Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES – SELECTION OF INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS)

Georgia Resilient Agriculture, Irrigation and Land Project (GRAIL) – P175629
Loan No. 9504-GE

Assignment Title: Preparation of Guidelines on the Selection and Installation of Flow Measurement Technologies in Georgian Irrigation Systems and Related Technical Training
Reference No: GR/CS/IC/17

Georgia has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of Georgia Resilient Agriculture, Irrigation and Land (GRAIL) project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services. The project cost is USD 150.00 million comprising of an equal share of USD 75.00 million by each co-financer. 

The project development objectives are to: (a) improve irrigation, and drainage services, and agricultural production in project areas; and (b) strengthen national irrigation and land management institutional capacity for climate resilient planning.

The primary beneficiaries of the Project comprise farmers and agricultural enterprises across the project targeted regions. Overall, the rural population shall benefit from enhanced services provided by land management, irrigation services, and agricultural support. In the public sector, the Project shall support institutional strengthening of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture (MEPA), including Georgian Amelioration (GA), the National Environment Agency (NEA), Rural Development Agency (RDA), and National Agency for Sustainable Land Management and Land Use Monitoring (LMA). The Project has a strong focus on climate resilience and rural livelihoods through a holistic and integrated approach. The Project includes the following components:

Component 1: Resilient Irrigated Agriculture
Subcomponent 1.1: Irrigation & Drainage Infrastructure Rehabilitation and Modernization;
Subcomponent 1.2: Irrigated agriculture and value chain development;
Subcomponent 1.3: Improved Performance of Irrigation Service Delivery

Component 2: Improved Land Management Capacity
Subcomponent 2.1: Strengthening of agricultural land management and monitoring;
Subcomponent 2.2: Enhancement of the land administration service delivery and building digital governance infrastructure

Component 3: Project Management
This component finances two Project Implementation Units being responsible for project management.
The consulting services (“the Services”) include “Preparation of Guidelines on the Selection and Installation of Flow Measurement Technologies in Georgian Irrigation Systems and Related Technical Training”. Tentative duration is 12 months.

The assignment has two main objectives: Objective 1: to prepare a technical guideline on the optimal types of measurement devices suitable for use in GA managed irrigation systems. This shall include a practical typology of infrastructure where measurement devices would need to be retrofitted with related guidance on measurement technology options and specifications. Objective 2: to design measurement systems with on-the-job training for GA personnel to enable them to select and install robust and cost-effective flow measurement systems. Concept designs (for retrofitted measurement and data systems) shall be concluded for ten example schemes with detailed design and installation supervision to be completed for Kvemo Samgori and Zeda Ru irrigation schemes. 

The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia (MEPA) now invites eligible individual consultants ("Consultants") to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. 
The Consultant should possess a strong background in engineering hydraulic design with experience in mentoring or training in the water or agriculture sectors. Qualifications and Experience shall include:

• A degree in an engineering field with a hydraulic design competency (agricultural, civil or irrigation engineering)
• At least 10 years of relevant professional work experience in the design of irrigation hydraulic structures, with experience in digital measurement devices (and/or SCADA) will be a distinct advantage;
• Experience in management, operation and maintenance of irrigation schemes;
• Experience in preparing training manuals and courses, or an education-related qualification;
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills for engaging with stakeholders at all levels;
• Strong oral and written English language skills; Georgian language comprehension will be an asset;
• Similar experience in the region will be asset.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found on the link below: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_IU2rvprjXNJVBzAtsieb9Wh5Yv0Cl18/view?usp=sharing 

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 3.14, 3.16 and 3.17 of the World Bank's Procurement Framework and Regulations: Selection and Employment of Consultants under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits & Grants by World Bank Borrowers, July 2016, revised November 2020 ("Consultant Guidelines"), setting forth the World Bank's policy on conflict of interest.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant (IC) method set out in Section VII of the Regulations: Selection and Employment of Consultants under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits & Grants by World Bank Borrowers, July 2016, revised November 2020.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 10:00 a.m. to 17:00 p.m. at Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, Mr. Ioseb Tchonkadze, Procurement Consultant.

Expression of Interest with CV shall be submitted at the address provided below not later than 17:00 p.m. (Georgian local time) of April 22, 2024.

Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia
34, Marshal Gelovani Ave, Tbilisi, Georgia
Tel.: +99532 2378038

E-mail To: rusudan.manjgaladze@mepa.gov.ge; Mariam.Bakhtadze@mepa.gov.ge; iosebtchonkadze@gmail.com;