SMALLHOLDER AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT II – REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST : WATER RESOURCES AND IRRIGATION OFFICER                             

Kingdom of Lesotho 

           MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION

                        SMALLHOLDER AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT II

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST 

(CONSULTING SERVICES- INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS SELECTION METHOD) 

LOAN NO:                      P164486 

CREDIT NO:                   IDA -63580 -LS 

ASSIGNMENT TITLE:   WATER RESOURCES AND IRRIGATION OFFICER                             

REFERENCE NO:           

DURATION:              :         12 MONTHS 

REPORTING TO      :       IRRIGATION  SPECIALIST

BACKGROUND 

The Government of Lesotho is implementing the Smallholder Agricultural Development Project (SADP) 2 with financial support from the World Bank, the Government of Japan and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The project covers ten districts – Maseru, Leribe, Botha-Bothe, Mokhotlong, Thaba-Tseka, Berea Mafeteng, Mohale’sHoek, Quthing and Qacha’sNek. SADP is coordinated by the Project Management unit (PMU) based in Maseru. 

OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Assistant Water Resource and Irrigation Officer will be responsible for support to implementing irrigation schemes projects within SADP II. This role involves an oversight of developing and implementing irrigation water budget for irrigators. The assistant Specialist supports the design, implementation and operation and maintenance of irrigation infrastructure.

3.RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

Water Resource and Irrigation Officer are responsible to:

• Contribute to the design, implementation and commissioning of irrigation infrastructure for the proposed irrigation projects
• Consultation and sensitization of farmers in the catchment area on irrigation scheme design options, and implications for construction and operations and maintenance of infrastructure and water management
• Provide an oversight and supervision for irrigation construction projects and issue interim and completion certificate
• Conduct feasibility study, topographic survey, develop contour maps and site identification and selection for proposed irrigation projects
•  Provide capacity building to Ministry of Agriculture technical staff, irrigators and water users’ associations on best irrigation water management practices
•  Identify project stakeholders, develop stakeholder profile, stakeholder communication plans and develop stakeholder management plans to ensure effective communication among project stakeholders
• Design and prepare bills of quantities, participate in the evaluation of       bids and selection of contractors for the construction and rehabilitation of irrigation schemes projects

OUTPUTS AND DELIVERABLES

Assistant Water Resource and Irrigation Officer is expected to deliver the following reports to the Irrigation Specialist of the following:

• Design, implementation and commissioning of irrigation infrastructure
• Consultation and sensitization of farmers in the catchment area on irrigation scheme design options, and implications for construction and operations and maintenance of infrastructure and water management
• An oversight and supervision for irrigation construction projects and issue interim and completion certificate
• Conduct on feasibility study, topographic survey, develop contour maps and site identification
•  Provision of capacity building to Ministry of Agriculture technical staff, irrigators and water users’ associations on best irrigation water management practices
•  Identifying project stakeholders, develop stakeholder profile, stakeholder communication plans and develop stakeholder management plans to ensure effective communication among project stakeholders
• Design and prepare bills of quantities, participate in the evaluation of  bids and selection of contractors for the construction and rehabilitation of irrigation schemes projects
• Compile all necessary reports required by the Irrigation Specialist.

QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in irrigation engineering, water engineering, agricultural engineering or related field;

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE       

• Minimum of five (5) years of proven experience in water resource management, with a focus on hydraulic infrastructure design and construction, operation and maintenance
• Demonstrated experience in construction projects management and construction contracts administration
• Experience with designing and supporting farmer-managed irrigation schemes (WUAs)

• CLIENT ASSIGNMENT MANAGEMENT AND REPORTING ARRANGEMENTS.

 The Assistant Resource and Irrigation Officer will report to the Irrigation Specialist and produce monthly reports.

CONTRACT DURATION AND CONDITION

•Contract duration is one year, but renewable upon satisfactory performance of the incumbent and subject to business continuity and availability of funds. The assignment is planned to condescendence by May 2027.

FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED BY THE CLIENT

The client shall render the officer with all such facilities as may be reasonably required to enable the officer to discharge his/her duties that is office space laptop/computer, landline telephone, and transport project-related duties.

The short-listed candidate will be requested to participate in personal interviews and submit the names and contact details of personal referees who can attest to their abilities. A pre-employment screening and background check will be done on all short-listed candidates. The successful candidate must understand the objectives and delivery mechanisms of the project’s portfolio. He/she must be willing to work in a team, be flexible to emerging or changing conditions, and undertake initiative in his/her broad field of action.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III paragraph 3.14 to 3.17 of THE WORLD BANK’S Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, PROCUREMENT IN INVESTMENT PROJECT FINANCING Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services, Sixth Edition, February 2025, setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. A consultant will be selected in accordance with selection of Individual Consultants Method set out in Procurement Regulations.

SUBMISSION

Information required from candidates.

• Signed application letters stating explicitly relevant qualifications and experience.
• Provide current CV’s (including telephone, email and contact details).
• Certified copies of educational certificates and transcripts.
• Provide names and contact details of three (3) contactable professional referees.
• Certified copy of an Identity Document (ID).

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

SUBMISSION: Interested candidates should deliver their applications to the address below not later than the 9^th March 2026 at 16.00 hours.

Human Resources Department

Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition

80 Constitution Road

P.O. Box 24

Maseru 100

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