Consultant – Engineer or Irrigation Specialist-Beqaa

About Chemonics

Chemonics International is an international development company based in Washington, D.C. Our mission is to promote meaningful change around the world to help people live healthier, more productive, and more independent lives. Since 1975, we have worked in 150 countries around the world, and we are currently implementing 118 projects in 84 countries. Our main partner is the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and we also work with foreign donors such as the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID) and the Global Fund. We have more than 4,000 staff in our project offices around the world, and more than 500 staff based in our headquarters in Washington, D.C.

  1.  Project Background

The Lebanon Community Support Program (CSP) is a multi-year project funded by USAID to support municipalities and underserved and vulnerable communities in providing better services and enhanced economic opportunities to improve lives and reduce tensions that contribute to conflict and violence, primarily in Lebanon’s North, South, and Bekaa regions.

2.  Summary of Position

CSP is seeking an Engineering Consultant to assess the external irrigation canals of four communities in the Beqaa and Baalbeck- Hermel regions (El Fekehe, Qabb Elias, Barr Elias and Bwarej). The selected consultatn will be tasked to technically assess the current irrigation system in the four villages with a focus on the external irrigation canals. The technical assessment and description will need to cover the total length/ width of the irrigation canals, their current conditions, as well as how many agricultural plots they currently irrigate. The outcomes of the findings will serve for the activity scope and validation of a cash-for-work intervention which would clean and upgrade the canals and irrigation system.

In preparation of the detailed technical assessment, the selected consultant will conduct meetings with CSP and other relevant stakeholders in the targeted communities and will leverage all kinds of existing resources and tools for the completion of the required assessment, including maps, in addition to conducting interviews and discussions as necessary to complete the scope of work.

  3.  Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct meetings with the mayor(s), municipality members and local farmers to identify in each area of implementation the existent canals and gather preliminary information about their conditions and specifications, while covering the total number of irrigated plots from these canals and their total surface area. (3 days)
• Conduct a site assessment in each of the four areas to confirm the technical specifications of the external irrigation infrastructure; conduct a topographic survey of the channels to be able to generate detailed AutoCAD drawings. (7 days)
• Report on findings through the provision of detailed technical drawings of the irrigation infrastructure, laid on a google earth in addition the schematic diagrams, with coordinates of junctions where applicable.  (3 days)

  4.  Specific Deliverables

The consultant will be responsible for providing:

• An inception report outlining key meetings conducted and preliminary findings and a general assessment of the irrigation canals;
• A detailed technical assessment, including specifications of external open irrigation channels covering their length in linear meters, width, in addition to other dimensions and conditions. Report drawings and schematic diagrams shall be annexed including coordinates.

5.  Place of Assignment

1-Bwarej, Zahleh District, Beqaa Governorate

2-Barr Elias, Zahleh District, Beqaa Governorate

3-Qabb Elias, Zahleh District, Beqaa Governorate

4-El Fekehe, Baalbek District, Baalbek-Hermel Governorate

  6.  Reporting

The consultant will report directly to the CSP - Regional Program Manager in Beqaa.

7.  Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; masters preferred, Engineer, Irrigation, Agricultural Development or Engineering;
• Previous experience in the agriculture/irrigation development context;
• Ability to analyze details, conduct studies, report, develop, and present recommendations;
• Ability to illustrate technical data and information easily and clearly;
• Demonstrated organizational and time management skills, reasoning skills and ability to articulate logic behind decisions;
• Fluency in spoken Arabic and English required. Excellent English Writing Skills Required

8. Level of Effort and Period of Performance

This assignment will take place in February- March 2022. The consultant will work on a part-time basis and will be eligible for up to 13 days of  LOE during the period of performance.

Chemonics is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants that can legally work in Lebanon will be considered for employment based on their qualifications without discrimination.