Need assessment of five Water Quality laboratories in Puntland, Galmudug, Southwest, Hirshabelle and Jubaland states At Government of Somalia

Somalia faces increasing challenges in managing the complexity of water services. More than half of the Somali people live in rural areas, with 68% and 51%, of the Somali population with access to basic water supply and sanitation, respectively (Somalia WASH Cluster, 2019). Groundwater provides 80% of the domestic supply, but these aquifers are often deep, low quality and have high salinity levels in most parts of the country. The only perennial surface water resources in Somalia are the Shabelle and Juba Rivers, thus infrastructural solutions to safeguard the quantity and quality of water resource will be a key part of addressing these service challenges.

Country’s water sector is fragmented and needs for improvement to establish a functioning water governance system to solve most of the water problems, especially water Quality Conditions in the Country. Moreover, the National WASH Policy has a clear prioritizes on Water quality management plan. Undertake processes to establish accredited laboratories and Identify priority infrastructure interventions towards improved water. It is evident that accessibility to quality water by a larger population in Somalia is hugely limited. The deteriorating quality of both surface and groundwater resources as a result of overexploitation, increasing population and pollution is another challenge

Somalia faces increasing challenges in managing the complexity of water services. More than half of the Somali people live in rural areas, with 68% and 51%, of the Somali population with access to basic water supply and sanitation, respectively (Somalia WASH Cluster, 2019). Groundwater provides 80% of the domestic supply, but these aquifers are often deep, low quality and have high salinity levels in most parts of the country. The only perennial surface water resources in Somalia are the Shabelle and Juba Rivers, thus infrastructural solutions to safeguard the quantity and quality of water resource will be a key part of addressing these service challenges.

Country’s water sector is fragmented and needs for improvement to establish a functioning water governance system to solve most of the water problems, especially water Quality Conditions in the Country. Moreover, the National WASH Policy has a clear prioritizes on Water quality management plan. Undertake processes to establish accredited laboratories and Identify priority infrastructure interventions towards improved water.

It is evident that accessibility to quality water by a larger population in Somalia is hugely limited. The deteriorating quality of both surface and groundwater resources as a result of overexploitation, increasing population and pollution is another challenge.

Further, these challenges will be exacerbated by climate change which has been manifested through recurrent floods and droughts in many parts of the country. With available resources, the Federal government along with humanitarian development partners have provided support on delivering access of safe water, sanitation and hygiene to the most vulnerable communities in the country.

However, it is important to point out that timely assessment of water quality laboratories is critical to ensure that water users access quality water in the five federal states of Somalia namely Galmudug, Hirshabelle, Jubaland, Puntland and South West.

Therefore, the Ministry of Energy and Water Fesource (MoEWR) is looking for a consultancy to conduct an intensive assessment on water quality laboratories across the five-member states in Somalia to provide real picture on the current and existing situation on water quality laboratories and support technical recommendation on the development of laboratories in Somalia.

The main objective of the consultancy is to carry out assessment of water quality laboratories in the five federal member states of Somalia to provide situational analysis, prepare planned system with specification for rehabilitation, maintenance and operation of water quality laboratories in Somalia.

The scope of the work will include but not limited:

Assessing current and existing status of laboratories in the five federal states

• Assess the existing status of the water quality laboratories and identify key gaps.
• Highlight priority areas where the laboratories need to be strengthened.
• Provide SWOT analysis on the extent and degree of water quality laboratory facilities are strong or weak in the federal states, particularly at points where water quality degradation is suspected of occurring among the state level.

Evaluate existing laboratory equipment and specifications of instruments in testing water quality.

• Assess the functionality of laboratory equipment and conduct visibility study on the standard quality of the instruments.
• Assess quality of data, accuracy and results that current laboratories providing on water quality services.
• Develop specifications for procurement of equipment, laboratory equipment, water quality monitoring instrument and other facilities.
• Identify existing challenges and gaps in relation to water quality testing
• Conduct budget analysis to determine the budget needed by each member state.
• Come up with recommendations on the specifications required to upgrade the performance of water quality laboratories.

Assess the existing organizational arrangements, roles and mandates for water quality monitoring and service delivery of the federal state members.

• This should include availability of staff resources and skills needed to undertake water quality monitoring works in each state. Also assess training needs of the staff on monitoring, analysis and service delivery;
• Analyse Institutions and Organizations for water quality laboratory services: Identify and assess the existing institutions and organizations involved in water quality monitoring.

Qualifications and Experience

1. Interested a candidate He/she would have Minimum Msc analytical chemistry/Water Quality, environment etc.
2. Knowledge and experience of conducting similar assignments for Donor funded projects in Somalia
3. Demonstrable experience in Water Quality and analytical chemistry.
4. Experience in designing and conducting Rapid Water assessments and mapping studies drinking water quality.
5. should have the following competencies: results-oriented; excellent analytical skills; excellent managerial skills; excellent presentation and facilitation skills; strongly developed problem-solving and decision-making skills; planning and organization skills and proven experience in teamwork.
6. Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills
7. Good communications and presentation skills as well as computer literacy are required.

Knowledge of Somalia and work experience of undertaking similar studies in Somalia