Technical monitoring and implementation support for WRA water infrastructure under TWENDE Project

Terms of reference for IUCN Consultancy

Title: Technical monitoring and implementation support for WRA water infrastructure under TWENDE Project.

Objective of the Consultancy

This consultancy has the following objective(s): Specific Objectives The consultancy shall pursue the following specific objectives: - Undertake an independent technical assessment of all completed and ongoing water infrastructure to determine compliance with approved engineering designs, technical specifications, contractual requirements, Bills of Quantities (BoQs), and applicable engineering standards. - Assess the quality, functionality and sustainability of the water infrastructure by evaluating workmanship, structural integrity, operational performance, safety, operation and maintenance arrangements, and compliance with applicable environmental and social safeguard requirements. - Identify technical deficiencies, implementation gaps and risks affecting the functionality, safety, durability and sustainability of the infrastructure, and assess whether project resources have been utilised efficiently and delivered value for money. - Develop prioritised corrective action plans for each infrastructure, detailing the engineering, operational and management measures required to rectify identified defects, improve performance and ensure long-term functionality and sustainability. - Provide independent technical supervision and quality assurance for the implementation of agreed corrective works on existing water infrastructure, ensuring that all remedial works comply with approved engineering standards, technical specifications and contractual requirements. - Provide technical oversight and quality assurance during the construction of any new water infrastructure implemented under the TWENDE Project, including review of designs where required, verification of construction quality, materials, workmanship and compliance with approved standards and safeguards. - Provide practical recommendations and build capacity of the implementing teams through on-site technical guidance, periodic inspections and final certification of completed corrective and new infrastructure works to ensure they are fit for purpose and capable of delivering sustainable water services.

Background and about the project

Project Reference: P02886

Donor Reference: N/A

About IUCN

IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together. Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and around 15,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards. IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples’ organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development. Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve people’s well-being.

About the Project

The IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) implements a diverse portfolio of programmes across twenty-four countries in the Horn of Africa, Eastern Africa, Southern Africa and the Western Indian Ocean. Among these is the Towards Ending Drought Emergencies (TWENDE): Ecosystem-based Adaptation in Kenya's Arid and Semi-Arid Rangelands Project, a five-year initiative financed by the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The project contributes to Kenya's Vision 2030 and the national Ending Drought Emergencies (EDE) strategy by strengthening the resilience of communities, ecosystems and livelihoods to climate change in Kenya's Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs). The project seeks to reduce the economic impacts of recurrent drought by restoring degraded rangelands, strengthening climate-resilient natural resource management and promoting sustainable investments that enhance ecosystem services and livelihoods. The TWENDE Project is implemented across the Sabarwawa, Mid Tana and Chyulu Hills landscapes, covering eleven counties. These landscapes are characterized by increasing climate variability, land degradation, weak landscape governance, inadequate access to climate information, and limited investment in sustainable natural resource management. To address these challenges, the project is implemented through three complementary components. Component 1 strengthens climate-informed planning and governance for drought resilience through improved climate information, participatory planning and coordinated landscape management. Component 2 supports the restoration and sustainable management of priority rangeland ecosystems and water resources to enhance ecosystem-based adaptation and climate resilience. Component 3 promotes climate-resilient public, private and community investments that improve sustainable natural resource management, livelihoods, market access and financial inclusion. The project is implemented by IUCN as the Green Climate Fund Accredited Entity in partnership with the Government of Kenya and Conservation International (CI). The National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), the State Department for Livestock Development (SDLD) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, and Conservation International serve as the Executing Entities for Components 1, 2 and 3 r