MoLG: Development Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Consultant — West Bank and Gaza Social Recovery and Job Creation Project

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST Individual Consultant Services Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Consultant Social Recovery and Job Creation Project (SRJC) The Ministry of Finance and Planning (MoFP), through the Social Recovery and Job Creation Project (SRJC), invites qualified individual consultants to express their interest in providing consulting services for conducting Decentralized Wastewater Treatment for the benefit of the Ministry of Local Government. Background The Social Recovery and Job Creation Project (SRJC) is financed by the World Bank and implemented under the overall oversight of the Ministry of Finance and Planning (MoFP). The project aims to: Increase employment opportunities for selected groups in targeted areas; and Improve the operational capacity of selected government institutions. Under Component 3, Capacity Building of Selected Government Institutions, the Ministry of Local Government (MoLG) is implementing a capacity-building programme aimed at strengthening its institutional and technical capacities and enhancing the delivery of sustainable and resilient local public services. As part of this programme, the Ministry seeks to strengthen its technical guidance for sustainable wastewater management. Many Palestinian Local Government Units (LGUs) continue to face challenges in providing wastewater services due to limited financial and technical capacities, the high costs of centralized systems, and environmental, planning, and geographical constraints, particularly in rural and underserved areas. To address these challenges, the Ministry intends to engage an Individual Consultant to develop a Technical Guidance Manual for Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Solutions. The assignment will support the Ministry and LGUs in planning, selecting, and implementing sustainable wastewater treatment solutions that are technically feasible, environmentally sound, and aligned with national priorities. Assignment Objective The objective of this assignment is to support Ministry of Local Government (MoLG) in developing a Technical Guidance Manual for Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Solutions and to strengthen the capacity of MoLG and LGUs in planning, selecting, and implementing sustainable wastewater management solutions. The assignment includes assessing existing needs, identifying priority locations, evaluating appropriate technology options, and developing technical guidance to support informed decision-making and the selection of solutions that are technically feasible, environmentally and socially sound, responsive to local conditions, and aligned with national priorities. Scope of the Assignment Under the overall supervision of the Ministry of Local Government, the Consultant shall provide technical expertise to support the development of a Technical Guidance Manual for Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Solutions for Palestinian Local Government Units. The proposed solutions and technical guidance shall be aligned with the relevant strategies and requirements of MoLG and the Palestinian Water Authority (PWA), as well as the applicable national reform and development plans. The Consultant shall also prepare operational guidance as part of the assignment. 3.1 Main Duties and Responsibilities The Consultant shall be responsible for, but not limited to, the following: Review relevant legislation, policies, strategies, technical guidelines, and existing studies related to wastewater management and decentralized wastewater treatment systems. Develop practical and scalable criteria for selecting appropriate decentralized wastewater treatment solutions, in full coordination with MoLG and with due consideration to operation and maintenance requirements. Assess the current status of wastewater management and identify the main technical, institutional, environmental, financial, and operational challenges faced by Palestinian Local Government Units. Assess existing wastewater management needs and develop objective criteria for identifying priority locations suitable for decentralized wastewater treatment solutions. Identify and evaluate appropriate small-scale decentralized wastewater treatment technologies and models applicable to different local contexts, taking into consideration: Technical feasibility. Environmental and social mitigation measures. Sustainability. Operation and maintenance requirements. Cost-effectiveness. Develop a Technical Guidance Manual for Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Solutions to support LGUs in selecting and planning appropriate wastewater management solutions. Prepare preliminary conceptual designs for selected priority locations, as appropriate. Conduct meetings and consultations with MoLG and relevant stakeholders, including PWA and PEA, throughout the assignment. Prepare and submit all required reports and deliverables, including the Inception Report, Assessment Report, Draft Technical Guidance Manual, Final Report, and Presentation, while incorporating comments received from MoLG. Ensure effective coordination with all relevant stakeholders, including MoLG, PWA, and PEA. Perform any other related tasks requested by MoLG within the agreed scope of the assignment. Key Deliverables The Consultant shall submit the following deliverables: No. Deliverable Description 1 Inception Report A comprehensive report outlining the assignment methodology, detailed work plan, implementation schedule, and stakeholder engagement approach. 2 Assessment Report A detailed report assessing the current status of wastewater management in Palestinian Local Government Units and identifying the main challenges, existing gaps, and priority locations suitable for decentralized wastewater treatment solutions. 3 Draft Technical Guidance Manual A draft Technical Guidance Manual presenting appropriate decentralized wastewater treatment technologies, technical selection criteria, preliminary conceptual designs for selected priority locations, implementation guidance, and operation and maintenance considerations to support MoLG and LGUs in planning and implementing sustainable wastewater treatment solutions. 4 Final Report and Presentation A final report incorporating the comments of the Ministry of Local Government. The report shall include the finalized Technical Guidance Manual, selection criteria, operational guidance contributing to the capacity building of MoLG engineering staff and LGU staff, recommendations for improving service delivery, preliminary conceptual and economic designs, implementation guidance, documentation of consultations with key stakeholders, and a presentation summarizing the key findings of the assignment. All deliverables shall be submitted to and formally approved by the Ministry of Local Government. Reporting and Coordination The Consultant shall work under the overall supervision of the Ministry of Local Government and shall closely coordinate with the relevant departments and stakeholders throughout the assignment. The Consultant shall report directly to the designated focal point within MoLG and shall submit all reports, deliverables, and other required outputs for review and approval in accordance with the agreed work plan and timeline. The Consultant shall maintain regular communication with the Ministry, participate in coordination meetings as requested, present the key findings and recommendations, and address comments received from the Ministry to ensure that all deliverables meet the required quality standards and the objectives of the assignment. Duration of Assignment The duration of the assignment shall be six (6) months from the date of signature. Estimated Level of Effort The Consultant shall provide the level of effort required to satisfactorily complete all tasks and deliver all outputs specified in these Terms of Reference within the contract period. The estimated level of effort is fifty (50) working days. Duty Station The Consultant will be based at the Ministry of Local Government Headquarters in Ramallah, Palestine. The Consultant shall undertake five (5) field visits to selected Local Government Units and project sites, as required and in coordination with the Ministry, to effectively carry out the assignment. Required Qualifications and Experience The Consultant shall have the following qualifications and experience: At least a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Water Engineering, Sanitary Engineering, or another closely related discipline. Higher academic qualifications in a relevant field will be considered an asset. Relevant professional experience in wastewater management, wastewater treatment, sanitation, and related infrastructure projects, demonstrating suitability for the assignment. Demonstrated technical experience in decentralized wastewater treatment systems, technical assessments, development of technical models, conceptual designs, or other related wastewater management assignments. Experience working with public-sector institutions and/or donor-funded projects, preferably projects financed by international development partners. Strong reporting, communication, coordination, and networking skills. Selection Method and Evaluation Criteria The Consultant will be selected in accordance with the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers and based on the qualifications and experience of the applicant. The evaluation will be conducted out of a total score of 100 points as follows: Points Evaluation Criterion 10 At least a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Water Engineering, Sanitary Engineering, or another closely related discipline. Higher academic qualifications in a relevant field will be considered an asset. 40 Relevant professional experience in wastewater management, wastewater treatment, sanitation, and related infrastructure projects, demonstrating suitability and adequacy for the assignment. 25 Demonstrated technical experience in decentralized wastewater treatment systems, technical assessments, development of technical models, conceptual designs, or other related wastewater management assignments. 10 Experience working with public-sector institutions and/or donor-funded projects, preferably projects financed by international development partners. 15 Reporting, communication, coordination, and networking skills. 100 Total Only candidates obtaining a minimum technical score of 70 points may be invited for an interview, if deemed necessary by the evaluation committee.