Public Tender Anouncement nb.83493271 Consultancy Service for ERP Developer Expert to NLWE PN# 16.2090.5-001.00 WAMA

Context

The GIZ-implemented "Improving Water Resource Management" (WAMA) project, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), aims to improve the financial and organizational framework for water and wastewater management in Lebanon's regional water establishments. The project runs from April 2022 to March 2026. The project has adapted to the ongoing situation in Lebanon, focusing on ensuring essential WASH services and implementing gender-responsive measures. WAMA's political partner is the Ministry of Energy and Water (MoEW), which oversees the water/wastewater sector and leads a reform process. The project's implementation partners are the four Water Establishments (WEs) responsible for providing water and wastewater services.   

WAMA has three outputs:

• Output 1: The capacity of a selected WE to respond to crises and emergencies in a gender-responsive manner is improved.   
• Output 2: The conditions for increasing the technical and financial capacities of one WE have improved.  
• Output 3: The conditions for WE to assume their responsibility for the collection and treatment of wastewater have improved.   

WAMA's implementation strategy includes close coordination with the MoEW and the WE. The project also collaborates with key experts and seeks to integrate civil society for advocacy, acceptance, and dissemination. WAMA addresses the challenges posed by the ongoing situation and its impact on infrastructure and essential services.

The objectives of the services to be tendered can be summarized as follows:

Due to the ongoing crisis in Lebanon and recent changes in international development funding priorities, the water sector is facing a critical gap in technical support for its Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. North Lebanon Water Establishments (NLWE) is struggling to effectively manage and utilize their ERP systems for optimal resource planning and operational efficiency. This situation has arisen due to a sudden withdrawal of previously available technical assistance, leaving the water establishments without the dedicated personnel required to maintain and configure these complex systems. However, NLWE is committed to enhancing its operational efficiency, data management, and service delivery through the development, customization, and implementation of  NLWE’s existing ERP system.

To support this initiative, GIZ through WAMA project seeks to contract a qualified ERP Developer Expert with expertise in Microsoft Dynamics Nav to assist in the development, integration, and maintenance of ERP features and modules tailored to organizational needs.

The primary objective of this assignment is to provide technical expertise in the development, customization, and enhancement of NLWE’s existing ERP system. The ERP Developer will support ongoing efforts to improve system functionality, ensure smooth operation, enhance reporting, and provide technical support and training to NLWE staff.

Tasks to be performed by the contractor

The contractor is responsible for providing the following services:

Under ERP Development

• Write, develop, and maintain simple to complex SQL queries (Microsoft SQL, Oracle PL/SQL, PostgreSQL).
• Design, develop, and customize ERP features, modules, and reports, specifically within Microsoft Dynamics NAV and Business Central.
• Conduct development tests to ensure software quality and functionality.
• Write and maintain technical documentation and development reports.
• Gather and analyze requirements from internal departments regarding ERP functionality and user needs.

Under Enhancement and Customization Implementation Process:

• Provide technical support to the ERP Units at the North Lebanon Water Establishment, ensuring the smooth functioning and long-term sustainability of their ERP systems.
• Update and implement necessary modifications and amendments to the ERP system to comply with Lebanese regulatory updates, including changes in regulations, salaries, tariffs, and other relevant factors.
• Design and implement new enhancements proposed by the water establishments to improve the functionality and efficiency of their ERP systems.
• Support data integration and migration into the ERP system through APIs as needed.
• Review and adjust financial statement reports generated from the ERP system.
• Assist IT staff with data recovery tasks to ensure data integrity and minimize data loss.
• Provide regular reports on the progress of their work and any challenges encountered.
• Adjust and fix backend code whenever requested from the Water Establishment and/or GIZ team to have a flawless report.

Under capacity development:

• Transfer knowledge and expertise to the staff of the water establishments to build internal capacity and ensure long-term sustainability.
• Provide on-the-job coaching and training to the ERP unit staff in response to their daily needs across all ERP modules.
• Collaborate effectively with the staff of the water establishment and other stakeholders.

Travel to the headquarters and branches of the water establishment as needed to provide hands-on support

Under Compliance and Regulatory Updates

• Update ERP modules in response to new decrees, laws, or official decisions affecting operations.
• Develop and program data models and reporting templates to meet the requirements of the latest water sector reporting decree.

Under Integration and Mobile Solutions

• Develop ERP modules to enable mobile collection through handheld devices or tablets.
• Program and integrate newly developed applications such as CRP Mobile APP into the ERP system.
• Automate and produce essential financial reports including budget reports, profit and loss statements, and general ledger reports.