MoLG: Development Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Consultant

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST Individual Consultant Services Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Consultant Social Recovery and Job Creation Project (SRJC) The Ministry of Finance and Planning (MoFP), through the Social Recovery and Job Creation Project (SRJC), invites qualified individual consultants to express their interest in providing consulting services for conducting Decentralized Wastewater Treatment for the benefit of the Ministry of Local Government.

Background

The Social Recovery and Job Creation Project (SRJC) is financed by the World Bank and implemented under the overall oversight of the Ministry of Finance and Planning (MoFP). The project aims to: Increase employment opportunities for selected groups in targeted areas; and Improve the operational capacity of selected government institutions.

Under Component 3, Capacity Building of Selected Government Institutions, the Ministry of Local Government (MoLG) is implementing a capacity-building programme aimed at strengthening its institutional and technical capacities and enhancing the delivery of sustainable and resilient local public services. As part of this programme, the Ministry seeks to strengthen its technical guidance for sustainable wastewater management. Many Palestinian Local Government Units (LGUs) continue to face challenges in providing wastewater services due to limited financial and technical capacities, the high costs of centralized systems, and environmental, planning, and geographical constraints, particularly in rural and underserved areas. To address these challenges, the Ministry intends to engage an Individual Consultant to develop a Technical Guidance Manual for Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Solutions. The assignment will support the Ministry and LGUs in planning, selecting, and implementing sustainable wastewater treatment solutions that are technically feasible, environmentally sound, and aligned with national priorities. Assignment Objective The objective of this assignment is to support Ministry of Local Government (MoLG) in developing a Technical Guidance Manual for Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Solutions and to strengthen the capacity of MoLG and LGUs in planning, selecting, and implementing sustainable wastewater management solutions. The assignment includes assessing existing needs, identifying priority locations, evaluating appropriate technology options, and developing technical guidance to support informed decision-making and the selection of solutions that are technically feasible, environmentally and socially sound, responsive to local conditions, and aligned with national priorities. Scope of the Assignment Under the overall supervision of the Ministry of Local Government, the Consultant shall provide technical expertise to support the development of a Technical Guidance Manual for Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Solutions for Palestinian Local Government Units. The proposed solutions and technical guidance shall be aligned with the relevant strategies and requirements of MoLG and the Palestinian Water Authority (PWA), as well as the applicable national reform and development plans. The Consultant shall also prepare operational guidance as part of the assignment. 3.1 Main Duties and Responsibilities The Consultant shall be responsible for, but not limited to, the following: Review relevant legislation, policies, strategies, technical guidelines, and existing studies related to wastewater management and decentralized wastewater treatment systems. Develop practical and scalable criteria for selecting appropriate decentralized wastewater treatment solutions, in full coordination with MoLG and with due consideration to operation and maintenance requirements. Assess the current status of wastewater management and identify the main technical, institutional, environmental, financial, and operational challenges faced by Palestinian Local Government Units. Assess existing wastewater management needs and develop objective criteria for identifying priority locations suitable for decentralized wastewater treatment solutions. Identify and evaluate appropriate small-scale decentralized wastewater treatment technologies and models applicable to different local contexts, taking into consideration: Technical feasibility. Environmental and social mitigation measures. Sustainability. Operation and maintenance requirements. Cost-effectiveness.

Develop a Technical Guidance Manual for Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Solutions to support LGUs in selecting and planning appropriate wastewater management solutions. Prepare preliminary conceptual designs for selected priority locations, as appropriate. Conduct meetings and consultations with MoLG and relevant stakeholders, including PWA and PEA, throughout the assignment. Prepare and submit all required reports and deliverables, including the Inception Report, Assessment Report, Draft Technical Guidance Manual, Final Report, and Presentation, while incorporating comments received from MoLG. Ensure effective coordination with all relevant stakeholders, including MoLG, PWA, and PEA. Perform any other related tasks requested by MoLG within the agreed scope of the assignment.

Key Deliverables The Consultant shall submit the following deliverables: No. Deliverable Description

1 Inception Report A comprehensive report outlining the assignment methodology, detailed work plan, implementation schedule, and stakeholder engagement approach.

2 Assessment Report A detailed report assessing the current status of wastewater management in Palestinian Local Government Units and identifying the main challenges, existing gaps, and priority locations suitable for decentralized wastewater treatment solutions.

3 Draft Technical Guidance Manual A draft Technical Guidance Manual presenting appropriate decentralized wastewater treatment technologies, technical selection criteria, preliminary conceptual designs for selected priority locations, implementation guidan