Consultancy Services to Develop a Groundwater Strategy for the Zamcom River Basin — ZA-SADC-GMI

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

FOR

CONSULTANCY SERVICES TO DEVELOP A GROUNDWATER STRATEGY FOR THE ZAMCOM RIVER BASIN.

ZA-SADC-GMI-459134-CS-CQS

• Background

Groundwater is pivotal in Southern Africa, particularly within the Zambezi Watercourse, serving as a significant water source for diverse sectors. Historically, groundwater has been extensively utilised for agriculture, enabling farmers to cultivate crops and sustain livelihoods in arid and semi-arid regions. It has also been vital in providing water for rural communities, ensuring millions can access clean and safe drinking water. Recently, there has been a growing demand for groundwater in urban areas, often used to supplement municipal water supplies or provide water in areas where piped water is unavailable. Beyond these traditional uses, groundwater has become increasingly important in the mining industry.

In March 2021, the Groundwater Subgroup was incorporated into the Sub-Technical Committee on Hydrology of the Zambezi Watercourse Commission Technical Committee (ZAMSCOH-G), marking a significant milestone in implementing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between ZAMCOM and SADC-GMI in February 2019. This MoU laid the groundwork for collaboration between the two organisations to promote sustainable groundwater management practices and address transboundary groundwater challenges within the Zambezi Watercourse. The formation of the Groundwater Sub-group marked a significant milestone in the journey towards sustainable groundwater development and management in the Zambezi Watercourse. It signifies a commitment from ZAMCOM and its Riparian States to work together to safeguard this vital resource for present and future generations.

Developing a comprehensive groundwater strategy for the Zambezi Watercourse is crucial to ensure this vital resource's recognition, equitable access, sustainable utilisation, and protection.

• Objective of the Assignment

The key objective of this assignment is to develop a strategy to serve as a guiding document for joint groundwater development and management in the Zambezi Watercourse.

• Project Deliverables

The main outputs from the project are:

• Inception Report

• Stakeholder Mapping and Engagement Report

• Concept note for Zambezi Strategy

• A draft Groundwater Strategy for the Zambezi Watercourse

• A final Groundwater Strategy for the Zambezi Watercourse

• Eligibility

The Consulting firm must have proven experience in Regional and Transboundary Groundwater Governance issues and demonstrated knowledge of groundwater capacity-building initiatives, Groundwater assessment, development/integration of groundwater management information systems and/or decision support systems, and development of a Groundwater Strategy and Implementation Plan. Experience with donor-funded projects is desirable. The Consultant who can demonstrate a proven track record of completing at least three similar assignments, of which one should have been in the SADC region or the Zambezi Watercourse, is preferred.

• Schedule and Duration of Assignment

The assignment is a once-off project without any obligation for follow-up work, to be implemented for an estimated duration of 28 weeks from contract signature with an estimated level of effort of 160 person-days as indicated under the key experts.

• Liaison and Logistics

On a day-to-day basis, the team of consultants will liaise with the SADC-GMI through the Executive Director being responsible for the final approval of all deliverables.

• Expression of Interest Submission Requirements

Interested consultancy firms are requested to submit an expression of interest, and the expression of interest should include the following:

• Evidence showing that the firm is a legal entity (certificate of registration)

b) The Consulting firm must have proven experience in Regional and Transboundary Groundwater Governance issues and demonstrated knowledge of groundwater capacity-building initiatives, Groundwater assessment, development/integration of groundwater management information systems and/or decision support systems, and development of a Groundwater Strategy and Implementation Plan.

c) Availability of Professional Key Staff with Suitable Qualifications in the field of

assignment.

d) The Consultant who can demonstrate a proven track record of completing at least three similar assignments, of which one should have been in the SADC region or the Zambezi Watercourse, is preferred.

e) Brief description (not more than 3 pages) of the proposed Methodology of carrying out the scope of the work.

f) The EOI submission should not exceed 30 pages.

Further information can be obtained at the e-mail address listed below during office hours i.e., 08:00 am-5:00pm, Monday – Friday, [email protected]

• Submission of Expression of Interest (EOI)

Bidders must submit Expressions of Interest (EOI) by e-mail to [email protected] by 12:00 noon (RSA Time) on or before 15 November 2024.

NB: For a detailed Terms of Reference, please visit SADC website at www.sadc-gmi.org .

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

FOR

CONSULTANCY SERVICES TO DEVELOP A GROUNDWATER STRATEGY FOR THE ZAMCOM RIVER BASIN.

ZA-SADC-GMI-459134-CS-CQS

• Background

Groundwater is pivotal in Southern Africa, particularly within the Zambezi Watercourse, serving as a significant water source for diverse sectors. Historically, groundwater has been extensively utilised for agriculture, enabling farmers to cultivate crops and sustain livelihoods in arid and semi-arid regions. It has also been vital in providing water for rural communities, ensuring millions can access clean and safe drinking water. Recently, there has been a growing demand for groundwater in urban areas, often used to supplement municipal water supplies or provide water in areas where piped water is unavailable. Beyond these traditional uses, groundwater has become increasingly important in the mining industry.

In March 2021, the Groundwater Subgroup was incorporated into the Sub-Technical Committee on Hydrology of the Zambezi Watercourse Commission Technical Committee (ZAMSCOH-G), marking a significant milestone in implementing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between ZAMCOM and SADC-GMI in February 2019. This MoU laid the groundwork for collaboration between the two organisations to promote sustainable groundwater management practices and address transboundary groundwater challenges within the Zambezi Watercourse. The formation of the Groundwater Sub-group marked a significant milestone in the journey towards sustainable groundwater development and management in the Zambezi Watercourse. It signifies a commitment from ZAMCOM and its Riparian States to work together to safeguard this vital resource for present and future generations.

Developing a comprehensive groundwater strategy for the Zambezi Watercourse is crucial to ensure this vital resource's recognition, equitable access, sustainable utilisation, and protection.

• Objective of the Assignment

The key objective of this assignment is to develop a strategy to serve as a guiding document for joint groundwater development and management in the Zambezi Watercourse.

• Project Deliverables

The main outputs from the project are:

• Inception Report

• Stakeholder Mapping and Engagement Report

• Concept note for Zambezi Strategy

• A draft Groundwater Strategy for the Zambezi Watercourse

• A final Groundwater Strategy for the Zambezi Watercourse

• Eligibility

The Consulting firm must have proven experience in Regional and Transboundary Groundwater Governance issues and demonstrated knowledge of groundwater capacity-building initiatives, Groundwater assessment, development/integration of groundwater management information systems and/or decision support systems, and development of a Groundwater Strategy and Implementation Plan. Experience with donor-funded projects is desirable. The Consultant who can demonstrate a proven track record of completing at least three similar assignments, of which one should have been in the SADC region or the Zambezi Watercourse, is preferred.

• Schedule and Duration of Assignment

The assignment is a once-off project without any obligation for follow-up work, to be implemented for an estimated duration of 28 weeks from contract signature with an estimated level of effort of 160 person-days as indicated under the key experts.

• Liaison and Logistics

On a day-to-day basis, the team of consultants will liaise with the SADC-GMI through the Executive Director being responsible for the final approval of all deliverables.

• Expression of Interest Submission Requirements

Interested consultancy firms are requested to submit an expression of interest, and the expression of interest should include the following:

• Evidence showing that the firm is a legal entity (certificate of registration)

b) The Consulting firm must have proven experience in Regional and Transboundary Groundwater Governance issues and demonstrated knowledge of groundwater capacity-building initiatives, Groundwater assessment, development/integration of groundwater management information systems and/or decision support systems, and development of a Groundwater Strategy and Implementation Plan.

c) Availability of Professional Key Staff with Suitable Qualifications in the field of

assignment.

d) The Consultant who can demonstrate a proven track record of completing at least three similar assignments, of which one should have been in the SADC region or the Zambezi Watercourse, is preferred.

e) Brief description (not more than 3 pages) of the proposed Methodology of carrying out the scope of the work.

f) The EOI submission should not exceed 30 pages.

Further information can be obtained at the e-mail address listed below during office hours i.e., 08:00 am-5:00pm, Monday – Friday, [email protected]

• Submission o