Projects Implementation Unit (PIU).
National Water and Electricity Company.
53, Mamadi Maniyang Highway,
P.O. Box 609, Kanifing,
The Gambia
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (REOI)
(CONSULTING SERVICES – Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist)
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
(CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT)
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL SAFEGUARDS SPECIALIST
Country: GAMBIA
Project: The Gambia Electricity System Rehabilitation and Expansion Project (GESREP)
Sector: POWER
Project ID No.: P-GM-FA0-004
The Government of the Gambia has received a grant from the African Development Bank for the implementation of The Gambia Electricity System Rehabilitation and Expansion Project (GESREP).
The implementation of the Project activities will lead to potential environmental and social risk and impacts which must be managed. The Project is being prepared under the AfDB ISS as well as the Gambian national law on the management of E&S risks and impacts.
Part of the Grant is to be used for Project Implementation Management, and more specifically, for funding the services of an Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist (Consultant) to support the implementation of the Project by ensuring that the project is implemented in compliance with The Gambia’s environmental and social policies, regulations and laws as well as in conformity with the requirements of the financing agreement with the AfDB (the financier) including the provisions of the Bank’s Integrated Safeguards System.
This Request for Expression (REOI) is for the selection of an Individual Consultant.
Scope of the Services
In accordance with the project objectives, the environmental and social safeguards specialist shall conduct the activities below:
- Coordinate and closely work with the project coordinator, consultants, contractors in the implementation of the Project ESMP (and all other associated E&S management plans that may need to be prepared throughout the life of the project) that will be translated into the contractor’s ESMP (C-ESMP) for the different work lots.
- Ensure thorough stakeholder consultations are undertaken during the implementation of the project and documented.
- Oversee the execution of Independent Annual Environmental and Social performance Audits, review the reports, ensure submission to the Bank in a timely manner and monitoring/ reporting on the implementation of the corrective action plan.
- Ensure the project Grievance Redress Mechanism (including community and workers grievance redress committees) are fully operationalised, with grievances monitored and closed out in a timely manner.
- Track HSE indicators (timely notification of accidents/ incidents, lost time injury (LTIs) and near misses, etc) and prepare root-cause-analysis reports and monitor implementation of corrective action plans
- Follow up and check that all the required ESHS and other required national permits/licenses/certificates are obtained by the contractor from the relevant institutions before commencement of any construction work.
- Provide professional input to TORs developed by the project team to ensure environmental and social management clauses as well as gender requirements for the project are inserted into bidding/binding contract documents and ensure that E&S clauses and requirements in contractor’s contract are implemented adequately.
- Liaise with the National Environmental Authority (NEA) and other relevant parties on environment and social management issues; and contribute to the E&S section of the Project Implementation Manual which sets the guidelines for the implementation, monitoring and reporting required of the various safeguard instruments.
- Hold regular safeguards review meetings with PIU, consultants, contractors, implementing partners and carry out regular site visits to monitor implementation of the safeguard instruments.
- Liaise with relevant authorities, government agencies and ministries to ensure adequate implementation of all requirements in line with AfDB and The Gambia environmental and social safeguard policies, requirements, and laws.
- Provide technical and problem-solving support and selective training to stakeholders responsible for implementation of safeguard processes and measures.
- As required, undertake capacity development of relevant stakeholders during project implementation with respect to planning and implementation of environmental safeguards, including conduct of project awareness, communication, and sensitization activities.
- Responsible for the evaluation processes (environmental and social aspects) for the contractor(s) of the project.
- Prepare and submit timely and regular periodic quarterly E&S reports summarizing the status of implementation of all E&S measures associated with the project. The Bank can share a template.
- Prepare TORs for the recruitment of consultants for all environmental and social related tasks in the approved project appraisal report
- Perform any other duty assigned by the Project Coordinator.
Duration of Assignment:
The assignment shall be for a period of two years subject to a probation period of six months, and renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability. The Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist will be stationed full-time on the project site in The Gambia
Qualifications & Experience
i. The Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist should have a master’s degree in environmental sciences, natural resource management or social sciences from a recognized University/Institution
ii. At least 5 years professional experience as Environmental or Social Specialist in similar projects with technical knowledge in both environmental and social safeguards processes
iii. She/He must have significant practical 3 years’ experience with the AfDB’s environmental and social operational safeguards requirements and policies and/or the World Bank ESF or the IFC Performance Standards evidenced from similar work carried out in the past works.
iv. Experience in occupation health and safety management in energy projects of similar scale funded by AfDB or other MDBs
v. Demonstrable experience in mainstreaming gender in project implementation will be an added advantage
vi. Able to make timely and quality judgement and decisions
vii. Able to identify safeguard compliance issues and propose strategies for assuring compliance, providing sound advice on the design and implementation of mitigation strategies in areas of risk where necessary.
viii. Computer Literacy in Microsoft applications
ix. Able to provide guidance on negotiation and conflict resolution processes.
x. Excellent communication skills, interpersonal and teamwork abilities, including proven ability to work cohesively with senior officials.
The National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) of the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, in the Republic of Gambia now invites eligible consultants to indicate their interest in providing these services.
Interested individual consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services: (i) evidence of delivering on similar assignments (brochures, description of similar assignments; (ii) experience in similar conditions; (iii) availability of appropriate and relevant skills, etc.
Eligibility criteria, establishment of the short-list and the selection procedure shall be in accordance with the African Development Bank’s “Procurement Policy and Methodology for Bank Funded Operations, October 2015”, which is available on the Bank’s website at http://www.afdb.org.
Interested consultants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours or click on the link below to download the Terms of Reference (ToR).
Expressions of interest including relevant supporting documents must be delivered to the address below by 26th March 2025 not later than 12:30 p.m. local time and must be specifically marked: Consulting Services – Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist and Addressed To:
Attention: Mrs. Haddy Njie – Project Coordinator
Address: National Water & Electricity Company Limited
Project Implementation Unit
Emporium III Building, Fajara
114 Kairaba Avenue
The Gambia
Tel: +220 3664125 / 3182113
Electronic mail address: hnjie@nawec.gm, mfsanyang@nawec.gm