Independent Expert for Performance-Based Water Loss Reduction and Management Contract in Addis Ababa

Source: World Bank — Second Ethiopia Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Project

Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

Second Ethiopia Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Project (SUWSSP),

Credit No: IDA NO-60070

Assignment Title: Selection of Individual Consultant (Independent Expert) for Water Loss Reduction Performance-Based Contract in Addis Ababa 

Reference No.: ET-AAWSA-81774-CS-INDV

1. The Federal democratic Republic of Ethiopia has obtained financing from World Bank towards the cost of the Second Urban Water Supply and sanitation Project (SUWSSP), and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consultancy service.

2.The consulting services (“the Services”) include technical and contractual support services from an independent position for the Utility (Addis Ababa Water Supply and Sanitation Authority (AAWSA)) and PBC Contractor during the implementation of a performance-based water loss reduction and management contract in Addis Ababa, which are described in the following.

3. Background: The Addis Ababa Water and Sewerage Authority (AAWSA) faces inefficient management of resources as NRW is high and service levels are low. The Second Ethiopia Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Project (UWSSP-2) aims to i) improve the capacity of the Utility to reduce water losses, one of the key features of NRW; and (ii) deliver improved continuity of service through the implementation of performance-based contracts (PBCs). This is a step that will help AAWSA achieve significant reduction of NRW in Addis Ababa. This project aims to capitalize on the successes of recent NRW reduction projects around the world that have been structured as PBCs. Thus a similarly structured Water Loss Reduction Performance Based Contract (WLRPBC) has been developed for AAWSA. The AAWSA network is split into 8 Operational Branches within 10 administrative sub-districts. Under this activity, performance-based NRW activities will be carried out in one of these branches, specifically the Gurd Shola Operational Branch. A Project Zone has been selected within the Gurd Shola Branch, within which the PBC Service Area will be chosen. The selected branch will be used to measure the efficacy of PBCs for AAWSA’s potential expansion. Phase I of the project will of investigation of the Project Zone and the identification of a suitable PBC Service Area consisting of 25 District Metered Areas (DMAs) within the Project Zone. DMA establishment and baselining activities will then be carried out once the PBC Service Area has been chosen. NRW reduction activities will then be carried out in Phase II, which will be split into Phase IIA and Phase IIB. In Phase IIA, NRW reduction activities will take place in approximately 30% of the PBC Service Area (anticipated to be in 7 DMAs) on a Bill of Quantities admeasurement basis. In Phase IIB, NRW reductions will be incentivized in the remaining DMAs on a lump sum basis. The lump sum amount will be based on the unit prices in the Bill of Quantities and experience obtained in Phase IIA. Knowledge and technology transfer by the PBC Contractor to the Utility and the maintaining of low NRW levels in each DMA will take place during Phase III. The overall activity will focus on improving the financial and technical performance of AAWSA through Public Private Partnership (PPP) engagement to reduce both physical and commercial losses. The result is expected to improve network efficiency, increase revenues, and improve service standards.

4. Objective of the Project: The overall objective of project is to reduce NRW in a part of Addis Ababa while simultaneously improving the network efficiency, service standards and customer base leading to increased revenues in AAWSA.

5. Objective of this Assignment: The objective of the Independent Expert is to:

• Review the proposed PBC Service Area, the split between Phase IIA and Phase IIB DMAs, and ensure consensus is reached between Utility and Contractor.
• Improve the understanding of the Utility and Contractor on the efficacy of NRW reduction measures in Addis Ababa
• Assist with the design of NRW reduction activities
• Ensure agreement on the monitoring and reporting standards
• Support the Utility and Contractor to reach agreement on the service standards and fees for Phase IIB of the Contract.

6.Scope of Work: The scope of the proposed assignment includes the following tasks:

• Develop and agree the monitoring arrangements and reporting standards between the Utility (supported by a Supervision Consultant) and PBC Contractor
• Review the proposed NRW reduction methodology for Phase IIA
• Monitor NRW reduction activities and prepare a report based on the results of NRW reduction activities of Phase IIA
• Review and advise on the approach and lump sum arrangement for Phase IIB

7. Timing/Assignment Duration: The duration of the assignment will be for 3 years with focus on the first two Phases (I, IIA and IIB) of the PBC, but could be extended, should AAWSA and World Bank request so, to allow for ongoing monitoring, technical assistance and training and other forms of support to ensure that the impact of the PBC is fully measured and benefits are sustained (to the extent they can be with advisory support activities).

8. Expected level of input: The total level input is expected to be a maximum of 145 days in a period of 3 years of which a minimum of 50 days needs to be provided on site. In total 10 (ten) trips to Addis Ababa are foreseen.

9. Payment Schedule: The Independent Expert will be engaged on a time-based contract with a maximum of 145 days of input (approximately 40 days in year 1, 50 days in year 2 and 55 days in year 3). Payment will be effected on quarterly basis, based on actual time spent and upon submission of an invoice, timesheet, daily allowance, and eligible expenditures. Travel and accommodation must be arranged by the Independent Expert and expenditures invoiced to AAWSA after every mission (note: The Independent Expert has to include all cost for travel and living including per diem in its offer). Payment requests must explicitly identify the progress that has been made towards at least one of the deliverables listed above. All kind of insurances need to be covered by the Independent Expert.

10. Required Qualifications and Experience: The Independent Expert will have the following qualifications

• Technical University degree, in the fields of Water and Sanitary Engineering, Civil Engineering, Hydraulic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or other related field of studies.
• Demonstrated successful experience in Non-Revenue Water projects. S/he must have at least 10 years of experience in water supply projects in similar country contexts with demonstrated experience in NRW issues and quality of network management.
• experience in monitoring and analyzing NRW data. Specific expertise on designing NRW projects will be a plus.
• Experience working in World Bank financed water supply projects and good knowledge of World Bank’s PBC methodologies for NRW reduction is crucial and PBC project experience is required.
• practical experience in the use of spreadsheets, the IWA Water Balance, field measurement techniques related to NRW and component analysis tools.

11. The Independent Expert will have to be 100% independent from both the Utility and Contractor. Thus, any kind of joint venture or ownership relationship of the Consultant with either the Contractor or the Utility is not permissible

12. AAWSA, Addis Ababa Water and Sanitation Infrastructure Development Division now invite eligible individual consultants “Consultants” to indicate their interest in providing the service. Interested consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualification and relevant experience to perform the service. The short-listing criteria are: Qualification and Experience in NRW and water network management, their capability on the basis of academic background, general and relevant experience and knowledge of the situation and dynamics in developing countries.

13. The attention of interested consultants is drawn to Section V Para 5.1 to 5.6 of the World Bank Guide lines: Selection and Employment of Consultants (under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits & Grants by World Bank Borrowers dated January 2011 and revised July 2014(“Consultant Guidelines”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

14. The consultant will be selected in accordance with the individual consultant selection method set out in the consultant Guidelines. Knowledge of country’s working language is an advantage.

15. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 8:30 am to 12 noon in the morning and from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm local time in the afternoon.

16. Expression of Interest (including recent and comprehensive CV with a letter of application and other relevant supporting documents) must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, mail or by email)) on or before 15th September 2021

Address: AAWSA - Water and Sanitation Infrastructure Development Division, Lideta sub- city Woreda 08 around condominium houses on the left side of Lideta Menafesha.  Tel. +251 -118291312

Attn: Mrs. Mestawot Abebe, Procurement Support Process Head          

E-mail address: kiyake21@gmail.com/aawsaadamu@gmail.com