Expertise: Water Institutional and Policy Specialist
Expertise Group: Agriculture/Rural Development
Consultant Source: National
TOR Keywords: Water Institutional and Policy Specialist
Objective and Purpose of the Assignment
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) requested the Asian Development Bank (ADB)’s
assistance in developing criteria lists and guidelines for water resources assessment and classification
in response to the pressing challenges in water resources management issues.
Vietnam’s rapid economic and social growth has intensified pressure on its water sources, leading to
disputes and management challenges among competing demands from various sectors. Issues such as
untreated wastewater discharge from domestic, urban, and rural sources, inadequate agricultural and
aquacultural waste management, overexploitation driven by population growth and urbanization, and
climate change-induced droughts have significantly degraded many rivers and reservoirs. This degradation
not only diminishes the ecological functions of water bodies and environmental consequences, but also
imposes substantial economic losses. According to World Bank (2019) , water pollution could reduce
Vietnam’s GDP by 4.3% annually with further projections of 2.5% by 2035 if no effective interventions
take place.
In response to critical water resource management challenges, the Government of Vietnam has enacted the
Law on Water Resources 2023 aimed at meeting the escalating demand for water sustainably. Article 34 of
this law mandates the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) to identify and prioritize
the restoration of degraded, depleted, and polluted water resources. Plans and programs for river
restoration derived from this list are to be developed and submitted for approval by the Prime Minister.
The proposed assignment will assist the Government of Vietnam in strengthening sustainable water
resources management and restoration efforts. Specifically, it will support developing criteria,
methodological framework, and national guidelines for assessing and classifying water resources.
Scope of Work
The proposed assignment will be conducted by a team of individual consultants working closely with MONRE
and other relevant Vietnamese authorities. The consultants will conduct a comprehensive review and
analysis of Vietnam’s current water resources situation and develop a set of criteria for assessing and
classifying water resources based on sample collection and analysis, hydrological modelling, ecological
factors, climate change impacts, and socio-economic considerations. The consultants will validate and
pilot testing of these criteria in at least two river basins and develop a national guideline for
widespread application. Overall, the consultants will:
• Maintain close coordination with ADB, MONRE and other relevant stakeholders throughout the assignment
with regular updates and reports on key milestone;
• Prepare a detailed methodology and work plan outlining the approach for completing the assignment,
including identifying and mapping key stakeholders and their roles, establishing coordination and
communication plan, and setting key milestones;
• Consolidate baseline information through field visits and review of available data, government
policies, and relevant materials on water resources assessment methodologies and their application in
Viet Nam. Provide an analysis of strength, weaknesses, and gaps in the current practices. Incorporating
international best practices and lessons learned applicable to the Vietnamese context
• Develop a draft methodology for water resources assessment and classification. This includes compiling
a comprehensive list of criteria for surface water and groundwater resources classification, defining
different types of classifications and specify varying levels of criteria requirements corresponding to
each type based on levels of degradation, pollution, and depletion, develop a plan for monitoring and
collecting data.
• Communicate the draft methodology with MONRE and other stakeholders and solicit feedback and input to
refine and improve the draft.
• Pilot the methodology and criteria lists in at least two river basins, including groundwater resources
to validate the effectiveness and applicability of the developed criteria.
• Finalize the methodology and criteria based on feedback received and lessons learned from pilot
tests.
• Prepare comprehensive guidelines for nationwide application of the finalized methodology and criteria
lists.
Detailed Tasks and/or Expected Output
• Lead in reviewing and compiling background information about relevant regulatory institutions and
frameworks for water resources assessment;
• Review the current availability and data sharing mechanism that enabling the water quality, water
assessment in Vietnam (on water quality monitoring between MONRE, MARD, and provincial authority),
etc… Also other relevant data system on river flow, water withdraw, and classification of intent for
usage of different water reaches;
• Conduct a benchmark analysis of current water polices and institutional frameworks in Vietnam taking
into account socio-economic impacts, comparing them with relevant international standards;
• Review and assess water resources availability, flood and drought risks, water supply, wastewater
treatment capacity and coverage, and land use type, current water use by sector and its future demand
projection, and its relevance to water resources assessment;
• Support environmental criteria and indicators identification in water resources assessment related to
institution and regulations, socio-economic, propose requirements and levels for each criterion
corresponding to the classifications;
• Support methodology development, data collection and monitoring plan to assess and classify these
criteria;
• Assess the capacity of water related departments, and identify training and capacity development needs
for carrying out and monitoring water resources assessment effectively;
• Support pilot testing of the methodology and criteria list, lead in analysis, and based on results to
refine the methodology and criteria relevant to policies, governance, and institutional aspects of water
resources assessment;
• Contribute to prepare guidelines, consultation workshops, trainings, and other events;
• Undertake other relevant work requested by ADB and/or Team leader.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
The specialist will have (i) an advanced degree or relevant qualification in water resources management,
hydrology, water policy, water economics, or related fields; (ii) minimum 10 years of relevant
experience in water management, hydrology, and regulation for water resources assessment; (iii) recent
experience working in water law and related policies amendment; (iv) recent experience in water
resources basin planning; (v) network of relevant professional expertise and ability to work effectively
with government agencies and other stakeholders including local communities, civil society, and the
private sector; and (vi) familiarity with international standards and best practices in water resources
policy and regulations. The specialist will work closely with the Team leader and assist the Team Leader
in water policy and regulation area of work.
Minimum General Experience: 10 Years
Minimum Specific Experience (relevant to assignment): 10 Years
