INVITATION FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPETITION

RECRUITMENT: Irrigation Engineering Consultant – 1 position

1. BACKGROUND

The Strengthening Resilience of the Agriculture Sector Project is an IDA grant in the amount of US$ 108 million prepared to support Tajikistan for the purpose of foundations for a more resilient agriculture sector referring to the availability of public agricultural services, including improved seeds, seedlings, and planting materials; agri-logistical services; agrometeorological information, soil testing, locust control and crop protection.

The project aims to support the Government of Tajikistan (GoT) in successfully transitioning to a sustainable, more productive, climate resilient, and inclusive model of agricultural sector growth. The proposed project will help to:

1. increase the availability of improved seeds, seedlings, and planting materials that are climate resilient, affordable, farmer-preferred, and well adapted to the different agro-ecological conditions of Tajikistan;
2. improve the access to improved agri-logistic services of farmers and agri-businesses; and
3. strengthen the crisis management, i.e. early warning, preparedness and response capacity of selected public institutions.

All activities related to human resource development and capacity building will include topics on understanding climate change better and frameworks, tools, and techniques to facilitate designing and implementing climate adaptation and mitigation approaches. All infrastructure, including buildings, offices, laboratories, and storage facilities, constructed and/or rehabilitated by the project, will be encouraged to utilize energy-efficient and climate-resilient materials and designs. The proposed project aims to thereby strengthen the foundations for a more resilient agriculture sector, which will in turn help improve food security and nutrition and accelerate agricultural diversification. It will also contribute to the development of a viable sector of private micro, small and medium enterprises in rural areas and generate employment opportunities for women in regions with few legal alternatives.

The Project is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Tajikistan through the State Institute “Agriculture Entrepreneurship Development” which is the Project Management Unit for the World Bank-funded Strengthening Resilience of the Agriculture Sector Project (SI AED PMU).

In order to eliminate existing water use problems, which are related to dilapidated infrastructure and to ensure access of vulnerable farms to the irrigation system, the project will rehabilitate existing irrigation systems by installing energy-efficient irrigation pumps and carry out minor rehabilitation of existing irrigation networks, including the replacement of obsolete non-operational pumping units serving the existing irrigated areas, as well as minor (emergency) rehabilitation of the inter- and intra-farm irrigation infrastructure for dekhan farms and women-headed farms, which will receive seeds, seedlings, fertilizers, protection equipment and small-size innovative agricultural machinery. The rehabilitation of irrigation systems includes replacement of obsolete non-operational units, and rehabilitation of inter- and on-farm irrigation infrastructure.

2. SCOPE OF WORK

Irrigation Engineering Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Deputy Director/SRASP Coordinator, with a direct working relationship with the Construction engineer and Coordinator Component 1 and working as a team with the other project staff. He/she responsible on irrigation engineering work under the project requirements and project plan. In collaboration with relevant agencies and regional Hukumat authorities to provide assessment of the proposed sites under criteria and assist to selection of project site, contribute to preparation design and cost estimated of the sites. They design systems that meet all requirements, protect the structural integrity of the site and comply with all regulations.

Specifically, the Specialist is expected to:

• Meet with Government authorities, relevant agencies and beneficiaries to provision assessment, discuss project objectives, plans and other requirements;
• Review beneficiaries’ requests and analyze it, maps, drawings, and other topographical and geologic data;
• Analyze traffic patterns, water supply and flow, and other environmental conditions to identify engineering problems and assess project’s potential impact on project target area;
• Develop efficient and cost-effective irrigation designs that meet all requirements;
• Collecting existing materials on the hydraulic unit (operation rules and instructions, annual operation reports, acceptance certificates for the facility, results of field observations and diagnostic work, defect reports from assessment activities, materials related to the repair and reconstruction of the facility, geological and hydrogeological characteristic materials, as well as documents on measures taken at the facility to reduce the risk of hydraulic unit accidents, project and technical drawings, etc.);
• Prepare site plans, specifications, cost estimates;
• Direct or participate in surveying to establish reference points, grades and elevations to guide construction;
• Develop of ToRs for any consultancy firm for the design and supervision of construction/renovation activities to be supported under the Project;
• Supervision of consultancy for the design and construction assignments to identify main stakeholders for technical meetings;
• Monitor and report on the overall compliance of project investments with building standards in accordance with the principles, procedures and processes laid down in the contracted documentation;
• Liaise with the national and local authorities responsible for irrigation construction legislation and implementation;
• Participate in the bids evaluation committee for opening and evaluation of bidders for the execution of works;
• Assist the Project Director and Project Coordinator in the bid negotiations with the contractor, within the agreed deadline;
• Assist for prepare a Final Report at the end of the defect’s liability period no later than one week from the completion and delivery of works.

3. LANGUAGES

The Irrigation Engineering Consultant shall work in the Tajik and Russian languages. Documents shall be prepared in the Tajik or Russian Language.

4. QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Having minimum bachelor’s degree in irrigation engineering or related field;
• Having at least 8 years civil or structural engineering and irrigation experience;
• At least 5 years field experience in agriculture irrigation installation;
• Proficiency with AutoCAD or other design and geographic information systems (GIS) software;
• At least 3 years of professional experience in similar assignments in the area of supervision (Tajikistan) and/or works assignments related to adaptation, and/or reconstruction and/or construction of public irrigation facilities;
• Participation in the implementation of at least 3 irrigation construction projects;
• Having computer skills.

5. APPLICATION PROCESS

SI AED PMU now invites qualified specialists with relevant work experience to participate in the competitive selection for the vacant position of the Irrigation Engineering Consultant.

A cover letter and resume in English or Russian languages clearly demonstrating how applicants meet essential qualifications and asset criteria should be submitted to: SI AED PMU at procurement.srasp@gmail.com with “Irrigation Engineering Consultant” in the subject line by no later than April 1, 2024 until 17:00. Only full packages will be considered.

Applicants for the position of the Irrigation Engineering Consultant will be selected in accordance with the procedures specified in the “Guidelines for the selection and hiring of Specialists by the World Bank”.

You can get acquainted with the full Terms of Reference of the Irrigation Engineering Consultant in the SI AED PMU at the address: Bokhtar 17 street, Dushanbe, Republic of Tajikistan.

Contact phone:  (992 37) 221-03-85; e-mail:  procurement.srasp@gmail.com; website: www.aedpmu.tj