Solidarités Feasibility study for the rehabilitation of irrigation schemes in Turkana central district (Irrigation Expert)

Feasibility study for the rehabilitation of irrigation schemes in Turkana central district (Irrigation Expert)

Date: February 15, 2010

Terms of Reference

• Country: Kenya
• Location: Turkana District
• Starting date: 10th March 2010 (26 days consultancy)
• Duration of the field mission: 10 days
• Time dedicated to document review: 7 days
• Time dedicated to report writing: 9 days
• Under responsibility of: Field Coordinator Lodwar, Food Security Coordinator Nairobi
• Funding Sources for the study: OFDA/USAID

Presentation of Solidarités

Solidarités is an international humanitarian organisation which provides assistance to population affected by natural disaster or man-made crisis. For 28 years, Solidarités has concentrated its action on meeting three vital needs: water, food and shelter.

In the Horn of Africa, Solidarités is currently implementing food security, water and sanitation projects in Kenya and Somalia.

In October 2009, Solidarités has started an integrated Food Security, Water and Sanitation project in Kerio Division with funds donated by OFDA/USAID. This project aims at strengthening coping strategies to drought in Turkana Central District.

The Food Security component of this project provides veterinary services to households who own livestock and supports the production capacity of agro-pastoralists an fisher folk. The WASH component intends to increase the access to water and to promote appropriate hygiene practices.

Detailed Tasks Description

Historic background

Kerio division is part of Turkana Central District; it is inhabited by around 3600 households of which 60% are pastoralists, 20% are agro-pastoralists, 12% are fisher folk and the rest rely on formal or casual waged labour or else on small business. Farming is minimal in Kerio division and is practiced on rain-fed area or on irrigated schemes along the rivers.

It is estimated that Kerio division has an irrigation potential of 820 Ha of which only 191 Ha are used. The existing irrigation schemes are located in Nadoto, Nakurio and Elelea; currently all these irrigation schemes are not operational because there is inadequate water or they require proper design and layout or they have been invaded by Prosopis.

Brief description of mission

The irrigation expert must first evaluate the enthusiasm and motivation of the population about the rehabilitation of three irrigation schemes in Kerio division of Turkana Central District. For this purpose, the irrigation expert will assess the following factors:

• Land ownership in the potentially irrigable area
• Social management of the water from the rivers
• People’s contribution for the eventual rehabilitation of the irrigation schemes

If the rehabilitation of the three irrigation schemes is acceptable by the population in regards to the above three factors, then the irrigation expert will gather all preliminary technical information which will help deciding whether it is worth to rehabilitate the irrigation schemes.

This includes the following information:

• Quantity of the river flow (minimum and maximum flow),
• Quality of the water for irrigation purpose,
• Total surface of the potentially irrigable area,
• Quality of soil in the potentially irrigable area

If this preliminary study shows that the rehabilitation in the irrigation scheme is feasible, then the irrigation expert will design the irrigation infrastructures and give recommendation for the management of the rehabilitated scheme

Roles and responsibilities

The irrigation expert will design the method of collecting data and information; this method will be discussed and agreed upon with Solidarités technical team. The irrigation expert will collect and analyse all the necessary information to assess whether the rehabilitation of three irrigation schemes in Kerio division is relevant and feasible.

The irrigation expert will use the logistic and financial means provided by Solidarités to achieve the results.

Expected Results

• Analysis of the population acceptance of the rehabilitation of the irrigation schemes
• Analysis of the mechanisms of land ownership in the irrigable area
• Analysis of the social management of water from the river
• Analysis of the availability of water for irrigation purpose
• Cost analysis of an eventual rehabilitation of three irrigation schemes
• Recommendations about the management of the rehabilitated irrigation schemes

Method

The method should be participatory and allow a full understanding of the acceptance of the irrigation schemes by the population who use the water of the river, be they located upstream or downstream the river.

For this purpose, the method should identify and interview influential people such as elders, local leaders, administration authorities and representatives of the different socioeconomic groups.

At this stage, the method should provide clear information about the reaction and attitude of the population towards an eventual rehabilitation of the irrigation schemes and their contribution to the rehabilitation of the irrigation schemes.

The method should collect and analyse all relevant technical data to assess whether the amount of water in the rivers is enough to increase significantly the acreage under crops, whether the quality of soil is good enough to allow cultivation and whether the rehabilitation of the irrigation schemes is cost efficient.

Expected Documents

• Feasibility report
• Topographic survey report
• Plan of the three irrigation schemes
• Plan of relevant irrigation infrastructures
• Detailed estimate for the construction of the irrigation infrastructures
• Recommendation note about the management and maintenance of the irrigation schemes.

Note: All documents must be written in English.

Time Frame

The proposed irrigation study will start on 10th of March 2010.

The duration of the consultancy is 26 days (subject to the proposed timetable for the submission of various deliverables) allocated as follows:

• Social Acceptability and Technical Feasibility Studies phase – Community meetings (2 days); Document review (2 days); Key informant interviews (1 day); and Report writing (2 days).
• Topographical Studies, Design, Planning and Estimates of Irrigation Schemes – Field Work (5 days); Document Review (5 days); Interviews and Consultations (2 days); Design Works and Report writing (7 days).

Proposed Timetable for Submission of Documents

Week 1: Preliminary study on acceptance and feasibility

• By the 10th day of the consultancy period, a draft report of findings on the acceptance by the population of an irrigation scheme project and on the preliminary technical information should be shared with the project team in Lodwar.

Week 2 - 4: Topographic survey

• Before the end of week 4, the expert would have collected all the necessary topographic data from the three sites. A topographic report including drafted plans of the three irrigation schemes should be submitted to the Field Coordinator in Lodwar.

Week 5 - 6: Plans of the irrigation schemes

• Before the end of week 6, finalised plans of the rehabilitation of the irrigation schemes should be submitted to the Field Coordinator in Lodwar.

Week 7: Plans and estimates for the construction of all irrigation infrastructures

• Before the end of week 7, all the plans and detailed estimates for the construction of all the irrigation infrastructures as well as the recommendation note should be submitted to the Field Coordinator in Lodwar.

Means of the Study

• A vehicle will be put at the expert disposal for the duration of the field work.
• All available documentation will be shared with the expert.
• Internet connection and office facilities will be provided by Solidarites
• Others mean to be confirmed.

Qualification of the Consultant

• Technical Degree in a discipline relevant to the proposed study.
• Proven relevant experience with participatory methodologies.
• Experience in carrying out similar initiatives and a proven track record of excellent results delivery.
• Professional experience in Irrigation Systems Design, Planning and Management particularly in ASAL context.
• Desirable technical competence on conducting irrigation studies and coming up with user-friendly and implementation-focussed recommendations, Designs/Plans and Estimates.
• Excellent report writing and communication skills in English.

How to Apply

Please send your proposal, highlighting the following:

• A brief introduction of bidding firm or person attaching relevant CVs
• Your understanding of the Terms of Reference
• Proposed methodology and approach
• Proposed work plan and budget
• Your availability

All relevant information (CV, cover letter, copies of testimonials, certificate of works, 3 contact references) should be sent to info @ solidarites-kenya-som.org before COB 26th February 2010.

Please indicate the consultancy you are applying for in the title of your email.

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