Closing date: Friday 20th April 2012
Download the terms of reference (PDF file).
Background
The ESME Trust Fund, financed by the Russian Federation and administered by the World Bank, was established in April 2009 to support energy SME development in sub-Saharan Africa. A key challenge facing energy SMEs in the region is lack of capacity to access financing. To address this challenge, the World Bank is collaborating with GVEP International (Global Village Energy Partnership) and Tanzania's Rural Energy Agency (REA) to implement the ESME Pre-Investment Technical Support programme, which aims to build the capacity of SMEs by assisting them with completing feasibility studies, business plans and Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs).
GVEP International is a non-profit organisation working to increase access to affordable and sustainable energy services and reduce poverty in developing countries. In Tanzania, GVEP International is collaborating with the Rural Energy Agency (REA) in supporting 6 mini-hydropower (MHP) project developers with completing ESIAs as part of the ESME programme. The 6 projects have a combined capacity of approximately 7.5 MW, and are located across Tanzania in the regions of Mbeya, Iringa, Ruvuma, Arusha and Kigoma. All have undertaken pre-feasibility studies, although some are further ahead than others in terms of the quality and quantity of data they have gathered, and the steps they have taken to advance the project’s progress.
Description of the Opportunity
GVEP International is now seeking expressions of interest (EOI) from consultants interested in conducting ESIAs for one or more of the six MHP projects.
The proposed scope of work includes:
1. Prepare and submit Environmental and Social Screening Forms (ESSFs)
For each subproject, perform initial scoping and describe all environmental and social variables prescribed in the ESSF. The ESSF forms part of the Environmental and Social Management Framework (EMSF) developed by the Rural Energy Agency (REA) and the World Bank to determine: (a) each subproject’s environmental and social category; (b) the type of environmental studies required by each subproject to comply with the World Bank and National Environmental Management Council (NEMC) requirements; and (c) whether the subprojects trigger the Bank’s Resettlement Policy and require a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP).
2. Develop Terms of Reference of ESIA
Prepare a Terms of Reference for the ESIA of each subproject to be approved with the World Bank and NEMC.
3. Complete ESIAs and, where required, RAPs
Develop ESIAs for each subproject which are acceptable by all approving authorities (REA, NEMC and World Bank). For subprojects that trigger the national Land Act of Tanzania and the World Bank’s Involuntary Resettlement Policy, develop a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) or an Abbreviated Resettlement Action Plan (ARAP).
Further information on the 6 MHP projects and a detailed Terms of Reference are available on request.
Submitting Expressions of Interest
GVEP International now invites eligible consultants to submit EOIs. The selected consultant will be responsible for coordinating the work and delivering a high quality deliverables to the required specifications.
The Consultants will be selected in accordance with the Procedures as set out in the World Bank’s Guidelines – Selections and Employment of Consultants by the World Bank Borrowers, May 2004, revised October 1, 2006 and December 2010.
Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Least-Cost Selection (LCS) method set out in the Consultant Guidelines.
Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc.). At this stage, important evaluation criteria include:
* Experience with planning and delivering ESIAs for rural/ renewable energy projects
* Proven experience and understanding of NEMC and World Bank processes and requirements for completing ESIAs
* Skills and tools to conduct the necessary environmental surveys
* Ability to leverage existing experience to critically evaluate the project’s environmental and social impacts
* Understanding of the challenges of working and gathering data in remote, rural areas
* Strong report-writing skills
To respond to this request for EOI, please send the above information and a covering letter to Africa Regional Manager by email east.africa[at]gvepinternational.org no later than 11:59pm GMT+3 on Friday 20th April 2012. The subject line should read “EOI ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY”
Questions and comments about this request for EOI should be directed to the same email.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
Environmental and social impact assessment for mini-hydropower projects in Tanzania
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