Call For Consultant (IKI Katuma Project) at Rikolto

Call For Consultant (IKI Katuma Project) at Rikolto

Conservation of Biodiversity in Wetlands through Integrated Water Resources Management (IKI KATUMA)Terms of Reference for Capacity Needs Assessment of Three Water User Associations in Katavi under the IKI Katuma Project

1. General Information

1.1 Background

Rikolto collaborates with diverse food system actors to address complex challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and access to healthy food for all. Conserving biodiversity, which food systems depend on, and protecting natural ecosystems that harbor biodiversity are high priorities for Rikolto. To achieve this, we work with farmers’ organizations to enhance their professionalism and governance by continuously improving potential value chains. We also provide advice and training on the application, adaptation, and adoption of regenerative farming practices, build the capacity of water user associations (WUAs) to manage water resources sustainably, and train their members on water-efficient farming techniques. Our holistic approach ensures that these practices benefit people, communities, and the planet by strengthening farmers’ resilience.

Rikolto in Tanzania has secured funding from GIZ to implement the Conservation of Biodiversity in Wetlands through the Integrated Water Resources Management project in collaboration with other partners. The project aims to strengthen institutions involved in water and natural resource management and improve the capacity of water users to effectively manage water resources for wetland ecosystem protection and biodiversity conservation. Given Rikolto’s track record in professionalizing WUAs and training farmers on sustainable cultivation practices, GIZ has assigned Rikolto to work with water user associations along the upper Katuma River catchment to strengthen their capacity in water management and ensure compliance with water withdrawal permits.

To strengthen the WUAs effectively, Rikolto seeks a consultant to conduct a skills and knowledge gap assessment of WUA leaders on water resource management in the upper Katuma catchment. The consultant will use the iCRA approach to engage various stakeholders in the IKI Katuma catchment. This assessment will identify practical opportunities to enhance the operations of WUAs in managing water resources in the upper Katuma catchment.

The Diagnosis and Design (D&D) approach will be applied to three WUAs—Katuma, Mpanda, and Msaginya—to develop a customized capacity-building plan for WUA leaders. The plan aims to improve water management, build trust and collaboration among key water users, and enhance water use efficiency to increase the hydrological flow of the Katuma River.

1.2 Target Group

The IKI Katuma project is implemented alongside the Katavi River Basin, focusing on the ecosystem of the Katuma catchment. For this assignment, the focus will be on three WUAs—Katuma, Msaginya, and Mpanda—where communities around the Katuma catchment depend on biodiversity services for their livelihoods, including farming, livestock keeping, and domestic water use.

2. Scope of the Assignment

The assignment will involve:

1. Mapping the existing water user associations and assessing their current operational status.
2. Facilitating discussions with communities to analyze wetland evolution trends over time and their implications for biodiversity loss.
3. Discussing the interrelationship between different water users and their roles and responsibilities in protecting wetlands along the Katuma catchment.
4. Assessing the management capacity of the three WUA leaders.
5. Evaluating WUA leaders’ understanding of the legal requirements for water users.
6. Identifying challenges faced by WUA leaders in ensuring compliance with water withdrawal permits.
7. Mapping demand to identify areas for improving participation among producers, livestock keepers, and domestic users in water efficiency and Katuma biodiversity conservation.
8. Assessing WUA leaders’ knowledge of regenerative farming practices.
9. Identifying potential investment areas to enhance water use efficiency and conservation around Katuma, Msaginya, and Mpanda.
10. Identifying key community influencers to engage in water and biodiversity conservation efforts.
11. Analyzing social, cultural, economic, and environmental barriers hindering wetland conservation and developing participatory solutions.
12. Recommending a capacity development plan to improve water use efficiency in the upper reaches of the Katuma River.

With support from the Rikolto East Africa technical team, experts will lead the assessment in the three WUAs. The D&D approach will be used, bringing together conservation stakeholders, farmers, livestock keepers, and domestic water users to analyze the catchment’s status and design changes to improve both water management and efficient use for human activities and conservation. The experts will identify key areas where the project can invest in physical infrastructure, such as water troughs for animals, irrigation canals, demonstration plots for rice and horticultural crops, and vegetation regeneration sites. Additionally, they will design tailored training on WUA management, covering human resources, finances, water allocation, fee collection, and infrastructure maintenance. The assessment will take 16 days, with at least 4 days allocated per WUA.

3. Expected Deliverables

The consultant(s) will be responsible for delivering the following:

• An inception presentation to Rikolto staff outlining the approach to the assignment.
• An inception report detailing the survey design, data collection methodology, key assessment questions, and a tentative work schedule. Rikolto East Africa must approve this report before proceeding.
• A comprehensive final skills gap assessment report, including electronic and signed hard copies. The report should incorporate feedback and highlight potential project intervention areas for Katuma catchment conservation.
• An assessment abstract and PowerPoint presentation(s) for stakeholder dissemination.
• Recommendations on how Rikolto can engage the community in investing in water control infrastructure, such as water troughs for animals, pesticide container collection centers for rice and horticulture farming, and irrigation canal development.

4. Qualifications and Experience

• A bachelor’s degree in social sciences, environmental science, agribusiness, statistics, economics, natural resource management, or environmental economics.
• Experience in human-centered approaches to facilitate dialogues in development projects.
• Capacity to facilitate diagnostic and design workshops with various stakeholders.
• At least two years of experience in conservation analysis, evaluation, and agri-ecological value chain research.
• Strong understanding of regenerative agriculture.
• Familiarity with WUA operations and capacity-building measures related to water use efficiency and environmentally friendly farming practices.
• Experience collaborating with water authorities and understanding WUA water permit operations.
• Knowledge of community engagement for conservation initiatives.
• Experience working with donor-funded projects in public sectors and NGOs.
• Strong analytical, communication, and reporting skills.
• Knowledge of gender and women’s rights issues.
• Fluency in English and Swahili.
• Ability to work independently.

5. Application Procedure

Qualified candidates (individual consultants or consultancy firms) are invited to submit their Technical and Financial proposals, including the following:

• Cover letter.
• CVs of proposed consultants, including reference details of previous clients.
• References from at least three organizations where similar services were recently provided.
• Samples of 2-3 similar previous assessments, surveys, or evaluations.

Send your proposal via email to [email protected] by 7th March 2025. Please ensure that the subject line of your email includes the exact title of the survey. For more details, visit Here

Call For Consultant (IKI Katuma Project) at Rikolto