Strengthening Climate-Resilient Water Storage Systems for Agriculture in Cambodia through Feasibility Assessment and Investment Readiness of Improved Rainwater Harvesting Solutions.

Description

The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), on behalf of the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), invites qualified and interested firms to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to participate in an upcoming solicitation for the provision of technical assistance for Strengthening Climate-Resilient Water Storage Systems for Agriculture in Cambodia through Feasibility Assessment and Investment Readiness of Improved Rainwater Harvesting Solutions. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), on behalf of CTCN, seeks to engage a qualified consulting firm to provide the technical assistance requested and endorsed by the National Designated Entity (NDE) of Cambodia. The objective of this assignment is to support Cambodia in strengthening climate resilience in the water-agriculture nexus by conducting a comprehensive feasibility assessment of improved rainwater harvesting systems and developing an investment-ready pathway for their large-scale deployment in rural communities. The technical assistance will generate the technical, economic, environmental, social, institutional, and market evidence needed to inform national decision-making on climate-resilient water storage solutions. It will also strengthen coordination among relevant ministries and stakeholders, support capacity development, and prepare a draft Green Climate Fund concept note to facilitate follow-up financing and implementation. Cambodia ranks among the most climate-vulnerable countries globally. Climate change is intensifying drought frequency, rainfall variability, and extreme weather events, significantly affecting agriculture and water availability. Rainwater harvesting has been identified as a priority adaptation solution in Cambodia’s Technology Needs Assessment and national strategies. However, existing systems are often inefficient due to seepage, evaporation, sedimentation, and contamination risks. Improving decentralized water storage systems represents a key opportunity to enhance resilience in the water-agriculture nexus. Various approaches such as improved pond design, lining systems, evaporation reduction measures, and water quality protection can significantly improve water retention and availability. This technical assistance will aim to improve national capacity and evidence-based decision-making in Cambodia for scaling up climate-resilient rainwater harvesting systems, resulting in a validated feasibility basis, strengthened stakeholder coordination, enhanced policy and institutional readiness, and a financing pathway for future implementation. The outcome will contribute to improved rural water security, enhanced agricultural resilience, reduced vulnerability to drought and rainfall variability, and stronger readiness to mobilize climate finance for water-sector adaptation. Expected Outputs include: 1. Project Management (Mandatory Output). 2. Inception, baseline assessment and feasibility methodology established. 3. Comprehensive feasibility assessment of improved rainwater harvesting systems completed. 4. Institutional capacity, policy support and staheholder ownership strengthened. 5. Implementation roadmap, financing strategy and draft GCF concept note developed. Detailed requirements will be provided in the solicitation documents to be issued following the closure of this REOI. Specific Requirements/Information The Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) is the Operational arm of The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and hosted by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The mission of the CTCN is to promote accelerated development and transfer of climate technologies at the request of developing countries for energy-efficient, low-carbon and climate-resilient development. CTCN provides technical assistance to the countries using its own funds ( which it recives through voluntary contributions of donor) or through the other funding sou