Sewage Treatment Consultant- Mechanical Engineer-Short Term

SOW Title: Work with Targeted Sewage Directorates to Adopt Best Practices Applied by Baghdad Amanat to Apply New Technologies in the O&M of STPs.               

Estimated LOE: 100 working days

Job Classification: (1) Local STTA    

Reporting to: Service Improvement Lead    

Estimated Start Date: 02/July/2024

Estimated End Date:   19/Dec/2024

Duty Station: Baghdad with frequent travel to the other locations in Anbar, Najaf, and Basrah          

A. Project Background:

The USAID Iraq Together/Ma’an (معاً) activity (Ma’an hereafter), supports select Iraqi government entities at the national, regional, provincial, and district levels to improve service delivery performance through the use of technology and process standardization while increasing the availability of and access to information, particularly related to public services. Ma’an also fosters improved and inclusive relationships and engagement between the Government and the communities they serve. Ma’an’s goal is more equitable, efficient, and sustainable public services.

Ma’an’s objectives are:

1- Targeted Iraqi government entities improve and are more inclusive in service delivery. The government improves service delivery through responsiveness to citizen needs, consultation with citizens, improved transparency, and use of green practices technology.

2- Strengthened democratic and participatory governance of targeted Iraqi service delivery institutions. Citizen perception of government changes through increased participation in governance, improved access to government information, and stronger role of Iraqi NGOs in advocating for communities as well as increased public education regarding citizen roles and responsibilities.

3- Response to windows of opportunity for change. Gaps in expertise and information required to improve government service delivery and increase citizen participation are addressed.

Ma’an utilizes an Accountability ecosystem approach grounded in inclusion and localization to improve service delivery and build trust. The approach mobilizes Iraqi government entities, civil society organizations, emerging civic movements, issue-based groups, media, and the private sector to co-create interventions. This approach allows diverse local partners to exercise their rights and responsibilities, learn by doing, analyze performance data, and scale what works.

B. Purpose:

During the stakeholders’ workshop, provincial sewage directorates (PSDs) were interested in the way Baghdad Amanat manages the operation and maintenance (O&M) for large sewage treatment plants (STPs). The majority of sewage directorate representatives indicated that the current STPs lack technology, particularly in learning the applied technologies related to O&M.

To address these challenges, Ma’an will support the transfer of know-how and technologies from a STP in Baghdad Amanat to selected STPs in targeted sewage directorates of the 3 targeted provinces (Anbar, Najaf, and Basrah). This intervention aims to enhance the efficiency of existing STPs in the targeted PSDs through adopting new technology to manage the O&M area. Additionally, this intervention aims to support the PSDs staff’s ability to exchange ideas, experience, knowledge, and best practices and usage of new technology related to the O&M area.

To implement this intervention, Ma’an will engage one local STTA consultant in the sewage treatment – Electrical Engineer and one local STTA consultant in the sewage treatment – Mechanical Engineer who will both work with targeted (PSDs) to provide on-site technical support to the targeted PSDs to determine the current technology available for O&M system in STP in Baghdad Amanat. The two consultants, in collaboration with each other, will cooperate with Baghdad Amanat to facilitate a tour for selected PSDs to visit selected STPs in Baghdad Amanat to identify the possible technology solutions related to the O&M area. Then, the consultants will provide a detailed assessment from electrical and mechanical perspectives for selected technology in selected STP in Baghdad Amanat. The two consultants, in cooperation with targeted PSDs, will select one STP and determine the feasible way to upgrade the plant with modern technology. The two consultants will support the targeted PSDs to develop the technical requirements needed to upgrade the existing O&M system for one of the selected STP and to be included in the operation budget or any available budgets.

Upon the completion of the intervention, sewage directorates’ abilities to use technology will be developed and they will start advocating for inclusion of the technology in the provincial development plans.

C. Objectives:

The main objectives of consultant are:

• Enhance the efficiency of existing STPs in the targeted PSDs through adopting new technology to manage the O&M area.
• Support the PSDs staff’s ability to exchange ideas, experience, knowledge, and best practices and usage of new technology related to the O&M area.

D. Responsibilities and Key Tasks of the Consultant:

Under this Scope of Work, the Sewage treatment consultant- Mechanical Engineer shall perform the following tasks:

– Task 1:   Hold an Introductory Meetings with Targeted PSD to Introduce the Intervention and Obtain the Necessary Buy-in to Apply Similar Technology at Other Provincial Sewage Treatment Plants.

In coordination with Ma’an field team, the consultant will introduce Ma’an activity, the intervention, provide an overview of the expected results. Also, the consultant will obtain buy-in from them and agreed that they will plan to apply similar technology and include it within the budget plan.

– Task 2: Work with Baghdad Amanat to Select and Visit Model STPs.

In coordination with Ma’an field team, the consultant will hold meetings with stakeholders in the General Directorate of Sewage in Baghdad Amanat to introduce Ma’an, the interventions, and the results that will be achieved upon the completion of the intervention. The consultant will conduct site visits to the STPs in the Baghdad Amanat to select the appropriate STP in Baghdad Amanat that have certain technologies in the O&M area based on specific criteria. The consultant will also coordinate with the sewage directorate in Baghdad Amanat to identify the date and time of the expected tour to the selected STP in Baghdad Amanat.

– Task 3: Conduct a Workshop for Targeted PSDs Staff to Learn about the Practical Application of Available Technology Used for O&M at Baghdad Amanat STPs.

In coordination with Ma’an field team, the consultant will provide a one-day workshop to the selected PSDs staff regarding the O&M technology used at Baghdad Amanat. will provide theoretical information on the technologies used and the possibility of applying by PSDs.

– Task 4: Organize a Tour for the Targeted PSDs Staff to Learn about the Practical Application and Technology Used in O&M area at Baghdad Amanat.

The consultant will cooperate with Baghdad Amanat to facilitate and conduct a tour of selected PSDs to visit selected STP in Baghdad Amanat to identify the possible technology solutions related to the O&M area to enhance the functions of the selected STP.

– Task 5: Conduct Mechanical Assessment to Identify the Feasibility of Applying Appropriate Technology Used by Baghdad Amarant STP.

After fully exploring the applied technologies at Baghdad Amanat model STPs, the consultant will provide on-site technical support to the targeted PSDs to collect information to determine the current technology applied by Baghdad Amanat model STPs . The information will include a detailed assessment from mechanical perspectives.

– Task 6: Provide Technical Assistance to PSDs to Submit the Final Assessment and Implemented Procedures to the GOs for Possible Replication of the Technology at Select STPs.

The consultants will support the targeted PSDs to develop the technical requirements needed to upgrade the existing O&M process for one of the selected STP and to be included in the operation budget or any available budgets. This task also will include all documents that should be used to support the provision of the new technology with clear guidelines on how to use the new technology. Then, the consultant in cooperation with targeted PSDs will select one of targeted STP to upgrade the plant with new technology.

– Task 7: Develop the Final Report.

The consultant will develop a final comprehensive report including all supporting documents developed during the implementation of the intervention. The report will include a general description on the selected technology and the proposed recommendations. The report will highlight achievements and results accomplished for each task, recommendations and next steps, challenges, lessons learned, and proposed future interventions (if any). The report should be submitted in Arabic and English.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of experience working in sewage treatment plants, particularly with a strong proficiency in utilizing new technologies for monitoring Operations and Maintenance (O&M).
• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge with the operation and maintenance of sewage treatment plants.
• Prior experience working with the provincial sewage directorates to conduct an assessment and improve the operation and maintenance of sewage treatment plants.
• Minimum four (4) years’ experience with a USAID or other donor-funded projects is strongly preferred.
• Clear and concise communication approach both orally and in writing, and lead presentations, trainings, and effective meetings with stakeholders.
• Excellent report writing skills. .
• Full professional proficiency in Arabic and good in English language skills is desired.

Duty Station:

The local STTA Sewage consultant- mechanical Engineer will be based in Baghdad with travel to various locations in Anbar, Najaf, and Basrah. Under this SOW, Ma’an will cover all other indirect implementation costs, including air and ground transportation, and phone communications. This position is open to Iraqi nationals residing in Iraq.

Application Instructions:

To apply please fill out this form: Iraq Together Job Application Form (smartsheet.com)

Chemonics is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.  

Applications reviewed on a rolling basis. Position closes upon candidate selection. Early submissions encouraged for best consideration.