Technical Advisor/ Contract Management Specialist

Source: World Bank — Irrigation and Drainage Project

1.       The federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (GoE) has received financing from the World Bank towards the cost of Ethiopian Nile Irrigation and drainage Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds of the credit to the construction, operation and maintenance of Irrigation schemes in the Megech- seraba and Ribb areas. The overall objective is to sustainably increase agricultural output and productivity in Megech- Seraba and Ribb project areas.

Contracts have been awarded for the Construction and the Management Services related to Megech-Seraba scheme. Procurement process is on-going for the two same contracts for Ribb scheme.
 

2.       The Individual consultant will provide high-level technical assistanceto the National project Coordination Office (NPCO) in finalizing the procurement processes for Ribb and ensuring adequate contract management for Megech-Seraba. In addition, he will assist the NPCO in all matters related to project management with the aim to ensure smooth implementation of the project.

His responsibilities will include but will not be limited to the following duties:-

Task 1:    Preparation of Documents

The Consultant shall, working in close consultation with the Ministry and World Bank team, at a minimum develop the following documents and any other additional documents required in line with the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) strategy adopted by GoE

•         Documents for Requests for Expression of Interest and short list evaluation support

•         Bidding Documentation.

•         Transaction Agreement(s) and related documents

Task 2:    Evaluation of Bidders

The Consultant shall provide support services to the Ministry of Water and Energy (MOWE) during technical and financial evaluation at Bid stage. As appropriate this will require the relevant supporting opinion as to how to compare different firm references.

Task 3:    Bidding documents

The Consultant will be primarily responsible for preparing transparent bid evaluation criteria, methodology, and bidding documents.

The Consultant will assist the National Project Coordination Office (NPCO) in finalizing the Bid Documents and secure World Bank No Objection.

Specific aspects that may require the Consultant's attention include:

•      Letter of invitation/Request for proposals

•      Technical and financial evaluation criteria.

•      Draft contract (Particular Conditions)

•      Dissemination ofbid documents to qualified companies.

Task 4:    Bidding Process

In order to minimize opportunities for post-bid negotiations on substantive issues with the winning bidder, the Consultant will be involved in managing the bidding process for MoWE subject to procurement procedures, review such comments as they are received and advise MoWE whether these should influence the terms of the proposed contract. Accordingly the following activities are envisaged:

Competitive bidding process: Once the structure of the bid has beenapproved by the GoE, the Consultant will be available to assist in organizing the public competitive bidding process. In particular, activities can include but not limited to:

•         Arrange and participate in the bidders' conference to discuss bidders' questions and comments to the bidding documents;

•         Coordinate the due diligence process of potential bidders, includingsite visits, meeting with government officials and other stakeholders, and Q&A process;

•         Assist in the preparation of notes of clarification and answers to comments and questions that could be raised during the bidding process;

•         Provide support, as required by MOWE to analyze the bidding/tender documentation in light of bidders' comments, recommend appropriate revisions and assist MOWE in the preparation of its final version;

•         Drafting of correspondence and documentation on behalf of MOWE for the Bidders.

Task 5:    Proposal Evaluation

In this task, the Consultant will provide the following support services to assist Bid Evaluation:

•         Assist in review of proposals for their completeness;

•         Assist in preparation of a confidential evaluation assessment based on the Bidding Criteria

•         Assist in providing appropriate recommendationsfor starting the negotiation process with the first ranked Bidder;

Task 6:    Assistance in Negotiations

The Consultant shall assist MOWE during thenegotiation process and in particular.

Task 7:  Support for Project Implementation

Support to the NPCO in successful implementation ofthe Management Contracts, particularly including practical support and advice on the initial first year work by the Contractors on preparation for Operations and Maintenance, development of water users associations and capacity building. This with the aim of ensuring that the objectives of this innovative Management Services Contract are well established.

The Consultant will specifically advise the NPCO on all contract management related issues as they arise including review of all contractual documentation and payment certificates, budget issues, record keeping etc.

Task 8: Support for Project Management

Day to day support for the NPCO on Project Management Issues for the ENIDP scheme particularly , but not limited to, support of issues related to successful development and implementation of the Megech (Seraba) and Ribb schemes. This can include advice and support to establish and run ofproject management and monitoring and evaluation systems, as well as continuing support and involvement in the institutional arrangement for the MSC (such as setting up and administration of the Consultative Committee).       
   

3.      The Ministry of Water and Energy / Ethiopian Nile irrigation and Drainage Project now invites eligible individual consultants to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested individual consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualification and relevant experience to perform the services (description of similar assignment in which they have been involved, experience in similar conditions, etc.).

4.      The consultant will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the World Bank's Guide lines: Selection and Employment ofconsultants by the World Bank Borrowers.

5.      Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 8:30am to 5:30pm.

6.      Consultants' Qualification and Experience

The position requires an individual of high energy and capacity for innovative thinking entrepreneurship.  The consultant should have a well grounded training and experience in either disciplines of economic, finance or business administration, contracts, infrastructure development and implementation, public and private sector management, and irrigation. The preferred candidate will have strengths in a combination on the above fields.

Consultant should also have applied experience in the area of procurement for complex transactions, particularly in PPPs for infrastructure projects, with emphasis on water infrastructure and irrigation systems.  Experience ofsuccessfully conducting a PPP operation in developing countries in the water sector and of procurement for large civil works contracts is required and experience of irrigation & drainage projects is desirable.

The Consultant should have direct experience of developing and establishing PPP and Construction Contracts and of the whole procurement process from contract development through to contract negotiation and competence in working with internationally financed development projects.

The Consultant will bring experience in contract management, effective Operation and Maintenance of water related infrastructure.