Job Description

Federal Government of Somalia

Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MoAI)

TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR)

Title: Consultancy Services to Support National Irrigation Policy Revision, Riverine Irrigation Strategy Finalization, and Prepare Operational Guidelines and Technical Manuals for participatory irrigation management within the Shabelle River Basin.

Project: JOSP Maareynta-Governance for Adaptation to Climate Change
Contract Type: Consulting Firm

Quotation No: Fgs/Services/MoAI/0021/2025

Duty Station: Mogadishu + Federal Member States (as required)
Duration: 120–150 Days (Deliverable-Based Contract)
Reporting to: Director General & Director of Irrigation, MoAI

1) Background

Somalia’s agricultural sector depends heavily on the Shabelle and Juba River systems. However, weak governance structures, absence of updated policies, limited institutional coordination, and lack of standardized irrigation management practices have constrained effective and sustainable water use. The existing National Irrigation Policy (NIP) requires comprehensive revision to align with the current institutional framework, environmental realities, climate adaptation priorities, and the governance structures envisioned under the Jowhar Off-Stream Storage Programme (JOSP).

This assignment directly supports the National Transformation Plan (NTP 2025–2029) and the National Agriculture Transformation Strategy, both of which place strong emphasis on transformational governance, improved service delivery, and strengthening federal–FMS coordination in water and irrigation management. Strengthening irrigation governance, establishing consistent national standards, and empowering community-based structures are central to NTP’s agenda for building climate resilience, food security, and sustainable agricultural growth. The development and revision of these national instruments will therefore contribute directly to Somalia’s transformational governance reforms in the water and agriculture sectors.

In addition, Somalia requires a finalized National Riverine Irrigation Strategy to guide equitable water distribution, strengthen basin-level governance, support climate resilience, and coordinate interventions across Federal Member States. Furthermore, the development of Operational Guidelines and Technical Manuals for Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) is critical for establishing community-led, transparent, and accountable irrigation governance structures across the country.

To deliver these national instruments, the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MoAI) seeks to hire a qualified consulting firm with multidisciplinary expertise in irrigation governance, policy development, institutional strengthening, community-based management, and stakeholder facilitation.

2) Purpose of the Assignment

The consulting firm will support MoAI to:

• Revise the National Irrigation Policyand develop a practical, phased Roadmap for Implementation;
• Conduct nationwide consultations and support the finalization of the National Riverine Irrigation Strategy;
• Develop Operational Guidelines and Technical Manualsfor Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) to standardize inclusive, community-led irrigation governance.

The assignment will strengthen institutional capacity, harmonize national and state-level irrigation systems, and support implementation of climate-resilient irrigation governance aligned with the JOSP Governance Framework and support the water and irrigation governance reforms in the Shabelle River Basin in Somalia.

3) Scope of Work and Responsibilities.

1. National Irrigation Policy (NIP) Revision & Implementation Roadmap

• Conduct a comprehensive review of the existing National Irrigation Policy.
• Analyze institutional mandates, governance gaps, technical challenges, and policy inconsistencies.
• Engage Federal Member States, irrigation committees, and stakeholders in policy consultations.
• Revise the National Irrigation Policy to reflect:

• Climate resilience
• Water allocation principles
• Basin-level governance
• Agricultural modernization
• Inclusive irrigation management
  • Develop a detailed Implementation Roadmap aligned with JOSP framework of inclusive irrigation management including gender and youth participation, timelines, responsible institutions, milestones, and resources.
  • Prepare a final NIP package ready for MoAI approval and dissemination.

1. Consultation & Finalization of the National Riverine Irrigation Strategy

• Conduct technical and stakeholder consultations in relevant Federal Member States.
• Analyze challenges related to water distribution, sedimentation, flooding, riverbank degradation, and infrastructure.
• Integrate stakeholder feedback and refine strategic priorities.
• Finalize the National Riverine Irrigation Strategywith clear objectives, governance structures, and implementation mechanisms.
• Develop a monitoring framework and institutional coordination mechanisms.

1. Operational Guidelines & Technical Manuals for Participatory Irrigation Management

• Develop clear Operational Guidelines for Participatory Irrigation Management.
• Prepare Technical Manuals detailing:
• Water allocation procedures
• Scheduling and irrigation service protocols
• O&M responsibilities
• Irrigation committee functions
• Conflict resolution mechanisms
• Environmental and safety standards
• Ensure guidelines are user-friendly and applicable at community, district, state, and federal levels.
• Conduct validation workshops with MoAI and FMS stakeholders.
• Finalize all manuals and provide training materials for rollout.

4) Deliverables

The consulting firm shall submit:

1. Inception Reportwith methodology, schedule, and detailed work plan.
2. Revised National Irrigation Policy(draft and final versions).
3. Implementation Roadmapwith timelines, responsibilities, and action steps.
4. Consultation Reportsdocumenting all stakeholder sessions.
5. Final National Riverine Irrigation Strategy.
6. Operational Guidelines for PIM.
7. Technical Manuals for PIM(English & Somali).
8. Training materialsfor dissemination of PIM guidelines.
9. Final Consolidated Reportcontaining all outputs.

Experiences and Qualifications

1) Qualifications of the Consulting Firm

Firm Requirements

• Legally registered consulting firm with minimum 5 years’ experience in irrigation governance, water resource policy, or agricultural development.
• Demonstrated experience in developing national policies, strategies, or operational guidelines.
• Experience working with governments, UN agencies, and international partners.
• Experience in Somalia or similar fragile contexts is a strong advantage.

Skills Required

Attachment

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