Short-Term Consultant Services for Irrigation Expert

Feed the Future Nepal USAID Agricultural Inputs

(USAID Agricultural Inputs)

Terms of Reference

Short-Term “Irrigation Expert” 

Develop strategies and provide recommendations for improved access to irrigation and sustainable water management practices

BACKGROUND:

Feed the Future Nepal USAID Agricultural Inputs (“USAID Agricultural Inputs”) is a five-year USAID-funded Feed the Future (FTF) activity that aims to increase the availability, accessibility, and use of agricultural inputs and technology to improve Nepal’s agricultural productivity. The activity is implemented by Winrock International in collaboration with the Center for Environmental and Agricultural Policy, Research, Extension and Development (CEAPRED), and four other Nepali and international partners.

USAID Agricultural Inputs will enable lead firms, agrovets, input suppliers, local machinery service providers, and Government of Nepal (GON) change agents and farmers to increase productivity, input supply chain efficiency, market system competitiveness, and strengthen the enabling environment in a way that equitably addresses the needs of women, youth, and members of marginalized groups. USAID Agricultural Inputs will benefit 200,000 farmers in the USAID FTF zone of influence.

OBJECTIVES:

USAID Agricultural Inputs is looking to engage the services of an Irrigation Expert who will provide technical expertise to strengthen the irrigation system. The Irrigation Expert will devise strategies, recommendations and business models to engage private and public sector actors to improve access to irrigation for smallholders, women, youth, and marginalized communities that would result in an increased area of irrigated crops. The specific objectives of the assignment are as follows:

• Identify areas that could help upgrade irrigation infrastructure including private sector investment.
• Assess gaps in existing policies and its implementation, institutional/technical capabilities of public and private sector actors and efficient use of water resources in relation to irrigation management.
• Assess the feasibility of introducing efficient and innovative irrigation technologies in Nepal that can optimize water use and improve system performance.
• Recommend appropriate business model to pilot private sector led irrigation service system

TASKS: 

Technical 

• Identify activities apart from construction work that would help upgrade the existing irrigation infrastructure and/or improve their efficiency.
• Assess the feasibility of efficient and innovative irrigation technologies that are successfully adopted in other countries (preferably South Asian countries) and can be introduced in Nepal. 
• Identify potential private sector actors who would be interested in wholesale/retail distribution of identified innovative irrigation technology.
• Develop business models to formalize a rental service market model (pay-as-you-use) in irrigation systems to enhance irrigation access that would be appropriate in context of Nepal.
• Identify various mechanisms to increase private sector investment to upgrade irrigation infrastructure and propose viable models such as PPP/BOOT  that would help increase private sector investment in irrigation infrastructure.
• Assess the gaps and challenges at municipal level in relation to irrigation management and recommend strategies, technologies and/or practices to be implemented. 
• Identify water resource management challenges and recommend climate adaptive practices and groundwater replenishment strategies that are viable in context of Nepal. 
• Assess the status of Water User Groups (WUGs) of irrigation systems in Nepal and recommend strategies for their efficient operation. 
• Identify gaps and challenges in relation to existing policies and develop plans for its effective implementation.
• Identify issues related to spring source conservation and recommend project level intervention and strategy to replenish ground water extraction in terai areas.
• Provide technical feedback and support to develop digital ground water irrigation inventory, planning and monitoring system for private and public sector investment on ground water system.

Co-ordination and collaboration with key stakeholders

• Coordinate with government agencies (federal, provincial, and local levels), National Federation of Irrigation Water Users Association Nepal (NFIWUAN), various Irrigation projects in the Zone of Influence (ZOI) districts , development partners and private sector entities to co-create solutions to strengthen the irrigation sector. 
• Coordinate with other key stakeholders to gather best practices and align strategies to implement complementary activities.

Recommendation and report writing:

• Prepare a detailed report outlining findings, stakeholder perspectives, and recommendations, ensuring the report is accessible to both technical and non-technical audiences.

DELIVERABLES:

LEVEL OF EFFORT AND PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:  

This assignment will initially be for 150 working days over a period of 12 months and may be extended after assessing the nature of the tasks and upon mutual agreement. The anticipated start date of this assignment is February 15, 2025.

LOCATION OF ASSIGNMENT AND LOGISTICS: 

This assignment will be undertaken in Kathmandu and will require visits to USAID Agricultural Inputs ZOI.  All costs related to travel to the working district(s) will be managed by USAID Agricultural Inputs in accordance with the organization’s policies.

TECHNICAL DIRECTION AND REPORTING

The Consultant will work under the direction and report to the USAID Agricultural Inputs’ Business and Market Systems Director.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

This assignment will be carried out by an individual consultant. The interested consultant should have the following qualifications, skills and experience:

Required Experience & Skills:

• A master’s degree in water resources management/irrigation engineering/civil engineering
• Preferably 10 years of experience in water resource management with demonstrated understanding of best practices on climate adaptive technologies and irrigation market value chain system. 
• Good written and verbal skills in Nepali and English language.
• Willing to travel to the Agricultural Inputs Zone of Influence sites
• Excellent communication and people skills with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Solid understanding of irrigation systems in Nepal.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

The selection of the consultant will be made based on the applicant’s academic qualifications and relevant experience.

1. APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

Interested consultant should submit:  

• Letter of Interest.  
• Detailed CV including a summary of experience aligning with requirements mentioned in the TOR.  
• Proposed Gross daily rate. The selected consultant shall submit a copy of the contract/ agreement, or other proof of the two latest assignments verifying the proposed daily rate upon selection. 
• PAN registration certificate (copy of VAT certificate is a must if the total consultancy value exceeds or equals to NRs. 500,000). Note - Tax will be deducted at source as per Nepal government tax rule and regulation. 
• Any other relevant document(s) 
• Workshop costs if any will be managed by USAID Agricultural Inputs.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND ACCESSIBILITY (DEIA)

Winrock International seeks to cultivate an environment where all candidates relish equal employment opportunities devoid of discrimination, misconduct, fraud, and abuse. Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) and Localization guides our practices not just in hiring, but also in staff retention, growth, and policy implementation. This commitment signifies that we value diversity in all its forms including age, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability status, and cultural background. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, recognizing the rich tapestry of the communities in which we live and work.

DISCLAIMER

Issuance of this notice does not obligate USAID Agricultural Inputs to award a consultancy service, nor will pay any costs associated with the preparation or submission of application. Furthermore, USAID Agricultural Inputs reserves the right to reject any and all applications, if such an action is considered to be in the best interest of the project.