Description
| The services to be provided under the Assignment include: The project aims to establish and rehabilitate sustainable solar-powered, groundwater-based water supply schemes in selected intervention areas, with a strong focus on environmental health and addressing the urgent needs of communities for safe drinking water and water for agriculture. Its overarching purpose is to develop a comprehensive understanding of water resources within a broader basin context, assessing the complexities of water availability, demand, and quality under current and projected future climate conditions and scenarios. This evidence-based approach will inform Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) and promote sustainable and climate-resilient water management practices. | |
| Application Close Date | 2025-12-19 |
|---|---|
| Engagement Type | Firm |
| Job Family | 3.Engineering |
| A. Background Objectives | South Sudan faces acute water scarcity and food insecurity, driven by the combined effects of climate change, protracted conflict, and weak water governance. According to the World Bank (2023), nearly 60% of the population relies on unsafe water sources, while 75% still practice open defecation, significantly heightening the risk of waterborne diseases and malnutrition. Food insecurity remains critical, with approximately 5.83 million people classified as severely food insecure (IPC Phase 3 or above), a situation aggravated by erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, and seasonal flooding. The Climate Proof Water4Food (W4F) programme will be implemented in Unity State. The climate crisis is particularly severe in Unity State, which has experienced some of the most extreme floods in recent history. Between 2019 and 2023, over 1.4 million people in Unity, Jonglei, and Upper Nile were affected by flood events. Simultaneously, the region is prone to severe droughts, with rainfall declining by 10–20% since the 1970s and temperatures rising by +0.4°C per decade. Projections indicate an additional +1°C warming by 2060, alongside increasingly erratic precipitation patterns, further undermining agricultural productivity and water availability. Unity’s low-lying geography, particularly in Rubkona and Mayom counties, makes it highly vulnerable to riverbank overflows and widespread flooding. These events frequently contaminate water sources, disrupt agricultural activities, and force women and children to travel long distances to collect water. A 2023 needs assessment in Mayom County revealed that 59% of respondents rely on hand pumps, but many still collect water from unsafe streams, while 96% lack proper water storage containers. This underscores the urgent need for sustainable and climate-resilient water supply systems to protect health and livelihoods.Objectives The assessment aims to build a comprehensive understanding of water resources within a basin context, addressing water availability, demand, and quality under current and future climate scenarios. This evidence-based approach will guide Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) and promote sustainable, climate-resilient practices. A Prioritized Adaptation Matrix will rank adaptation priorities based on climate hazard likelihood and impact, including measures for program implementation and future scaling of the W4F program. Key Components: • Data Integration & Spatial Analysis: Compile spatial data in GIS, analyze satellite imagery for water availability and variability. • Geological & Hydrogeological Assessment: Characterize geology, evaluate groundwater potential, recharge/discharge conditions, aquifer distribution, and impacts of future exploitation. • Water Quality: Assess suitability for drinking and irrigation using secondary data and in situ testing, supported by tools like AquaChem. • 3R Mapping (Recharge, Retention, Reuse): Identify sites for water security enhancement through GIS and remote sensing. • Aquifer Characterization: Define aquifer extents and locate productive sources via geophysical methods (VES, TEM). • Stakeholder Engagement: Use participatory mapping to integrate community knowledge. • Visualization & Reporting: Create thematic maps, interactive tools, and comprehensive reports for IWRM and 3R interventions. • Climate-Resilient Recommendations: Provide actionable strategies for sustainable water use and resilience. • WASH Vulnerability & Geotechnical Risk: Assess infrastructure vulnerability to climate hazards and soil properties to inform design stability. |
| B. Scope of work | The scope of the project encompasses a wide range of technical, environmental, and social dimensions. It includes the integration of spatial data and satellite imagery within a GIS platform to analyze water availability and its spatial and temporal variations. The study will also focus on characterizing regional and local geological structures and stratigraphy to better understand groundwater dynamics. In addition, it will evaluate groundwater potential in the target areas through hydrogeological mapping and assess its relationship with local population trends and water demand.A detailed hydrogeological assessment will be conducted to determine recharge and discharge conditions, delineate the spatial distribution of aquifers, establish hydraulic parameters and flow directions, and evaluate the impacts of future groundwater exploitation. The future climate scenarios must also be included to get better insight into the impact of climate change on groundwater recharge, discharge and flow dynamics and provide recommendations on appropriate adaptation measures and this way contributing to the sustainability of the aquifers. The project will further analyze water quality and suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes, using both secondary data and in situ testing, with results processed through analytical tools such as AquaChem.To enhance water security, the project will identify suitable sites for 3R (Recharge, Retention, and Reuse) interventions using GIS, remote sensing, and mapping techniques. It will also characterize major aquifers, defining their types and spatial extents through field inspections and geophysical investigations, including Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) and Transient Electromagnetic (TEM) methods to locate reliable groundwater sources.Active stakeholder engagement will be central to the study, utilizing participatory mapping techniques to integrate local knowledge into the assessment process. The project will develop thematic maps, visualizations, and interactive tools to communicate findings effectively and will prepare comprehensive reports summarizing methodologies, results, and recommendations for IWRM and 3R implementation.In addition to technical assessments, the project will provide climate-resilient recommendations to guide the sustainable use of water supply systems and enhance community resilience to climate change. It will also evaluate the vulnerability of WASH infrastructure to climate hazards such as flooding, with a special focus on women, children, and persons with disabilities (PWD). Furthermore, it will conduct a geotechnical assessment of soil properties, including bearing capacity, shear strength, hydraulic characteristics, and settlement behavior, to inform the design and structural stability of water infrastructure foundations.Through these comprehensive efforts, the project will deliver evidence-based, climate-resilient water solutions that strengthen community resilience, improve water security, and ensure equitable access to safe water for both domestic and agricultural use. The assessment will also develop future climate risk scenarios based on available climate data and by making use of the downscaled Regional Climate Models (RCMs) transient tool to provide detailed estimates of meteorological parameters (temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind, and others) of the program area. |
| C. Deliverables Expected | 1. Final Groundwater Vulnerability and Climate Risk Assessment (GVCRA) Report: A comprehensive document integrating all data, analyses, and findings. The report will include the implementation of a roadmap outlining steps for water resource management and governance, sustainable borehole extraction, and community water management practices. 2. GIS-Based Hydrogeological Maps: Detailed spatial mapping of potential flood inundation zones, generated by simulating river hydraulics and water levels using HEC-RAS and HEC-HMS tools. These maps will be fully compatible with government and donor data systems for seamless integration. 3. Recommendations for Optimal Well Locations: Detailed technical guidance on the siting of new boreholes, specifying recommended drilling depths, well diameters, and any necessary monitoring or construction requirements to ensure long-term sustainability, functionality, and safety of the wells. 4. Comprehensive Digital Archive: Delivery of soft copies of all reports, GIS layers, geophysical and pumping test raw data, graphs, models, analytical outputs, and maps in the required formats for future reference and use. 5. GIS Data Platform: A fully functional GIS platform populated with up-to-date and relevant spatial data from multiple sources, offering a holistic view of the study areas and enabling ongoing analysis and decision-making. 6. Groundwater Resource Distribution and Seasonal Variability Documentation: A report detailing the distribution and quantity of water resources, identifying surplus and deficit areas, and analyzing seasonal variations and the impacts of climate change on land use and land cover. 7. Hydrogeological Maps: Comprehensive maps of the target areas highlighting proposed drilling sites and other key hydrogeological features. 8. Water Quality Analysis Report: Results of water quality testing analyzed using AquaChem software, including statistical insights, contaminant behavior analysis, and a comparative assessment against national and international (WHO) water quality standards. 9. Thematic Maps and Visualization Tools: Development of thematic maps, data visualizations, and interactive web-based tools that effectively communicate assessment results to stakeholders and support evidence-based decision-making. 10. Integrated IWRM and 3R Recommendations Report: A detailed report summarizing assessment findings, methodologies, and practical recommendations for Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and 3R (Recharge, Retention, Reuse) interventions, guiding sustainable and climate-resilient water resource management. 11. Recommendations for Nature based solutions focusing on rehabilitation of natural ecosystems to protect communities and (WASH) infrastructure from climate impacts, now and in the future. 12. Participatory Mapping and Stakeholder Engagement Report: Documentation of the processes and outcomes of an inclusive stakeholder engagement and participatory mapping, emphasizing the integration of local knowledge into decision-making processes. 13. Additional Resource Optimization Studies (as conditions permit): Identification of suitable sites for rainwater harvesting, wastewater treatment, and reuse using GIS and remote sensing data, supporting optimized utilization of available water resources. 14. Climate Risk and Hydrological Analysis: A focused analysis of climate-related risks, including topographic assessments, groundwater depletion trends related to climate variables, and a review of historical water-related events to pinpoint areas at risk of water scarcity and hydrological hazards. 15. The assessment will also develop future climate risk scenarios based on available climate data and by making use of the downscaled Regional Climate Models (RCMs) transient tool to provide detailed estimates of meteorological parameters (temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind, and others) of the program area. 16. A prioritized Adaptation Matrix will be d |
| D. Duration and Timetable for the Assignment | The consultancy firm shall complete the hydrogeological and Climate Vulnerability & Risk (CVR) assessment within 45 working days per country from the contract start date.Milestones and TimelineWithin week 2 – Mobilization & Initial Assessment report (Inception report): • Submission and approval of Stakeholder and Site Engagement (SIE) Meeting Minutes • Completion of site visits and initial hydrogeological reconnaissance • Submission of preliminary GIS mapping, water demand forecasts, and initial CVR risk overviewBy week 5 – Midway Progress Report: • Submission and approval of the Mid-Stage (50%) Hydrogeological & CVR Report • Completion of water yield testing, groundwater potential assessment, and refined GIS outputs • Submission of interim CVR modeling and risk analysisBy week 8 – Completion & Final Report: • Submission and approval of the Final (95%) Hydrogeological & CVR Assessment Report • Finalized groundwater development and climate adaptation strategy • Submission of all GIS files, hydrological models, and digital records in required formats • Validation workshop with PISS and key stakeholders |
| E. Bank Contribution and Institutional Arrangement | Bank Contribution The African Development Bank (AfDB) will provide financial and technical support for this consultancy under the Climate Proof Water4Food (W4F) Program. AfDB’s sector specialists will provide technical backstopping and ensure that the Groundwater Vulnerability and Climate Risk Assessment align with AfDB’s Integrated Safeguards System and Gender Policy. The Bank will review and approve key deliverables (Inception, Draft, and Final Reports) and participate in validation and dissemination workshopsInstitutional Arrangement As the executing and implementing agency, Plan International South Sudan is responsible for overall coordination of the assignment of the consultancy, and liaison with local partners in Rubkona and Mayom counties. The consulting firm will report directly to Plan International’s Project Manager, with oversight and quality assurance from the African Development Bank.A joint Technical Coordination Committee, comprising representatives from AfDB, Plan International, relevant government ministries (Agriculture, Water, Gender), and local authorities, will review deliverables at each milestone. This arrangement ensures alignment with national priorities and facilitates stakeholder ownership of the Groundwater Vulnerability and Climate Risk Assessment. |
| F. Duty Station | The consultant’s duty station will be Juba, South Sudan with regular travel to Unity State (Rubkona and Mayom Counties) for fieldwork and stakeholder consultations. |
| G. Essential Specialized Skills/Knowledge/Competencies | Core Team Requirements (Minimum Qualifications): Lead Hydrogeology Expert: – MSc in Hydrogeology – Valid professional practice license – Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience Geophysics Expert: – Minimum of 5 years of professional experience Geology Expert: – MSc in Geology – Valid professional practice license – Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience Climate Vulnerability and Risk (CVR) Expert: – MSc in Climate Science – Minimum of 5 years of experience in climate vulnerability and risk assessment and climate modelling GIS Expert: – MSc in Geo-informatics/GIS with at least 5 years of experience, or – Surveying expert with equivalent professional experienceConsultancy Firm Requirements: – Demonstrated range and depth of experience in hydrogeology, solar-powered water supply systems, civil and hydraulic works, and climate vulnerability assessments – Proven work experience in Unity State, South Sudan – Average annual turnover of at least ten million birr over the last three years – At least three client testimonials demonstrating experience in: 1. Hydro-geological surveys 2. Solar-powered water supply systems 3. Civil and hydraulic works of similar scale and complexity |
| H. Supervisor | Mrs. Nancy Ogal Senior Water and Sanitation Engineer AfDB Water Department African Development Bank |
Consultancy Input Days
| 32.00 |
