1. Introduction

COOPI - COOPERAZIONE INTERNAZIONALE, a humanitarian, non-confessional and independent organization founded in 1965 in Milan, Italy. With funding from European Union(EU) funded project entitled ‘Strengthening local communities’ resilience to climate change in North Darfur State, Sudan’ (Project Ref: ENV/2017/384-476), COOPI among others implemented various surface water harvesting infrastructures including three haffirs and one earth dam The dam implemented is Kindia Dam located in Sayyah administrative area of Mellit locality (GPS Location - Latitude: 14.4589 Longitude: 25.96855)

2. Background to the problem

The construction of Kindia Dam started in November 2020 and was completed on 14^th of July 2021. The dam started receiving water on 15^th of July 2021.

When water level upstream reached one-meter-high, some part of the embankment in the main Wadi started to crack.

And on 16^th of July 2021 upon second filling, when the water level reached three (3) meters, part of the embankment in main wadi area was damaged (only 45 meters of total 179.49 meters was affected).

Some individuals also removed all geotextile (material to protect the dam from erosion) from the dam embankment.

The rest of the dam structures (spillway, the spillway foundation, and cutoff wall spillway) remained intact (not damaged). Preliminary assessment conducted could not establish the exact cause of the damage (needs additional excavation and soil tests).

COOPI is therefore looking for an independent surface water engineer to technically investigate the causes of the defect at the dam and recommend remedial actions.

3. Objectives of the technical investigation

The objectives of the technical investigation include but not limited to the following:

• Review the design of the dam
• Review the construction processes of the dam
• -Review the compliancy design-construction
• Review the participation of stakeholders along the construction cycle
• Collect soil sample and conduct soil analysis i.e. establish if suitable soil type was recommended or used for the construction of the embankment, to draw up the as-built
• Investigate the bedrock along the Wadi where the embankment was constructed
• Estimate flood during the season and the amount of water received before and after the defect at the dam
• Assess overall integrity of the dam (design, location, materials used, spillway, embankment etc.)
• Provide general recommendations for rehabilitation of the dam

4. Location/scope of the study

The technical assessment will take place at Kindia dam at above reference GPS location in North Darfur, Sudan.

5. Duration of the feasibility study

The technical feasibility study is expected to last for a maximum period of 21 days tentatively starting from October 1^st to October 21^st. The Plan of Investigation will be submitted by the consultant by the 7th October for approval, while the draft final by the 22nd October and the final report not later than 30^th October 2021.

6. Outputs of the Assignment

• Plan of Investigation (including a presentation of tools, approach or techniques etc.), field inspection report, draft final report, final report, PowerPoint presentation, technical tests to COOPI Head of Programs.
• The selection of the location for sampling, the depth of pits, the type of tests and the identification of the lab will be discussed and agreed with COOPI Head of Programs.
• Debriefing to COOPI and other stakeholders after the field mission
• The final technical investigation report has to be submitted in both hard (2 bound colored) and soft copies (2 CDs or USB or email) clearly indicating causes of the defect (design failure, construction process failure or material failure)
• Annexes (electronic and hard copies where applicable) to the report including but not limited to:

7. Consultant (s) Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Water Resource Engineering or related fields with equivalent work experience
• Proven experience, at least five years, in hydraulic sector, especially in dams, haffirs and other micro catchment water harvesting/storage structures and reservoirs in rural areas of developing countries
• Experience in remote sensing and use of GIS for water resource engineering an added advantage
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; knowledge of Arabic is an asset.
• Good knowledge of local (Darfur) context (culture, and geography) is an asset

8. Selection criteria

• Academic qualification
• Pertinent working experience
• Previous experience in dam assessments and investigations
• Financial offer.

8. Application Guidelines

Interested and qualified professionals (individuals, Consulting Agencies, Firms or Institutions) should submit their applications in sealed envelopes to the following offices:

• COOPI office at House 15B / Block 1 B-West, North Saudi Hospital in El Fasher – North Darfur.
• COOPI office in Khartoum at 13^th street, opposite French Embassy Al Amarat, Khartoum, Sudan 

Email applications clearly indicating the position applied for can also be sent to hom.sudan@coopi.org

Application should contain the following:

• Technical Proposal (including Work plan & Methodology)
• Financial Proposal (Proposed Budget, including costs breakdown indicating HR, LOE, transportation, activity costs)
• Profiles of Firm/Consultants (Company profile, certificate of registration, CVs of each team member) and Introduction Letters.
• References and List of previous works

9. Deadline for Applications

The deadline for applications is Wednesday 25^th September 2021. Note that COOPI reserves the right to review the applications on an ongoing basis and select a suitable/qualified consultant (s) before the end date.