AL
ENPEER-TO-PEER COOPERATION WITH IRAQI GOVERNORATE – MISSAN
Programme ‘Supporting Recovery and Stability in Iraq through Local Development’ Funded by the European Union and Implemented by UNDP
TERMS OF REFERENCE
for
EXTERNAL CONSULTANCY
FOR PREPARATION OF “RECOMMENDATIONS ON IMPROVING IRRIGATION NETWORK”
Consultant funded under: PROGRAMME ‘SUPPORTING RECOVERY AND STABILITY IN IRAQ THROUGH LOCAL DEVELOPMENT’ FUNDED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION AND IMPLEMENTED BY UNDP
Project: Peer-to-Peer Cooperation with Iraqi Governorate – MISSAN and Albanian Association of Municipalities, Governorate for Agriculture Innovation
Location: Tirana/Albania
Missan/Iraq
- Background
Iraq has recognized the importance of agriculture and the need to prioritize its role in the overall economic and social development of the country (National action plans, Sustainable development goals etc.). The policy framework guiding the prioritization of needs aims at creating a proper environment to support efficient and sustainable increases in food and agriculture production, improvement of food security and reduction rural poverty. Policies relying mainly on oil production had a deteriorating impact on the growth of other economic sectors, including agriculture. As a matter of fact, agriculture is the largest source of employment in the country (approximately 20 percent) and is dominated by the private sector. Yet, the contribution of agriculture to GDP has been declining in the last decade from 5.2 % in 2009to between 2.5% and 3.5% in 2021, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, statistic office. This data is the result of many factors that affected the agricultural sector: war, protests, institutional and economic setbacks. The security situation and rural poverty have contributed to this decline with an outflow of people from the countryside to the urban areas seeking employment and economic opportunities. Other contributing factors include a low percentage of water that Iraq receives, high cost of fertilizers and seeds and unclear policies to support the local agricultural products.
In light of the above, under the Programme ‘Supporting Recovery and Stability in Iraq through Local Development’ Funded by the European Union and Implemented by UNDP, the Association of Albanian Municipalities is carrying out the project titled Peer-to-Peer Cooperation with Iraqi Governorate – Missan and Albanian Association of Municipalities, “Governorate for Agriculture Innovation”.
Under this project, the Albanian Association of Municipalities will engage in preparing Activity 2.2.3 – Recommendations on improving irrigation network that will be prepared by subcontracted experts of the area that will draft proposals based on gap assessment.
In central and southern Iraq, where agriculture depends mainly on irrigation from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, mixed farming systems are predominant. Dates are a major cash and food crop with fruit trees interplanted in date palm orchards. Vegetables, mainly tomatoes and potatoes, are important irrigated crops. Livestock raising is extensively practiced and inland fisheries and backyard poultry raising are valuable as a source of protein and income for the rural population. Irrigation is extensively practiced in the central and southern regions. The total managed water area is estimated at around 3.5 million ha all of it equipped for full or partial control irrigation.
- Objective
The local expert will work with the Albanian expert in preparing the recommendations on improving irrigation network, with the focus on the role of the Governorate, other involved institutions and of the end users. This assignment will be completed within a total of 15 working days for one individual expert or single organization.
The local expert (Missan based) will work with the Albanian expert and AAM team in designing recommendations and will be responsible for the completion of the assignment, which will be submitted in English language.
The following tasks and responsibilities are expected to be accomplished over the consultancy. Please note that this list not exhaustive and AAM would welcome inputs and ideas from the consultant on other areas of expertise that can be included in the TOR:
Task 1:
Assist in preparing the recommendations based on Gap Assessment Report, Agriculture Development in Governorate of Maysan and Gap Plugging / A Roadmap to Address the Gaps in Agriculture for the Governorate of Maysan, prepared under this project.
The Gap Assessment report identified that:
The low water share of the governorate requires an intra-governorate and intra-state relation which negatively affects the advanced planning of agriculture cultures. It is needed better institutional cooperation and planning to discuss quotas, plans and scenarios to set laws and decisions that guarantee a safe and continuous share for Iraq and the governorate, as the governorate has reached self-sufficiency in the wheat crop during the seasons when water was available. This also requires a better management of irrigation water and approaches (flooded irrigation not efficient).
Lack of effective maintenance of irrigation projects (weak maintenance of irrigation projects, as the operations of cleansing rivers and agricultural projects were not at the required level due to the lack of financial allocations for this operation).
Lack of optimal use of water (that is, there is a huge waste in the quantities of water used for irrigation, poor use of the Marashneh method, and lack of acquisition of sprinkler and drip irrigation systems, which clearly affected the available water quantities).
Whereas the Gap Plugging Report suggested that:
The low water share requires a relationship between the governorate and the ministry, which may negatively affect the agricultural process and actions to be taken would be:
– Determining the fixed water share for the governorate and another fixed share for the marshes and considering it a strategic water store for future use.
– Develop recommendations for improving the irrigation network.
– Paying attention to existing dams, controlling water resources, regulating daily irrigation among farmers, and providing sprinkler and other drip irrigation systems.
The set of recommendations should address the issues above including:
- Need of Institutional Strengthening related with Irrigation Sector
- Necessity of Financial Resources for the Implementation of the Recommendations.
The above write-up should not exceed 40 A4 pages. It should be prepared in Microsoft Word. The contribution should be submitted in English. The Albanian expert will be in charge of sharing responsibilities and tasks with the Iraqi expert.
Task 2:
Submit the draft documentation to AAM for review and further comments. Reflect any changes needed to reflect the comments provided.
- EXPECTED OUTPUTS
- Set of recommendations on irrigation network.
- CONSULTANCY TIMEFRAME
The consultancy timeframe is negotiable based upon the needs of the project and the consultant’s availability. The following is an outline of the anticipated consultancy period for the three Tasks.
Task 1: 12 working days during October – November 2022
Task 2: 3 working days during November 2022
- QUALIFICATIONS & EXPEREINCE REQUIRED
- Demonstrable knowledge and experience of working with municipalities
- Degree in management and environmental issues
- English language fluency
- Report writing skills
- Iraqi nationals
- GENERAL CONDITIONS
Required start date: 12 October 2022
Duration of work: 15 working days (home based)
Location of work: Tirana/Albania (remote)
Fees: The total amount for consultancy fees to be negotiated based on the proposition and experience of the consultant.
Payment: Fees to be paid on completion and approval of each task and following the submission of the consultancy report
Other: Any materials required to carry out the assigned consultancy (laptop, mobile phone etc.), must be provided by the consultant.
- APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested applicants should send their CV and a 1–2-page technical proposal on proposed content for the three tasks.
- The letter should also include the proposed gross daily rate for remuneration (in USD)
- Applications to be sent to the AAM email address: [email protected] with the subject “RECOMMENDATIONS ON IMPROVING IRRIGATION NETWORK Consultancy” no later than 10th October 2022.
