International Senior Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineer (irrigation systems and dams) – part-time (90 days) — Zletovica Productivity through Irrigation and Renewable Energy

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES - INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT - INTERNATIONAL) Republic of North Macedonia Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy Zletovica Productivity through Irrigation and Renewable Energy Project (PIREP) Grant No.: TF0D2152 Assignment Title: Senior Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineer (International Consultant) Reference No.: PIREP-IC-06 The Republic of North Macedonia has received financing from the World Bank, acting as trustee of the Grant Facility for Project Preparation (GFPP), for the preparation of the Zletovica Productivity through Irrigation and Renewable Energy Project (PIREP), and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy (MAFWE), through its Project Implementation Unit (PIU), is responsible for the implementation of the grant. The preparation grant supports the updating of technical and hydraulic studies, dam safety documentation, transboundary water analyses, and environmental and social instruments for Phases II and III of the Zletovica Hydrosystem, comprising irrigation development and hydropower generation. The PIU implements the grant in close partnership with PS Zletovica, which leads the technical preparation and prioritization of activities. The objective of this assignment is to provide overall technical leadership and independent engineering oversight to PS Zletovica, in coordination with the PIU, for preparing Phases II and III. The Consultant will serve as Technical Team Leader, coordinating and assuring the quality of construction-ready detailed designs, cost estimates, technical specifications and civil works bidding documents, and supporting appraisal, permitting, procurement and financing readiness. The consulting services ("the Services") include coordinating multidisciplinary technical inputs; reviewing studies, investigations, water-resources and hydraulic analyses; advising on investment options and prioritization; reviewing final detailed designs and dam-safety interfaces; integrating environmental and social requirements; providing technical inputs for international-waterways assessments under OP 7.50, economic and financial analyses and jobs contribution reporting; supporting permits and regulatory compliance; reviewing and finalizing technical procurement packages; providing technical procurement support subject to applicable conflict-of-interest requirements; and undertaking capacity building, reporting and missions. The Consultant will report contractually to the PIU Project Director/Coordinator and work in close technical coordination with the Director and designated technical representatives of PS Zletovica, coordinating the inputs of the local Senior Irrigation Engineer and other technical specialists. The assignment is expected to require up to 90 working days during the GFPP implementation period, ending in December 2027. The allocation of inputs by task and deliverable will be proposed in the inception work plan, with the timing of services coordinated with project-preparation milestones and related activities. The Consultant may work remotely and in North Macedonia, subject to the approved work plan. At least one-third of the total level of effort shall be delivered in North Macedonia. When in North Macedonia, the Consultant will be based primarily at PS Zletovica’s offices, with travel to project sites and relevant institutions as required. Monthly trips to North Macedonia will be required, as agreed with PS Zletovica and the PIU. The complete Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment are included in Annex 1 to this Request for Expressions of Interest and form an integral part of it. MAFWE now invites eligible individuals ("Consultants") to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information (curriculum vitae and references in English language only) demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria are: • Master’s degree in civil, hydraulic, water resources, irrigation, hydropower, or a closely related engineering field. A relevant professional engineering registration or equivalent certification is desirable. • At least 15 years of relevant professional experience in hydraulic engineering, water-resources planning, irrigation infrastructure, hydropower, and multipurpose water systems. • Demonstrated senior-level experience in at least three large or technically complex irrigation or multipurpose water-resources projects involving dams or reservoirs, water-conveyance systems, pressurized or gravity-fed irrigation networks, and/or hydropower facilities. • Experience as Team Leader, Technical Team Leader, Lead Engineer, or Independent Technical Reviewer in at least two multidisciplinary assignments covering feasibility, detailed design, procurement documentation, and implementation readiness. • Demonstrated experience reviewing final detailed designs, design calculations, drawings, technical specifications, bills of quantities, cost estimates, construction methods, and civil works bidding documents. • Strong experience in hydrological and hydraulic analysis, water allocation and reservoir operation, climate-resilience assessment, irrigation demand, pumping and conveyance systems, and technical interfaces with dam safety and hydropower. • Experience with flow measurement, automation, SCADA, commissioning, operation and maintenance, and asset-management arrangements is desirable. • Experience providing engineering inputs to environmental and social assessments, economic and financial analysis, construction permitting, and international-waterways assessments is highly desirable. • Familiarity with World Bank-financed investment projects, the Environmental and Social Framework, OP 7.50, Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, and Standard Procurement Documents is a strong advantage. • Experience in North Macedonia, the Western Balkans, or countries with comparable technical and regulatory conditions is desirable. • Strong analytical, leadership, coordination, and technical writing skills, including the ability to communicate complex issues clearly and provide practical, decision-oriented recommendations. • Excellent written and spoken English. Knowledge of Macedonian or another relevant regional language is an advantage. The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraphs 3.15, 3.16 and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, Seventh Edition, September 2025 ("Procurement Regulations"), setting forth the World Bank’s policies on conflict of interest and unfair competitive advantage. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Open Competitive Selection of Individual Consultants method set out in the Procurement Regulations. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 08:00 to 16:00, Skopje local time. Expressions of interest must be delivered in written form to the address stated below (in person, by mail or by e-mail) by Tuesday, October 27, 2026, 12:00 Skopje local time. Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy Zletovica Productivity through Irrigation and Renewable Energy Project (PIREP) Attn.: Ms. Ana Gaceva Str. Leninova No. 2 1000 Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia E-mail: procurement@amp.mk