SUMMARY:
Counterpart International is seeking a short-term Water Consultant for conducting an overall water and water collection assessment that will inform the design process of a proposal for a program in Mauritania. The Water Consultant will assess opportunities and constraints to water collection and retention of surface water to be used for animal consumption and limited agricultural production. The consultant will be expected to study water management and collection techniques to ensure a stable source of water for six to seven months of the year. It is expected that that all proposed activities will be limited to collection of surface runoff. Construction of dams or other small infrastructure is encouraged but drilling, boring and irrigation should not be considered. The consultant should also provide quantitative and qualitative water data, country historical weather data and activity usage of water resources in Southern Mauritania to be utilized in a potential future proposal.
Counterpart International is seeking a short-term Water Consultant for conducting an overall water and water collection assessment that will inform the design process of a proposal for a program in Mauritania. The Water Consultant will assess opportunities and constraints to water collection and retention of surface water to be used for animal consumption and limited agricultural production. The consultant will be expected to study water management and collection techniques to ensure a stable source of water for six to seven months of the year. It is expected that that all proposed activities will be limited to collection of surface runoff. Construction of dams or other small infrastructure is encouraged but drilling, boring and irrigation should not be considered. The consultant should also provide quantitative and qualitative water data, country historical weather data and activity usage of water resources in Southern Mauritania to be utilized in a potential future proposal.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Assist with an assessment of the water management and irrigation systems in the intervention zones for the program.
• Conduct detailed analysis of underlying causes of water runoff in Mauritania, and particularly in the program’s intervention zones.
• Provide a thorough analysis of opportunities for capturing and utilizing water run off through improved water infrastructure to support agricultural irrigation and livestock watering.
• Determine gaps, opportunities, constraints and concerns in available or potential water infrastructure systems.
• Meet with stakeholders within Mauritania including Government of Mauritania officials and communities within the intervention zones to assess their needs and desires.
• Assist in consultations with Counterpart and their partners in developing a coordinated and integrated water management strategy for utilizing water runoff for agriculture and livestock.
• Assist with the development and finalization of the USAID FFP proposal in the area of water management.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Conduct detailed analysis of underlying causes of water runoff in Mauritania, and particularly in the program’s intervention zones.
• Provide a thorough analysis of opportunities for capturing and utilizing water run off through improved water infrastructure to support agricultural irrigation and livestock watering.
• Determine gaps, opportunities, constraints and concerns in available or potential water infrastructure systems.
• Meet with stakeholders within Mauritania including Government of Mauritania officials and communities within the intervention zones to assess their needs and desires.
• Assist in consultations with Counterpart and their partners in developing a coordinated and integrated water management strategy for utilizing water runoff for agriculture and livestock.
• Assist with the development and finalization of the USAID FFP proposal in the area of water management.
• Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Master’s degree in agriculture, engineering, sustainability, environmental studies or related fields.
• At least ten years’ experience and eight years of field work in agricultural development related to water management and/or infrastructure.
• Fluency in English required, working proficiency in French desired.
• Strong knowledge of Mauritania’s agricultural, livestock and water systems desired.
• Demonstrated experience with water runoff, collection and retention.
• Knowledge of arid/desert water use and management required.
• Must be familiar with Mauritania’s water infrastructure and management.
• Work experience in Mauritania and a thorough understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the country or similar environments required.
• Prior experience with the design of USAID projects is preferred.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Strong oral and written communications skills.
• At least ten years’ experience and eight years of field work in agricultural development related to water management and/or infrastructure.
• Fluency in English required, working proficiency in French desired.
• Strong knowledge of Mauritania’s agricultural, livestock and water systems desired.
• Demonstrated experience with water runoff, collection and retention.
• Knowledge of arid/desert water use and management required.
• Must be familiar with Mauritania’s water infrastructure and management.
• Work experience in Mauritania and a thorough understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the country or similar environments required.
• Prior experience with the design of USAID projects is preferred.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Strong oral and written communications skills.
How to apply:
