Local Hydro-Mechanical Engineer – full-time 12 months — Zletovica Productivity through Irrigation and Renewable Energy

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT – NATIONAL) 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: Local Hydro-Mechanical Engineer Reference No.: PIREP-IC-09 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 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, covering irrigation development and hydropower investments. The PIU implements the grant in close coordination with the Public Enterprise for Water Management Activities HS “Zletovica”–Probištip (PE HS Zletovica), which provides technical leadership and institutional support. The objective of the assignment is to provide full-time technical oversight, engineering support, and quality assurance on hydro-mechanical systems and equipment associated with the preparation of Phase II irrigation and Phase III hydropower investments. The Consultant will serve as the principal hydro-mechanical advisor to the PIU and PE HS Zletovica, supporting technically sound, safe, reliable, maintainable, cost-effective, and climate-resilient solutions in accordance with applicable national requirements and World Bank standards. The consulting services (“the Services”) include reviewing feasibility studies, hydraulic assessments, detailed engineering designs, technical specifications and cost estimates; assessing gates, valves, penstocks, pressure pipelines, pumping stations, steel structures, intake and outlet works, and related equipment; reviewing interfaces with Kneevo Dam, existing water supply and operational systems, dam safety, electrical, automation and SCADA systems; providing hydro-mechanical inputs to environmental and social instruments; supporting preparation and review of bidding documents, bills of quantities, equipment schedules, testing and commissioning requirements; reviewing manufacturers’ submissions and quality-control records; contributing to technical evaluation, construction supervision arrangements, operational improvements, training, project reporting, field visits and World Bank missions. The Consultant will report technically to the Director of PE HS Zletovica, who will provide day-to-day technical direction and review outputs. The PIU Coordinator/Project Director will serve as the contract-management focal point and provide administrative and procurement-related oversight. The assignment is expected to be full-time during the GFPP-funded preparation period, subject to the contract terms and project schedule. The Consultant will be based full-time at HS Zletovica in North Macedonia and undertake regular field visits to project sites, existing facilities, and relevant institutions as required. Any continuation into project implementation will be subject to satisfactory performance, project approval, financing availability, and the applicable contracting arrangements. 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) demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria are: University degree in Mechanical Engineering, Hydro-Mechanical Engineering, Hydraulic Machinery Engineering, Hydropower Engineering, or a closely related field. A Master’s degree would be considered an advantage. Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience in hydro-mechanical engineering associated with dams, hydropower facilities, irrigation infrastructure, pumping stations, water supply systems, or other major hydraulic infrastructure. Demonstrated experience in at least three large or technically complex water infrastructure projects involving hydro-mechanical equipment, gates, valves, penstocks, pumping systems, hydraulic steel structures, or hydropower facilities. Experience with dam outlet works, spillway gates, intake structures, pumping stations, pressure pipelines, irrigation control systems, and hydropower equipment is highly desirable. Demonstrated experience as Senior Hydro-Mechanical Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Technical Reviewer, Design Engineer, Construction Supervision Engineer, or similar senior technical role. Experience in review of consultant outputs, equipment specifications, procurement packages, factory inspections, testing, commissioning, and contract implementation supervision is highly desirable. Familiarity with World Bank-financed projects, procurement procedures, and Environmental and Social Framework requirements is an advantage. Strong analytical, coordination, and technical report-writing skills. Professional proficiency in written and spoken Macedonian and English. 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, using a national market approach. 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 Friday, October 30, 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