El‑Wak Hospital Theatre Extension – Strucutural Engineering Consultancy

Background
Trócaire has supported health service delivery in Gedo Region, Somalia, for over three decades, working alongside
the Ministry of Health and District Health Boards (DHBs). El-Wak Hospital is a key referral facility for host, IDP,
riverine and pastoralist communities in the district.
To strengthen access to emergency obstetric and newborn care, Trócaire and partners plan to upgrade El‑Wak
District Hospital to provide Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC), including caesarean
sections. This requires construction of a Class‑B operating theatre extension and associated supporting
infrastructure (pre‑/post‑op space, sterilisation, WASH/IPC, medical gas/oxygen, power, and safe waste pathways).
Trócaire therefore seeks a qualified Strucutural Engineer (individual consultant or firm) to conduct a robust site and
structural assessment to confirm the most appropriate location for the extension and theatre, ensure feasibility
and safety, and produce an implementable design and cost package that can be used for budgeting, tendering and
construction starting in March 2026.
Purpose of the Assigment
To conduct a structural engineering‑led assessment at El‑Wak District Hospital and produce a complete design and
costing package for a Class‑B operating theatre extension to enable CEmONC services, including detailed drawings,
Bills of Quantities (BOQ), and integration recommendations for energy (solar load impacts) and WASH/plumbing
systems.
Objectives
Specific objectives of the consultancy are to:
• Assess the hospital site and existing structures/utilities to identify safe, practical location options for the
theatre extension, considering workflow, access, flood risk, security and future expansion.
• Develop concept options and recommend a Class-B theatre layout with required ancillary spaces, aligned
with patient flow and IPC principles.
• Produce coordinated architectural and structural drawings and technical specifications suitable for
procurement and construction.
• Prepare a detailed, inclusive BOQ and cost estimate aligned to final designs, covering civil/structural works,
electrical/energy (including solar integration), and plumbing/WASH.
• Assess incremental power needs (including critical loads) and recommend upgrades/augmentation to
existing solar/back-up systems (as required, with specialist input).
• Specify plumbing/WASH requirements for a safe operating environment (water supply, drainage/sewerage,
handwashing, sterilisation and waste pathways) in line with recognised good practice and applicable
standards.
Scope of Work
The Structural Engineer will act as Lead Design Consultant and will be responsible for delivering an integrated,
construction‑ready design and costing package for the Class‑B operating theatre extension. This includes structural
assessment and design, coordinated layouts, and full integration of electrical/energy (solar load impacts and power
distribution) and plumbing/WASH systems required for a safe operating environment. Where specialist registration
or competencies are required, the Lead Design Consultant will engage appropriately qualified electrical/solar and
plumbing/WASH professionals and remain accountable for coordination, quality assurance and integration of all
disciplines into the final drawings, specifications and BOQ.
1. Inception Meeting
a. Hold an inception meeting with the Trócaire team to confirm scope, deliverables, worklan,
reporting lines and security/travel arrangements.
b. Review any additional documentation, including site information, previous energy assessments,
service statistics, etc.
2. Site Assessment – El-Wak District Hospital
a. Assess existing buildings and available space to identify feasible extension/theatre locations,
including access routes for patients and materials.
b. Assess structural conditions of adjacent buildings (as relevant) and identify any
strengthening/retrofit needs.
c. Assess key site conditions affecting design/construction (e.g., drainage/flooding, ground
conditions, dust/wind, security setbacks, utilities corridors).
d. Map existing utilities (power, water/storage, sewerage/septic, stormwater) and identify
connection points and upgrade needs.
e. Document findings (measurements, photos/sketches) and summarise key risks and mitigation
measures.
3. Design & Review
a. Develop concept options for the theatre extension location and layout, showing functional zoning
and patient/staff flow (clean/dirty separation), and interfaces with existing services (maternity,
referrals, recovery).
b. Provide a short option appraisal matrix (constructability, cost, service continuity during works, IPC,
safety, energy/WASH implications) and recommend a preferred option.
c. Present concepts to Trócaire for review and incorporate feedback.
4. Final Design Package
a. Produce detailed drawings and specifications for the theatre extension and associated spaces,
suitable for tendering and construction.
b. Include at minimum: site plan; floor plans; elevations/sections; door/window schedules; finishes;
structural foundation/columns/beams/roof detailing; and any required strengthening works.
c. Ensure the design reflects operating-theatre safety and functionality, including fire safety and
emergency provisions, and clean/dirty flow zoning (IPC-informed layout and finishes).
d. Coordinate all services within the design package and, where required, engage qualified
electrical/solar and plumbing/WASH specialists to support the following:
i. Power/Electricity: develop an indicative critical load profile for theatre/ancillary spaces;
assess incremental peak/daily demand; review existing solar/generator/back-up capacity;
and provide practical recommendations for any upgrades required.
ii. Plumbing/WASH: specify water supply and handwashing points;
drainage/sewerage/stormwater arrangements; and IPC-relevant provisions (waste
pathways, cleaning/sluice considerations). Provide relevant schematics.
5. BOQ & Cost Estimate
a. Prepare a single, fully inclusive itemised BOQ (quantities, units, minimum specs) covering
civil/structural works; finishes; electrical/power distribution and any solar/back-up upgrades;
plumbing/WASH systems.
b. Provide an accompanying cost estimate with clear assumptions (currency, inclusions/exclusions,
taxes, transport, contingency).
6. Visualisations (Optional)
a. Provide basic 3D visualisations (key rendered views) of the extension and post-construction
hospital compound.
Expected Deliverables
The consultant will deliver the following:
1. Site Assessment Report, including measurements, photos, utility mapping, and recommended extension
location.
2. Concept design options and brief option appraisal matrix, with preferred option clearly justified.
3. Final detailed design package, including architectural and structural drawings, and specifications suitable
for tendering and construction. The package should also be inclusive of:
a. Plumbing/WASH schematic drawings for the theatre and associated spaces.
b. Energy load assessment for the theatre extension and recommendations for
upgrading/augmenting the existing solar/back‑up system.
4. Detailed BOQs and Cost Estimates itemised with specifications and indicative pricing.
5. 3D rendered visuals of the theatre extension and the hospital compound after construction (optional,
depending on cost).
All deliverables shall be in English and submitted in editable MS Office formats (Word, Excel, PowerPoint; PDFs for
diagrams where relevant)
Duration
The assignment is expected to take approximately 14 working days within a period of 3 weeks from contract
signature.
Management and Reporting
The consultant will report to Trócaire Somalia (designated focal point to be confirmed), working closely with the
El‑Wak field team, Health programme leads and Operations/Engineering colleagues. The consultant will provide
weekly progress updates and participate in remote review meetings as required.

Required Profile of the Consultant
The assignment may be carried out by an individual consultant or a firm. The lead consultant must meet the
following minimum requirements:
• Degree in Civil/Structural Engineering (or related field). Registration with a recognised professional body is
desirable.
• Minimum 7 years’ experience in structural assessment and design of buildings, including health facilities
and/or operating theatre environments (preferred).
• Demonstrated experience producing construction drawings, technical specifications and detailed BOQs
suitable for tendering and implementation.
• Demonstrated ability to act as Lead Design Consultant and coordinate multidisciplinary inputs, including
engaging and supervising appropriately qualified electrical/solar and plumbing/WASH professionals where
required, with clear accountability for integration and quality assurance.
• Experience in fragile, conflict-affected and/or remote contexts in sub-Saharan Africa (desirable).
• Strong analytical and report-writing skills in English.
• Ability and willingness to travel to El‑Wak, subject to Trócaire security and duty of care procedures

Application Process
Interested consultants or firms are invited to submit:
1. Technical proposal, including:
o Brief understanding of the assignment.
o Proposed methodology and workplan.
o Team composition (if applicable) and roles.
2. Financial proposal, indicating daily rates, number of days, and total cost inclusive of all expenses and taxes.
3. CV(s) of the lead consultant and any key team members, highlighting relevant experience.
4. Two references from clients for similar assignments completed in the last 5 years.
5. Conflict of interest statement, indicating any potential or actual conflicts of interest.
Proposals should be submitted by email to: [email protected] with the subject line:
“El‑Wak Hospital Theatre Extension – Strucutural Engineering Consultancy” by 24th April 2026.