HYDROLOGY AND HYDRAULIC SPECIALIST

Project: P169150 - Fostering and Leveraging Opportunities for Water Security Program (Project 1) Reference: FLOWS-CS-IC-11 Procurement method: Individual Consultant Selection Financing: World Bank REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES - INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT) FOR: Dam Safety Panel of Experts (DSPE) Hydrology and Hydraulic Specialist COUNTRY - Republic of Kosovo NAME OF PROJECT - Fostering and Leveraging Opportunities for Water Security Project (FLOWS) ASSIGMENT TITLE: Dam Safety Panel of Experts (DSPE), Hydrology and Hydraulic Specialist IDA Credit No. 6636-XK Project ID No. 169150 Reference number: FLOWS-CS-IC-11 Issued on: February 02, 2023 Fostering and Leveraging Opportunities for Water Security Program (FLOWS), P169150 is the project that will be implemented by the loan agreement No. 6636-XK between Republic of Kosovo and World Bank-International Development Agency, with the objective of strengthen national capacity for managing water security, and improve water security in Morava e Binces basin. The objective of the Project is to strengthen national capacity for managing Kosovo’s water resources for water security, and in selected basin areas, improve integrated land and water resource management practices and services, in a resilient manner. The actual phase i.e. the first phase project will finance the technical, social and environmental studies to allow a more detailed appraisal for the second phase project. A foreseen key activity in the second phase project is construction of a storage reservoir in the “Kike-Kremenata” hydro-System (not currently appraised). The project aims, among other, to support key infrastructure with the core investment preparation being the ‘KikeKremenata’ hydrosystem and its auxiliary infrastructures, along with investments for drinking water and irrigation services. Kosovo Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure has engaged a consulting firm to review the 1983 detailed design of Kremenata reservoir and update hydrological and social economic inputs needed to inform the redesign of a new reservoir. The World Bank team has reviewed the findings and advised on next design steps as well as the detailed social and environmental assessments. Experienced consulting firms will conduct feasibility studies and develop detailed designs, and technical inputs from the independent Dam Safety Panel will be integrated in all design steps. The project also aims to restore rigorous dam safety surveillance and improve the operations of reservoirs in Kosovo in compliance with the Environmental and Social Standards (ESS). It will finance the assessments, equipment, and training for institutionalizing dam safety surveillance measures which will reduce the risk of dam failures (and the associated flooding) and protect/expand essential water storage capacity for the country. These activities will include (a) assessments and training for dam safety surveillance programs, (b) investments in dam safety surveillance equipment to improve dam operation, and (c) a dam safety panel to ensure sustainability of dam operations improvement and safety management practices. Selection and prioritization of activities will be informed by a dam operations improvement and safety management program conducted during project preparation, which includes climate changerelated criteria. Objective of the Consultancy The overall objective of the DSPE is to provide independent review and recommendations to the (Client) for ensuring that sustainability of dam operations and safety issues are adequately addressed in terms of design, construction, operation and maintenance as required by the Dam Safety Safeguard Policy (OP4.37) of the World Bank. More specifically, the OP 4.37 requires that any dam that can influence the performance of the project or affect safety and performance downstream of the project area must be identified, its safety must be assessed, and necessary dam safety measures, remedial works and actions are identified and implemented. The purpose to establish a DSPE, its objectives and scope of services are guided primarily by these needs. The intent is to establish one DSPE that can be instrumental in reviewing a number of projects with the Client, with one harmonized ToR (but under separate funding arrangements and contracts). Each contract ToR will then spell out which elements and specific conditions apply to the assignment. The safety assessment of the Dams and associated structures will be carried out in line with the relevant regulations of the Government as well as the international technical standards, such as International Commission of Large Dams. In addition, DSPE will provide the Client with recommendations on detailed design, bidding document, construction plan, implementation schedule, etc. The main scope and input of the PoE will be advisory in nature and in no way detracts from or substitutes for the expertise, resources, or responsibilities of the dam