TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR HIRING SERVICES OF

FREELANCE ENGINEERS TO CONDUCT THE FEASIBILITY STUDY OF HOUSEHOLD CONNECTION ON WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS IN RULINDO, GICUMBI, RWAMAGANA, KIREHE, NYABIHU AND RUBAVUDISTRICTS

1. Background Information

The Government of Rwanda (GoR) is committed to implementing the global agenda of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As reflected in the National Water Supply and Sanitation policies and strategies, the GoR endorsed SDGs that target achieving universal access to safely managed drinking water and sanitation by 2030.

Water For People is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) that works with people and partners to develop innovative and long-lasting solutions to water, sanitation, and hygiene problems in developing countries. The organization strives to improve, experiment with promising new ideas, and leverage resources to multiply its impact.

To achieve its ambitious targets, GoR has adopted the “District Wide Approach” (DWA). This systems-based approach considers the district as the entry point whilst recognizing the broader national enabling environment to achieve universal and sustainable access to WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) services.

Water For People collaborated with MININFRA, WASAC, and the districts to conduct detailed engineering designs of water systems to ensure universal access in various districts. The developed studies are helping the districts with planning and resource mobilization to implement WASH infrastructure projects; Water For People is keen to strive for the sustainability of water supply services to ensure that “Forever” is guaranteed. In this framework, Water For People is committed to supporting further Rulindo, Gicumbi, Rwamagana, Kirehe, Nyabihu, and Rubavu Districts to conduct a detailed feasibility study for Household connection on the water supply systems as a boost towards achieving the safely managed water service for all by 2030 and hence citizens will enjoy a smooth service Forever.

Against this background, Water For People—Rwanda would like to hire skilled Freelance Engineers to carry out the feasibility study for household connections to the existing water supply infrastructures in the 6 districts.

2. Scope of work

The scope of this assignment is as follows:

• Conducta desk review of existing WASH documents (developed studies and as-built files), including asset registry, existing/ongoing projects, current approved population settlement plans, ), to have general information on existing water distribution networks and plans.
• Ground check all existing water supply infrastructures managed by the piloted Private Operator per district, conduct a thorough analysis component by component from the source to the last point of its coverage, and identify the surrounding settlements with households without a nearby pipeline to connect to for a private connection.
• Calculate accurately the water demand anticipating that all Households served or to be served by a given water supply system will get private connections, the projection will be for a 25-year horizon.
• Measure the water sources' yield to confirm if they will satisfy the demand given the household connections anticipated. In case the discharge is insufficient propose an alternative source of water to bridge the gap and design accordingly. (If natural springs are not available to meet the demand, a Water Treatment Plant can be proposed as well).
• Investigate if the existing pipeline size can carry the required water to serve the household connections, if not design an upgraded system and provide all annexes (profiles, hydraulic calculations, drawings, shapefiles, BoQ, etc). This applies to other system components such as water storage, etc.
• For each water system whose components (some or all) need to be rehabilitated, quantify and estimate the cost then report it in the form of a BoQ
• Based on the updated planned settlements, identify and document any area that is not covered by water supply infrastructures and design an extension pipeline to that area to facilitate a household connection. (i.e. the distance from the pipeline to the households should be ideal not more than 50m for easy private connection). Provide the corresponding BoQ.
• Produce a well-labeled map (with &without ortho-photo) for each water supply system showing the current infrastructure coverage vis à vis the approved planned settlements and proposed pipeline extensions to bring the pipe closer to the Households in the specified distance for private connection. As well as proposed upgrades. (It is required to provide two separate maps, one being the current status with planned settlements, another one being the result of the feasibility study for household connections)
• Simulation of each upgraded water supply system using EPANET, WaterCAD or WaterGEMS.
• Produce a clear and concise narrative report.

Expected outputs.

• Situational analysis report showing each water supply system compiled at the district level with annexed maps as described in the scope.
• Upgraded designs for water supply systems including pipeline extensions in the specified distance to accommodate the household connections with all annexes as described in the scope
• Inventory of proposed alternative water sources per water supply system to bridge the gap as per the current water balance considering the household connections as specified in the scope, with the estimated cost to carry the works to feed that water into the concerned WSS.
• Detailed Bill of Quantities for each water supply system including upgrading works, pipeline extension to 50m less from the household, and any components to be rehabilitated.
• Simulation of each WSS as described in the scope
• Final narrative report.

4. Team composition and profile

A team of ten (10) Freelance Engineers per district (two of them will be the Team Leader and his/her deputy), with the following profile will be required to perform this assignment:

• UniversityDegree(Ao) in Water and Environmental Engineering, Hydraulic Engineering, or Civil Engineering obtained between 2019 and 2024. 
• Experienceindetailed designs of water supply systems with verifiable proof.
• Being a certified engineer proven by a valid certificate will be an added value
• Abilityto workunder pressure, in hilly and remote areas for field data 
• Computerliteracy(MS Office package and Internet) and knowledge of design software (AutoCAD/COVADIS, GIS ArcView/ArcMap) are highly 
• Skills in Water Supply Systems modeling using either EPANET, WaterCAD, or WaterGEMS (The selection exam will be based on one of these modeling software, be ready!)
• EnglishandKinyarwanda 
• Teamworkspirit with the ability to work independently and produce the desired results.
• Not planning to subcontract in any case.

5. Supervision

• Thework performed by the selected Engineers will be validated by a technical team composed by representatives of WASAC Ltd, Districts, and Water For People.

• Daily supervision is the responsibility of the team leader and his/her deputy who are part of the 10 engineers per district.

• Freelance Engineers will submit weekly progress reports showing achievement on each deliverable as stipulated in the Terms of Reference.

6. Reporting

The following reports will be produced and submitted to the technical team:

• Situational analysis report for all concerned water supply systems
• Upgraded studies for each WSS to enable private connections in the specified distance

BoQs

• Maps
• Inventory of alternative water sources to satisfy household water demand.
• Simulation of each WSS resulting from this household connection feasibility study.
• Final report

7. Duration of the assignment

The assignment duration will vary from one district to the other and therefore will be specified in the individual contract.

8. Remuneration for the work performed and other facilitation

Each Freelance Engineer will receive a net per diem per day to be negotiated upon successful selection. In addition, the following facilitation will be provided:

• GroupAccidentInsurance for the selected Freelance Engineers throughout the assignment
• Stipendmoneyspent on the field paying plumbers and other local supporting 
• GPSdevices,meters, buckets to measure the discharge of the sources of each system, and other equipment that will facilitate Freelance Engineers to perform their duties on site when deemed necessary.

9. How to apply

If you are qualified and Water For People interests you, apply with an application letter (specifying your district of interest) along with detailed curriculum vitae (resume), relevant academic documents and required certificates, and contact details of at least three (3) references via the email: rwprocurement@waterforpeople.org . Please submit your application materials in Englishby Friday, 3^rd January 2025. In-person visits or phone calls and late submissions are not allowed!