Project director
/ Nieuwaal, Marieke (MN)Assignment
/ Implementation Service Provider for Catchment Management, Component B (sub-components B1-B3) of the Shire River Basin Management ProgrammeProject location
/ Upper Lisungwi and Upper Wamkulumadzi Sub-CatchmentsClient
/ Government of MalawiFinancing Agency
/ World BankPartners
/ LTS International Ltd (UK); Centre for Development Management (Malawi)Participation
/ As lead firmComposition of Team
/ Mott MacDonald Ltd.: Project Manager (Team Leader); Land and Water Management Specialist / Irrigation Expert / Civil Engineer (1 position); Deputy Team Leader / Agribusiness Specialist (1 position)/ Partner(s): Watershed Planning and Environment and Natural Resources Management Specialist (1 position); Agriculture Specialist; Enterprise Development Specialist; Social Development/ Community Based Natural Reform Specialist; Field Coordinator; Procurement Specialist; Information Management Specialist
Period of Assignment
/ From 01-Apr-2014 to 31-Jan-2018Staff months
/ Mott MacDonald Ltd.: 109Partner(s): 848
Total: 957
Background
/ The Government of Malawi has received proceeds of a credit and a grant from the International Development Agency (IDA – World Bank Group) to finance the implementation of the Shire River Basin Management Program (Phase I) Project. The program is a flagship activity for Malawi given the importance of the Shire Basin for electricity production through hydropower and consequently economic growth and poverty alleviation.Description of project
/ The overall Program Development Objective of the Shire River Basin Management Program (SRBMP) is to increase sustainable social, economic and environmental benefits by effectively and collaboratively planning, developing and managing the Shire River Basin’s natural resources. The first phase project – the Shire River Basin Management Program (Phase-I) Project (SRBMP-I) – will establish coordinated inter-sectoral development planning and coordination mechanisms, undertake the most urgent water related infrastructure investments, prepare additional infrastructure investments, and develop up-scalable systems and methods to rehabilitate catchments and protect existing natural forests, wetlands and biodiversity, thereby beginning to address some of the most critical issues facing the Basin.The Project Development Objective (PDO) and the Global Environmental Objective (GEO) of the SRBMP-I is to develop a Shire River Basin planning framework that improves land and water management for ecosystem and livelihood benefits in target areas. The project is:
a) strengthening institutional capacities and developing and enhancing mechanisms for Shire Basin monitoring, planning, management and decision support systems;
b) investing in in water related infrastructure that sustainably improves water resources management and development;
c) reducing soil erosion in priority catchments and consequent sedimentation downstream, while enhancing environmental services, agricultural productivity and improving livelihoods;
d) improving flood management in the Lower Shire and providing community level adaptation and mitigation support; and;
e) protecting and enhancing ecological services in the Basin.
Mott MacDonald and partners are contracted to deliver 3three of the four subcomponents that make up Component B of the SRBMP focussing on catchment management. Component B has the objective that targeted catchments will be rehabilitated and managed for reduced erosion and improved livelihoods. The three sub-components are:
B1: Facilitating development of institutional capacity in catchment management planning and undertaking participatory catchment management planning work at several scales (whole catchment, sub-catchment and village-level catchment);
B2: Facilitating and overseeing actual physical rehabilitation of catchments, and;
B3: Supporting (identification and development of) alternative rural livelihoods with the aim of improving the economic standing of communities and thereby reducing their direct reliance on natural resources and in doing so also improving catchment management.
Services provided
/ The project focuses on two separate catchments; Upper Lisungwi (26,000 ha) and Upper Wamkulumadzi (29,500 ha) .Our consortium has divided the work into a number of stages, as follows:
i) Inception: This stage provides an opportunity for the client and consultant to meet within the context of the work of the project (rather than in formal contractual discussion and negotiation) and to re-state and agree upon overall aims, objectives and agree on the modus operandi. It is also an opportunity for both the client and consultant to advertise the start of the project to key fellow ministries, stakeholders, potential data providers and other donors. The Inception stage is also an opportunity to start to establish and build relationships with the client and stakeholders, and to sort-out any logistical issues (such as establishing an office, internet connections
ii) Investigation: This stage focuses on data collection and situation analysis, including reconnaissance visits to get a good understanding of the existing situation and key issues
iii) Baseline assessment and options appraisal: The baseline assessment is a detailed assessment phase that focuses on assessing and understanding the positive and negative issues and aspects associated with a number of technical areas, namely: Land resources; water resources; infrastructure; institutions and stakeholders; policy and legislation; socio-economics; the environment, and; energy issues. Options appraisal involves identification, prioritisation and selection of measures to address the adverse issues identified in the baseline assessment.
Iv) Planning: This stage involves detailed consultation and use of the baseline assessment and options appraisal to develop agreed catchment and sub-catchment management plans. It also involves development of village-level action plans, which are plans for small areas centered around just a few villages and one or two of the smaller watercourses and that are designed to ensure implementation of the catchment and sub-catchment plans
v) Implementation: This stage involves development of design and tender documents, procurement planning, implementation of actual, physical catchment rehabilitation works, construction supervision and procurement facilitation
vi) Post-implementation: This last stage involves resolving any remaining issues, as well as identifying and sharing lessons learned and undertaking any follow-up activities
Community mobilisation & sensitisation, capacity development and training, participatory planning and participatory implementation are key elements throughout the project.
Results
/ Reduced soil erosion more productive and higher value agriculture; better managed land, soil and trees; catchment management capacitySenior staff and functions
/ Eliot Taylor - Team Leader;Richmond Makasa - Land and Water Management Specialist / Irrigation Expert / Civil Engineer;
Charkes Kanyinji – Deputy Team Leader / Agribusiness Specialist
Mott MacDonald Ltd.
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