TL- Digital Water Resources Planning and PMS to develop a modern NWRDMC and operational WRIS

Objective and Purpose of the Assignment The key objectives of this consulting assignment are to continue the development of an operational WRIS for the Government of Cambodia and to ensure there is a clear strategic plan for its ongoing development in terms of expanding geographic coverage and analytical capabilities. The CS02-AF contractor objectives will: (i) Clarify the status of existing water information systems in MOWRAM, associated data and infrastructure management systems (i.e., IAMS), and the water resources information needs of key government agencies to inform the strategic plan for the development of a modern NWRDMC and operational WRIS to ensure an efficient stepwise progression of MOWRAM WRIS capability. (ii) Ensure continued development of an operational WRIS based on the findings from the previous CS02 WRIS development plan with any additional development identified by the CS02 AF contractors based on a review of work to date, the findings of government consultations, and international best practices. (iii) Develop a modern and adaptive national WRIS adhering to international best practices. (vi) Support MOWRAM to establish sustainable O&M systems for the NWRDMC and WRIS Specifically, the Objectives of the contract include: (i) Conduct of a rapid assessment of the status of WRIS and NWRDMC development, clarify and confirm the WRIS and associated systems development strategy and establish clear deliverables that ensure no duplication of past or ongoing effort, (ii) Review and the water resources information needs of government agencies to inform the ongoing design of a modern NWRDMC and WRIS, (iii) Confirm outstanding design requirements of the WRIS and other data systems to be operated by the NWRDMC based on the review of work completed under IAIP to date, government consultations, and input to reflect international best practice. The scope of design will be formally agreed by MOWRAM and reviewed by ADB with a formal concurrence prior to work proceeding. (iv) Provides support to MOWRAM PMIC procurement and contract management specialists, support MOWRAM in the procurement of Goods packages related to the WRIS and NWRDMC information services (v) Support equipment suppliers in the installation of equipment, hydrometeorological instruments, accessories and related cabling within the spaces allocated to the WRIS on the first floor of the NWRDMC and at field monitoring sites. (vi) Develop a modern and adaptive national WRIS operated on the Delft-FEWS platform and incorporate the IAMS and FAO’s WAPOR software to the best international practice standard and transfer this to MOWRAM staff. (viii Develop to full operationalization and institutionalization of the water resource information system (WRIS) that is maintained and informs on IWRM for future sector investments, including increased climate change resilience to mitigate damages and losses from floods and drought to the economy, (ix) The consultant will prepare a detailed work plan and budget for the development of river modelling within economic pole 4 for identification of sector investments using the capability of the WRIS and NWRMDC (x) Develop and implement a capacity building program for the MOWRAM staff assigned to operate and maintain the WRIS and NWRMC including client interfaces and responses to requests for the provision of water resources information or modelling outcomes. (xi) Support MOWRAM to strengthen the hydrometeorology network and data interpretation for weather systems and early warning including the installation of procured instruments at identified monitoring sites, support to data recording and archive into the NWRDMC databases. (xii) Assist in connecting the Dopler radar building established under the existing IAIP project into the NWRDMC databases and decision support to improve early warning for rainfall events – including automatic data sharing with the Civil Aviation sector. (xiii) Support MOWRAM to establish and implement O&M systems for the WRIS and a wider data support system within NWRDMC including both hardware, software, databases and server records. (xiv) As part of the transfer of systems and building of the institutional role of NWRDMC as the whole of Government service provider, the consultant shall support MOWRAMs WRIS and NWRDMC staff to prepare and deliver end user awareness and user training to other Government and non-government data users.

The duration of the consultancy services assignment is 21 months, from the date of signature of the contract, which is anticipated to be signed Q4-2025

The terms of reference of the specialists are given below.

(i)                       Team Leader (international 21 p-m)

Team Leader/ Digital Water Resources Planning and Project Management Specialist (21 p-m). The expert preferably has a master’s degree in water resources planning, meteorology, environment or project management with preferably 15 years of experience in the development, design, implementation, operation or project management of digital water sector support software including: river basins, watersheds, or irrigation systems, meteorology information systems, flood early warning systems, industrial and domestic water users; and team leadership of preferably two ADB financed projects. Experience in technical assistance for meteorology or hydrology projects with different funding agencies (WB, AFD, JICA, ...) will also be considered. The candidate preferably has demonstrated ability to lead teams composed of international and national consultants and create a strong working relationship with the executing and implementing agencies. Excellent communication (written and oral) skills and strong inter-personal skills will be considered an asset.

The Team Leader will:

(i)               provide overall responsibility for technical support during implementation, including preparation and implementation of work plans.

(ii)              coordinate financial management.

(iii)            monitor progress against project implementation schedule and coordinate preparation and submission of periodic progress reports and technical reports.

(iv)            work closely with MOWRAM-PMU and advise the PMU Project Director.

(v)             maintain good coordination among ADB, PMU, and other stakeholders and assure links with key institutions such as the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), and local authorities;

(vi)            provide guidance to the team to ensure that the quality of work meets the required professional standards.

(vii)          assist PMU in contracts management.

(viii)         monitor financial performance of the contract.

(ix)            be responsible for the submission of the QPRs, annual reports, and other reports that may be required by PMU and ADB.