Organization details
- Uganda hosts over 1.72 million refugees, the largest population in Africa, with approximately 58% in Northern Uganda. Conflicts in South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the recent civil war in Sudan contribute to this ongoing influx. Uganda’s progressive refugee policy presents a unique example to the world and makes the country a primary destination for those fleeing conflict. This has major implications on the hosting population, as greater stress is placed on their resources including water resources.
- Uganda is also experiencing climate change effects. It is expected that weather conditions become more unstable. Flooding and drought events will increase, which will be impacting drinking water supply seriously. The region as such may not be considered as water scarce in terms of precipitation. But most of the water is running off into the river systems and the potential of recharging the groundwater system is limited. Deforestation due to the increasing demand of firewood is further reducing the retention capacity for rain water. Surface as well as groundwater is flowing from the elevated high lands in the West towards Nile River.
- Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) in 2021 has conducted the Infrastructure Development Plan for the West Nile Region (IsDP), a study funded by the German Government to assess water availability and demand in the region, which is majorly impacted by the ongoing influx of refugees. The IsDP suggests a list of concrete priority investment measures for water and sanitation infrastructure addressing the needs of the West Nile region to the year 2040, amongst others the need to construct number of dams in order to secure water supply for the growing population.
- Arua is the biggest city in the West Nile region. With a population of around 300,000 inhabitants and a percentage of refugees of approximately 12% it experienced a considerable growth during the past decade. Average population growth rate is around 6%. The current water supply system is using water from River Enyau, as its prime source, and boreholes. The stretch of River Enyau where the Arua water treatment plant draws its water fell almost dry during the dry seasons of the past years. Already now water must be rationed during the dry season and water supply is depending on a few boreholes, which cannot meet the current supply needs. To overcome the water supply shortages of Arua City, the regional capital, and other major settlements in the Arua, Terego, and Maracha districts it is planned to construct a dam across River Enyau. First preparatory studies have been initiated and a feasibility study started in March 2025 with a duration of about 18 months.
- The German Government via KfW as well as the European Commission intend to provide funding for a new Project focussing on climate resilience and water infrastructure for the population of Arua City. Short- and medium-term effective measures shall improve the supply situation as quickly as possible in the areas of drinking water supply, basic sanitation, but also surface drainage and regulated waste disposal in view of the acute undersupply of the city while the long-term solution for drinking water supply with a dam at River Enyau is assessed.
Project Design and Implementation Arrangement
- The Project concerns the provision of climate-change adapted and resilient urban water supply, sanitation, stormwater drainage and solid waste infrastructure and other integrated measures for use by refugees and host communities (Project Objective) in Arua City and surrounding districts Maracha and Terego. It is part of the FC-financed Program “Climate Resilience and Water Infrastructure for Refugees and Host Communities in Northern Uganda”, which concerns enhancing climate resilience through an integrated approach for the sustainable provision of safe and reliable WASH services throughout the year, the protection of water resources and measures to improve livelihoods.
- Arua City Council (ACC) and National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) as the Project Executing Agencies (PEAs) will be responsible for the implementation of the Project with support of an International Consultant, the Design, Implementation and Supervision Consultant (DISC), as well as the EU-financed Project Support Expert (PSE) for ACC.
- The target group of the project (direct beneficiaries) is the population of Arua City (estimated at approximately 440,540 inhabitants, UBOS 2024 population census preliminary report), as well as those inhabitants of Maracha and Terego districts directly benefiting from the investment measures. Both host communities as well as the refugee population living in the Project area shall benefit from the activities of the Project.
- The design of the Project is based on the study “Climate Resilience and Water Infrastructure for Refugees and Host Communities in Northern Uganda – Pre-Feasibility Study Targeting Climate Resilient Public Infrastructure Investments in Arua City” dated January 2024 as well as the infrastructure development plan for water resources development in the West Nile sub region available to KfW, the Recipient and the Project-Executing Agencies, and on the agreements made between KfW and the Project-Executing Agencies during the local Project appraisal documented by Minutes of Meeting dated 9 November 2023 (Annex 9).
- To achieve the Project Objective, the following infrastructures and services shall be financed:
Component 1) Extension, Rehabilitation and Optimization of existing Water
Supply system (implemented through NWSC)
- Water Treatment Plant Rehabilitation and Optimization
- Boreholes Pumping Stations Rehabilitation and Optimization
- Water Pumping Mains Rehabilitation and Optimization
- Arua Central Water Supply – Expansions (New production Boreholes and pumping stations)
- Water Supply System Extensions
Component 2) Rehabilitation and extension of Sanitation systems (implemented through NWSC)
- Sewage Lifting Stations Rehabilitation and Optimization
- Public Sanitation Facilities in informal and/or underserved settlements (this activity shall be implemented through ACC).
Component 3) Storm water Management – increased resilience of water resources (implemented through ACC)
- Rehabilitation of major drains flowing towards Enyau River
- Development/review of the city storm water management strategy or concept around part of the Enyau River catchment within the city.
- Review of the ACC 5-years solid waste management (SWM) strategy and development of a detailed city SWM concept, including identification of revenue sources for ACC from recycling activities, employment opportunity potential and co-operation with private activities and existing initiatives;
- Provision of SWM equipment;
- Rehabilitation/ construction of landfill site (including rehabilitation of composting site);
- Community sensitization and public education activities (e.g., schools, trainings & awareness for sanitation, hygiene and recycling, clean-up days);
- Capacity building for ACC in waste collection system management.
Component 5) City Planning
- Development of up to 7 detailed physical development plans;
Training of city council staff on planning and implementation modalities for climate-adapted urban development.
Duration of the assignment
- The position is foreseen for 36 months with a total of 378 working days[1]. Inputs shall be time based. The expert has the flexibility to schedule the working days within this period, with the condition that there is a minimum working time of 10 days per month (of which 10 days shall be performed on site at ACC for the first two years and 5 days on site for year 3). Depending on the workload, the working hours may be higher in some months. During the inception phase of two months, it is expected that the expert will dedicate his full-time (with an assumed working time of 21 working days/month) to the project onboarding.
- A review of the assignment shall take place 6 months after the start of the assignment.
- The contract contains the option for an extension based on the availability of funds. The option can only be exercised with explicit written approval by the KfW Office Kampala.
Knowledge, skills and competences
- Strong national experience is highly preferred.
- Extensive experience in project management with various stakeholders.
- Ability to demonstrate good and effective communication skills.
Responsibilities
Objectives and Overall Scope of Work
- A Project Support Expert (PSE) will assist ACC in project implementation, focusing on coordination, liaison with KfW, and timely monitoring and reporting per EU and KfW requirements. This PSE will be contracted by KfW, reporting to and working under the guidance of KfW’s project manager overall in charge of the Project as well as the KfW Project Coordinator in KfW’s office in Kampala, Uganda.
- The PSE will be part of the dedicated Project Implementation Unit (PIU), that will be established at ACC, engineering department. The PIU will be headed by the City Engineer of ACC and will be supported at least with representation of the following departments: Public Health (part-time), Natural Resources and Environment (part-time), Education (part-time), Administration, Procurement and the Physical Planner. All concerned departments shall cooperate closely during the preparation and implementation of the Project and shall determine by common agreement the aspects of the Project that are essential for its operation.
- An office, including a desk, will be provided by ACC. The expert is expected to have a technically adequate laptop that also offers the option of video calls. Further equipment, like additional office equipment or technical equipment and a vehicle for transport will be provided for the PSE by the DISC.
- The main responsibility of the PSE is to provide support to ACC towards all activities required for the implementation of the project. This includes the clarification and coordination of ACC’s roles and responsibilities in project implementation, and the required coordination among stakeholders within ACC in cooperation with the design, implementation and supervision consultant (DISC)
Key objectives of the assignment are:
- Liaison officer: To act as the facilitator for KfW and ACC, with regard to assigned to all component activities under ACC, during the implementation of the Project. Liaise with all stakeholders inside and outside of ACC, ensure effective communication and collaboration among all relevant stakeholders. This role requires the PSE to take on responsibilities proactively and independently, driving processes forward and ensuring that all parties are engaged and informed throughout the project implementation.
- Project management and quality assurance: Facilitate timely commenting and decision taking regarding all requests to ACC, especially from the DISC. Ensure third party compliance regarding approved timelines and costs as well as quality standards.
- Contract management: Support ACC in monitoring the various tasks and activities associated with the contractual obligations for services and works. Administrate contracts (payments, claims, etc.) on behalf of ACC (works contracts with support of the DISC).
Specific Tasks
This section outlines the specific tasks that constitute the scope of work.
Tasks during inception phase
- Engage relevant stakeholders, including NWSC and DISC, to gather information and spearhead project coordination, ensuring effective communication among all key stakeholders
- Assist ACC in developing a coordination mechanism with NWSC that meets KfW standards, including the establishment of a stakeholder network for smooth project implementation (communication, meetings, documents).
- Prepare and submit inception report for the PSE assignment.
Tasks for overarching issues
- Liaise with KfW, the EU Delegation to Uganda (in consultation with KfW), NWSC and other external stakeholders over the whole duration of the assignment,
- Represent ACC in technical and project management meetings, leading communication with consultants and contractors while compiling input from key departments for timely feedback and decision-making.
- Keep and update a list of open topics to be followed up; track their resolution,
- Review and compile comments on DISC reports and other project-related deliverables, while supporting ACC in managing consultancy and construction contracts and providing advisory services
- Organize the review of engineering documents from the DISC and conduct monthly on-site supervision meetings, providing timely feedback and relaying issues to the PIU, DISC management, and contractors.
- Support ACC in monitoring the financial implementation of the project and the accounting procedures.
- Facilitate the approval of Withdrawal Applications for all third party contractors/suppliers/consultants/experts; ensure that the same is approved by ACC and submitted to Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (if needed) and to KfW in a timely manner;
- Observe compliance with Environmental and Social Management Plans and Occupational Health and Safety Rules; report violations as part of regular reporting.
- Lead the development of Terms of Reference (ToR) for short term consultancy support to ACC;
- In liaison with contractors and consultants, prepare for the handover of sites and completed construction works,
- Disseminate KfW procedures and requirements to ACC staff and ensure timely drafting and submission of Requests for no-objection to KfW.
- In coordination with ACC and the DISC identify and plan the specific capacity building needs for the city staff and propose appropriate means of support;
- Closely work with the DISC in the design and implementation of the disposition fund to ensure value for money.
Specific Tasks for Component 2) Rehabilitation and extension of Sanitation systems (here: Public Sanitation Facilities through ACC)
- Support ACC in identifying suitable sites for the construction of public sanitation facilities (in close coordination with the DISC),
- Support ACC in identifying a suitable Ugandan (non-governmental) Organisation for the implementation of community sensitisation and awareness measures in relation to the construction of public sanitation facilities as well as the implementation of a solid waste management concept,
- Assist with quality assurance processes and ensure adherence to project standards.
Specific Tasks for Component 3) Storm water Management – increased resilience of water resources
- Review the concept for Nature Based solutions in consultation with the DISC to be implemented under the component,
- Support ACC in developing an O&M concept for nature-based solutions, including assignment of responsibilities within relevant ACC departments.
Specific Tasks for Component 4) Solid Waste Management
- Support ACC in reviewing the O&M concept of solid waste management equipment (to be defined within the framework of the solid waste management concept).
- Support implementation of identified infrastructure for solid waste management.
Specific Tasks for Component 5) City Planning
- Review the approach for the development of 7 detailed development plans for ACC, as presented in the prefeasibility study.
- Support ACC in any coordination tasks in city planning if necessary.
Expected Deliverables
- An inception report within two months of assignment start, detailing the PSE’s communication strategies and planned stakeholder engagements It shall also describe the agreed coordination mechanism for the Project with NWSC. Furthermore, the inception should define milestones for the upcoming 6 months regarding the progress of the components implemented under ACC,
- Quarterly reports due 30 days after the end of the quarter. The main purpose of the (short) reports is to receive an independent assessment of the ongoing processes, the risks and challenges. Every six months, the report should contain an assessment of the defined milestones (what was achieved, what was not achieved and why?) and new milestones shall be defined for the next six months. The fulfilment of the milestones and the new milestones will be discussed in a meeting with PSE, ACC and KfW,
Each fourth quarterly report shall be presented as an annual report covering both the last quarter, as well as providing information on progress and achievements during the last full year as well as an update of the work plan (see attached). The KfW standard reporting requirements are attached to these Terms of Reference as an annex and shall be further defined in consultation with KfW, if needed. - Final report detailing the project outcomes, key findings, lessons learned, and recommendations for future actions, along with an evaluation of the implementation process and suggestions for ongoing monitoring and support, due one month after the end of the assignment,
- Any other special reports that may be deemed necessary from time to time, in consultation with KfW.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil/ Water Engineering, Hydrology, Public Health, or related fields; a Master’s degree is preferred; a post graduate qualification in project management is an added advantage.
Details of experience
- At least 10 years working experience in managing large infrastructure projects financed by multi-lateral or bilateral agencies, 5 of which should be within the region.
- Experience in monitoring, project evaluation and reporting, stakeholder coordination and specific knowledge of integrated urban infrastructure projects delivery is necessary,
- Experience in managing multi-disciplinary teams in an integrated project set up should be demonstrated.
- Experience with Environmental, Social, Health and Safety- and/or Occupational Health and Safety-related topics
How to apply
- All interested and qualified persons are strongly encouraged to apply by email: racheal@futureoptions.org clearly indicating the Position Title in the email subject line. The deadline for submissions is Sunday 18th January 2026 at 11:59 pm (EAT).
Application deadline: 2026-01-18
