Expertise: Water Sector
Expertise Group: Project Management/ Institutional Development
Consultant Source: National
TOR Keywords: PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND CONTRACT MANAGEMENT
Objective and Purpose of the Assignment
The overall objective of this assignment is to strengthen the institutional and managerial capacity of
MWSDB for effective implementation of the Kathmandu Valley Water Supply Improvement Project (Phase II).
Specific objectives include:
• Provide advisory support on project planning, implementation, and monitoring, ensuring compliance with
ADB and GoN requirements.
• Assist MWSDB in resolving technical, contractual, and institutional challenges in a timely manner.
• Strengthen monitoring, evaluation, and reporting systems to track project progress, outputs, and
outcomes.
• Ensure effective coordination among DSC, contractors, consultants, government agencies, ADB, and
beneficiaries.
• Provide technical input to safeguard monitoring, environmental and social compliance, and gender
equality and social inclusion (GESI) actions.
• Facilitate knowledge transfer and build the capacity of MWSDB staff in project management,
procurement, contract administration, and safeguard monitoring.
Scope of Work
The scope of services for the PMS is to provide strategic oversight, review, and advisory services to
MWSDB leadership in the following key areas:
A. Overall Project Oversight and Strategic Advisory
B. Coordination and Interface Management
C. Procurement and Contract Management Oversight
D. Safeguards and Compliance Oversight
Detailed Tasks and/or Expected Output
A. Overall Project Oversight and Strategic Advisory
• Provide strategic advice to the ED on the overall management and direction of the project components
under MWSDB’s purview.
• Review and provide expert opinion on key deliverables submitted by the DSC, including major design
reports, the Project Performance Management System (PPMS), risk registers, and progress reports, to
ensure quality and alignment with MWSDB’s strategic objectives before their final approval.
• Monitor the overall project performance against the targets and milestones established in the PPMS,
identify strategic risks and bottlenecks, and advise the ED on potential corrective actions.
• Advise the ED on the resolution of high-level technical, institutional, and implementation issues,
drawing upon the detailed analyses provided by the DSC.
B. Coordination and Interface Management
• Serve as a key liaison between the MWSDB leadership and the senior management of the DSC, contractors,
ADB, and other government line agencies to ensure coherent and effective communication.
• Assist the ED in preparing for and participating in high-level meetings, including ADB review
missions, Project Steering Committee meetings, and briefings for parliamentary committees and the
Ministry of Water Supply (MOWS).
• Facilitate a collaborative environment between all key stakeholders to ensure project objectives are
met efficiently.
C. Procurement and Contract Management Oversight
• Provide strategic advice to the ED on procurement and contract management, including reviewing
recommendations from the DSC on bid evaluations for major contracts.
• Review and advise on the management of significant contract variations, extensions of time, and
contractor claims, ensuring that the recommendations prepared by the DSC are robust, fair, and in the
best interest of the project.
• Assist the MWSDB leadership in navigating complex contractual issues, including the dispute resolution
process, by reviewing the strategies and documentation prepared by the DSC and legal experts.
D. Safeguards and Compliance Oversight
• Maintain high-level oversight of the project’s compliance with ADB’s Safeguard Policy Statement and
Government of Nepal requirements.
• Review the semi-annual environmental and social safeguard monitoring reports prepared by the DSC, and
advise the ED on the status of compliance, identifying any major risks or areas of concern that require
management attention.
• Oversee the functioning of the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM), ensuring that strategic or sensitive
issues are escalated and addressed appropriately.
- Reporting
• The PMS shall report directly to the Executive Director (ED) of MWSDB.
• The PMS will be required to submit the following:
o Monthly Report: A concise report summarizing key project progress, strategic issues, risks identified,
and recommendations for action by MWSDB leadership.
o Specific Advisory Notes: As-needed reports on critical issues requiring immediate attention.
o Review Summaries: Briefs on key deliverables from the DSC, highlighting findings and recommendations
for the ED.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
The PMS should meet the following minimum qualifications:
• Education: Graduate in Civil Engineering, with a postgraduate degree (Masters) in Environmental
Engineering, Project Management, Construction Management, Water Resources Engineering, or a related
discipline being highly preferable.
• Overall Experience: Preferably 20 years of professional experience, including at least 10 years in the
design, construction supervision, and project management of large infrastructure projects (preferably
water sector projects).
• Specific Project Management Experience: Must have experience as a Team Leader, Project Manager, or in
a key managerial role on a minimum of two large infrastructure projects (preferably in the water supply,
hydropower, or tunneling sectors) each costing more than US$ 20 million.
• Should have specific experience in minimum one project in handling of international / national
arbitration matters in construction contracts of large infrastructure projects.
• Donor-Funded Project Experience: Extensive experience with projects funded by multilateral development
banks (such as ADB or the World Bank) in a senior management or advisory capacity is essential.
• Skills: Proven ability to provide high-level strategic advice to senior government officials,
communication and negotiation skills.
Minimum General Experience: 20 Years
Minimum Specific Experience (relevant to assignment): 10 Years
