The Ministry of Irrigation and Lowlands now invites eligible Senior Irrigation Engineer (Individual Consultant) for the preparation of the Ethiopia CRISP Project.

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (CVS)

SELECTION AND EMPLOYMENT OF SENIOR IRRIGATION ENGINEER

(INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT)

Name of Project: Ethiopia Climate Resilient Irrigation for Sustainable Production Preparation Facilities.

Grant No: P182114

Assignment Title: Senior Irrigation Engineer (Individual Consultant) for the preparation of the Ethiopia CRISP Project.

Reference No.: ET-MOIL-524358-CS-INDV

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Ministry of Irrigation and Lowlands has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Ethiopia Climate Resilient Irrigation for Sustainable Production Preparation Facilities and it intends to apply part of the proceeds toward payments under the contract for the consulting services (Recruitment of Senior Irrigation Engineer -Individual Consultant).

1. OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The objective of this assignment is to provide senior technical oversight, quality assurance, and strategic advisory services for small-scale irrigation (SSI) sub-projects under the CRISP project. The Senior Irrigation Engineer will act as a technical advisor to the PIU, ensuring that all irrigation interventions alignwith national standards, international best practices, and the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF).

Institutional Role: The role is strictly one of technical oversight, quality assurance, and advisory. Implementation responsibilities--including direct design production, construction management, contract administration, and procurement decisions-remain with regional agencies and contracted firms.

The CRISP Project PIU Coordinator would affirm that work plans drawn by the Senior Irrigation Engineer in order to discharge his/her contracted duties are logically compatible with his/her respective job descriptions and would monitor that the planned services are delivered by the expert is in a manner and in line with the objective of the project/program.

2. SCOPE OF SERVICE

The consultant's responsibilities are organized around three core pillars.

Pillar 1: Technical Quality Assurance (QA) of SSI Studies, Designs, and Construction

• Validation of Technical Submissions: Review feasibility studies, detailed designs, bills of quantities, and technical specifications.
• Structured Review Methodology: Utilize standardized review tools and checklists for all technical assessments. Produce formal Technical Review Notes for each submission, clearly categorized as: Accept, Revise, or Requires Further Analysis. Track comment resolution to ensure all design risks and gaps are addressed.
• Quality Oversight: Conduct targeted, risk-based site visits to assess construction quality and compliance with approved designs. Identify deviations and assess whether such deviations impact costs or structural integrity.

Pillar 2: Irrigation System Integration and Operability (Sustainability)

• Design-for-Operability: Ensure designs prioritize long-term sustainability, particularly for pumped or pressurized systems.
• O&M and Sustainability Assessment: Evaluate the feasibility of O&M arrangements under local institutional conditions.
• Advisory on Standards: Promote the application of CRISP Guiding Principles, focusing on sustainable water resources, equitable service delivery, and long term institutional viability.

Pillar 3: Targeted Technical Support and Capacity Building

• Technical Backstopping: Provide technical advice to regional implementing agencies, helping them identify project gaps and management deficits.
• Knowledge Transfer: Prepare and deliver training programs on priority technical areas (e.g., modern irrigation design, O&M, and IWUA strengthening). Develop or update technical manuals and guidelines for use by federal and regional staff.
• Promote Learning: Foster regional knowledge exchange by documenting lessons learned, systemic issues, and best practices.

3. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The Senior irrigation engineer shall have:

• MSc or higher in Irrigation Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, or Hydraulic Engineering.
• Minimum of 10 years for MSc (8 years for PHD) of professional experience in irrigation design, construction supervision, and technical quality assurance.
• Demonstrated expertise in small-scale irrigation, modernization, and O&M systems.
• Proven experience in a technical advisory or QA role within multi-regional or donor-funded projects.
• Strong understanding of irrigation technology (including pressurized systems), water management, and IWUA strengthening.
• Strong capacity-building, training, and report-writing skills.

4. DURATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The duration of the assignment is for twelve (12) months, renewable annually subject to satisfactory performance evaluation.

5. DELIVERABLES/SPECIFIC OUTPUTS  EXPECTED FROM CONSULTANT

The engineer shall provide the following outputs:

• Technical Review Notes: Structured reports for all reviewed feasibility studies and designs.
• QA/QC Assessment Reports: Site visit reports focusing on risk areas, construction quality, and O&M viability.
• Capacity Building Reports: Summaries of training delivered, including participant feedback and evaluation of knowledge transfer.
• Systemic Issue Summaries: Quarterly reports identifying common bottlenecks or recurring technical gaps across regions, with recommendations for corrective action.
• Updated Technical Guidelines: Contributions to the project operations manual and technical standards as required.

6. PAYMENT: based on experience and qualification of the consultant which is negotiable.

7. Place of Work: Addis Ababa, Ministry of Irrigation and Lowlands (MILLS)

The Ministry of Irrigation and Lowlands now invites eligible candidates to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested candidates should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.

The Senior irrigation engineer will be selected on the basis of the approved methods of selecting individual consultant in accordance with the World Bank's Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (Procurement Regulation) Seventh Edition dated September 2025, and the Guidelines on Preventing and Combating Fraud and Corruption in Projects Financed by IBRD Loans and IDA Credits and Grants, dated October 15, 2026 and revised in January 2011 and as of July 1, 2016, and other provisions stipulated in the Financing Agreements.

The Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be obtained at the address given below.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. on business days.

Interested individual consultants may submit their CVs and credentials with written application to the address below in person on or before July 07,2026, 5:00 PM. (with in 10 consecutive working days from the date of this announcement on Ethiopia Herald).

Address for Application:

Name of Office: The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Ministry of Irrigation and Lowlands at 4th Floor

Attn: Ato Daba Jinfesa Shanko, Engineering Procurement Lead Executive

Street Address: Kazanchis Business District, Behind Radisson Blu int. Hotel, Kirkos subcity 17/18

City: Addis Ababa

Country: Ethiopia

Tel: (251) 118 552 665/66 E-mail: Dabajshanko@gmail.com / swakgari12@gmail.com 

Ministry of Irrigation and Lowlands

Tender details

• Deadline: 2026-07-07
• Bid closing time: 17:00
• Bid opening: 2026-07-07 17:00
• Bid opening (note): No specific opening date and time
• Region: Addis Ababa
• Publishing entity: Ministry of Irrigation and Lowlands
• Buyer address: Kazanchis, behind Radisson Blue Hotel, Ministry building first floor
• Published: Jun 24, 2026
• Posted at: 2026-06-24T09:05:35.000Z
• Buyer website: https://mills.gov.et/