and the IT
foundation system being established under the Climate-Smart Water Management Improvement Project. The
targeted training will be provided for technical and managerial staff of suvtaminots in various
specialized areas, with a particular focus on female employees. Moreover, the project beneficiaries will
engage in public awareness campaigns on water conservation, health, sanitation, and climate adaptive
water-saving practices. Training and support for the operation of the plants will also be provided in
coordination with the activities carried out by O&M contractors. Support for the assessment and
monitoring of water balance and quality of water extraction in the Andijan reservoir will be also
provided to ensure the water source sustainability.
The transaction technical assistance (TA) grant will help the government to (i) conduct a comprehensive
review of the existing status of the WSS service delivery in the proposed project areas; (ii) complete
physical assessments of the existing WSS infrastructure; (iii) propose solutions and conceptual designs;
and (iv) prepare project due diligence technical analysis, safeguard reports, and loan package
documentation.
Scope of Work
The national Environmental Specialist will work closely with the international Environmental Specialist
and other TRTA team members to complete environmental due diligence and contribute to the preparation of
feasibility study, due diligence, and environmental assessment documentation for the Project.
Detailed Tasks and/or Expected Output
The expert will be responsible for the following tasks:
- Assist the international Environmental Specialist to assess potential environmental impacts of
project components, screen the potential impacts for project categorization and prepare categorization
forms, and complete environmental scoping to determine issues for inclusion in the project’s
environmental impact assessment (EIA) or initial environmental examination (IEE). - Work closely with engineering, safeguards and other team members in the collation and analysis of
information and data available from feasibility study and technical design reports, and assist to
develop an EIA or IEE as appropriate, ensuring that identified project activities and impacts are fully
incorporated. Where negative impacts cannot be avoided, assist to develop measures to minimize,
mitigate and/or offset adverse impacts and enhance positive impacts. - Based on the IEE/EIA, assist to develop an EMP that includes comprehensive and project-specific
mitigation measures, and ensure that these are discussed and agreed with the EA/IA and relevant members
of the design team. In addition, assist to (a) determine the costs of the proposed environmental
measures, (b) prepare an environmental reporting framework, and a terms of reference and budget for
independent environmental monitoring and evaluation, (c) design an environmental monitoring report
template, and (e) prepare contractor specifications for environmental management and monitoring - Assist the international Environmental Specialist to ensure that other team members are fully aware
of the project’s environmental requirements, and integrate these requirements into project designs. - Assist to incorporate climate change and disaster management considerations in EIA/IEE/EMP
formulation, and work closely with the team’s technical, climate change, and other experts to
incorporate such measures into project designs. - Assist to identify vulnerable groups as targets for disclosure and consultation, and design and
implement suitable consultation approaches (meetings, surveys, and other approaches) to optimize their
participation and involvement. Assist to conduct widespread presentations of the draft IEE/EIA to
relevant government agencies, local authorities, other stakeholders, local communities, and potential
affected people in the project sites, and incorporate comments and feedback in IEE/EIA revisions.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
The Environmental Specialist (national, 6.0 person-months) should have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent
qualification in environmental engineering, environmental science or related discipline, and at least
five years of work experience in conducting environmental assessments for water supply and sanitation
(WSS) and other relevant development projects in Uzbekistan. He/she must be competent in English
(written and spoken), and be familiar with the ADB’s environmental compliance and due diligence
procedures.
Minimum General Experience: 7 Years
Minimum Specific Experience (relevant to assignment): 5 Years
