Expression of Interest For Hiring Of A Consultancy Firm To Conduct An Independent Environmental And Social Auditing, Evaluation And Monitoring Of The Free Education School Construction And Renovation Project

Expression Of Interest Are Invited For Hiring Of A Consultancy Firm To Conduct An Independent Environmental And Social Auditing, Evaluation And Monitoring Of The Free Education School Construction And Renovation Project In Sierra Leone. Project Title: Sierra Leone Free Education Project Borrower Bid Reference: Sl-Mbsse-364661-Cs-Qbs Procurement Method: Quality Based Selection Submission Deadline Date/Time: Aug 25, 2023 16:30 Notice No: Op00240285 Assignment Title: Hiring Of A Consultantancy Firm To Conduct Independent Environmental, Social And Gender Auditing And Evaluation And Monitoring Of The Free Education Project Activities Reference No. Sl-Mbsse-364661-Cs-Qbs Date Of Issuance: July 28Th 2023 1.0 Source Of Funds The Government Of Sierra Leone Has Received A Grant From A Multi Donor Trust Fund (Mdtf) For The Implementation Of The Sierra Leone Free Education Project (Free). The Free Education Project Is Worth Us$72.82 Million (Us$50 Million From Ida (World Bank) And Us$15.97 From Multi-Donor Trust Funds (Mdtf) Supported By Dfid, Now Fcdo, Eu And Irish Aid), And (Us$6.85M) Towards Covid-19 Response From The Global Partnership For Education-Gpe). The Project Has Been Well Aligned With The Main Objectives And Focus Of The National Development Plan (Ndp) 2019-2023, As Well As The Education Sector Plan (Esp) 20182020, Which Also Reflects The Governments And Development Partners (Dps) Priorities And Strategies. These Documents Are Geared Towards Addressing Education Sector Challenges And Transforming The Education System Over The Long Term. Specifically, The Project Was Designed In Close Collaboration With The Government And Its Development Partners, Especially To Support The Governments Flagship Free Quality School Education (Fqse) ProgramWith The Aim Of Ensuring That Free Quality Education Is Provided To All School Age Children From Pre-Primary To Secondary School. This Project Is Implemented By The Ministry Of Basic Education And Senior Education (Mbsse) And Coordinated By The Free Education Project Secretariat (Feps). The Project Became Effective In August 2020 And Will Continue To Be Implemented For A Period Of Five Years Across All Sixteen Districts In Sierra Leone. The Projects Development Objectives Are To Improve The Management Of The Education System, Teaching Practices And Learning Conditions With Six Major Components: I. Policy, Governance, Accountability And Systems Administrations Ii. Teacher Management And Professional Development Iii. School Level Development Iv. Project Management And Coordination, Monitoring And Evaluation V. Contingency Emergency Response Vi. Covid-19 Response. About The Free Education Project Secretariat (Feps) The Feps Is Tasked With Coordinating All Relevant Institutions To Implement The Free Education Project And Serves As Liaison Between The Donors (Mdtf) And The Implementation Agencies. It Ensures That Donors Regulations And Policies Are Followed And Stakeholders Expectations Are Met. It Also Serves As A Major Source Of Information And Communication Between The Mbsse, The Government And The Public. The Overall Environmental And Social Risk Rating Of Free Is Classified As Moderately Satisfactory. This Risk Rating Takes Into Consideration The Tendency For The Project To Conduct An Independent Environmental, Social And Gender Evaluation And Monitoring Of The Project Activities. In This Regard, The Free Education Project Secretariat Intends To Engage An Independent Consulting Firm To Conduct A Comprehensive Evaluation And Monitoring Of The ProjectS Environmental, Social And Gender Activities. Background / Introduction A Consultancy Firm Is Required To Conduct An Environmental And Social Evaluation And Monitoring For The Free Education Project School Construction And Renovation In Certain Communities In Sierra Leone. The School Construction And Renovation Project Is Aimed At Building Modern School Structures And Improve Others That Will Provide Conducive Learning Environments For Students In Various Communities In Sierra Leone. The Project Will Cover Various Aspects Such As The Construction Of New Schools, Renovation Of Existing Schools, Provision Of Furniture, And Construction Of Toilets, Among Others. Objective Of The Assignment The Ministry Of Basic And Senior Secondary Education (Mbsse) Through The Free Education Project Secretariat Requires The Services Of An Independent Consulting Firm To Conduct A Comprehensive Evaluation And Monitoring Of The ProjectS Environmental, Social And Gender Activities For The Project Implementation Team To Ensure The Project Maintains Compliance With The World BankS Safeguards Policies And Relevant Government Of Sierra Leone Policies And Laws. Scope Of Work The Consultancy Firm Will Be Required To Conduct An Environmental And Social Evaluation And Monitoring Of The Ongoing School Construction Project In The Country. The Evaluation And Monitoring Will Cover The Following Areas: Environmental Evaluation: Conduct Regular Environmental Assessments To Identify And Assess The Potential Environmental Impacts Of The Project On The Air, Water, And Soil Quality, Biodiversity, And Other Related Areas. Evaluate The Effectiveness Of The Environmental Management Plan (Emp) Implemented By The Project Team. Identify And Assess The Potential Risks Associated With The Project, Including The Risks Of Pollution, Soil Erosion, And Water Contamination And Climate Change. Propose Measures To Mitigate Any Potential Risks And Enhance The Positive Environmental Impacts Of The Project. Provide Training To The Project Team On The Importance Of Environmental Sustainability And The Need To Comply With Relevant Laws And Regulations. Social Evaluation: Conduct Regular Social Assessments To Identify And Assess The Potential Social Impacts Of The Project On The Local Communities, Including Their Livelihoods, Health, And Well-Being. Evaluate The Effectiveness Of The Grievance Redress Mechanism (Grm) Implemented By The Project Team. Identify And Assess The Potential Risks Associated With The Project, Including The Risks Of Displacement, Social Conflict, And Marginalization. Propose Measures To Mitigate Any Potential Risks And Enhance The Positive Social Impacts Of The Project. Provide Training To The Project Team On The Importance Of Social Sustainability And The Need To Comply With Relevant Laws And Regulations. The Consultancy Firm Will Be Required To Conduct A Gender Evaluation Of The Ongoing School Construction Project In Sierra Leone. The Evaluation Will Cover The Following Areas: Gender Analysis: Conduct A Gender Analysis To Identify And Assess The Potential Gender-Related Issues Associated With The Project. Assess The Current Gender Dynamics And The Status Of Gender Equality In The Project Area. Identify Any Potential Barriers To Gender Equality, Including Social Norms, Cultural Practices, And Other Related Factors. Propose Measures To Promote Gender Equality In All Aspects Of The Project. Participation And Empowerment: Evaluate The Level Of Participation And Empowerment Of Women In The Project Activities, Including Decision-Making Processes And Access To Project Resources. Identify Any Potential Barriers To Womens Participation And Empowerment And Propose Measures To Promote Their Involvement In All Aspects Of The Project. Access To Services: Assess The Access Of Women And Girls To Project Services, Including School Infrastructure, Sanitation Facilities, And Other Related Services. Identify Any Potential Barriers To Their Access And Propose Measures To Enhance Their Access To Project Services. Capacity Building: Identify The Capacity-Building Needs Of Women And Girls In The Project Area, Including Their Access To Education And Training Opportunities. Propose Measures To Enhance Their Capacity And Empower Them To Participate In The Project Activities And Decision-Making Processes. Monitoring And Reporting: Develop A Monitoring And Reporting Plan To Ensure That The Projects Environmental, Social And Gender Performance Is Regularly Evaluated And Reported. Conduct Regular Site Visits To Monitor The Projects Compliance With Environmental, Social Gender Standards And Regulations. Provide Regular Progress Reports To The Project Team And The Project Manager, Detailing The Projects Environmental, Social And Performance, Potential Risks, And Proposed Measures To Mitigate Them. Prepare A Final Report Summarizing The Findings Of The Environmental, Social And Evaluation And Monitoring, Including Recommendations For Improvement. Provide Regular Progress Reports To The Project Team And The Project Coordinator, Detailing The Projects Gender-Sensitive Performance, Potential Gender-Related Issues, And Proposed Measures To Mitigate Them. The Government Of Sierra Leone, Through Mbsse, Now Invites Eligible (Consultant) To Indicate Their Interest In Providing The Services. 2.0 Brief Description Of The Assignment The Purpose Of This Consultancy Is To Engage A Consultant To Conduct A Water Quality And Pumping Test For A School Wash Project. The Consultant Will Be Responsible For Conducting A Comprehensive Study Of The Water Quality And Quantity At The School Site And Providing Recommendations For The Implementation Of The Wash Project. 3.0 Deliverables The Following Deliverables Will Be Expected From The Consultancy Firm: A Comprehensive Report Detailing The Findings Of The Environmental, Social And Gender Performance Of The Project A Comprehensive Report Detailing The Findings Of The Environmental, Social And Gender Evaluation And Monitoring, Including The Potential Impacts Of The Project And Proposed Measures To Mitigate Them. A Monitoring And Reporting Plan Outlining The Measures To Be Taken To Ensure That The Projects Environmental, Social And Gender Performance Is Tender Link : Https://Projects.Worldbank.Org/En/Projects-Operations/Procurement-Detail/Op00240285