Terms of Reference (ToR) Consulting Firm for Integrated Water Resources Management, Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), Ecological Monitoring, and Community Engagement

Jubaland State of Somalia

Ministry of Energy and Water Resources 

Terms of Reference (ToR) Consulting Firm for Integrated Water Resources Management, Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), Ecological Monitoring, and Community Engagement

Project Title: Nature-Based Flood Protection and Capacity Strengthening for Safeguarding the Kismayo Urban Water Supply System in Yoontoy, Jubaland State

Funding Partner: GIZ – Climate and Water Resource Management Programme1. Background

1. Background

The Ministry of Energy and Water Resources (MoEWR) of Jubaland State of Somalia, with financial and technical support from GIZ under the Climate and Water Resource Management Programme, is implementing the project titled “Nature-Based Flood Protection and Capacity Strengthening for Safeguarding the Kismayo Urban Water Supply System in Yoontoy.”

The Kismayo Urban Water Supply System is a critical public utility that provides potable water to Kismayo city and surrounding communities, abstracting raw water from the Juba River at Yoontoy. This infrastructure represents a strategic investment in public service delivery and urban resilience. However, the intake structures and associated facilities are increasingly exposed to climate-induced risks, including recurrent flooding, riverbank erosion, sedimentation, land degradation, and hydrological variability. These environmental pressures threaten infrastructure integrity, water quality, operational continuity, and the long-term sustainability of service provision.

Conventional grey infrastructure interventions alone have proven insufficient to address these challenges in a sustainable and cost-effective manner. In response, the project promotes an integrated water resources management approach combined with the application of Nature-Based Solutions (NbS), including riparian vegetation restoration, bioengineering-based riverbank stabilization, floodplain rehabilitation, and ecosystem-based flood mitigation measures. These interventions aim to enhance climate resilience while protecting critical water infrastructure and improving environmental stability.

Beyond physical interventions, the project places strong emphasis on institutional strengthening, ecological monitoring systems, gender-responsive community engagement, and structured capacity development within MoEWR and the Jubaland Water Agency (JUWA). This integrated approach ensures sustainable operation, adaptive management, and long-term protection of water supply assets in Jubaland.

Under the GIZ-supported Climate and Water Resources Management initiative, MoEWR seeks to engage a qualified Consulting Firm to provide integrated technical expertise in water resources management, flood risk assessment, Nature-Based Solutions design and supervision, ecological monitoring, and institutional capacity strengthening. The consultancy will support MoEWR and JUWA in safeguarding the Kismayo Urban Water Supply System, enhancing climate resilience, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of safe and reliable water services for the people of Jubaland.

2. OVERALL OBJECTIVE

The overall objective of this consultancy is to strengthen the climate resilience of the Yoontoy water treatment plant and the wider Kismayo urban water supply system through nature-based flood protection measures, improved institutional capacities, and enhanced community preparedness for future flood events..

3. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

The Consulting Firm shall:

1. Conduct comprehensive water resources and flood risk assessments.
2. Design and supervise technically sound Nature-Based Solutions.
3. Establish a robust ecological monitoring and evaluation framework.
4. Mainstream gender and community participation in NbS implementation.
5. Strengthen institutional capacities of MoEWR and JUWA.
6. Support long-term sustainability and adaptive management mechanisms.

4. SCOPE OF SERVICES

The Consulting Firm shall deploy a multidisciplinary team and undertake the following components:

1. Water Resources & Flood Risk Assessment

The firm shall:

• Conduct hydrological and hydraulic assessments of the Yoontoy area
• Analyze flood frequency, seasonal flows, and river morphology
• Assess sediment transport and erosion dynamics
• Evaluate climate change projections and future flood scenarios
• Identify vulnerabilities of water supply infrastructure
• Develop GIS-based flood risk maps and vulnerability profiles
• Recommend integrated risk mitigation measures

Deliverable:
Water Resources and Flood Risk Assessment Report.

1. Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) Design & Technical Supervision

The firm shall:

• Conduct ecological site assessments
• Identify appropriate NbS interventions such as:
  • Riparian vegetation restoration
  • Bioengineering-based riverbank stabilization
  • Floodplain rehabilitation
  • Green buffer zones around intake structures
• Develop detailed NbS technical designs and specifications
• Supervise field implementation and ensure quality assurance
• Ensure compliance with environmental and social safeguards
• Develop operation and maintenance (O&M) guidelines

Deliverables:

• NbS Design Report
• Supervision Reports
• O&M Plan

1. Ecological Monitoring & Evaluation Framework

The firm shall:

• Conduct baseline ecological assessments including:
  • Vegetation cover and biodiversity
  • Soil conditions and erosion patterns
  • Sedimentation trends
  • Floodplain dynamics
• Develop an Ecological Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework
• Establish measurable indicators for:
  • Vegetation survival rates
  • Soil stabilization effectiveness
  • Erosion reduction
  • Ecosystem recovery
  • Flood mitigation performance
• Develop monitoring tools and data collection templates
• Provide GIS mapping outputs
• Prepare periodic monitoring reports
• Develop a simplified Ecological Monitoring Manual

Deliverables:

• Baseline Ecological Assessment
• Ecological M&E Framework
• GIS Risk Maps
• Monitoring Manual

1. Community Engagement & Gender Mainstreaming

The firm shall:

• Conduct stakeholder mapping
• Undertake Gender and Social Inclusion Analysis
• Develop a Community Engagement Strategy
• Develop a Gender Action Plan
• Facilitate community consultations and awareness campaigns
• Establish grievance and feedback mechanisms
• Ensure gender-disaggregated indicators
• Promote shared responsibility between communities, MoEWR, and WSPs

Deliverables:

• Stakeholder Mapping Report
• Gender Analysis Report
• Community Engagement Strategy
• Gender Action Plan
• Consultation Reports

1. Institutional Capacity Strengthening

The firm shall:

• Provide structured mentoring to MoEWR and JUWA staff
• Conduct technical training workshops on:
  • NbS planning and implementation
  • Ecological monitoring
  • Climate-resilient water management
  • Participatory governance
• Develop simplified training materials
• Strengthen institutional systems for long-term sustainability

Deliverables:

• Training Materials
• Capacity Building Report
• Institutional Strengthening Recommendations

5. DELIVERABLES SUMMARY

The Consulting Firm shall submit:

• Inception Report (methodology, workplan, team deployment)
• Water Resources & Flood Risk Assessment Report
• NbS Design & Technical Documentation
• Baseline Ecological Assessment
• Ecological Monitoring & Evaluation Framework
• Community Engagement Strategy & Gender Action Plan
• Capacity Building Materials
• Periodic Progress Reports
• Final Consolidated Technical Report

6. DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT

The consultancy is expected to be implemented over 3 months, including fieldwork, supervision, and capacity-building activities.

7. TEAM COMPOSITION REQUIREMENTS

The firm shall propose a multidisciplinary team including, at minimum:

• Senior Water Resources / Flood Risk Specialist (Team Leader)
• Nature-Based Solutions / Environmental Specialist
• Ecological Monitoring & GIS Specialist
• Community Engagement & Gender Specialist
• Capacity Development Specialist

8.    QUALIFICATIONS OF THE CONSULTING FIRM

The Consulting Firm must demonstrate strong technical, institutional, and operational capacity to deliver integrated water resources and climate resilience interventions in complex and fragile environments. Specifically, the firm shall meet the following minimum qualifications:

1. Legal Status and Eligibility

• Be a legally registered and licensed consulting firm in Jubaland Ministry of Energy and Water Resources.
• Possess valid tax compliance certificates from Jubaland ministry of Finance
• Not be under suspension, debarment, or legal restriction by any government or international development partner.

1. Institutional Experience

• A minimum of Three (3) years of demonstrated experience in water resources management, flood risk management, or environmental protection projects.
• Proven track record in the design and implementation of Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) for riverbank stabilization, flood mitigation, watershed management, ecosystem restoration, or climate adaptation.
• Documented experience in conducting hydrological and hydraulic assessments, flood risk modeling, and environmental impact assessments.
• Demonstrated experience in climate resilience and adaptation projects, particularly those integrating ecosystem-based approaches.
• Proven experience working in fragile, post-conflict, or flood-prone environments, preferably in Sub-Saharan Africa or comparable contexts.
• Demonstrated capacity in institutional strengthening and capacity development, including preparation of training materials, facilitation of workshops, and development of operational guidelines and technical manuals.
• Experience in integrating gender-responsive and community-based approaches within environmental and water resource interventions.

1. Technical and Operational Capacity

• Availability of multidisciplinary in-house expertise or long-term associates relevant to the assignment.
• Proven project management systems, including quality assurance mechanisms, financial management capacity, and monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver assignments within agreed timelines and budgets.
• Access to appropriate technical tools, modeling software, and field equipment required for hydrological analysis, ecological assessments, and engineering supervision.

9. Proposed Expert Team Qualifications

The firm shall propose a qualified multidisciplinary team with demonstrated experience in similar assignments. At a minimum, the team should include the following key experts:

1. Team Leader / Senior Water Resources Specialist

• Advanced degree in Water Resources Engineering, Hydrology, Environmental Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 4 years of professional experience in water resources management and flood risk assessment.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary teams in donor-funded projects.
• Strong expertise in hydrological analysis, climate resilience planning, and integrated water resources management (IWRM).
• Experience in fragile or climate-vulnerable contexts is highly desirable.

1. Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) / River Engineering Specialist

• Advanced degree in Environmental Engineering, River Engineering, Ecohydrology, or related discipline.
• At least 3 years of experience in riverbank stabilization, watershed rehabilitation, ecosystem restoration, and bioengineering applications.
• Demonstrated experience designing and supervising NbS interventions for flood mitigation and erosion control.
• Familiarity with ecosystem-based adaptation approaches.

1. Flood Risk and Hydraulic Modeling Expert

• Degree in Hydraulic Engineering, Civil Engineering, or Hydrology.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in hydraulic modeling and flood risk mapping.
• Proficiency in recognized modeling tools (e.g., HEC-RAS, SWAT, MIKE, or equivalent).
• Experience in preparing technical designs and supervising implementation works.

1. Environmental and Ecological Assessment Specialist

• Degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, or related field.
• At least 2 years of experience in ecological monitoring, environmental impact assessments, and biodiversity protection.
• Experience in developing ecological monitoring frameworks and reporting systems.

1. Gender and Community Engagement Specialist

• Degree in Social Sciences, Gender Studies, Development Studies, or related field.
• Minimum 4 years of experience in gender-responsive programming and community engagement.
• Proven ability to design and facilitate participatory consultations and capacity-building workshops.
• Experience integrating gender considerations into climate and water sector projects.

1. Capacity Development and Institutional Strengthening Expert

• Degree in Organizational Development, Public Administration, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience in developing training curricula, operational manuals, and institutional strengthening frameworks.
• Experience working with government institutions and water utilities.

The proposed team members must have excellent communication skills in English. Knowledge of Somali language and experience working in Somalia or the Horn of Africa will be considered a strong advantage

10. REPORTING & COORDINATION

The firm will maintain direct reporting lines to the Project Coordinator, ensuring timely submission of progress updates, regular status reports, and any critical findings or challenges encountered during project implementation. This reporting structure is designed to facilitate effective communication, enable informed decision-making, and ensure that all project activities are closely monitored and aligned with the project objectives and timelines.

11. CONTRACT TYPE & PAYMENT

• Firm-based consultancy
• Lump-sum or milestone-based payments linked to approved deliverables
• In accordance with MoEWR procurement regulations

12. CONFIDENTIALITY & OWNERSHIP

All data, reports, and outputs shall remain the property of the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, Jubaland State of Somalia.

BID SUBMISSION INSTRUCTION

Eligible and interested bidders are invited to collect the bid documents from the Jubaland Ministry of Energy and Water Resources Headquarters, located along Port Road, opposite Tawakal Hotel, on or before 15^th January 2026.

Bidders must submit their price quotes (one original copy) for the works specified in the Invitation for Bid.

All bid documents and supplementary materials must be received no later than January 15^th, 2026, by 16:00 East Africa Time.

Please ensure that your complete proposal/bid, along with all required documents, is submitted in a SEALED ENVELOPE clearly marked Tender Ref: MoEWR/JSS/0002/2026 and placed in the tender box located at the main gate of the Jubaland MoEWR office.

Any clarifications questions should be submitted to the following email address: moewr.procurement@gmail.com. no later than 10/01/2026.

INVITATION FOR QUOTATIONS (IFQ)

 

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