Hydraulic Modelling of Pipe Networks Consultant at RTI International – 6 Openings

RTI International is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to conducting innovative, multidisciplinary research that improves the human condition. With a worldwide staff of more than 5,000 people, RTI offers innovative research and development and multidisciplinary services.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: Hydraulic Modelling of Pipe Networks Consultant

Locations: Abia, Delta, Imo, Niger, Sokoto and Taraba
LOE: 17 days

Background

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Effective Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Services (E-WASH) program seeks to improve urban water and sanitation service delivery by strengthening the governance, financial and technical viability of six state water boards (SWBs) in Nigeria. E-WASH will work toward achieving the following mutually reinforcing objectives:

Creating professionally managed and commercially oriented SWBs.
Improving the financial and operational viability of SWBs.
Strengthening policy, institutional and regulatory frameworks for improved WASH services (including establishing accountability mechanisms).
Building national and state WASH advocacy, coordination, and communications for reform.

The activity is part of USAID’s wider efforts to build closer coordination with the Government of Nigeria (GoN), including the Federal Ministry of Water Resources (FMWR), select SWBs, and allied stakeholders, to advance broad-based economic growth and resilience through improved WASH services in urban areas. Interventions will be targeted in 6 states selected based on criteria but where there is commitment from the state government leadership and show a willingness to embrace enduring reforms to improve water service delivery. The six states are Abia, Delta, Imo, Niger, Sokoto and Taraba.

Objectives of the Assignment

To examine the existing water supply networks in selected towns of E-WASH intervention State Water Boards/Corporations by modelling the behavior of flows in the existing pipe network under different operating conditions that recognize the demand for water supply, existing pipe diameters, materials and their current conditions of functionality, ground topography and minimum policy requirements for the supply to identify low-pressure points and suggest modifications where necessary in the network.

Scope Of The Assignment:

The aim of this assignment is to develop hydraulic model for every E-WASH SWB and to capture them on a suitable GIS platform.
All the transmission and distribution networks of the SWB will be modelled for optimal operational performance alongside the appurtenances and fittings such as valves, washouts, Tees, Bends, Chambers, Standpipes meters etc.
The STTA will provide technical guidance on overall network modelling with a goal of integrating data into a GIS platform.
This roadmap for implementation will also include capacity development of the state water utility staff to efficiently update and maintain the network systems.

Specific Tasks

The STTA is expected to carry out analysis of the networks using suitable hydraulic modelling software(s) to ascertain the conditions of flow and pressure at key points in the network under different operation regimes that simulate current and future realities of infrastructure upgrade and plant operations.

The specific tasks include, among others, the following:

Review inventory of the networks and ground features from available records and maps of the towns.
Determine distances and elevations of key nodal points in the network as well as location and elevation of key system components and to also determine roughness factors and losses associated with each.
Determine the demand for supply service for each area or sub-areas of the network and compare with what is currently available.
Identify and propose suitable software(s) for the modelling and analysis of the networks and deployment and installation of same.
The software to be deployed should meet the requirement/characteristics including but not limited to effectively carry out hydraulic modeling for a minimum of 10,000 pipes and 10,000 nodes, handle all network control elements like check valves, shutoff valves, pressure release valves, pressure sustaining valves, different shapes of storage tanks (circular, rectangular,), elevated and ground reservoirs; elements like fixed and variable speed pumps, ability to calculate energy consumption, color coding of the network based on available pressures and flow velocity.
The software should be able to carry out water quality modelling for some chemicals like Chlorine residual, Aluminium residual, Sulphate residual, etc. The software should be flexible enough to interface with some GIS/CAD software. As well as deployment of appropriate hardware (one desktop computer).
The expert will prepare a hydraulic model based on the identified parameters and will simulate the distribution network system performance under different field conditions, including flow and pressure conditions at different points within the system and develop 24-hours extended simulation.
Study the pressure zones for each metropolis and see the desirability or otherwise of continuing with distribution according to the zones.
Assess the impact of additional consumers on the system with and without upgrades
Highlight low- and high-pressure points in the system and any suggestions for changes that might be necessary for optimum system utilization to meet design demands from the inhabitants of the towns.
The expert shall highlight any vulnerabilities or risks that could further affect the performance of the existing system and how best to manage them.
Shall also identify key elements of an operating strategy for better management of the infrastructure.
Develop training needs for SWB staff on hydraulic modelling.
Provide hands-on training for relevant staff of the SWB such that they can run the model effectively.
Identify any other training requirement for SWB on NWR reduction, Asset management, etc
Develop a strategy on how the SWB will use the model for optimum performance.

Deliverables:

Orientation
Inception report from commencement of the assignment on how he intends to implement the assignment in terms of Planning, resources utilization (Key personnel, and facilities). This report is also expected to identify any major/minor inconsistencies in the scope of work, or any other factor which may affect achieving the objective of the assignment
Interim report 1detailing -Draft hydraulic model of the system including analysis of the network for each locality under different operational regimes Draft final Report
Interim report 2 detailing -Training report (at least 2 SWBs staff trained)
Draft final Report- Draft final report to include details of the extent of the assignment accomplished, resources utilized, challenges encountered as well as proposed strategies to ensure sustainability of the results of this assignment.
A Hydraulic Model of the network system
Debriefing
Final Report

Working Arrangements:

The STTA will undertake part of the assignment from his/her office and the USAID E-WASH Offices located in Abuja and in designated states where the E-WASH Program is being implemented.
He/she will work closely with the Utility Technical Advisor (UTA), Utility Technical Specialist and the General Manager of the SWBs
USAID E-WASH and the SWBs will provide all available data for the STTA including supporting staff who have institutional memories and knowledge of the SWBs fixed assets.
However, in case of data gaps, the Expert is expected to fill such gaps in close collaboration with the SWBs.

Level of Effort:

We reckon that this assignment will be for 30 days.
The first week will be applied for arrangement and development of Work plan for the assignment, outline description of the way the service is intended to be undertaken, time schedule for the execution of specific assignment and outline of all reports.
The following week will be applied for classroom/workshop mode of training on Inventory and Asset Management. 4 weeks will be used for collating information on existing asset and populating the asset register.

Qualifications

Each Urban WASH Utility Expert is required to have the following qualifications:

Master’s degree in Water Engineering/ Civil Engineering, Hydraulics (or mechanical, electrical or environmental) or related field.
At least 10 years of experience working on network performance improvements, and particularly in the areas of utility management, safe water production and operational efficiency.
Proven experience in performance monitoring of utilities, including the oversight and/or management of performance data collection, data quality/data control, indicator reporting and analysis, metrics, and performance reporting.
Knowledge of environmental best practices, especially in civil works, water quality, water supply and water resources.
Knowledge of political economy of Nigeria and the work environment especially as it relates to utility management
Fluent in English, both written and spoken, and able to produce concise, high-quality technical reports with all necessary documentation, pictures and infographics.
Understanding of the local language spoken in any of these 5 states is preferred but not compulsory
Experience in urban sanitation reform is preferred, but not compulsory

Skills and Abilities:

Extremely strong organizational and prioritization skill with strong ability to adaptively manage to objectives, resolve issues and escalate as necessary.
Strategic thinker with proven ability to link event objectives to specific prioritized work plan
Exceptional interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively and establish strong working relationships with key colleagues
Self-starter, able to think creatively and work independently;
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced work environment and carry out multiple activities and projects with competing deadlines.
Excellent oral and written English language communication skills;
Willingness to travel domestically in Nigeria if necessary.