MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE
COUNTRY: MALAWI
NAME OF PROJECT: FOOD SYSTEMS AND RESILIENCE PROGRAM (FSRP)
GRANT NO: IDA-E1840
PROJECT ID NO: P177816
ASSIGNMENT TITLE: UPGRADING OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS REPORTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR MWENILONDO AND DWAMBAZI IRRIGATION SCHEMES
REFERENCE NO: MW-MOA-386319-CS-INDV
DATE OF ISSUE: 5 FEBRUARY, 2024
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
(CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT)
1.0 BACKGROUND
The Government of the Republic of Malawi has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Malawi Food Systems Resilience Program (MFSRP), and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.
The consulting services (“the Services”) include upgrading of Environmental and Social Impact Assessments Reports and Environmental and Social Management Plans for Mwenilondo and Dwambazi Irrigation Schemes as an individual Consultant
The Ministry of Agriculture – Through AGCOM now invites eligible individuals (“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 detailed Terms of Reference (TORs) for the assignment are set out below:
2.0 TERMS OF REFERENCE
The Government of Malawi, will implement the second phase of the Agriculture Commercialization (AGCOM) Project. This phase will be financed by multiple financiers with World Bank IDA grant financing estimated at cost of US$250 million, GAFSP estimated at US$15 million and new Muti Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) estimated at US$22 million. The Project was approved by World Bank Board of Directors on 31st May 2023 and by Parliament on 5th August, 2023 under the name “Malawi Food Systems Resilience Program (MFSRP)”.
This Project is expected to be implemented for a period of six (6) years from 2023 to 2029. The key implementing agencies are the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) as lead and Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI.
The objective of the Project is to increase commercialization of agriculture value chain products selected under the Project. The second phase of the Project consists of five main components apart from coordination, management and monitoring and evaluation namely: (i) Building Resilience; (ii) Sustainable Development of Natural Resources for Resilient Agricultural Landscapes; (iii) Getting to Market; (iv) Promoting a Greater Focus on Food Security Resilience in National and Regional Policymaking and (v) Contingency Emergency Response Component (CERC).
Component 2 which supports the Sustainable Development of Natural Resources for Resilient Agricultural Landscapes, will finance the construction of medium-to-large-scale irrigation schemes and technical assistance for the management of their catchment areas. Two irrigation schemes have been prioritized to constructed, namely; Dwambazi Irrigation scheme in Nkhotakota and Mwenilondo Irrigation Scheme in Karonga. Detailed Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) reports for the two schemes were developed in 2021 with funding from Irrigation Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) in compliance to the Social, Environment and Climate Assessment Procedures (SECAP).
The new project (AGCOM 2.0) will be implemented under the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF). It is therefore with this background that the MoA wishes to engage an individual consultant to review and upgrade the ESIA reports and ESMPs for Dwambazi and Mwenilondo Irrigation Schemes to conform to the new ESF requirements.
3.0 OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The general objective of this assignment is to review and upgrade the Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) reports and ESMPs for Dwambadzi and Mwenilondo irrigation projects to align environmental and social risk assessment as detailed in the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF).
4.0 SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNGMENT
The ESIA reports will be upgraded in line with the international good practice and the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and the World Bank Group Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines (ESHG) and national environmental and social legislation.
5.0 TASKS FOR THE ASSIGNMENT
The tasks of the assignment shall include the following:
5.1 Specific tasks
a) Revise the regulatory and policy framework, with focus on the World Bank ESF and identification of any gaps between national and World Bank ESF requirements as well as proposed measures to address such gaps;
b) Revise and update the methodology for screening, categorization and typology of the 2 irrigation investments: applicable ESS, risk classification in accordance to ESF requirements;
c) Update the baseline to reflect any changes that might have taken place in the period
d) Deepen environmental and social risk assessment and capacity at different levels to implement risk management instruments as guided in the requirements of the ESS. Update summary of types of risks and impacts that may result from the anticipated project activities interacting with environmental and social baseline typologies in accordance to the triggered Environmental and Social Standards (ESS);
e) Update stakeholder engagement by reengaging communities
d) Update list of realistic, effective, practical mitigation measures to address and manage the spectrum of potential environmental and social risks and impacts; develop environmental management plans for similar impact typologies;
e) Prepare a range of appropriate safeguards instruments required during implementation for policy compliance including the Gender Based Violence Management Plan, Child Safety Management Plan, Code of Conduct and Labour Influx Management Plan;
f. Review and update the budget allocated for timely implementation of the ESMP
6.0 DELIVERABLES
The following table includes deliverables and timeline, expressed in calendar days after contract signature:
| Deliverable | Rate (%) | Duration (days) |
| Approved inception report | 20 | 5 |
| Submission of Draft ESIA reports for Dwambazi and Mwenilondo irrigation schemes | 40 | 20 |
| Approved ESIA reports for Dwambazi and Mwenilondo Irrigation Schemes | 40 | 25 |
| 100 | 50 |
The PIU will make available the ESIA reports for the two schemes, approved Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), Resettlement Planning Framework (RPF), Labour Management Procedures (LMP) and any other information the consultant may require to fulfil the assignment.
7.0 REPORTING REQUIREMENT
This overall assignment will be managed by the Ministry of Agriculture through the AGCOM Project. Technically and administratively, the consultant will work with PIU safeguards team and will report to the AGCOM National Project Coordinator.
8.0 QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE FOR THE ASSIGNMENT
The consultant will meet the following minimum requirements:
- At least a Master’s Degree in a relevant field e.g. Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Natural Resources Management/Social Development studies.
- At least 10 years’ postgraduate experience with relevant and proven track record in similar assignments related to the environmental and social management. These include environmental and natural resources management, climate change adaptation, protected areas, wildlife management, and/or integrated water resources management and gender, youth and social inclusion.
- At least 10 years’ experience in the preparation of environmental and social safeguards instruments, following World Bank policies or comparable policies of international organizations and experience in ESF requirements (demonstrated by at least five (5) ESIA/ESMP reports produced with similar nature and complexity);
- Excellent written and communication skills
9.0 LOCATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The assignment will be based in Lilongwe.
10.0 DURATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT
This contract will be for 50 working days in total, after contract signature.
11.0 SELECTION METHOD
The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” of September 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.
A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant (INDV) selection method set out in the Procurement Regulations.
Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail) or by e-mail through info@agcom.gov.mw by 19th February, 2024, and must clearly indicate the description of the assignment and the Reference Number shown above.
The Chairperson
Internal Procurement and Disposal Committee
Ministry of Agriculture
Agricultural Commercialisation (AGCOM) Project,
Off Paul Kagame Road – Opposite MRA Domestic Taxes Offices,
P.O. Box 727,
Lilongwe
Malawi
Copy: The National Project Coordinator: teddie.nakhumwa@agcom.gov.mw
Procurement Specialist, silvester.tsokonombwe@agcom.gov.mw
