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

Georgia Resilient Agriculture, Irrigation and Land Project (GRAIL)

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

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

Assignment Title: Local Consultant to the Georgian Amelioration (GA) for Water Users Organizations (WUO)
Reference No: GR/CS/IC/18

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 “Local Consultant to the Georgian Amelioration (GA) for Water Users Organizations (WUO)”. Duration is 12 months; part-time assignment, tentatively 180 days per year. 

Objective of Assignment: The GA in cooperation with GRAIL Project, aims to establish the first pilot WUO within the command area of rehabilitated infrastructure in Kvemo Samgori (Sagarejo municipality, Kakheti region) in 2024. To facilitate this process and ensure successful formation and sustainability of the pilot WUO, the Project intends to hire a local consultant to accomplish activities listed in Terms of Reference.

The candidate shall be responsible for contributing to the development of WUO training materials and modules, and for delivery of the WUO training program. The assignment shall engage directly with WUO and GA stakeholders on pilot WUO being established at Kvemo Samgori irrigation scheme, but the training materials and other outputs from the work (including the pilot WUO experiences) shall be used in all irrigated areas of the country. He/she shall also monitor implementation of the program and provide advice on issues arising during implementation. The local consultant shall work closely with the international consultant, the GA Central and the regional WUO Support Unit staff, the communication firm, and where relevant, any external international consultants involved in the WUO organizational development process. 

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. Required Experience and Qualifications are:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in water resource management, community development, or a related field.

• Demonstrated experience in developing training materials and modules for farmer-based groups, preferably in the context of organizational capacity building or similar initiatives.

• Experience in irrigation sector and knowledge of water management principles, particularly related to irrigation systems and water user organizations would be an asset.

• Proven ability to deliver effective training programs, including facilitating workshops, conducting presentations, and engaging participants.

• Understanding of the principles and practices of water user organizations, or prior experience working with similar entities would be an asset.

• Ability to engage with diverse stakeholders, including WUO members, government agencies, community representatives, and project partners.

• Proficiency in monitoring program implementation, identifying issues, and providing timely advice and recommendations for improvement.

• Capacity to work effectively as a team member within the WUO establishment Support Unit, collaborating with both local and international colleagues.

• Experience in managing tasks, timelines, and deliverables within the scope of organizational development projects, ensuring adherence to project objectives and guidelines.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Georgian, enabling effective communication with stakeholders and the production of high-quality training materials.

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

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c7dHly-BmIMoLBmOxcMvORjeU4NM-QvV/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 May 15, 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;