REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (REOI)

Country:                         

Federal Government of Somalia (FGS)

Name of Project:             

Somali Electricity Sector Recovery Project (SESRP) Somali Electricity Sector Recovery Project (SESRP) and Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation in Somalia (ASCENT Somalia) projects.

Project ID:                     

P173088

Grant No.:

IDA - D9310

Assignment Title:          

Environmental Safeguards Specialist

Reference No.:              

SO-MOEWR-399013-CS-INDV

Place of assignment:     

Mogadishu, Somalia

1.  Background

The Government of Somalia has received a grant from the World Bank to implement the Somali Electricity Sector Recovery Project (SESRP) and Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation in Somalia (ASCENT Somalia) projects. The Project Development Objective of SESRP is to increase access to electricity services and to re-establish the electricity supply industry in the Project Areas. The Project Development Objective of ASCENT Somalia is to increase access to sustainable and clean energy through private sector participation in Somalia.

The Ministry of Energy and Water Resources (the Ministry) has established a Project Implementation Unit (PIU) to carry out the day-to-day activities of project planning, coordination, and implementation of the Somali Electricity Sector Recovery Project (SESRP) and Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation in Somalia (ASCENT Somalia) projects.

The SESRP comprises of the following four components: (i) Sub-transmission and distribution network reconstruction, reinforcement, and operations efficiency in the major load centers of Mogadishu and Hargeisa; (ii) Hybridization and battery storage systems for mini grids; (iii) Stand-alone solar off-grid access to public institutions (Health and Education); (iv) Institutional Development and Capacity Building. The ACENT Somalia project comprises three components: (i) Distributed Renewal Energy (DRE) with Solar PV (SPV) and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in the capital city of Mogadishu and other major load centers in the Federal Members States (FMS); (ii) Electricity Distribution Network Rehabilitation and Reinforcement of the mini grids serving the Mogadishu capital city area and other FMS major load centers and, (iii) Sector Capacity and Institution Enhancement and Project Implementation Support.

The Ministry of Energy and Water Resources (MoEWR) therefore intends to apply part of the proceeds of the SESRP Project to hire a consultant to work as an Environmental Safeguards Specialist within the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) at the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, FGS, for the World Bank – financed electricity sector recovery project.

2.  Scope of Work and Responsibilities:

The scope of work for the assignment includes but not limited to the following tasks:

The Environmental Safeguards Specialist is expected to Provide technical advice on environmental and social safeguards and support the ministry of Energy and Water Resources with regard to the World Bank-financed SESRP and ASCENT projects in line with World Banks safeguards policies. The environmental specialist will also identify gaps in risk profiling, compliance, and propose measures to enhance compliance, ensuring effective and efficient engagement of the Ministry on environmental and social policy frameworks, provide technical support to the Ministry/PIU on the preparation of environmental safeguards, OHS documentations and monitoring and reporting on environmental safeguards implementation, Developing and implementing environmental management plans and strategies to mitigate potential environmental risks associated with SESRP and ASCENT Somalia projects, while ensuring the highest standards of OHS and HSE are maintained, Monitoring compliance with the Bank’s and Government environmental and social safeguards, regulations, and permit requirements, with a strong emphasis on OHS and HSE protocols, Provide support in supervision and monitoring of projects on the SESRP and ASCENT projects portfolio in compliance with the applicable World Bank Policies/guideline and environmental requirements on a regular basis, which may include, overseeing environmental analysis of elevated risk clients, recommending risk mitigation measures where necessary. The Environmental Safeguards Specialist shall perform all other specific tasks detailed in the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment that can be found at the following   website:   www.sesrp.moewr.gov.so or can be provided upon submission of application in person or by e-mail provided below.

1.  Selection Criteria:

Selection shall be based on qualification and experience of the candidate and followed by an interview. The minimum qualification, experience and skills should include:

A bachelor's degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, environmental management, or a closely related field is required. A master's degree in a relevant discipline will be an added advantage, International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety Occupational Health and Safety or equivalent is an added advantage, 7 years of progressive experience in conducting Environmental Impact Assessment and Analysis, environmental impact assessments, developing, and implementing Environmental Management Plans (EMPs), and managing Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) measures on development projects, especially in the context of energy projects; Minimum of 5 years’ experience working with Government Institutions and in development projects funded by multilateral agencies such as the World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB) and other international organizations in the implementation of E&S related instruments; Significant practical experience with the World Bank safeguard policies/ESF and/or IFC Performance Standards evidenced from similar work carried out in the past works; Knowledge of Environmental and Social issues and conditions for transmission line, distribution and networks and Renewable Energy projects; Relevant experience in OHS, and HSE compliance for development projects, with a proven track record of managing safety compliance processes; and Understanding of Somalia’s unique context.

2.  Duration:

The consultant will be engaged for a period of three (3) years with an extension based on project duration and satisfactory annual performance evaluation.

3. The Ministry of Energy and Water Resources now invites eligible Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing these services. Interested Individual Consultants must submit the following (i) Curriculum Vitae (CV), (ii) Copies of certificates of academic qualifications, (iii) 3 reference persons; and (iv) Expressions of Interest (EOI) indicating that they are qualified to perform the services.

4. The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraphs 3.14, 3.16 and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers: Procurement in Investment Financing Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services dated September 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

5.  A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultants Selection method set out in the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations.

Interested Consultants may obtain further information including a detailed Terms of Reference at the address given below from 8:30 to 3.30pm Mogadishu time (Excluding public holidays).

Interested Individual Consultants must submit (i) Curriculum Vitae (CV), (ii) Copies of certificates of academic qualifications, (iii) 3 references persons, (iv) Expressions of interest (EOI), and must be delivered (in person or by e-mail) in a written form in three (3) hard copies (if not by e-mail) to the address below by 10th February 2024 at 4:00 PM (Mogadishu Time) – Subject marked clearly as – Application for Environmental Safeguards Specialist. 

Project Implementation Unit (PIU)

Ministry of Energy and Water Resources Federal Government of Somalia

Email: [email protected]