Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh

Office of the Project Director, PIU

Agro-Meteorological Information Systems Development Project

Component-C of BWCSRP

Department of Agricultural Extension

Khamarbari, Farmgate, Dhaka-1215 

Revised Request for Expressions of Interest (REOI)

for

Senior International Agromet Technical Consultant (Intermittent) on “Agro-Meteorological Information Systems Development Project” (Component C of Bangladesh Weather and Climate Services Regional Project)

(Contract Package No.: AMISDP-SD-001) 

Memo: 12.01.0000.018.01.010.21.6366                                                                                                           Date: 19.12.2021

The People’s Republic of Bangladesh has received a credit in the amount of USD 113million as from the International Development Association (IDA) towards the cost of Agro-Meteorological Information Systems Development Project [Component –C of Bangladesh Weather and Climate Services Regional Project (BWCSRP)] to be implemented by Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and it intends to apply part of the proceeds to payments for the provision of consultancy services for the project by hiring of an International Agro-Meteorological Services Consultant.

2.     Scope of Task /Service:

  The services, among others, include the following:

The Individual International Consultant shall work as part of the PIU of DAE. Since BMD is mandated to provide weather services, the consultant will also work in close coordination with relevant officials at the Agricultural Meteorology Division of BMD.  Key tasks can be organized under the following areas: a) Prepare a comprehensive list of actions to develop appropriate agrometeorological products and services to be posted on the web portal, Bangladesh Agrometeorological Information System (BAMIS); (b) develop appropriate strategies for the dissemination of agrometeorological advisories and products to farming communities in different upazilas, their use by farmers and obtaining feedback from  farmers; (c) prepare a comprehensive plan to provide agrometeorological information services and products for the farming communities at the Upazila and Union Parishad levels; and  (d) develop an effective implementation plan for using state of art technology for operational agromet advisory services. 

More specifically, this will include but not be limited to the following activities:

1.  Preparation of a comprehensive list of deliverables i.e., Final guidelines for developing agrometeorological databases for the 487 upazilas; Guidance document on agrometeorological data analysis and future scenario generation (including the use of crop models) and downscaling the scenarios to upazila level; and create and use of risk mapping of climate-vulnerable farming communities in Bangladesh;
2. Support the government in issuance of agrometeorological advisories and development of products to farming communities in different regions of Bangladesh through the web portal, BAMIS and other communication channels;
3. Undertake an assessment of existing data for development of agro-advisory bulletins and for crop modeling; along with enhance monitoring;
4. Visit selected upazilas and develop a comprehensive strategy, after discussions with DAE and BMD staff, for developing agrometeorological databases for the 487 upazilas; work with DAE and other institutions to help develop such databases;
5. Develop a plan, in consultation with experts from BMD, DAE, BARI, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), Bangladesh Sugar Crop Research Institute (BSRI) and Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI) for agrometeorological data analysis and future scenario generation (including the use of crop models) and downscaling the scenarios to block level;  support and provide training to the agencies on these aspects;
6. Visit selected sites where automatic weather stations will be installed and prepare a plan for the integration of data from these stations with the data from the agriculture sector collected by DAE through the Agricultural Officers in the Upazilas to facilitate the development of agrometeorological advisories and products for use by the farming community;
7. Visit the offices of Union Parishads and develop the sustainable plan for use of  data from the automatic rain gauges and on line reception and display of agrometeorological information through display boards in all the 4,051 Union Parishads for provision of agrometeorological information to farmers;
8. Visit a few Upazila Agricultural Offices and operationalization on regular basis of agrometeorological kiosks with data display screens, computers and printers in the Upazila Agricultural Offices to cater to the specific information needs of the farming community;
9. Provide guidance and work with DAE, BMD BARI, BRRI, BSRI and BJRI to support preparation of agrometeorological Advisories for all 64 districts and also in upazila level;
10. Develop and communication of information to farmers on the current weather, expected weather and the related impacts on crop growth and development and advice on controlling any emerging pests and diseases through mobile Apps and other media;
11. Provide advice on the organization of roving seminars for farmers in local communities to help bridge the knowledge gap between DAE, BMD and farmers; and
12. Provide technical support as needed to the DAE PIU on the development of agrometeorological services in Bangladesh. 
13. Develop and support of information dissemination through Community Radio Stations.
14. Develop and support for automation in preparation of agromet advisory services.
15. Develop and support for use of sub-seasonal weather forecast in Bangladesh agriculture.
16. Develop and support for use of state of art technology (e.g., remote sensing, GIS etc) for preparation of crop and location specific agromet advisories.
17. Develop and support for preparation of agromet advisories under different extreme weather in Bangladesh.

3. Qualification and Experience:

• The candidate should have a Master’s degree in Agricultural Sciences Meteorology/Meteorology with applications to agriculture/agricultural meteorology with knowledge of Satellite Meteorology. PhD degree in agricultural meteorology is an advantage.
• Should possess 20 years of work experience as full-time researcher in agricultural meteorology in Research Institute/ University/ International Institute/Govt. agency/ UN agency. Work experience in similar type of project is highly preferable.
• Should have proven skills in writing reports, and use of computer.
• Should have knowledge of statistical analysis and climate data management.
• Knowledge of climate prediction techniques with familiarity in the use of climate models and downscaling methods and crop simulation models; basic knowledge of Geographical Information System and Remote Sensing will be an advantage.
• Experience facilitating focus groups, conducting user testing, and generally working with end users preferred;
• Should be energetic and be able to travel frequently to project sites. 

4.    Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) now invites eligible applicants to indicate their interest in providing the services. Applicants are invited to provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (Application Submission Form, Complete CV and supporting documents).

5.    Detailed Terms of Reference (ToR) will be available upon request from the address provided below either through email or in person. ToR will also be available in the website of DAE (www.dae.gov.bd/site/view/tenders/tender-EOI-job-circular and https://www.bamis.gov.bd/en/page/tender/). Interested consultant may obtain further information from the office of the undersigned from 09:00 to 17:00 hours (Except holidays). 

6.    The consultant shall be selected following Individual Consultant (SIC) based selection method set forth in Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits & Grants by World Bank Borrowers, January 2011 (Revised July 2014) on the basis of consultant’s qualification, experiences and capability to carry out the assignment.

7.    Expression of Interest (both hard and soft copy) must be delivered to the address below (in person or by mail or by email) by 16:00 hours (GMT+ 6 hours) on or before January 23, 2022. The authority reserves the right to accept or reject any or all EOIs without assigning any reason, whatsoever

Name: Dr. Md. Shah Kamal Khan

Designation: Project Director

Address: Room # 728, 6th Floor, Middle Building,

Khamarbari, Farmgate, Dhaka-1215

Cell no. +8801712184274

Telephone: +88-02-55028422

Email: [email protected]