Expertise: civil, agriculture, water resources, watershed management
Expertise Group: Engineering
Consultant Source: National
TOR Keywords:
Objective and Purpose of the Assignment
Meghalaya is in north-eastern India with the country of Bangladesh to its south and State of Assam to
its north. It is hilly and is mainly covered in tropical rainforest. The state is described as one of
the wettest places on earth and every year it receives from 2,000 millimeters (mm) to 12,000 mm of rain
during its 7-month monsoon season. Agriculture is a primary industry in Meghalaya and contributed about
20% to the gross state domestic product in FY2021. Most farmers have only small holdings, where only 11%
of the state’s geographical area is cultivated.
The Government of Meghalaya has requested the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to support the Climate
Adaptative Community-based Water Harvesting Project under Soil and Water Conservation Department (SWCD).
The proposed project will: (i) build climate resilient water harvesting systems (WHS) through community
demand driven participatory approach to ensure universal access to water for enhancing sustainable and
efficient water-based livelihood opportunities for the rural areas, and enhance resilience to climate
change impacts and acute water shortage during non-rainy season; and (ii) establish institutional
mechanisms for community ownership and integrated management of natural resource in line with central
and state government programs and policies. The primary beneficiaries for the project will be
communities with improved access to drinking water and increased agricultural production from secure
irrigation water supplies, particularly for the rabi season crop.
As per the design and monitoring framework (DMF), among the three envisioned Outputs proposed in this
project, in Output 2, climate resilient water harvesting systems shall be developed. Output 2 indicators
includes, (i) construct 1,000 climate resilient WHS in twelve districts with 5 years of operation and
maintenance support, and (ii) install automatic weather stations with information communication
technology-based mobile application for climate resilience. WHS investments will generally comprise:
(a) construction or rehabilitation of small multipurpose reservoirs similar to weir or check dams; (b)
catchment area treatment, such as contour trenches and afforestation; (c) irrigation command area
development interventions downstream of each reservoir, such as terracing, irrigation, and agricultural
and horticultural development; and (d) fencing to prevent animal nuisance. The WHS will increase water
security for communities and underpin livelihood activities.
Soil and Water Conservation Department (SWCD), Government of Meghalaya is currently preparing detailed
project reports (DPRs) of 400 priority subprojects out of 1000 subprojects to achieve 30 percent loan
approval readiness criteria as per government guidelines. The template of the DPR used by SWCD has been
finalized in consultation with ADB and SWCD specialists addressing climate change adaptation and
mitigation measures besides incorporating livelihood opportunities as per project design.
ADB intends to recruit Watershed Management/ Water Resources Specialist (National) (herein referred as
WSM/WR Specialist) to support SWCD in the carrying out due diligence of the DPRs prepared by their teams
and consultants. The DPR preparation work entails (i) demand assessment by inviting expression of
interests (EOIs) from the local communities based on pre-determined criteria, (ii) consultations with
the applicants fulfilling screening criteria at the EOI stage, (iii) establishment of technical
feasibility of the shortlisted subproject by SWCD’s Divisional Offices (DO) at district level, (iv)
design and cost estimation of the selected subprojects by Dos, (v) screening of designs and cost
estimates at DO and Deputy Commissioner (DC) offices, (vi) screening and technical approvals at SWCD
Head Office and finally, (vii) technical and financial approval by state level technical committee and
administrative approval committee.
The WSM/WR Specialist will support SWCD to review and assess the project scope for the climate financing
aspect, and support SWCD and International Watershed and Water Resources Specialist in ADB and/or SWCD
for the preparation of documents as required by ADB.
Scope of Work
Preparatory Tasks
In close consultation with SWCD, the WSM/WR Specialist will undertake the following preparatory tasks:
• Combined with field visits to the subprojects, acquire an understanding of various components of
subproject interventions described in respective Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) prepared by SWCD, and
information to be provided by SWCD to the Specialist.
• Liaise with SWCD and ADB to finalize the sample size for the DPRs for which due diligence shall be
carried out after gaining insights about the proposed subprojects. The sample size shall have
appropriate statewide coverage. Identify with SWCD the staff with whom the Specialist will collaborate
with in due diligence exercise.
• Liaise with SWCD’s DO staff and consultants who have collected baseline field information, carried out
consultation with the communities, and prepared the DPRs of the selected subprojects.
• Receive letter of authorization from SWCD to visit DC and State Level offices. SWCD and DO shall
facilitate due diligence exercise.
• Develop a workplan with SWCD for the timely production of due diligence report to be submitted to ADB
for review and clearance.
Detailed Tasks and/or Expected Output
The WSM/WR Specialist will support and guide SWCD in the due diligence of DPRs comprising of various
tasks namely,
a) validate baseline survey data and information and appropriateness of consultation process in
preparing the DPRs.
b) analyze all risks and impacts associated with the sub-project, and review these against the
requirements of master plan prepared by SWCD with Northeastern Space Application Center (NESAC) to
establish linkages with the sub-watershed and micro-watershed basis.
c) assess appropriateness of catchment area treatment works, water harvesting structures and command
area development works suggested in the DPRs and suggest modifications for value addition, if needed.
d) assess appropriateness of incorporation of relevant state and national guidelines/policies and
international practices.
e) Interact with SWCD and ADB Climate Change Expert to understand the potential climate risks of the
project and corresponding adaptation and mitigation measures on the proposed WHS infrastructures.
f) check the designs and cost estimates of various interventions selected for each of the sub-projects
related to catchment area treatment, water harvesting structure and command area development
interventions for livelihood opportunities.
g) validate whether the consultation process has been carried out as per pre-determined plan and the
stakeholders have participated actively.
h) Validate whether the social, environmental and gender related data and associated consultation
process has been completed as per plan.
i) validate whether the aspects related to operation and maintenance and community-based interventions
have been communicated to the stakeholders by DOs appropriately.
j) validate whether the DPRs have been checked and endorsed at DO, DC and State Level approving
authorities and all comments/ suggested by the respective committees have been incorporated in the final
DPRs.
k) Assist the ADB Mission Leader: (i) during missions; (ii) preparing aide memoires; and (iii) with
other related tasks and document preparation, as necessary from time to time.
With reference to coronavirus disease (COVID-19), any need for national travel shall be assessed by ADB
and the WSM/WR Specialist using ADB’s advice at the time of travel. Subject to ADB’s approval, the
WSM/WR Specialist may use remote video technology meetings to replace face-to-face meetings as
considered necessary.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
At least a post-graduate qualification in civil engineering/ agriculture engineering/ water resources/
watershed management and equivalent education. At least 15 years of applicable experience including: (i)
preparing, planning, designing and implementing watershed/ irrigation/ agriculture development projects
preferably under central/state government and/or MDB-financed projects; (ii) improving water use
efficiency and water productivity, livelihood opportunities; (iii) experience of handling projects in
hilly terrain/ areas will be preferred; (iv) experience of working on MDB funded projects and/ or
similar developmental institutions.
Minimum General Experience: 15 Years
Minimum Specific Experience (relevant to assignment): 15 Years
