Consultancy services to facilitate the training of private Operators and District staff on Operation and Maintenance of rural water supply systems.
1. About VEI
Six Dutch drinking water utilities share their expertise, via VEI, with colleague water utilities around the world in so-called Water Operator Partnerships (WOPs). Through these long-term partnerships, VEI supports improvements in operational efficiency from source to tap, financial sustainability, and availability of investments. Currently, VEI is engaged with partners in 20 countries to work on the ultimate goal of the WOP: universal sustainable water services (SDG 6).

2. Background
To fulfill its mission, VEI in consortium with Water for People, CARE International, IRC WASH, and AEE has secured the funds from USAID to finance the Isoko y’Ubuzima project which is a five-year Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) activity implemented from July 2021 to July 2026.
The overall goal of Isoko y’Ubuzima is to improve the access to sustainable water and sanitation services which is critical to improved health outcomes, improving the living standards of Rwandan citizens, and achieving Rwanda’s development goals.
VEI intends to apply part of the funds from the Isoko y’Ubuzima project towards strengthening the capacity of private operators managing water supply systems in the rural area.
Thus, VEI seeks the assistance of a local expert to facilitate the training of private operators and Districts staff on operation and maintenance of rural water supply systems.

3. Description of Assignment
The key responsibilities of the consultant are as follows:
• Peruse available documents such as the National water supply Policy, regulations, guidelines, manuals, management contracts, etc related to the management of rural water supply systems
• Prepare a brief PowerPoint presentation showing the current status of the management of rural water supply systems highlighting the gaps and challenges in the operation and maintenance of rural water supply systems in Rwanda.
• Prepare the materials for the training on the operation and maintenance of rural water supply systems focusing on asset inventory, management and budgeting, operational procedures, and records for O&M of WSS, maintenance of water supply systems including both curative and preventive maintenance, development of O&M manual of rural water supply systems.
• Facilitate group work and practical exercises during the 4 days of the training
• Lead the presentations and other training activities such as team building activities, and group work.
• Evaluate the outcome for every session covered in the training.
• Critically examine the trainees’ understanding and progress and make necessary adjustments to the training curriculum.
• prepare the training report after the activity is completed.
• Prepare a pre and post-test to evaluate the knowledge uptake by the training participants.

4. Deliverables
The Consultant shall submit the following deliverables:
1. A PowerPoint presentation showing the current status of the management of rural water supply systems highlighting the gaps and challenges in the operation and maintenance of rural water supply systems in Rwanda.
2. Training materials covering the topics mentioned in section 5
3. Pre and post-test questionnaires and evaluation results
4. Activity report covering the sessions and proceedings of the training with sound recommendations to improve the management of rural water supply systems.


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5. Consultant’s Qualification and Experience
An individual consultant shall possess the following qualifications:
• A Master’s degree in water supply engineering with at least 5 years of working experience in the management of water supply systems or a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineer, water engineering, environmental engineering, or another related field with at least 10 years of working experience in the management of water supply systems.
• A deep and thorough understanding of the concept and practice of operation and maintenance of rural water supply systems in Rwanda.
• Knowledge, familiarity, and experience training the private operators with developed Training Module on the Procedure of Operation and Maintenance for Pipe Water Supply Systems
• Knowledge, familiarity, and experience training the private operators with developed District and Private Operator's Manual for Operation and Maintenance of Rural Water Supply Systems
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to identify gaps in skills.
• Knowledge of various teaching methods and approaches.
• Excellent organizational skills.

6. Evaluation criteria
• Education requirements: 20%
• Professional Experience: 50%
• Financial requirements: 30%

7. Timeframe
• 2 days for the preparation of training materials
• 4 days of the training
• 2 days of preparation of the training report.

8. Application requirements
• A cover letter addressed to the VEI Country Technical Representative
• Administrative documents: Enterprise Registration certificate and Tax clearance certificate in case of a registered individual enterprise or a copy of National Identity card in case of individual consultant.
• A degree in the field specified in section 5
• A Curriculum Vitae with supporting documents showing proof of experience in the required field as specified in section 5
• Financial offer showing the rate per day
All proposals will be submitted online at asaph.kabaasha@vei.nl no later than 31st March 2023, by 5:00 PM (Local Time).
Done at Kigali, 17th March 2023.
Asaph KABAASHA
Country Technical Representative
VEI