Job title: Technical Consultant(s) in the field of Solid Waste Management, Water Supply /Sanitation and Street Lighting

Reference to the project: MA IMPLIC – Project on civic engagement in local governance

Contract type: Individual Consulting Contract, input based

1. BACKGROUND

 The MA IMPLIC project aims to ensure that the rural population of Moldova has equitable access to quality public services. At the local level, the project will support local public authorities from 30 rural partner municipalities concerned to manage the provision of services in a participatory, efficient, inclusive and sustainable manner. People will also be more involved in making local decisions and monitoring the provision of services in the targeted municipalities, due to the intervention of the project. At national level, the project will support the political, legal and financial environment for the provision of quality public services and the reform of decentralization.

2. PURPOSE OF THE CONSULTANCY

 The main objective of the Consultants(s) is to facilitate the implementation of selected local interventions on water supply (7 projects) and sanitation (3 projects) , public street lighting (3 projects) and solid waste management (17 projects), as well as technical and consultative expertise of infrastructure construction and/or rehabilitation projects.

We expect that at least two individual consultants will be required to support the 17 projects in the field of waste management.

We expect that at least two individual consultants will be required to support the 10 projects in the field of water / sanitation.

We expect that one individual consultant will be required to support the 3 projects in the field of street lighting.

At the first stage of their involvement the Consultant(s) will undertake a detailed technical, socio-economic assessment and environment impact assessment to determine the most suitable intervention option for each of the target projects. The Consultant(s) will provide technical assistance and build capacities among beneficiaries in technical evaluation, preparation of interventions for investments, ensuring the compliance of projects with the national normative framework, thus ensuring cost effective capital investment and efficient use of resources. Before the investment phase the Consultant(s) will advise the project team and the beneficiaries on the best applicable solutions and will propose a set of recommendations for each intervention.

At the second stage (Investments) the Consultant(s) will be expected to closely monitor the progress of works and supervise infrastructure sites and civil works within the target projects in accordance with technical design, contract requirements and the legislation of the Republic of Moldova. The consultant(s) will also support the project beneficiaries in the process of accepting the final work.

3. PERIOD OF ASSIGNMENT and SCOPE OF WORK

 Consultants for projects in the field of water / sanitation:  April 2021 – June 2023, with a possibility for extension, subject to progress of the individual projects. The estimated scope of work is 40 days for each of the ten projects.

Consultants for projects in the field of waste management: April 2021 – September 2022, with a possibility for extension, subject to progress of the individual projects. The estimated scope of work is 20 days for each of the seventeen projects.

Consultants for projects in the field of street lighting: April 2021 – December 2021, with a possibility for extension, subject to progress of the individual projects. The estimated scope of work is 15 days for each of the three projects.

4. SUPERVISION AND COORDINATION

 The Consultant(s) will report to the Ma Implic Task Manager who will be a regular point of contact and communication for all matters related to the scope of this ToR. In addition, the Consultant(s) will closely work with respective Local Facilitators of the MA IMPLIC project and local implementing partners as deemed necessary. The Consultant(s) shall coordinate and consult with the Task Manager, and Local Action Group (comprising citizens and the LPA) to collect their inputs and suggestions while completing the assigned tasks.

5. ACTIVITIES AND EXPECTED RESULTS

The Consultant(s) will undertake the following tasks for each selected intervention (regardless of the sector / type of service)

6. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CONSULTANTS

Sector-specific tasks and responsibilities

The work for the Consultant(s) on solid waste management will include following activities:

1. Carry out a detailed analysis of the current waste generation patterns to select the best waste management option and disposal location. The Consultant(s) will develop a multi-criteria analysis justifying the selection option, criteria and weights.
2. Review the needs for solid waste management in the target areas. Assess the needs of all relevant stakeholders concerning waste management and disposal (private, public sector, citizens).
3. Assess the technical and economic feasibility of a source separation system to recover valuable recyclable waste streams and include the necessary infrastructure (e.g. collection bins, hydraulic presses etc.) in the landfill design.
4. Identify possible income generating activities and recommended potential partnerships for the investments activities.
5. Perform an Environmental Impact Assessment
6. Make necessary recommendations for institutional changes in managing of service
7. Conduct a financial analysis of the landfill and waste management operations.
8. Design a timeline for the construction/rehabilitation of the landfill under each potential scenario.

The work for the Consultant(s) on water supply and sanitation will include following activities:

1. Analyse the technical aspects and assess the feasibility of intervention options for construction/rehabilitation of water supply and or sewerage service. The Consultant(s) shall consult widely with the Local Action Group on the acceptability of identified options and make recommendations as to optimal one.
2. Review the existing technical designs and/or prepare recommendations and or changes for the proposed intervention in accordance with national construction norms and technical requirements.
3. Assist the Local Action Group in developing tender documents (including, but not limited to, design, requirements and technical specifications, requirements for contractors), carrying out tender procedure, preparing evaluation report and contract.
4. Identify hazards for the design and construction stages. This must comprise procedural risks, environmental risks, technical and quality risks, risk of cost overrun, risk of delays, risk to third parties, etc.
5. Assess the likelihood of these risks and the potential consequences. Identify possible mitigation measures.
6. Verify that the progress of the Works is in compliance with the Programmes approved under the Contracts on behalf of the LPA(s). Notify the Task Manager as far as possible in advance of any possible non-compliance with the Programme.
7. Carry out an oversight inspection of the work being executed by the Contractors to provide assurance as to the quality and standards of the materials and workmanship, and compliance with the specifications and drawings as included in the contracts, the Approved Design, the Detailed Drawings, the Quality Assurance Manual and any agreed amendment there to.
8. Supervise facilities inspections, all installation work at the sites and commissioning/testing of Project components, if required.

The work for the Consultant(s) on street lighting will include following activities:

1. Detailed asset inventory of the street lighting system of the municipality
2. Analyse, to the extent possible, and comment on the current street lighting system and maintenance, institutional set up, legal practices, standards, suggest areas for improvements.
3. Collect and analyze data on electrical consumption of the current street lighting system of the municipality.
4. Collect and analyse data on the operation and maintenance costs born by the municipality to operate and maintain its street lighting system.
5. On the basis of the analysis of the current technical baseline, the Consultant shall identify areas of energy efficiency improvement for the street lighting system. It shall highlight the energy saving and its impact on the annual lighting bill of the municipality, based on a simulation using relevant software and according national lighting standards.
6. Review and comment on the need to upgrade/replace light columns, lamp and or feeder/switches and propose a realistic upgrade plan indicating approximate number of columns/lamp/switches to be replaced/upgraded with an indicative timeline.
7. In line with the applicable standards, to propose a street lighting standard (light quality standard: illuminance and luminance) for each category of the street in the technical and functional parameters.
8. Analyse the remote lighting control and monitoring systems available in the market, benefits and drawbacks of the usage of each of them as well conduct costs comparison.
9. Assemble and review all available relevant data, reports, designs and mapping for the proposed intervention and advise on any new or additional technical design works that may be required.
10. Prepare indicative technical specifications of the equipment and inventory to be procured during project implementation.
11. Develop a detailed business case for the intervention. Energy saving calculations should be detailed for the intervention as well as the corresponding investment plan.

7. QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

The technical consultant should have education and knowledge in civil engineering, water and sanitation, national construction codes and standards, building laws, as well as extensive experience in implementing community development projects.

• Education: University Degree in civil engineering, water, sanitation or architecture, and/or other relevant area;
• Work experience: at least 5 years of work experience in the field of civil engineering;
• Technical-professional attestation certificate issued by national authority INCERCOM;
• Extensive experience in monitoring/supervision/supporting infrastructure and civil works, preferably street light renovation, water and sanitation networks;
• In depth knowledge of national legislation related to the construction works;
• Experience within community development programs is an asset;
• Language skills: excellent command of written and spoken Romanian and Russian is required; knowledge of English is an asset;
• Computer proficiency, including knowledge of MS Office products (Word, Excel, Power Point);
• High level of responsibility and organization capacities, creative approach to solving issues;
• Excellent communication and reporting skills;
• Ability to meet deadlines and prioritize multiple tasks;
• Capacity to communicate fluently with different stakeholders (civil society, local authorities, local communities, project staff);
• Driving license category B and availability of travel with own car.

8. APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Qualified and interested candidates are hereby requested to apply. The application should contain the personal CV in Romanian or (preferably) English language, indicating education background/professional qualifications, all relevant past experience, as well as contact details of the candidate and three professional references.

Interested candidates are requested to submit their application to info@int.skat.ch, quoting “Technical consultant(s) in the field of SWM, WSS and street lighting” in the subject line. The deadline for applications is 21 March 2021.

Only individual applications will be considered. Engineering consulting firms are not eligible for this assignment.