Request for Expressions of Interest for an Environmental and Social Safeguards Advisor for the Electricity Access Scale-Up Roll-Out Program (EARP)
Background
The Government of Rwanda, in its effort to sustain economic growth, has increased and stabilised the power production since the severe power shortages in 2004. However, infrastructure bottlenecks in the urban areas and limited access in the rural areas have
emerged as a significant constraint.
One of three major strategic objectives of the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS 2008-2012) is to expand access while also improving the
quality and lowering the cost of economic infrastructure — especially transport, power, and communications.Background
The Government of Rwanda, in its effort to sustain economic growth, has increased and stabilised the power production since the severe power shortages in 2004. However, infrastructure bottlenecks in the urban areas and limited access in the rural areas have
emerged as a significant constraint.
One of three major strategic objectives of the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS 2008-2012) is to expand access while also improving the
The Government of Rwanda (G0R) also exercises a strong leadership role in donor coordination and has begun to work with donors on a clearer division of labour by identifying areas of individual donor comparative advantage.
In connection with the mentioned strategy, the Government of Rwanda through the national electricity corporation (RECO) is embarked on a country-wide Electricity Access Program to realize the primary EDPRS target for the electricity sector of tripling access by 2012 to about 16 percent of households and at least 50 percent of identified public institutions in health, education and local administration. This will require about 230,000 with new grid connections, and will also include efforts to reach rural consumers and service providers currently off the national grid.
In this regard, RECO has established a new Electricity Access Scale-up Roll-out Program (EARP) as a part of its corporate structure. The program will be implemented within the framework of a Sector Wide approach (SWAp) to encompass all donors active in the sector under one common sector investment program.
The overall investment envelope for the first SWAp time (2009-201 3) is estimated at $378 million, for the program period covered by the Prospectus that has been endorsed by all the Partners and key sector institutions in Rwanda, including RECO. A number of development partners so far committed to support the program include the Government of Rwanda, RECO, and major Donors such as World Bank/IDA, World Bank GEF/ESMAP CEIF, African Development Bank, BADEA, OFID, Saudi Funds, Netherlands, Japan, and others.
The Government of Rwanda has applied for financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Electricity Access Scale-up and Sector Wide Approach (Swap) Development Project (EASSDP) as part of EARP and it intends to apply part of the proceeds to payments for the services of an Environmental and Social Safeguards Advisor for a period of six to nine months and to be based in Rwanda.
Objective of the Consultancy
The purpose of the consultancy is to assist the newly-formed Electricity Access Roll-out Program (EARP) in RECO to fulfill its obligations under the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and the Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) , and to create a sustainable environmental and social safeguards unitwithin the Directorate.
Since a key element of this is developing in-house capacity, the Consultant will be stationed full-time in Rwanda for six to nine months at Project inception, and will be available for internal travel as needed. The Consultant shall make himself/herself available for travel to Rwanda for the following 18 months, most likely for three to four trips of 2-4 weeks, to be determined depending on the needs and progress of the project.
Scope of Work
The Consultant shall carry out his/her mandate according to his/her professional judgment to fulfill the purpose of the assignment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Consultant will:
a. Familiarize himself/herself with the ESMF and the RPF for the Project. As needed to improve performance of either framework during Project implementation,or when monitoring results indicate the need for revisions, recommend modifications to the EARP and the World Bank.
b. Develop and implement an internal administrative tracking system for the EARP in order to monitor the progress of sub-project investments in terms of meeting environmental and social safeguard requirements.
c. Ensure RECO compliance with the requirements of the environment and social safeguards.
d. Design and deliver an environmental and social safeguards capacity building program for the PM, other RECO staff, and possibly staff of REMA and other government agencies. Training is an integral part of the Consultant’s assignment.
Execution of the Consultancy
The Consultant will be responsible to, and work under the guidance of, the EARP. The offices of the EARP are located in Kigali. Adequate space and office facilities will be provided to the Advisor. The Consultant will be stationed full-time in Rwanda for six to nine months at Project inception, and will be available for internal travel as needed.
Thereafter, the Consultant shall make himself/herself available on a part-time basis for travel to Rwanda for the following 18 months, most likely for three to four trips of 2-4 weeks duration, to be determined depending on the needs and progress of the project.
The consultant will also make himself/herself available to provide support remotely over the next eighteen months, on a regular basis, the frequency to be determined depending on the needs and progress of the project.
Consultant Qualifications
The Consultant will:
a) Hold a graduate degree (preferably MS/MA level) in a discipline relevant to the environmental and social sciences, and at least 10 years of progressively senior experience in the environmental and social aspects of planning, assessing and managing civil works projects at various scales;
b) Have thorough working knowledge of World Bank environmental and social safeguards policies, especially environmental assessment (OP 4.01) and involuntary resettlement (OP 4.12), and have demonstrated experience in successfully preparing EMPs and RAPs of a standard acceptable to the World Bank;
c) Have experience with designing and delivering capacity building programs;
d) Be familiar with environmental, social and economic conditions prevailing in Rwanda or have relevant experience of other developing countries with similar socio-economic and environmental characteristics; and
e) Have excellent oral and written communications skills in English, as well as strong team participation and management skills. Similar skills in French are desirable.
Application procedure:
Interested consultants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours from 08:00 to 17:00 hours. The detailed terms of references may be found on the website in the address below. Applications by email are acceptable.
Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter of no more than 3 pages that demonstrates how they meet the qualifications and experience required, Curriculum Vitae and supporting certificates and documents, two references with addresses and phone numbers, no later than 30/0312010, to the address below:
Attention: Project Coordinator
Electricity Access Scale-up and Sector Wide Approach Development Project (EASSDP)
Rue du Lac Ihema,
P.O.B 537
Kigali, Rwanda,
Tel.: (250) 573666,
Fax. (250) 573802,
E-mail: elgz @ rwanda1.com
Website: http://www.electrogaz.co.rw
