The Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) is inviting proposals from a specialized institution or company to assess legal and regulatory frameworks, public policies, and institutional capacities for groundwater management at the national and regional levels.
The consultancy will be carried out within the framework of the project “Towards a better understanding of Amazonian Aquifer Systems for their protection and sustainable management” (GEF ID 11108), executed by ACTO, with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as implementing agencies.
The consultancy aims to provide a validated regional- and national-level assessment of the legal and regulatory frameworks, public policies, institutional capacities, information governance arrangements, and socioeconomic dimensions of groundwater management. Based on the gaps identified, the consultancy will develop adaptable model policy and regulatory tools and prioritized reform road maps to support the coordinated, equitable, and sustainable management of the Amazon Aquifer Systems (AAS).
The main areas of work include the assessment of relevant legal, regulatory and public policy instruments; institutional mandates, decision-making processes, coordination arrangements and capacities; groundwater information flows; and socioeconomic dimensions related to groundwater use. The assessment will also address gender inequalities, vulnerability, and the rights, knowledge and governance perspectives of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
The consultancy will also identify and prioritize gaps and opportunities at the national and regional levels and develop recommendations, institutional strengthening measures, adaptable policy and regulatory options, and sequenced reform road maps. Its findings will provide inputs to the project’s White Paper and Strategic Action Programme (SAP).
The consultancy will be carried out remotely, with virtual coordination with the Project Coordination Unit (PCU). Travel, in-person consultations or validation workshops may be required when agreed in advance and included in the approved work plan and financial proposal.
The consultancy comprises four products, with implementation extending through Month 9 after contract signature.
Submission of Proposals
Interested institutions or companies must submit:
- Resume (CV) or institutional profile, if it is a company;
- Portfolio of relevant works;
- Technical proposal, including methodology, schedule and work approach;
- Economic proposal, including the total amount and breakdown by product;
- Estimated implementation schedule.
Deadline for submission of proposals: October 9, 2026.
Proposals should be sent to: projectosaa@otca.org.
Interested institutions and companies are encouraged to consult the full Terms of Reference for detailed information on the scope of the consultancy, expected products, evaluation criteria, requirements, and conditions for participation.
→ Download:ToR-Output-2.1.1
