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: International Consultant to the Georgian Amelioration (GA) for Water Users Organizations (WUO)

Reference No: GR/CS/IC/19

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 “International Consultant to the Georgian Amelioration (GA) for Water Users Organizations (WUO)”. Duration is 12 months; part-time assignment, tentatively 120 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 consultant to accomplish the activities listed in Terms of Reference. 

 
The consultant shall take a lead role in finalizing the development of WUO training materials and a WUO training program for Georgia drawing on a combination of well-established international and local materials and resources. The consultant shall also improve and streamline the existing methodologies and implementation plans for the establishment and strengthening of WUOs in Georgia. The outputs from the work shall be used in all irrigated areas of the country, but the assignment shall engage directly with WUO and GA stakeholders on pilot area at Kvemo Samgori irrigation scheme at Sagarejo Municipality, Kakhei region. He/she shall also monitor implementation of the program and provide advice on issues arising during implementation. 

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:

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

• At least 10 years of experience in developing and implementing training programs, preferably in the field of water user organizations or irrigation management.

• Proven practical experience in training WUOs, establishing WUOs, working on WUO capacity building. 

• Proven experience in curriculum development and training material design, particularly in the context of agricultural or water management projects.

• Strong knowledge of water management principles, particularly related to irrigation systems and water user organizations.

• Strong understanding of the principles and practices of water user organizations with prior experience working with similar entities.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, and local communities.

• Experience in project coordination, including planning, implementation, and reporting.

• Capacity to work effectively as a team member within the GA Water User Organization Support Unit and collaborate with local and international partners.

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

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.

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

 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bzWT2U4d6fGZlYm2kLQscsC0s5u73jHv/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;