Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to appoint a qualified service provider to develop a comprehensive Catchment Management Strategy (CMS) for the Vaal-Orange Catchment Management Agency (VOCMA). The strategy aims to address water resource management issues within the catchment area, ensuring sustainable, equitable, and efficient use of water resources in line with national policies and stakeholder needs.

Scope

The scope of work includes:

• Developing a holistic catchment management strategy for the Vaal-Orange Water Management Area (WMA) covering the fiscal years 2025/26 to 2027/28, over a period of 2 years and 6 months (30 months).
• Conducting situational assessments to profile biophysical, social, economic, political, and institutional characteristics of the WMA.
• Preparing an inception report, stakeholder engagement plans, and a stakeholder consultation process.
• Developing water balance/reconciliation strategies to address water demand and supply gaps.
• Formulating water resource protection, regulation, and monitoring strategies.
• Facilitating stakeholder participation and consensus-building in strategy development.
• Drafting, reviewing, and finalizing the CMS, including addressing international obligations and water allocation plans.
• Providing capacity building, institutional development, and financial sustainability strategies for VOCMA.
• Delivering a comprehensive implementation framework with clear timeframes and milestones.

Technical Requirements

The technical requirements include:

• Preparation of an inception report confirming methodology, deliverables, and stakeholder identification.
• Conducting a detailed situation assessment to analyze current and projected water resource conditions.
• Developing water balance and reconciliation strategies to optimize water use and address deficits.
• Formulating water resource protection and water use regulation strategies addressing quality, pollution control, and compliance.
• Designing stakeholder engagement and participation plans to ensure inclusive decision-making.
• Creating institutional and capacity development strategies aligned with IWRM principles.
• Developing financial strategies for sustainable funding and resource management.
• Drafting the CMS with clear water allocation plans, legal compliance, and international obligations considerations.
• Providing monitoring and information management strategies aligned with national systems.
• Ensuring strategies are supported by appropriate data, models, and stakeholder inputs.

Skills Requirements

The successful service provider must demonstrate:

• Expertise in water resource management, hydrology, and catchment management planning.
• Strong experience in developing CMS or similar water management strategies.
• Proficiency in stakeholder engagement, participatory planning, and communication.
• Technical skills in GIS, remote sensing, hydrological modeling, and data analysis.
• Knowledge of South African water legislation, policies, and international water agreements.
• Capacity to facilitate multi-stakeholder workshops and consultations.
• Experience in institutional capacity building, organizational development, and financial planning.
• Proven project management skills, including delivering within timeframes and budgets.
• Ability to produce comprehensive reports, strategic documents, and implementation frameworks.