Expertise: irrigation, water resources management, coordination
Expertise Group: Engineering
Consultant Source: National
TOR Keywords: irrigation, water resources management, coordination
Objective and Purpose of the Assignment
The Government of Thailand is implementing a long-term Masterplan to strengthen the Chao Phraya River
Basin against climate-induced flood and drought risks. The Masterplan consists of nine components, one
of which is the Lower East Chao Phraya Irrigation System Improvement.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) Thailand Resident Mission (TRM) supports the Climate Adaptive
Strengthening of the Lower East Chao Phraya Irrigation System Improvement (the Project), which focuses
on Plan 1 of the Masterplan. The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) is the project executing and
implementing agency. The program will improve flood and drought resilience by retrofitting canals,
reinforcing embankments, upgrading regulating structures, and enhancing digitalized O&M systems. The
program also emphasizes community engagement and sustainable climate adaptation and effective
institutional coordination, while ensuring alignment with national water resources governance
arrangements and planning frameworks.
The objective of the assignment is to provide high-level strategic coordination and advisory support to
ensure effective engagement among key government agencies, the executing and implementing agencies, and
development partners. The consultant will serve as a senior counterpart to facilitate alignment with
national water resources policies, streamline inter-agency processes and support timely and coherent
project implementation.
Scope of Work
The consultant will act as the principal coordination advisor, working closely with the Project Team
Leader and relevant government counterparts to strengthen inter-agency collaboration to ensure the
submission of the Project proposal to the Cabinet. The consultant will also advise ADB on policy
alignment, planning coherence and institutional coordination related to water resources management.
Detailed Tasks and/or Expected Output
The National Consultant will report to the Project Team Leader/Senior Water Resources Specialist and
provide strategic advisory and coordination support, including but not limited to the following tasks:
1) Strategic Inter‑Agency Coordination
(i) Facilitate high-level coordination and regular engagement among key government agencies responsible
for water resources planning, regulation and implementation, including the Office of the National Water
Resources (ONWR), RID, Public Debt Management Office (PDMO), Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives
(MOAC), National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) and other relevant agencies, as well as
with development partners, to ensure alignment of objectives and approaches.
(ii) Serve as a senior focal point to support issue resolution, manage sensitivities and promote
collaborative solutions across institutions.
(iii) Assist ADB and RID to finalize the project proposal for timely submission to the Cabinet.
(iv) Facilitate coordination and dialogue among relevant government agencies and stakeholders including
ONWR, RID, PDMO, MOAC and NESDC on safeguard and procurement matters, where required, to support timely
project preparation and alignment with government procedures.
2) Policy and Institutional Advisory
(i) Provide strategic advice on national water resources policies, planning frameworks and institutional
processes relevant to the project.
(ii) Advise on government review and approval processes, including expected timelines and coordination
requirements.
(iii) Provide strategic support to facilitate inter-agency coordination and government consultations for
the preparation and finalization of the project, leading to submission for Cabinet approvals.
3) Project Advocacy and Alignment
(i) Support consistent messaging on the project’s contribution to national climate resilience and water
security objectives.
(ii) Ensure that senior government stakeholders are adequately informed to support sound and timely
decision-making.
(iii) Support strategic engagement with relevant government stakeholders to facilitate the timely
endorsement of the project and advance key milestones leading toward loan negotiations and signing.
4) Risk Management and Stakeholder Engagement
(i) Identify, monitor, and help mitigate institutional, procedural and coordination risks that could
affect project progress.
(ii) Act as a trusted senior intermediary in managing complex inter-agency discussions.
(iii) Support the identification and resolution of potential issues related to safeguard and procurement
processes, including facilitating discussions among relevant agencies to help ensure timely progress of
project preparation.
5) Documentation and Reporting
(i) Provide concise written records of key discussions, agreements, and follow-up actions.
(ii) Submit monthly progress updates highlighting key issues, achievements, and recommendations.
(iii) Provide advisory inputs and coordination support for key policy and program documentation related
to government approval processes where required.
Deliverables/Reporting Requirements:
The consultant shall submit to ADB a monthly report summarizing activities undertaken, key findings and
recommendations. In addition, the consultant will provide records of key meetings, decisions, and follow-
up actions, as well as any other documents relevant to the tasks described above.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
(i) At least 25 years of experience in water resources management, infrastructure development, or
related public-sector programs.
(ii) Extensive experience working with senior levels of Thai government agencies on policy, planning,
and inter-agency coordination in the water sector.
(iii) Proven ability to operate at a strategic advisory level, including managing complex institutional
and stakeholder environments.
(iv) Excellent communication and negotiation skills in Thai and English.
(v) Prior experience with large-scale, multi-stakeholder investment programs is highly desirable.
Minimum General Experience: 25 Years
Minimum Specific Experience (relevant to assignment): 15 Years
