TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR CONDUCTING A FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR THE RE-DESIGN OF EXISTING VALLEY TANKS IN AMUDAT DISTRICT

BACKGROUND:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is an international non-governmental organization founded in 1933. The IRC was registered in Uganda in mid 1998 and currently implements rehabilitation activities in the sectors of Child and Youth Protection and Development, Health, Economic Recovery and Development and Women Protection and Empowerment as well as contributing to the response to the Southern Sudanese Refugee situation. IRC Uganda has a head office in Kampala, field offices in Kitgum, Moroto, Kiryandongo and Adjumani. The IRC is implementing the Strengthening Private Sector Engagement in Enterprise Engagement- SPEED project in Karamoja. The goal of the project is to increase incomes in high growth sectors amongst participating farmers, traders and youths in the Karamoja region.
Karamoja is a semi arid region where climate change is adding an extra layer of vulnerability in the already fragile context, compounding and exacerbating the underlying issues of poverty and food insecurity. Since 2001 there has been an increase in extreme weather patterns in the region resulting in a higher frequency of extended dry spells. It is projected that climate variability will continue to manifest itself through extreme weather conditions, affecting crop production, and pasture for livestock, thereby having a direct negative effect on the pastoralists livelihoods and the entire rural population in the region. In a bid to build a resilient pastoralists community through improved access to water for livestock, the IRC plans to rehabilitate strategic selected existing valley tanks within south Karamoja (i.e. in Moroto, Amudat, Nakapiriprit and Napak districts). It’s important to note that, the percentage water access in the region is still far below the national average, with generally very low functionality. Many studies have suggested the need to ensure adequate community involvement into the design process of any water facilities and to take into account experiences from the neighboring countries in order to develop socially responsive and technically sound water facilities.

Purpose of the study:
The IRC seeks the services of experienced consulting individuals and or companies to conduct a feasibility assessment and redesign of the valley tanks prior to rehabilitation. The redesign includes a water pumping facility around the valley tank which will ensure livestock do not go directly into the valley tanks to access water. Direct access of animals commonly escalates siltation and contamination of the water. The Consultant will conduct site visits and inspection of the valley tanks as well as meet community water users and livestock farmers in order to gather relevant water requirements data. Other stakeholders to be met will include district water and production departments.

Scope of Work:
The main objective of this assignment is to determine the feasibility of rehabilitating and redesigning existing valley tanks in Amudat to ensure sustainable water supply for humans and livestock. Specifically the study will;
1. Assess the feasibility of redesigning existing valley tanks with more appropriate water pumping and access technologies for improving livestock production in south Karamoja.
2. Conducting simple hydraulic analysis to determine the volume of surface runoff in the entire catchment area of the selected valley tanks viz-a-viz community water needs for human, livestock and production purposes.
3. Recommend a revised design of existing valley tanks with an incorporation of appropriate water pumping technology and fencing features.
4. Recommend a valley tank management strategy which ensures that the community sustainably maintains the valley tanks.

Deliverables:
1. Feasibility study report encompassing the study needs mentioned under the scope above.
2. Technical recommendations and specifications of the revised design of the valley tanks, which includes an appropriate pumping technology and fencing features.
3. Guided strategy on effective and sustainable involvement of water user/management committees of the valley tanks
4. Technical drawings and BOQs for the valley tank redesign recommended.
Note: All deliverables to be incorporated into one report with (d) as annexes.

Location of the assignment:
Loroo, Amudat and Karita sub counties in Amudat district, Karamoja Region
Competences and experiences required:
• Knowledge and experience of using required engineering applications for hydrological studies and engineering designs.
• Demonstrated experience in providing similar water for production development studies and valley tanks or valley dams construction works
• Willingness to travel to Amudat for at least a week for on-the-ground assessment
Time frame: The assignment will be conducted during the month of March 2016

HOW TO APPLY:
Apply: Send your technical proposals, including the proposed activity plan and budgets to: The International Rescue Committee, P.O. Box 24672 Kampala; OR Email: Mary.Bwabye@rescue.org
Deadline**: 19th Feb 2016**