Objective and Purpose of the Assignment
 | A. Background 1. Since the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, Sri Lanka’s economic vulnerability to external shocks, such as coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and Russia’s war in Ukraine, has highlighted longstanding economic management weaknesses. These factors led to a severe economic crisis that left foreign exchange reserves depleted and prompted the suspension of external debt servicing in April 2022. Facing macroeconomic and debt management challenges, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a 48-month $3 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) in March 2023. The EFF aims to restore macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability, ensure financial stability, safeguard the vulnerable, and accelerate reforms to unlock Sri Lanka’s growth potential. It also recommends reforming state-owned enterprises (SOE) to improve governance, sustainability, and efficiency. 2. The Government of Sri Lanka requested financial assistance from ADB to support its effort to respond to economic policies and reforms underscored and supported by the IMF. The Water Supply and Sanitation Reform Program aims to implement a series of water supply and sanitation sector reforms by addressing vulnerabilities for improved sector performance and environmental sustainability. The program is a policy-based loan (PBL) with a programmatic approach comprising two subprograms of $100 million each. Subprogram 1 was approved in September 2024, while Subprogram 2 is targeted for approval in 2026. The policy support will contribute to resilient and sustainable water and sanitation services delivery in accordance with Strategy 2030 of the ADB. 3. Along with the approval of Subprogram 1, an attached TA was also approved to provide capacity and advisory support to the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing (MUDCH) and the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) for the formulation, deployment, implementation, and monitoring of the subprogram 2 reform initiatives. It will complement the program through two outputs: (i) capacity of MUDCH to manage, develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate reform actions strengthened; and (ii) capacity of NWSDB to manage, develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate reform actions strengthened. Backed by the TA team, MUDCH will (i) monitor compliance with the Water Safety Policy by service providers and approve a mandate for an independent body to ensure it, (ii) amend regulations for sustainable wastewater treatment cycle and pollution controls, (iii) develop a climate change roadmap for water supply and sanitation, (iv) prepare a drinking water conservation and demand strategy plan, (v) revise the National Sanitation Policy with guidance on sanitation safety plans, (vi) approve a climate-resilient project appraisal framework for sanitation, and (vii) approve a GESI-sensitive National Water Tariff Policy. The TA team will also support NWSDB in (i) approving a carbon footprint reduction roadmap, (ii) developing guidance to apply for climate funds, (iii) piloting an NRW reduction PPP procurement process, and (iv) preparing a concept note for submission to a climate fund. 4. The TA financing amount is $800,000, of which (i) $500,000 will be financed on a grant basis by ADB’s Technical Assistance Special Fund (TASF-other sources), and (ii) $300,000 will be financed on a grant basis by the Water Innovation Trust Fund (footnote 1) under the Water Financing Partnership Facility and administered by ADB. The government will provide counterpart support in the form of counterpart staff, office space, and other in-kind contributions. The TA will be implemented over 24 months from September 2024 to September 2026, which also allows for achieving the program outcome indicators of conducting the procurement process of a Nonrevenue Water Reduction Performance-based Contract (PBC, or PPP) and submitting a concept note to a climate fund. ADB will undertake periodic review missions to confirm the progress of TA activities. The current consultancy will be financed by ADB’s Technical Assistance Special Fund (TASF-other sources). B. Objective and Purpose of the Assignment 5. The consultant will support the MUDCH in completing actions relevant to policy action 2.2 (iii.a) agreed upon between the government and ADB as stated in the draft policy design and monitoring framework (Attachment). The consultant will assist the government and ADB in ensuring alignment and compliance of the documents produced with the intention expressed in the draft policy actions. 6. A Climate Change Roadmap (CCR) for the water and sanitation sectors in Sri Lanka is essential to increase resilience and sustainability due to escalating climate challenges. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, and increasing incidences of droughts and floods threaten the availability and quality of water resources and the functionality of sanitation systems. Without a strategic framework, these sectors and assets risk becoming overwhelmed, resulting in compromised public health, diminished water security, and disrupted ecosystems. A roadmap provides a structured approach to integrate climate adaptation and mitigation strategies into policy, planning, and implementation processes, ensuring the sectors are equipped to handle future climate-related uncertainties effectively. |
Scope of Work
| 7. The consultant will be part of a team responsible for developing and supporting the approval of a CCR for the drinking water supply and sanitation sectors.1 In close collaboration with other experts and with the guidance of the team leader, the consultant is expected to support data collection and analysis to provide an understanding of the drinking water supply and sanitation sectors’ overall status, challenges, and climate vulnerabilities. Given the broad scope of the CCR, the consultant will focus on a sample assessment of assets under each service provider’s responsibility, assessing key infrastructure and identifying areas most vulnerable to climate impacts. This targeted assessment will provide valuable insights into the capacity and resilience of local systems. Additionally, the consultant will support the team leader and collaborate with other experts, ensuring that sector-specific challenges and opportunities are considered in the broader framework of the CCR, ultimately fostering integrated, sustainable approaches to water and sanitation management. The consultant will also provide technical and strategic support to facilitate stakeholder consultations, address potential concerns, and prepare the necessary documentation to secure formal approval of the CCR. 8. Sequentially, the consultant will (i) collect relevant information and documents, (ii) draft reports and recommendations, and (iii) validate the contents of the documents with relevant key stakeholders. |
Detailed Tasks and/or Expected Output
| D. Detailed Tasks and/or Expected Outputs 9. Not limited, the consultant will: a. Follow phased approach principles. b. Equally, consider urban/peri-urban/rural/estate/informal areas. c. Consider the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders. d. Consider the National Water Resources Policy, National Adaptation Action Plan, and Sri Lanka’s Nationally Determined Contributions. e. While drafting the documents, the consultant should (a) consider existing regulations/standards and surveillance considerations (including water quality auditing and monitoring), and (b) propose innovative processes and procedures. f. While providing the recommendations, the consultant should consider aspects related to (not limited) stakeholder consultation, protection of the poor and vulnerable, strengthening of gender participation, climate resilience/benefits, economic impacts, financial sustainability, and overall water and sanitation sector performance including increasing the private sector’s participation, government’s ability and political will, with due considerations to the country’s economic situation and its potential growth. 10. The detailed tasks and expected outputs are given in Table 1. Table 1: Detailed Tasks and Expected Outputs Detailed tasks Expected Outputs For 2.2 (iii.a) Climate Change Roadmap for the drinking water supply and sanitation sectors, including overarching guidance for increased use of nature-based-solutions Conduct Sample Assessment of Drinking Water and Sanitation Assets: Review and assess a representative sample of assets under the responsibility of drinking water supply and sanitation service providers, identifying vulnerabilities to climate change. Asset Assessment Report: Document assessing key infrastructure assets for climate resilience and identifying vulnerable areas in drinking water and sanitation systems. Data Collection and Analysis: Gather data on current drinking water supply, sanitation systems, service delivery, and vulnerabilities from relevant stakeholders, including service providers and authorities. Collection of data on service provider assets, including maps, technical specifications, and vulnerability assessments related to climate impacts. Collaborate with Team Leader and Consultants on CCR Development: Support the team leader and other consultants by providing insights into the WSS sector, sharing sector- specific information, and ensuring alignment with the overall CCR. Throughout the assignment. Documents detailing sector-specific contributions to the broader CCR, ensuring consistency and alignment with the roadmap. Identify Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies for WSS: Propose climate change adaptation and mitigation measures tailored to the needs of the water supply and sanitation sectors based on the assessment findings. Throughout the assignment. Provide recommendations for climate resilience strategies, focusing on WSS sector needs and vulnerabilities. Stakeholder Consultation and Coordination: Engage with service providers, government agencies, and local communities to gather feedback on the assessment and proposed strategies. Throughout the assignment. Final Report and Recommendations for WSS in the CCR: Prepare a comprehensive report summarizing the findings, proposed strategies, and recommendations for integrating water and sanitation resilience into the CCR framework. Final Report: A comprehensive document summarizing the assessment, recommendations, and how the WSS sector’s climate resilience will be incorporated into the CCR. CCR = Climate Change Roadmap, NbS = Nature-based solution, WSS = water supply and sanitation. E. Expected deliverables and timelines 11. The consultant is expected to deliver a comprehensive assessment of key drinking water and sanitation assets, identify climate vulnerabilities, support data collection, and collaborate with the team to ensure the integration of sector-specific challenges and resilience strategies into the CCR. The consultant should consider the current policy framework concerning the potential use of Nature-based solutions, including the National Water Resources Policy, the National Adaptation Action Plan (under the Ministry of Environment), and Sri Lanka’s Nationally Determined Contributions. Additionally, the consultant should provide a clear plan for moving forward, outlining steps to resolve the identified challenges. 12. Table 2 represents the linkages between the policy action and expected activities, including timelines and working days. Table 2: Linkages between the Policy Actions and Deliverables Policy action and/or outcome Timeline Activities Working days 2.2 Aligned with NWRP strategies to increase climate resilience and environmental sustainability, MWS will: (iii) approve with immediate effect a: (a) Climate Change Roadmap for the drinking water supply and sanitation sectors, including overarching guidance for increased use of nature-based-solutions Up to November 2025 Conduct data collection and collaborate with the team to ensure the integration of sector-specific challenges and resilience strategies into the Climate Change Roadmap. 36 13. Table 3 represents the reporting requirements. Table 3: Reporting Requirements No. Report Timeline Description Inception Report Within 15 days after mobilization Detailed work plan, methodology, and stakeholder coordination strategy for assessing drinking water and sanitation assets and integrating them into the CCR. Asset Assessment Report Within 50 days after mobilization Summary of the sample assessment of water supply and sanitation assets, identifying vulnerabilities to climate change. Data Report Within 90 days after mobilization Collection and analysis of relevant data on water supply, sanitation systems, and their climate-related vulnerabilities. Final Report Within 120 days after mobilization Comprehensive report summarizing findings, strategies, and recommendations for integrating water and sanitation resilience into the CCR framework. F. Implementation Arrangements 14. The assignment would be supported and implemented through the procurement of consulting services that will be financed on a grant basis by ADB. ADB’s Water and Urban Development Sector Office (South Asia) will select, supervise, evaluate the consultants, and monitor the quality of their work. MUDCH will be the implementing agency. For day-to-day administration, MUDCH will nominate a focal staff to interact with the consultant and ensure stakeholders’ participation to ensure that the outputs and deliverables are produced in a timely, effective, and quality manner. 15. The assignment shall be completed within 170 days from the date of issuance of the Notice to Proceed (NTP). It is expected that the assignment will commence in July 2025 and be completed by January 2026. The tasks related to policy action 2.2 (iii.a) shall be completed within 150 days after mobilization. The tasks can be performed remotely, and the consultant may use remote video technology meetings to replace face-to-face meetings as considered necessary. In general, however, the consultant is expected to maintain regular face-to-face communication with MUDCH during the contract period. The consultant will be required to be physically in Colombo during critical consultation stages and training. |
Minimum Qualification Requirements
| G. Minimum Qualification Requirements, Experience, and Responsibilities 16. Qualifications: (i) Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Science, Water Resources Management, or a related field, (ii) certifications in sustainability, climate change, carbon management, and/or project management (e.g., Certified Environmental Professional, PMP), is preferred. 17. Experience: (i) 5 years of experience in water supply and sanitation projects, with a focus on integrating climate change adaptation and mitigation measures, (ii) knowledge in developing and implementing climate change roadmaps and strategies in the water and sanitation sector, (iii) knowledge in calculating and reducing the carbon footprint of water supply and sanitation systems, (iv) understanding of climate change impacts on water and sanitation, and strategies to enhance resilience and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, (v) knowledge of sustainable water management practices, including water conservation, energy-efficient technologies, and renewable energy integration, (vi) familiarity with international climate policies, frameworks, and funding mechanisms (e.g., United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Paris Agreement). Proficiency in English and strong writing skills are essential. A good understanding of engineering design practices is also required. 18. Responsibilities: The expert will deliver all expected documents of policy action 2.2 under its responsibility. H. Other Relevant Information (i) General Requirements 19. The consultant will work alongside MUDCH and other relevant stakeholder staff and individual consultants, to have frequent interactions that would facilitate undertaking the proposed consulting services and successful completion of deliverables. In addition, for effective and efficient execution of the assignment, and as required by MUDCH, consultants should closely interact with the designated ADB staff. 20. It is expected that the consultant will have as many as possible the following credentials: (i) demonstrated ability to work closely and effectively together with counterpart staff of implementing agency, and public sector organizations in South Asia; and (ii) have extensive in-country experience. 21. The consultant, in consultation with MUDCH shall coordinate and collect data from different stakeholders when needed, to meet necessary data inputs for undertaking the tasks under the scope of services and expected activities/deliverables. 22. All documentation prepared will be in the English language. (ii) Government inputs 23. MUDCH will provide suitable and adequate dedicated counterpart staff to work with the consultant. If required, MUDCH will provide appropriate unfurnished office space in MUDCH premises in Colombo for the consultant to carry out all its activities/ tasks. MUDCH will also make available all relevant and available policies, strategies, study reports, technical reports, etc. MUDCH will also be responsible for promoting stakeholder consultation events and/or workshops. |
| Minimum General Experience5YearsMinimum Specific Experience (relevant to assignment)5Years |
