1.    INTRODUCTION

These terms of Reference, (ToRs) set out the scope of work for technical advisors, to operate under the management of the Gabiro Agribusiness Hub Ltd, a parastatal company, whose shares belong to the GoR and Netafim Israel. The project located in Nyagatare and Gatsibo aims at setting up a modern hub of both intensive agriculture and animal resource husbandry, using the innovative technologies of irrigation to increase the production of high-value commodities, demonstration of advanced technics in intensified milk production, while attracting private investments in the agriculture sector and transforming community livelihoods by raising substantially income from the small scale farm.

The project is expected to deliver water infrastructures for irrigation on gross command area totalizing 5600 Ha (Phase I), extend an MV power line to various power-demanding units in the scheme, and construct main and secondary roads to enable proper transportation of the yield and community resettlement in modern housing. In addition to this, the project shall set up a Gabiro Operation and Maintenance Centre-GOMC to avail essential tools and all required inputs to assist modern farming. The project shall also educate on “Know-how” that farming can become more a profitable business by increasing the exportation of high value crops. Lastly, GAH is projected to contribute to the national food security and nutrition status through intensive production of various crop commodities namely cereals and vegetables.

2.    BACKGROUND

Rwanda is highly reliant on agriculture, with arable land estimated to 48 % of the total area of 26,338 km². About 80 % of rural households rely directly or indirectly on agriculture for their livelihoods. Rwanda’s severe land scarcity limit further agricultural land expansion. The country hits annually an average of 7% of national economic growth, whereas the agriculture sector has a significant contribution. Records indicate that the sector has seen a tremendous increase of production in the last decade, by doubling the production from 2000 to 2016.

The Government of Rwanda in its Vision 2020 policy document identifies agriculture as an important vehicle for economic growth, and the National Strategy for Transformation (NST-1) prioritizes export promotion in parallel with increased agriculture and livestock quality, productivity, and production. Agriculture is one of the seven priority sectors identified in the NST-1 to drive economic growth, job creation, poverty reduction, and social wellbeing of Rwandans. Commercializing the agricultural products is considered as the key to achieving the national development objectives and Rwanda’s Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation Phase 4 (PSTA 4, 2018-2024) which stipulates a strong focus on farm profitability and private sector investment. This includes sizeable investments in efficient and sustainable irrigation with ambitious plans to increase the irrigated areas from 52,170 ha to 102,000 ha by 2024.

The agricultural sector has witnessed an impressive improvement in productivity over the past decade, including substantial growth in staple food crops, particularly for cereals, roots, and tubers, and high-value crop commodity dominated by vegetables and fruits exported on the international market. Land use consolidation and input provision through the Crop Intensification Program (CIP, launched in 2007) are reported to be the main contributors to smallholder productivity gains, translating into continuously improving food production and availability in Rwanda. Subsequently, irrigation is seen as a prominent solution to the adverse effects of climate change, which causes the variability of rainfalls in space and intensity.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) commissioned an Irrigation Master Plan in 2010, which identified 598,711 ha of potential irrigation areas utilizing various land types and water sources, including rivers, lakes, dams, and groundwater resources. Only 8.7 % of this potential has been successfully developed to date, covering a total of 52,178ha.

On the other hand, agriculture in Rwanda suffers from the adverse effects of climate change that result from variability of rainfalls in intensity and duration. Among the others, include long-lasting droughts that significantly decrease seasonal yields production, mostly in Eastern and Southern parts of the Country. These two regions are also known, not only due to the fact that they receive fewer precipitations in comparison to the national annual average but also a home of many Rwandans translated into market demands and offering suitable slopes for improved mechanization practices.

However, Eastern province remains a potential area for food production with gentle landscapes, enormous water resources stored in natural lakes, and notably is located downstream of the main and large drainage system of Nile basin known as river Akagera. Improved irrigation technologies constitute therefore a sustainable required solution to boost agriculture production for both food security, creation of on& off-farm jobs, and commodity export promotion in Rwanda.

3.    CALL FOR PROJECT TECHNICAL ADVISOR UNDER GABIRO AGRIBUSINESS HUB LTD

Gabiro Agribusiness Hub project shall be developed by a joint venture of Netafim Israel and the Government of Rwanda, as a majority shareholder. Netafim shall perform technical designs, procure materials, and execute works as clearly discussed under the signed EPC agreement. In addition to that, the project shall develop other facilities in collaboration with the line public agencies including the access roads, construction of new resettlements houses for the affected communities, and a new electric power line. Prior to development, the CLIENT, the line-implementing agency of the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, is calling for a technical advisor, to play a central role in a technical advisory to the management of the company for decision-making.

4.    MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE CALL FOR TECHNICAL CONSULTANT

The objective is to oversee the infrastructure development of the project, essentially the construction of civil structures of Gabiro irrigation project, located in Nyagatare District, of Eastern province. The required technical advisor shall be responsible to closely follow up, on behalf of the client, the development works of Water infrastructures, internal & access project roads, hydraulic components, electric power line extension, and modern housing to accommodate the households affected by the project development. The consultant will be the technical resourceful person of the company during and shortly after the project infrastructure development.

5.    SCOPE OF THE WORK

The technical consultant shall stand in the interest of the client, and provide any technical guidance that may be required and requested by the management of the GAH Ltd in order to take rightful decisions during the infrastructure development phase. The consultant shall in addition oversee, but not limited to the following key project components:

• Construction of water infrastructures, including civil works at intake structures, lined canal, secondary pumping stations, hydraulic structures, and sedimentation tanks.
• Construction of main roads and secondary roads networks in the project area,
• Construction of new power line and its extension to different parts of the electric power demanding units,
• Construction of community modern houses for the families to be affected by the project,
• Working hand in hand with the project contractor and supervisor, on behalf of the client,
• Assuming other responsibilities related to the project as may be requested by the supervising authority,

6.    REQUIREMENTS

The technical advisor

• Should hold at least an MSc degree in civil engineering with 3 years of working experience or A0 in Civil engineering with 10 years of working experience in a similar field.
• Must have adequate experience of hydro projects, involving civil works like concrete canals, construction of medium-sized water reservoirs, construction of roads, construction of houses at least G+1 level, Construction of pumping houses, and other auxiliary structures.
• Must have proven track record of successful implementation of large scale projects in Rwanda or in the region;
• Must demonstrate integrity, fairness, and ethical standards in his/her professional carrier,
• Demonstrates professional competence and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results.
• Display cultural, gender, nationality, religion and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Have excellent analytical, communications, and facilitation skills,
• Have ability in conflict management that may arise from the technical misunderstanding between the contractor and project supervisor,
• Have a good command in the use of advanced computer applications and interpretation of the technical drawings used in civil works,
• Have an understanding of national civil engineering and construction legislation,
• Fluency in English both in technical report writing and speaking is necessary. The knowledge of French shall be an added advantage.

7.    JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Undertake full monitoring of construction works (including civil, hydraulic, and mechanical works) pertaining to all civil works components of the project,
• Oversee and supervise the construction of works on behalf of the project client, in order to ensure compliance with design report, drawings, and all other graphic documents and guarantee strict adherence to the specifications,
• Draft and prepare official documents for the use of project management and other external communications by the project client,
• Supervise and approve the performance tests during operationalization of the project machinery or facilities for compliance with specifications,
• Plan, invite, and chair the technical site meetings for effective project development,
• Review, confirm and recommend appropriate changes where necessary to the infrastructure development, operation, and management of the project assets for effective project delivery.
• Review and process the contractor ‘claims for any additional works that may result in the change of the approved work schedule and advise the Client accordingly,
• Supervise and approve the performance tests during operationalization of the project machinery or facilities for compliance with specifications
• Witness any acceptance test on-site or off-site and advise the Client whether the works or any part thereof have been completed as per specifications and certify the outcome of the acceptance test in support of provisional acceptance certificate of completion;
• Perform any other duty on request of company management authorities,
• Assess and ensure the adequacy of the hydraulic, structural, and Mechanical design criteria and make modifications where necessary;
• Advise and prepare amendments to the project design submitted by the contractor and all required graphic documents/drawings for all aspects of construction works. Amplify where necessary the contract specifications by preparing working plans/drawings, which shall be in sufficient detail to enable the appointed contractors to construct the civil, mechanical, and electrical work.

9.    EVALUATION PROCESS

The cumulative method will be applied in the evaluation of the applications. The contract will be awarded to the candidate achieving the highest cumulative score from the technical and financial parts of the proposal. The technical part accounts for 70% of the total score and the financial proposal will account for 30% of the total evaluation score.

10. REQUIREMENT FOR REPORTS AND DOCUMENTATION

All the reports, documentation, calculations, and drawings produced by the Consultant as part of the Services under the agreement are the sole property of the Client. The technical consultant shall not reproduce it or give to any third party without the consent and written approval of the Client.

In performing his duties under the agreement, the Consultant shall submit to the Client the monthly report.

11. CONTRACT PERIOD

The estimated total time of service is 12 months, renewable once upon performance evaluation.

12.PAYMENT MODALITY

The client shall pay the technical advisor on a monthly basis, upon submission and approval of the technical report by the company managing Director.

The Consultant is expected to provide the following:

• Curriculum Vitae with 3 reference persons and their contacts,
• Reference list of at least 3 similar assignments of similar size and degree of complexity (consultancy services in the area civil engineering, planning, design, supervision), a position held, and contact details of the clients


• Financial proposal including the local payable taxes (submit it in a separate and sealed envelope).

The interested applicants shall submit their application files in sealed envelopes to the reception of MINAGRI not later than 03^rd December 2020, at 5:00 pm.