REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST – Recruitment of Environment & Social Consultant

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

The Gambia Regional Solar Park of The Gambia (RSPG) Project

 Loan No./Credit No./ Grant No.: ESMAP Umbrella MDTF Grant No. TF0C5865

Assignment Title: Recruitment of Environment & Social Consultant

Contract REF (As per Procurement Plan): GM-NAWEC-451584-CS-INDV

The Republic of the Gambia is implementing Regional Solar Park of The Gambia Project (RSPGP) financed by the World Bank. National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) is the Implementing Agency for RSPGP. The main Project Development Objective is to mobilize private investments through the piloting of a sustainable solar and battery energy storage system competitive bidding process.

The implementation of activities of the project will lead to potential environmental and social (E&S) risk and impacts which must be managed. The project is being prepared under the World Bank Group Environmental and Social Framework and may use during its implementation the Environmental and Social Performance Standards of the private sector international financial institution as well as the Gambian national law on the management of E&S risks and impacts.

An experienced International Environmental and Social Specialist will be required to support the implementation of the Project.

Objectives

• The objectives of the Consultant’s services are to provide support to the PIU on all E&S safeguards issues arising in implementing project and build capacity of PIU staff.

Scope of Work

Activities to be performed by the Environment and Social Specialist include but are not limited to the following:

• Provide overall technical environmental and social safeguard oversight for the Project preparation and implementation. Focus will be on environmental and social risk management, including measures for addressing negative E&S impacts, labor influx, land acquisition and compensation, grievance mechanism, inclusive consultation of vulnerable stakeholders, occupational health and safety working conditions of labors, biodiversity management, waste (including hazardous and non-hazardous) and other environmental and social issues that may arise during the implementation of project’s activities.

• Define steps required to ensure compliance with Environmental and Social Standards and the World Bank Group Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Guidelines which are deemed relevant to this project, and with national, regional, and international legal provisions in force that apply.

• In accordance with WB E&S standards and procedures, assess the potential environmental and social risks and impacts of the Project, guide the compensation process and handing over of the solar site to the investor in accordance with the WB ESS, especially ESS 5 on land acquisition and compensation.

• Contribute to the preparation of environmental and social clauses and ensure their integration in the tender documents as well as in the contracts of investors companies in charge of the works to ensure smooth implementation of the Project according to WB ESS/IFC ESS PS.

• Monitor compliance with World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and EHS guidelines, sector specific guidelines, other relevant policies, and contract specific conditions and E&S provisions on investor contract. When there are compliances issues, work with investors to implement remedial measures or undertake actions to resolve them.

• Clearly document and communicate any outstanding or emerging gaps between project performance and ESS requirements and related risks.

• Lead training on E&S issues to investors internal staff and other specialists as needed to disseminate knowledge and lessons learned and methodologies for the smooth implementation of the Project.

• Provide necessary coordination and relevant inputs on E&S issues and instruments and conduct quality review and facilitate the approval and disclosure process of investor Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) and subsequent ESMP for the work and their implementation in accordance with Environmental and Social Standards of the World Bank and/or International Financial Cooperation Environmental and Social Performance Standards and the national regulations in force.

• Undertake regular supervision field visits to project sites to assess the management of environmental and social risks and impacts and verify environmental and social monitoring information provided in the reports of investors, including photo documentation as applicable.

• Keep records of environmental and social supervision of project activities in a systemic manner that allows easy search-and-find of all documents upon request of the World Bank Group, and national authorities. Analyse project implementation reports to ensure that all work is completed in full compliance with the WB ESS/IFC PS in handling specific environmental and social issues.

• Support the Contractor, Supervising Consultant, PIU in preparing Completion Reports. The E&S Specialist will ensure that all E&S risks identified during the studies, implementation, site visits, World Bank missions and other field assessments are included in the project implementation reports.

• The Environmental Specialist shall provide support to Contractors, Supervising Consultants, PIU in documenting and follow-up/resolving of all outstanding environmental issues arising from the implementation of project activities.

• Monitor the development, dissemination/make accessible and functional the implementation and effective monitoring of the project’s Grievance Mechanism, including the resolution of disputes and conflicts arising from the implementation of the ESMP and propose appropriate corrective measures.

• Ensure proper management of OHS aspects by investors (e.g., safety for workers and communities in construction and/or temporary and permanent rehousing sites, significant amounts of emissions or effluents produced, presence or adoption of unsafe processes for a project), to ensure that these risks are adequately addressed in the implementation processes, etc.

WORKLOAD AND DURATION OF SERVICES

• The consultant will work for a maximum of 10 days in month over a total contract period of one (1) year. NAWEC, at its discretion, and based on the evaluation of performance, may extend the services. Services may include travel to Banjul as requested by the PIU (at least 10 trips are envisaged).

REPORTING OBLIGATIONS

• The consultant will prepare the following reports:
• Inception report within one month after contract commencement.
• Interim report shall not be later than three months after contract commencement.
• Final report upon completion of the services. It should outline the work performed and make recommendations to the client.

FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED BY THE PIU

The following facilities will be provided by the Client to the consultant free of charge.

(i) Office space with desk shall be provided in the client’s office or as it may be agreed.

(ii) Access to office facilities: printing, photocopying, etc.

(iii) Documents: All the documents and available data and information concerning the Project.

(iv) Internet facilities within the office.

(v) Any site visits that may be required will be arranged by the Client.

FACILTIES TO BE PROVIDED BY THE CONSULTANT

(vi) Personal computer and peripherals for his own use.

(vii) Mobile phone and communication (Telephone, internet outside office hours)

(viii) In City Transportation.

(ix) The consultant will be responsible for arranging and paying for his accommodation and meals.

QUALIFICATIONS OF THE CONSULTANT

(i) Have a higher education degree (Master) in environmental management or environmental sciences (ecology, biology, botany, forestry, natural resource management, etc.), geography, environmental engineering or any other degree deemed equivalent.

(ii) Minimum of 8 years (10 years preferred) of directly relevant work experience in environment and/or social management and assessment with experience related to private sector business activities.

(iii) Track record in working with private sector firms across different industry sectors to identify environmental and/or social risks and issues and develop mitigation measures to ensure compliance with good international industry practice.

(iv) Demonstrated experience and knowledge of World Bank Group operations and environmental and social standards and IFC environmental and social performance standards, especially, experience and familiarity with complex safeguard work.

(v) International experience required; especially a clear understanding of Gambia ’s Environmental Requirements (Policies, Laws, Regulations and Guidelines).

(vi) Good experience in the development and/or implementation of Environmental and Social Assessment instruments (ESMS, ESIA, ESMP, RAP) in projects financed by the World Bank or IFC.

(vii) Proven capacity to work across multiple stakeholders, including government entities, civil society organizations (CSOs), local communities, and the private sector.

(viii) Demonstrated experience in the World Bank/IFC project cycle and procedures.

(ix)   Must understand the concept of management systems in general, and environmental and social management systems, in particular.

(x)  The concept of gender-based violence (GBV), experienced in managing GBV risks and be able to guide investors in developing and implementing GBV Action Plans.

(xi) Experience in developing, implementing and/or evaluating plans for resettlement, land acquisition and compensation, social management, community development.

(xii) Ability to work well with a range of partners, including project-affected people, government officials, international organizations, development agencies, NGO’s / civil society, as well as project investors and their staff.

(xiii) Fluent in English with excellent written and oral skills.

(xiv) Knowledge of Gambian local context, legal framework and local language is an asset.

(xv)  Advanced computer skills and full proficiency in the use of relevant software applications in using computers and software such as Microsoft Office suite.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” September 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.  A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant selection method set out in the Procurement Regulations. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 08:00 to 16:00. Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by fax, or by e-mail) by close of business November 19, 2024.

Click on the link below for 

TOR Environmental and Social Safeguards Consultant RSPG

Attention: Mrs. Haddy Njie – Project Coordinator

Address:

National Water & Electricity Company Limited,

Project Implementation Unit

Emporium III Building, Fajara

114 Kairaba Avenue

Floor/ Room number: Conference Room, 1st Floor

City: Banjul

Country: The Gambia

Telephone: +220 3664125/ 9967791/ 7009342

Electronic mail address: hnjie@nawec.gm, (and copy to mfsanyang@nawec.gm, asallah@nawec.gm)