Recrutement d’un consultant en gestion des ressources en eau (WRM) pour le programme Eaux transfrontières de la Banque africaine de développement, Côte d’Ivoire

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

FOR A WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT

Transboundary Waters Program

ELIGIBILITY :

1. The position is open to nationals of one of the Member Countries of the African Development Bank Group. Interested applicants are encouraged to send an updated Curriculum Vitae, a writing sample, and details on relevant past professional assignments, noting the applicant’s level of involvement and impact. These samples should either be hyper-links on the internet or attachments not exceeding a total of 5 MB ;

2. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The subsequent call for proposals will require the same elements as the expression of interest. Both expression of interest and proposal may be submitted in either English or French language ;

3. Candidates are encouraged to register in the AfDB’s Consultant Database (DACON), if they have not yet done so. Newly registered on DACON, please communicate the processing number after your DACON registration to the e-mail addresses below, so that your registration can be followed-up and confirmed. Registration on DACON requires Internet Explorer (exclusively) ;

4. The eligibility criteria, the establishment of a short list and the selection procedure shall be in conformity with the Bank’s Rules and Procedures for the Use of Consultants, available on the Bank’s Website. Please note that interest expressed by a Consultant does not imply any obligation on the part of the Bank to include him/her in the shortlist ;

5. Expressions of interest must be received by e-mail at the addresses below no later than January 10, 2021 at 5 pm UCT and should mention:1 WRM Consultant – in the subject line of the email.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT IN THE

WATER AND SANITATION DEPARTMENT

Transboundary Waters Program

Introduction :

The African Development Bank :

The African Development Bank (AfDB), established in 1964, is the premier pan-African development institution, promoting economic growth and social progress across the continent. There are 80 member states, including 54 in Africa (Regional Member Countries). The Bank’s development agenda is delivering the financial and technical support for transformative projects that will significantly reduce poverty through inclusive and sustainable economic growth. AfDB’s primary goal is to reduce poverty and improve living standards by mobilizing resources in and outside Africa and providing financial and technical assistance for development projects and programs in Africa.

The Water Development and Sanitation Department (AHWS) :

The Water Development and Sanitation Department (AHWS) is part of the Agriculture, Human and Social Development Complex (AHVP). The AHWS is responsible for the coordination of the Bank’s water development and sanitation-related activities to enhance synergies and contribute to achievement of all High 5s (Feed Africa, Industrialize Africa, water-related Power and Light Africa, Integrate Africa, and Improve the Quality of Life). Through its two Divisions: AHWS.1 for water coordination and partnerships, and AHWS.2 for water security and sanitation, and the African Water Facility (AWF), the Department supports regional hubs in the development and promotion of new knowledge, approaches and tools for green and inclusive water resources development and management, and for improved sanitation. It also supports regions with regards to complex projects. The Department is also responsible for the origination of Non-Sovereign Operations (NSOs). In so doing, the Department leads the scaling-up of the Bank’s contribution to Africa’s efforts to attain water security and sanitation for sustainable socio-economic transformation.

Background :

In Africa, about 60 watersheds cross at least one border and jointly cover around 40 percent of the continent. The continent’s tremendous water resources have the potential to stimulate economic growth, secure livelihoods, and alleviate poverty. For African countries, whose watersheds and river basins lie totally within their own political boundaries planning and implementing sustainable development activities is complicated enough. When the water resources traverse national boundaries, the coordination and management of shared water resources is even more difficult.

As African countries scale up resource mobilization to access the financing needed to address transboundary issues, their capacity to prepare well-designed, bankable, projects that will attract the limited public and private resources available is critical. By emphasizing basin-wide stakeholder participation, interinstitutional and intergovernmental coordination, and efficient use of limited financial resources, transboundary basin approaches can advance economic, environmental, and social goals, while avoiding the challenges that may otherwise occur due to unilateral development approaches.

The hiring unit, the Water Coordination and Partnerships Division (AHWS.1), plans to recruit a Water Resources Management Consultant to support the Bank’s Program on Transboundary Waters. The selected consultant will support the AHWS.1 team to: (i) build knowledge on opportunities for RBOs, so that they can implement their development mandates; (ii) act as an implementing partner for projects applications to global funds, private sector finance etc. with input on how these sources can work together; and, (iii) cooperatively explore options that Regional Member Countries and RBOs may consider as they advance on their planning and implementation.

Objective and Scope of Work :

The objective of this assignment is to support AHWS.1 to :

1. prepare transboundary waters projects that are already in the AHWS.1 pipeline ;
2. identify (third phase) the most bankable projects from a portfolio submitted by African Basin Organizations, as part of the Bank’s call for proposals to the institutions ;
3. develop successful project proposals for private sector, climate, and concessional financing, based on the selected proposals (in part b).

Major Activities and Deliverables :

Activities : 

• Support the development of transboundary projects already in the pipeline ;

• Support Basin Organizations to develop new projects and project documents based on shortlisted concept notes ;

• Participate in identification and appraisal missions ;

• Support the Department/Division to plan and organize meetings and workshops through project design, identifying viable partners and logistics support ;

• Support the finalization of studies, which will involve stakeholder consultation across the continent; and

• Undertake any other assignment as determined by AHWS management in conjunction with AHWS.1 Task Managers.

Deliverables : 

• Project documents for pipeline projects and new projects ;

• Sections on the ESWs that are currently under implementation ;

• Dissemination plans for the ESWs ;

• Monthly reports on activities, and results of the assignment as per the scope above; and,

• Other deliverables as may be required.

Administration and Reporting :

The WRM Consultant will work under the overall guidance of the AHWS.1 Manager.

Duration and Location :

The duty station of the Consultant with be at the Bank Headquarters’ in Abidjan but the Consultant will be home based until the COVID-19 remote work order is withdrawn. The consultancy is for twelve months, with possible extension based on satisfactory performance. The selected consultant may also be required to join missions outside Cote d’Ivoire, if the current travel restrictions are lifted during the consultancy period.

VII.      Required Skills, Qualifications and Experience :

The Department seeks a highly motivated professional with outstanding credentials and a strong record of professional accomplishment. Key qualifications include the following :

• Preferably a Master’s degree or equivalent in Natural Resource Management, Development Studies, Water Resource Management/Engineering, Environmental Science\Engineering or a related field ;

• A minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience, with at least five (5) years of project management experience, focusing on project design, monitoring for results and process improvement ;

• Professional experience working with international development institutions – preferably on implementing public and/or private sector Transboundary Water investment projects ;

• Broad experience in the preparation of ESWs and the analysis of Water Sector policies ;

• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, diplomatic skills, and collaboration skills ;

• Computer proficiency with competency in the use of standard software (word, excel, power-point) and internet including online meeting and teleconferencing tools ;

• Fluency in English or French, knowledge of other languages is an asset ;

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and produce quality work in a short time, within deadlines and under pressure.

VIII.   Renumeration :

The Consultant will receive a monthly all-inclusive fee to be negotiated upon contract signature, and in compliance with the Bank’s established remuneration scale, considering requisite qualifications and experience. No additional benefits or per diems will be paid while in Abidjan. The Bank will cover full costs of any required missions and provide per-diem in accordance with rules governing consultant mission travel. The Bank will provide a return economy class air-ticket from the consultant’s country of residence to Côte d’Ivoire and facilitate his/her visa application. The Consultant is responsible for his/her own health insurance and accommodation costs.