Gambia Energy Restoration and Modernization Project (GERMP) – Additional Financing Terms of Reference for a Water Engineer/M&E Consultant in the Project Implementation Unit (PIU)

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Gambia Energy Restoration and Modernization Project (GERMP) – Additional Financing

Terms of Reference for a Water Engineer/M&E Consultant in the Project Implementation Unit (PIU)

Context

  1. The GERMP additional financing, in the amount of USD 43 million, is currently under preparation and is approved by the World Bank Board of Executive Directors on June 29th, 2020. This project, which expands the scope of the parent GERMP, aims to improve the operational performance of the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC), which provides electricity and water services throughout most of the country.

 

  1. NAWEC provides water and sewerage services to urban areas and provinces with more than 100,000 residents. However, it faces many challenges in service provision. In urban areas, about 69 percent of the population has access to safely managed water, but the quality of services is weak due to frequent service outages, with some neighborhoods not receiving water for days, weeks or even months at a time. Investments in service expansion are not enough to meet growing demand and water and sewerage assets are in need of rehabilitation and upgrades. In addition, water quality is a challenge in terms of high levels of nitrates, iron and salinity in drinking water.
  2. Dilapidated sewerage infrastructure and poor sanitation across the board are a looming health and environmental crisis. There is only one wastewater treatment plant in Greater Banjul, located in Kotu and serving mostly tourists. While there are stabilization ponds, they are overloaded, resulting in the regular discharge of inadequately treated sewage into natural receiving bodies. The second challenge is poor fecal sludge management. Many unconnected residents of GBA resort to poorly constructed septic tanks, or soak-aways constructed in areas with high water tables, with infrequent or inadequate collection and disposal of fecal sludge, which is often dumped in the open or in waterways that border agricultural zones. Poor fecal sludge management is already undermining water quality, and by extension water availability, mainly through nitrate contamination.
  3. NAWEC does not have some essential tools necessary for it to run its water business properly, which represent approximately ten percent of its revenues. These tools include: a functioning geographical information system (GIS) to manage its assets; a hydraulic model to monitor water flow; and hydraulic zones that could help it deliver water in an organized and systematic way. In addition, about 20,000 of the current 80,000 metered connections are faulty and NAWEC does not have enough bulk water meters and thus cannot accurately measure water production and distribution through its network, hence creating the need for district metered areas (DMAs).

The GERMP Additional Financing will provide essential support to NAWEC to address some of these challenges. The project plans to strengthen the utility’s functioning through a service contract covering both electricity and water; the introduction of water drinking modules in the information management system (IMS); training; and strategic studies on sanitation. A separate component will strengthen NAWEC’s planning on non-revenue water reduction; install retail meters and DMAs; introduce energy efficiency measures; rehabilitate storage tanks; finance new water connections; and improve water quality at selected water treatment facilities. Moreover, in light of the current coronavirus pandemic, the project will provide emergency support to NAWEC to purchase IT equipment for staff; supply water to unconnected areas through tanker trucks; purchase needed inputs to ensure continuity to service provision; provide handwashing and hygiene kits to the population; and implement hygiene campaigns. Annex 1 provides a more detailed overview of the project components.

Objective

  1. In this context, all of these activities will require significant technical and expert support to both NAWEC and the PIU to ensure smooth implementation progress. For this reason, the PIU is looking to recruit a Water Engineer/M&E Consultant (The Consultant) to join its team.

 

Scope of Work

 

  1. Under the supervision of the PIU Coordinator, the Consultant shall carry out the following tasks:
  • Provide technical expertise and strategic guidance on all relevant project components and support the Coordinator in the implementation of water-related project activities.
  • Advise on technical matters in relation to implementation of emergency COVID-19 activities;
  • Review the design parameters of works planned under the project (household connections, tank rehabilitations, iron removal and solar pumps) and provide advice to NAWEC and the Owner’s Engineer.
  • Contribute to the development of bills of quantities, technical specifications, technical designs and cost estimates for goods and works under the project;
  • Participate in the analysis of technical proposal and bids, and contract negotiations with bidders
  • Assist safeguards team in environmental impact assessments of proposed interventions
  • Follow closely the work of the Owner’s Engineer during the supervision and monitoring of works under Component 4;
  • Be available for technical support, undertake field visits etc., during implementation if required.
  • Monitor and prepare reports on implementation progress and challenges, including by monitoring key water indicators under the project
  • Participate in World Bank Task Team missions, as well as regular discussions with the Bank Task Team and the rest of the PIU staff related to project implementation
  • Respond to requests for information from the PIU Coordinator and the Bank Task Team about project status
  • Contribute to the training and capacity building activities for which the PIU is responsible.

 

Desired Qualifications

  1. The successful candidate is expected to have the following qualifications and profile:
  • A Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Hydrogeology or similar field.
  • At least 10 years’ experience in in providing project management or consultancy services for technical studies and investment projects in the water sector, including feasibility studies, detailed design of water infrastructure, construction, working with contractors, and contract management.
  • Demonstrated knowledge and experience of the water and sewerage sector in Gambia.

 

  • Project management experience and an excellent familiarity with the project cycle will be an advantage.
  • Fluency in written and spoken English is a must.
  • Good communication and computer skills, including internet navigation and various MS Office applications (Word, Excel, and Power-point)

Contract Type and Duration

  1. The contract will be for an individual. The Consultant will report to the PIU Coordinator

 

  1. National and international candidates are eligible to apply.

 

  1. The position will be based in Banjul, Gambia full time.

 

  1. The estimated start date is July 2020. The successful candidate will sign a contract of one year renewable, based on good performance.

 

Application Process

  1. Interested candidates should submit their application as follows:
  • A recent CV documenting professional and academic experiences and qualifications relevant to the position
  • A letter indicating why the candidate considers himself/herself suitable for the required consultancy; this can be done online.

 

 

Annex 1: Description of Component 3, 4 and 5

 

  1. Component 3: Urgent institutional support for sector turnaround (US$16.5 million)Scale up support for NAWEC turnaround (US$10.0 million): The NAWEC restructuring process is underway but its implementation has revealed the need to reinforce the ongoing support to ensure that the reform process is successful. Supported activities would include:

a) Scale up of the NAWEC Service Contractor support, including adding water to the scope: the performance of the NAWEC SC has been highly satisfactory to date. The proposed AF would finance additional support from the SC to scale up the existing support to the electricity business such as (i) support the change management process to the reorganization to promote the sustainability of reforms, which would benefit both the water and electricity arms of the business; (ii) building fit-for-purpose financial, commercial and planning departments in NAWEC, which are shared functions by both the water and electricity arms of the business; (iii) building a regulatory affairs department including support for tariff applications under the new tariff methodology; (iv) support for the implementation of NAWEC’s Strategic Development Plan including systems for tracking utility performance data and energy efficiency practices; and (v) activities to improve the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) practices in NAWEC water and electricity operations. The Service Contractor will also provide capacity building support to NAWEC Water, which was not included in the SC’s original scope of work. The integration of water business will introduce requirements to manage climate change risks such as desalinization and contamination. The energy audit for the water business will lead to improve in efficiency thus reducing GHG emissions at the utility level. Combined savings from efficiency standards, utility-run energy-saving programs and energy building codes will directly reduce carbon pollution and prevent the need to increase energy production. Energy efficiency increase will make the equipment able to do the same or more with less electricity which contributes to climate change mitigation.

b. Scale up of IMS to include water: the AF would expand the scope of the IMS contract to include water modules, which were included in the bidding documents but not the negotiated contract due to lack of funds. These activities will improve efficiency of water management, thus reducing energy costs and GHG emissions which contributes directly to climate change mitigation. Reducing demand for energy by using SCADA system and digitalization will reduce the need for additional water supplies to meet the growing water demand.

c. Change management: the GESP and parent project have focused substantially on building the network, and institutional changes are underway including a new NAWEC Board. To solidify the change process, the AF will finance consultants, on fixed term performance contract, to advise and or be part of the NAWEC management team for key functions. The objective of this support will be to facilitate the change process within NAWEC and establish fit for purpose departments within the business, with a corporate culture which supports a shared vision for a well performing utility amongst its peers.

d. Support to modernize NAWEC: with activities such as (i) new energy efficient office buildings for the newly formed projects and planning directorate (part of the new NAWEC reorganization), which will also host the PIU; (ii) light rehabilitation of approximately 40 customer service centers, expected to provide one stop shops for water and electricity customers, including actions to improve the energy efficiency of these buildings; (iii) support for modernizing the NAWEC customer call center for water and electricity complaints; (iv) capacity building for NAWEC water staff on technical and financial matters, including through study tours, workshops and ad hoc technical experts; (v) scale up communications activities from the parent project, to potentially include rebranding of NAWEC; (vi) support to improve the OHS practices at NAWEC such as protective equipment and clothing for electricity, water and sewerage maintenance teams; and (vii) measures to promote gender equality in technical- and engineering jobs, as well as in the broader work environment.

 

  1. Scale up of strategic studies for energy and water (US$4.0 million): The recently launched energy sector roadmap is the key strategic reference point for the energy sector, while a similar reference document is under development for the water sector.[1] The scale up of activities will include additional strategic studies for NAWEC and the MoPE, such as:

 a) Joint energy and water

  • Auditor for the monitoring and validation of the NAWEC Performance Contract;
  • Gender gap assessment in the energy and water sectors, including assessment of the institutional dynamics of gender empowerment and implementing the associated action plan on gender equity;
  • Study to assess the options to structure the water and energy businesses;
  • Capacity building to modernize the MoPE, as well as study tours to facilitate south-south learning.

 b) Energy

  • Grid code to support dispatch of renewable energy and imports, and set quality standards;
  • Update of the energy policy and development of an electrification policy for the MoPE;
  • Studies required to scale up renewables and crowd-in private sector investment;

 c) Water and sanitation

  • A study on the Kotu wastewater treatment plant, including a feasibility study for improving its functionality in future (including an assessment of climate change risks such as sea level rise);
  • A diagnostic on fecal sludge management (FSM) in the GBA as well as a feasibility study for the construction of a new FSM treatment plant (with scenarios for reuse of treated sludge or potential for electricity generation thus contributing to climate change mitigation) ;
  • A review of the Banjul wastewater pumping station, including an assessment of how to improve its functionality.

3. Project management: Corresponding to the scale up of activities for water and electricity, the AF will finance associated project implementation costs including support to the PIU and scale up of funding for the preparation and implementation of safeguards instruments for activities under the parent project. The additional support will enable the PIU to hire a water engineer, scale up of the OE to include supervision for water civil works, and reinforce support on M&E and procurement for the water activities.

[1] The AfD is funding a water masterplan and a sanitation and drainage masterplan that will provide clarity on sector  demand, supply and investment needs.

 

  1. Component 4: Short-term investments to address the water crisis (US$11.5 million):

a. Supporting NAWEC to develop a NRW reduction plan (US$4.2 million): A technical assistance firm will be hired to develop and implement a NRW plan, including developing hydraulic zones and DMAs; developing an active leakage detection program; installing bulk meters (85 percent of the bulk meters need to be replaced); purchasing and installing automated meter reading (AMR) systems (approximately 20,000) to replace faulty or outdated meters; piloting pre-paid meters for administrative and commercial customers; and constructing a new meter workshop on NAWEC’s premises to calibrate and repair faulty meters. NAWEC also needs equipment and spare parts materials for water distribution network maintenance. Lastly, this activity will support the development of a study to assess the options for addressing NRW in future, including cost estimates and recommendations for the best implementation modalities. NRW activities will contribute to energy efficiency gains leading to lower emissions and reducing stress on existing water sources while maintaining or increasing the level of service which contributes to climate change mitigation and adaptation. More efficient water supply services will make the targeted communities less vulnerable to the growing climate change–related risk of droughts.

b. New connections (US$3.8 million): The AF will finance about 5,000 new household connections to extend NAWEC’s customer base. This activity will entail minor works to connect households to the main distribution line, including installing UPVC and PEHD pipes, as well as small pipes and fittings. In addition, the newly connected households will be fitted with AMR enabled retail meters, which should improve the accuracy of meter readings as currently NAWEC lacks the human and technical resources to ensure timely and accurate readings (e.g. three meter readers per sector serving thousands of customers). Higher coverage rates will increase the beneficiary communities’ resilience to climate change.

c. Rehabilitation of water storage tanks (US$ 1.7 million): This activity will rehabilitate 3 storage tanks in Greater Banjul in order to improve NAWEC’s water storage capacity. The tanks were built of steel in the 1960s have deteriorated greatly over time, leading to corrosion and leakage of toxins into drinking water. Two of the tanks have been decommissioned. In addition, the poor condition of the tanks forces the pumping systems to work outside of the nominal operating points, thus decreasing the efficiency of pumps and increasing the energy consumption.[2] Rehabilitation of tanks will consider environmentally friendly methods and civil works will check for the structural integrity and resiliency to sea level rise and floods events due to climate change. Increasing storage will contribute directly to climate change adaptation.

d. Improving water quality at NAWEC water treatment plants ($1.0 million): The AF will finance measures to remove iron and manganese from selected water treatment facilities (including either Gunjur or Bansang or both) in GBA. The iron levels have reached such high levels of contamination that one of the boreholes at Gunjur had to be decommissioned. The technical options for improving water quality will be explored (aeration, water softeners, iron filters etc.) and the project will finance the needed equipment, technical services and minor civil works that may be needed. This activity should help restore water services to up to 15,000 people.

[2] According to the AfD Feasibility Study and based on an assessment of a selection of the tanks.

e) Energy efficiency pilot for NAWEC’s water business ($0.75 million): This activity will entail retrofitting current thermal water power pumps with solar pumps in order to lower NAWEC’s electricity bill and ensure clean backup power in case of service disruptions. The energy audit will determine the exact pumps that can be replaced with solar.

 

  1. Component 5: Urgent actions to support the COVID-19 response ($2.5 million): given the crucial role that clean water, hygiene, behavioral practices and sanitation can play in COVID-19 prevention and response, the AF will support GoTG’s response by (i) providing key equipment, gear and other inputs to enable NAWEC to provide and extend water services to the population; (ii) installing handwashing facilities in public places; (iii) mobilizing water trucks and setting up water distribution points in neighborhoods without running water; (iv) providing hygiene kits (soap, cleaning materials, disinfectants etc.) to households and essential service providers – including health centers; and (v) supporting WASH sensitization campaigns. These interventions will be led by NAWEC, working closely with health authorities and other partners in The Gambia.[3]

 

This component will also support NAWEC to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic including spare parts to ensure security of supply to critical health facilities, and IT equipment to enable NAWEC management and key staff to work remotely.

[3] To ensure appropriate oversight over the leasing of water tanks, and all COVID 19 activities, the following measures will be taken: i) NAWEC will lease the tankers from private operators and supply the water directly from its boreholes; ii) the PIU will start monitoring the COVID 19 activities and reporting monthly; and iii) the supervision engineering firm will also contribute to activity monitoring.

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