Project/Consultancy Title: STWASH Quality Manager

Project Location(s): Abia and Delta States, Nigeria

Background:

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.

Mercy Corps Nigeria is re-initiating work on STWASH program in the southern states of Abia and Delta.  An anonymous donor is funding the work at three locations:  Ariaria and Ubakala in Abia state and Oguwashi-uku Central in Delta State.  The scope of work for the program includes the following: 

Ariaria Urban Water Supply   

•                    Rehabilitate and assess 7 existing boreholes   

•                    Test 5 existing high-lift pumps   

•                    Test operation of existing chemical feed systems    

•                    Rehabilitate existing transformers    

•                    Rehabilitate the electrical high-tension pole   

•                    Connect to the power grid   

•                    Construct ~ 3,430 m of new pipeline and appurtenances   

•                    Construct ~ 310 water service house connections    

•                    Test commissioning and training for 3 months   

Ubakala Urban Water Supply and Solar Installation   

•                    Rehabilitate 4 existing boreholes and install 4 new pumps   

•                    Clean and refurbish 400 cubic meter elevated water storage tank   

•                    New chemical feed building   

•                    Chemical feed system for water treatment   

•                    New security fencing   

•                    New transformer    

•                    Construct ~ 2,035 m of new pipeline and appurtenances   

•                    Construct ~ 330 water service house connections   

•                    Test commissioning and training for 3 months   

•                    Procure and install solar power system  

Ogwashi-uku Central Water Supply     

•                    Rehabilitate and assess 1 existing borehole   

•                    Furnish and install 1 new pump in the existing borehole  

•                    Drill and test 1 new borehole 

•                    Furnish and install new pump in the new borehole    

•                    Rehabilitate the existing chemical feed building   

•                    Chemical feed system for water treatment   

•                    New security fencing   

•                    New transformer   

•                    Extend power line    

•                    Construct ~ 3,230 m of new pipeline and appurtenances    

•                    Construct ~ 300 water service house connections    

•                    Test commissioning and training for 3 months 

These projects were part of the USAID terminated STWASH program and all of them were under contract to be constructed.  With the new funding, the plan is to re-tender the projects and complete their construction. 

Purpose / Project Description:

The STWASH Quality Manager will be part of the project team that will re-initiate the project and complete construction.      

The following separate but interrelated tasks will be conducted by the consultant: 

Consultant Activities and Deliverables:

Task 1:  Program Re-initiation and Procurement 

Program Re-initiation 

•        Review and comment on MOU’s with Abia and Delta states, noting any updates needed. 

•        Assist with developing talking points for re-initiation with Abia and Delta state governments. 

•        Review and comment on program implementation workplan developed by Mercy Corps including overall program budget and scope. 

Procurement 

•        Assistance with development of updated contract documents for procurement and review and comment on list of pre-qualified contractors. 

•        Assist with updating the agenda for the pre-tendering meetings to be conducted by Mercy Corps with prospective bidders to be held at each project site.  

•        Participate as a member of the tender review panel.  Review and score tenders, participate in award deliberations and assist with negotiation with contractors.   

Task 1 Deliverables: 

•        Review comments on MOU’s, talking points for state governments, workplan, contract documents and pre-tendering meeting agenda. 

•        Completed and signed score sheet for tenders. 

Task 2:  Services During Construction 

•        Assist with planning (agenda content and schedule) and documentation of construction kickoff and handover meetings with contractors and stakeholders.  Review and comment on summaries of project kickoff meetings. 

•        Provide technical review and assistance as requested by Mercy Corps Program Manager for responses to Requests for Information (RFI’s), work plans, material submittals and shop drawings from contractors as needed. 

•        Review summary notes from weekly construction meetings for each site. 

•        Meet weekly with Mercy Corps Program Manager (and project engineers as appropriate) to review progress, plan for upcoming activity and discuss project related issues.  This may  include review of daily reports from Mercy Corps project engineers to stay updated.     

•      Assist program team with addressing typical construction related items such as: 

•     verifying compliance with environmental and safety standards 

•     Identifying and documenting defects during construction for rectification by the contractor 

•     Conducting final inspection and preparation of punch list. 

•        Conduct up to 3 site visits to monitor progress, quality of workmanship, adherence to design, and safety.  Timing of trips to be as agreed upon with the Program Manager.  For efficiency, trips will be planning to include visits to all construction sites during each visit if possible and necessary.  
•        Review and recommend approval of contractor progress reports and payment certificates against actual work completed as requested by Program Manager. 

Task 2 Deliverables: 

•        Comments on agenda and documentation for kickoff and handover meetings for each project. 

•        Review assistance notes for Mercy Corps responses to contractor submittals and questions.  

•        Site visit reports for up to 3 site visits documenting project status and any issues identified during the visit. 

•        Recommendations for approval of contractor progress reports and payment certificates as requested by Program Manager.  

Timeframe / Schedule and Budget: 

• The anticipated level of effort associated with the scope items outlined above is 56 days total, 
• Maximum budget available: $39,592
• The program is anticipated to take 14 months to complete. 
• The period of service is anticipated to last until December 31, 2026.    

The Consultant will report to:

The Interim Director of Programs, Mercy Corps Nigeria

Required Experience & Skills:

• BS or MS in civil or other applicable engineering discipline
• At least 7 years of experience in design and construction of water related infrastructure
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with other team members and stakeholders to achieve the common goal of completing construction projects
• Strong knowledge of construction management principles and practices including quality assurance and quality control
• Experience writing and implementing construction quality control standard operating procedures for International NGO in Nigeria
• Prior work experience in Ariaria, Ubakala, and Ogwashi-uku
• Prior experience working with Abia State Water and Sewerage Corporation and Delta State Urban Water Corporation

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. 

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity
We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our stakeholders and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.