1.  Introduction/Background

^{1.1  About the Project}

The Rwanda Young Water Professional is an implementing partner of the Scaling Urban Nature-based solutions for Climate Adaptation in Sub-Saharan Africa(SUNCASA) Project, funded by the Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and implemented by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the World Resources Institute (WRI).

The overall objective of the project is to implement gender responsive Nature based Solutions (NbS) to strengthen the resilience of urban communities, watersheds, and biodiversity against the impacts of climate change, while reducing the barriers to NbS participation of women and other underrepresented groups.

The project’ goals are to:

• Developand implement gender-responsive NbS to restore and rehabilitate river catchments, reducing flood risk and ensuring water security.
• Promote gender equality and social inclusion, removing barriers for women and underrepresented groups in climate adaptation decision making, planning, delivery, and monitoring.
• Build resilient livelihoods and protect local biodiversity.
• Create green job opportunities.
• Improve the well-being of communities by developing
  green public spaces.

The key expected outcomes from the project include:

• Reduced barriers to the participation of women and other underrepresented groups inplanning, implementation, and monitoring of NBS for climate change adaptationin urban communities.
• Increased adoption of gender responsive NBS using watershed conservation and restoration practices to support flood control, upstream and downstream water security, gender equality, and biodiversity protection in urban communities.
• Enhanced inclusive and gender-responsive governance for the implementation of NBS for climate adaptation by municipal officials and local stakeholders in urban communities.

1.2 Project Areas

Within the framework of the SUNCASA Project, various sub-catchments have been identified within the city of Kigali for the implementation of various types of Nature-Based Solutions such as afforestation, reforestation, agro-forestry, establishment of buffer zones along rivers and gullies as well as urban trees along roads and at open spaces.

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1.2.1 Gatsata-Karuruma sub-catchment

The Gatsata-Karuruma sub-catchment, situated in the Gasabo district spans an area of 29.705 km². This sub-catchment includes hilly terrain and valleys, featuring a blend of urban residential and commercial areas concentrated downstream, while upstream areas are characterized by agricultural activities and forests. The hydrology of Gatsata-Karuruma is characterized by several tributaries that feed into the Nyabugogo and Nyabarongo Rivers and are subjected to rapid runoff during heavy rains due to their steep slopes. This sub-catchment faces significant flood risks, particularly in lower-lying areas. Soil erosion from hillsides and inadequate stormwater management contribute to the flood risk.

1.2.2 Rubirizi sub-catchment

Rubirizi sub-catchment occupies an area of37.452 km² and is situated in Kicukiro District. The sub-catchmenthas a mix of land uses, with significant portions dedicated to residential housing, farming, and commercial establishments. It encompasses the Rubirizi wetland, where agriculture activities are concentrated both within and around its vicinity. Rubirizi features several small streams that converge into the Nyabarongo River, contributing to the overall drainage system of Kigali.

1.2.3 Mpazi-Rugunga sub-catchment

The Mpazi-Rugunga sub-catchment spans two districts of Kigali City, Nyarugenge and Kicukiro, covering an area of 25.96km². The land use is highly varied, with dense residential neighborhoods, commercial centers, and industrial facilities. Agricultural activities are primarily concentrated within the Rwampara wetland area, with forested areas on Mount Kigali. Mpazi-Rugunga features a network of streams and drainage channels that are crucial for managing stormwater. The area receives substantial rainfall, leading to significant variations in streamflow throughout the year. Flooding is a major challenge, particularly in low-land areas, due to rapid urbanization upstream and inadequate drainage systems.

2. Objectives of the consultancy

The main objective of the consultancy is to support the Modelling of the Contributionof Urban Nature based Solutions to Climate Adaptation/Flood Risk Reduction in the selected Sub-Catchments within the city of Kigali namely Rubirizi,Gatsata-Karuruma, and Mpazi-Rugunga.

2.1 The specific objectives of the assignment are the following:

• Assess the climate change risk/Flood risk within the selected sub-catchments considering different return periods (T5, T10, T25, T50, and T100) under existing land use & the projected land use as per the city of Kigali masterplan in 2025 and under various climate scenarios (SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5,SSP5-8.5).
• Assess the contribution of the proposed NbS to be implemented under the SUNCASA project within the targeted sub-catchments on flood risk reduction under the various return periods and climate change scenarios.
• Deliver a comprehensive final report on the findings and recommendations on the effectiveness of the NbS implemented under the SUNCASA project to climate change adaptation/Flood risk reduction.

3. Scope of Work

The key tasks to be undertaken by the individual consultant include:

• Collect, review, and evaluate the completeness and consistency of all available climatic and hydrologic data.
• Compute storm frequencies and hyetographs for the above-mentioned return periods (T5, T10, T25, T50, and T100) using appropriate approaches.
• Undertake hydrological assessment for different return period sconsidering the existing land use and projected land use as per the city of Kigali master plan in 2050.
• Conduct hydrological analysis taking into account the combination of projected land use as per the city of Kigali master plan in 2050 and various climate scenarios (SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP5-8.5).
• Evaluate the climate change risk/Flood risk within the three selected sub-catchments in line with the above-mentioned land use and climate change scenarios. Assess the impact of the proposed NbS to be implemented under the SUNCASA project for climate change adaptation/Floodrisk reduction in the three selected sub-catchments for different return periods and climate change scenarios.
• Prepare and submit a comprehensive report that elaborates on the impacts of the effectiveness of the proposed NbS to be implemented under the SUNCASA project for climate changeadaptation/Flood risk reduction in the respective sub-catchments located in the City of Kigali.

4. Deliverables and Timeline

The consultant is expected totake a total of 50 working days distributed over a period of 10 months. The client shall pay the consultant professional fees (to be determined based on the agreed daily professional fee rate) against deliverables accepted by theclient.

See more information in the attached request for proposal info document

5. Required Qualifications

Interested consultants are required to have the following qualifications and experiences:

• A master's degree in hydrology, hydraulics, water engineering, hydro-informatics, geo-information science applied to water resources, data science with specialization in water and climate change, or related fields.
• The completion of at least two similar assignments pertaining to climate risk assessment.
• A strong understanding of GIS and remote sensing for water management.
• A good record of using flood modelling tools, particularly HEC-HMS/HEC-RAS, and field experience in flood risks, water resource management, application of Nature based solutions.
• Excellent writing and communication skills in both English and Kinyarwanda. French language proficiency is an added value.

6. Requirements to Submit Proposal:

Interested qualified candidates should submit a Technical and Financial proposal including the following:

• CV highlighting a similar experience.
• Technical Proposal outlining the methodology and the workplan to undertake the assignment.
• Financial Proposal including a daily rate to carry out the activities as per the Scope of Work and any additional costs associated with it.
• Supporting documents that verify experience in the flood risk model development for applying NbS solutions for climate change adaptation/Flood risk reduction.

7.  Evaluation and Selection Criteria  

The following elements will be the primary considerations in evaluating all proposals submitted in response to this RFP:

• Past experience with similar activities
• Financial proposal
• Technical Proposal as it fulfils the requirements set out in this RFP
• Debarment and sanctions – proposals will not be considered from individuals that are presently debarred or named on any restricted parties lists.
• The bidders offering the best overall value will be selected. For this procurement, both price and non-price aspects will be considered for evaluating bidders' proposals.

The RYWP may, at its discretion and without explanation to the prospective individuals choose to discontinue this RFP without obligation to such prospective individuals or make multiple awards under this RFP.

8.  Reporting

The individual consultants shall report to the RYWP-SUNCASA Project Lead and shall also work closely with the RYWP’s technical team and other project’s partners.

9. Submission Instructions

All proposals must be submitted via the provided online form by 20th September 2024, 5:00 PM (CAT).

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