Selection of a consulting firm that undertakes Environmental and Social Management Framework for Digital Identification and Inclusion & Service Project (National ID)

Source: World Bank — Ethiopia Digital Foundations Project

Request for Expression of Interest

(Consulting Services – Firm Selection)

Country: Ethiopia

Project: Ethiopia Digital Foundations Project

Project ID: P171034

Credit No.  IDA - 68560

Assignment Title:  Selection of a Consulting Firm that undertakes Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) for Ethiopian Digital Identification for Inclusion and Services Project (P-179040)

Reference No.: ET-MINT-307528-CS-QCBS

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Ministry of Finance (MoF), has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Ethiopia Digital Foundation Project (“Digital Foundations”).  The National Identification Program (NID) is one of the beneficiaries of the project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The consulting services (“the Services”) are expected to undertakes an Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) for Ethiopian Digital Identification for Inclusion and Services Project (P-179040).

The Ministry of Innovation and Technology/Ethiopian Digital Foundation Project now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria includes: Core Business and Years in Business, Experience in the Specific Assignment specifically in developing Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) as well as Technical and Managerial Capability.

SCOPE OF SERVICES INCLUDES:

The assignment mainly focuses on assessing Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) for the Ethiopia Digital ID Project with the aim of providing Environmental and Social Management processes and serving as a risk management instrument to ensure that the environmental and social risks/impacts of the project are properly considered during project design and implementation.  Major deliverables expected from the assignment includes;

• Shall identify all the stakeholders and their responsibilities in implementing and monitoring the implementation of environmental and social mitigation measures.

• Assess baseline scenario of the country and potential project concept documents if any, project sites, including environmental aspects, and socio-economic status.

• Shall consider all Environmental and Social standards and requirements of the World Bank in developing the ESMF.
• Shall identify, anticipate, evaluate, and compile significant environmental and social risks/impacts emanating from the implementation of the project.

• Shall assess further risks/impacts of the project implementation that are anticipated both at the implementation and operation phases of the project.
• Review the national policy framework related to environmental protection, waste management, social protection, and any other relevant documents to the project.

• Shall propose possible cleaner energy sources such as renewable energy sources, and cogeneration where applicable in the project implementation.  

• Interview project implementing institutions, beneficiaries, and stakeholders and solicit their views on environmental and social risk management
• The ESMF report will include:
  1. Screening tools and checklists for various subproject-specific activities in the ESMF (siting of construction if any, monitoring of waste management, lab management, etc).
  2. Generic timeline for screening and categorization of subproject activities once potential sub-projects have been identified, development of preliminary Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) or Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) and their consultation and approval process 
  3. Chance Finds Procedures for physical cultural properties (archaeological finds, religious structures, culturally sensitive icons, etc.) discovered or impacted during project implementation.

• The document details the required procedures for conducting an ESIA and the requirements for environmental and social management based on the World Bank ESF and ESS and ESIA procedural guidelines of the country.  These requirements are presented on a step-by-step basis and specify tools that may be considered when engaging in the ESIA process.  Reference is made to the legislation and policies and international conventions that the country is a signatory to which will include responsibilities for clearances and authorizations, supervision, monitoring, and reporting.
• Define the institutional arrangements for implementing the ESMF, including clear roles and responsibilities for screening/scoping of subprojects, ESIA/ESMP preparation, consultations, approval, procurement and supervision, and monitoring.
• Detail the training requirements for strengthening capacity for environmental and social management and monitoring.
• Define Grievance and Conflict Resolution mechanisms for disputes relating to issues arising during the implementation and operations phases of the project.

• Accordingly, the consultant will combine the interim reports and key elements of the report into a draft report for dissemination to stakeholders by EDIDP and the World Bank. The consultant will prepare the final report, incorporating comments suggested by EDIDP and the World Bank. The Consultant may be required to participate in key follow-up discussions necessary to further disseminate and explain the findings and recommendations of the ESMF, particularly to the EDIDP, relevant regulatory bodies, and the World Bank. The draft and final reports will specifically address and include the relevant: Legal, Regulatory, and Institutional mechanisms in place with regard to the use of ESMF and conducting the ESIA by the implementing institution.
• Undertake generic gender-specific impacts or opportunities as part of this ESMF Including how men and women may differently experience environmental and social risks and benefits in the project implementation. In general, the envisaged ESMF development often brings benefits to the project implementers and partners, including opportunities for eco-friendly economic development.

• Prepare budget and timeframe: a detailed budget and timeframe for implementation of the ESMF for the full duration of the project. This should include the development of other ESIA/ESMPs, clearance requirements, capacity building, consultations, disclosure, etc.
• Generally, the scope of the work shall include a description and specific activities that will be performed in order to prepare the required ESMF. This should include any proposed on or off-site visit/reconnaissance documents to be reviewed such as the original Project Appraisal Document (PAD) and Feasibility studies if any, interviews, stakeholder’s meetings, etc. If the consultant believes that additional tasks or components within a required task are necessary or warranted, these should be started and delineated as ‘optional Tasks’.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraphs 3.14 to 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers: Procurement in Investment Project Financing, Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services dated July 2016, Revised November 2017 and August 2018 “Procurement Regulations”, setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. 

Consultants may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or a sub consultancy to enhance their qualifications.

A consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality and Cost Based Selection method set out in the Consultant Guidelines of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers dated July 2016, Revised November 2017 and August 2018 (“Procurement Regulation”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. 

Interested Consulting Firms may obtain further information and the TOR of the consultancy assignment at the address below from 8:30AM-12:30AM and 1:30- 5:00 PM local time from Monday to Friday before the deadline date and time.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in person or through email to the address below on or before September 23, 2022, 2:00 PM.

Please visit https://dfp.gov.et/tender for TOR & EOI

Address:        

Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia,

Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MInT)

Attn: Focal Person, Project Implementation Unit (PIU)

Address: Arada Sub-city, off Churchill Road, behind Lycée Guebre-Mariam School,

E-mail: digital.foundation@mint.gov.et, or zelalem.tadesse@mint.gov.et

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia