RFP: Preparation of a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) for the Kotu Stream Catchment Area

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (REOI)

Project:West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project 2

Grant No.: E1400-GM

Procurement Category: National and International Consulting FIRMS

Assignment Title: PREPARATION OF A RESETTLEMENT ACTION PLAN (RAP) FOR THE KOTU STREAM CATCHMENT AREA

Procurement Reference:  GM-CPCU-473152-CS-CQS

The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project 2 (WACAResIP 2) and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The consulting services (“the Services”) includes Preparation Of A Resettlement Plan (RP) for the Kotu stream catchment area for the West Africa Coastal Resilience Investment Project  

1. Background

The Gambia’s territories, and particularly the Greater Banjul area, is vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including rising sea levels, increased rainfall and more extreme weather events. These phenomena increase the risk of flooding and put pressure on existing infrastructure. To address these challenges, sub-projects have been launched that combine both structural and non-structural measures, in order to improve the resilience of local communities and sustainably manage water resources.

The Government of The Gambia, through the West Africa Coastal Areas (WACA) Resilience Investment Project (ResIP) financed by the World Bank, is preparing interventions along the Kotu Stream to address recurrent fluvial flooding. The catchment area of the stream is approximately 40 km², and flooding has been exacerbated by rapid urbanization, climate change, and inadequate drainage systems. These events have resulted in significant damage to property, livelihoods, and public infrastructure, while also posing risks to public health and the environment.

The WACA Program is a regional initiative that supports West African countries in strengthening resilience to coastal and riverine flooding, erosion, and climate risks. It promotes sustainable ecosystem-based and infrastructure solutions to protect communities, livelihoods, and critical assets. The Gambia’s participation in WACA aims to reduce vulnerability to flooding, improve climate resilience, and enhance socio-economic development through integrated water and coastal management approaches.

To avoid or minimize involuntary resettlement, forced eviction and mitigate unavoidable adverse social and economic impacts from land acquisition or restrictions on land use, the WACA Project has prepared a resettlement policy framework (RPF) to clarify the rules for identifying people who may be affected by the implementation of project and takes into account the requirements of the new Environment and Social Framework (ESF) especially Environment and Social Standard (ESS) 5, and the national laws and regulations of the Gambia that deal with Involuntary Resettlement. With the anticipated improvement works around the Kotu stream area, the present framework will be expanded into a specific plan proportionate to the potential risks and impacts to prepare a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP).

2.  Objectives of the Consultancy

In accordance with WB ESS 5 and national regulations, the objective of the RAP implementation is to ensure that those whose livelihoods and property are affected by the sub-project are compensated for their losses, and their standard of living improved, or at least restored to pre-project levels for sustenance of livelihoods. More specifically the RAP implementation seeks to:

• Review the project’s Resettlement Policy Framework and Stakeholder Engagement Plan.
• Reduce the risks of poverty, exclusion, and inequitable access to benefits especially for the vulnerable and marginalized individuals and groups such as women, single-headed-households, elderly, children, etc.
• Ensure the sub-project is socially acceptable to maintain credibility of WACA PIU and the WB.

The RAP will identify the project-affected persons (PAPs), engage them in inclusive, accessible, and participatory discussions regarding the plan, and formulating a plan of action to adequately compensate people or entities for their losses, and restriction of uses.

Scope of Work

The scope of requirements and level of detail of the resettlement plan will vary with the magnitude and complexity of resettlement. The consultant will prepare the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) based on the most recent and accurate information on the: (i) selected project interventions and the potential impacts on economic displacement, restriction of access and other adversely affected components; and (ii) legal issues affecting physical resettlement. The RAP must be based on the principles, planning procedures and implementation arrangements established under the WACAResIP 2 Resettlement Policy Framework. In conducting the tasks described in the scope of work, they will work closely with the Engineering Consultant responsible for the feasibility studies, detailed design and supervision of the Kotu Stream, HYDRO NOVA.

1. PROFILE AND EXPERIENCE OF THE CONSULTING FIRM
   1. Firm Profile

The client seeks the services of a Consultancy firm with at least 10 years of experience in resettlement action plans and abbreviated resettlement action plans and stakeholder engagement and social and economic impacts assessment and evaluation for government projects and development partners funded projects in the Gambia

• The firm should have a minimum of ten (10) years of strong working experience in social assessment, involuntary resettlement, and other relevant fields, such as the social sciences and gender studies.

• It is desirable that the consultant team have experience working with international development institutions like the World Bank.
• The consultant’s team shall be composed of professionals with experience in socio-economic analysis, including gender-sensitive analysis, surveying, and valuation.

1.  Qualifications And Experience Of KEY EXPERTS

. The consultants team shall comprise of the following key expertise as minimum:

• Team Leader / Safeguard Specialist– Must have a minimum of master’s degree in social development, Planning, Development Studies, or any other social science related field relevant to RAP studies. At least 10 years’ experience in development and implementation of resettlement plans, development of reports with good knowledge on GIS and mapping of Project affected area and PAP plots of land. S/he should have held responsible position in the previous assignments and should possess participatory management skills. The specialist must have at least 3 previous roles leading RAPs for projects financed by the World Bank or other similar international financial institutions.
• Social Development and Gender Specialist– Minimum advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) or higher degree in Development Studies, Gender Studies, international development or any other related field relevant to RAP studies with a minimum of seven (7) years post qualification experience in social assessment, and RAP studies for projects funded by development partners such as the World Bank.  S/He must have been involved in at least two (2) RAPs studies previously.
• Land Acquisition Specialist / Livelihood Restoration Specialist– Must be a graduate or equivalent in the social sciences with five years field experience in Land Acquisition, using maps to identify PAP assets, should have knowledge of prevailing land acquisition and compensation Act and WB Environmental and Social Standards. The specialist should have at least 2 previous roles as land acquisition and livelihood restoration specialist for RAPs in projects financed by the World Bank or other similar international financial institutions.
• Socioeconomic Expert –  MA degree in a Social policy and Development, Gender, Sociology or any other Social Science with at least 6 years of work experience in preparation of Social Surveys/ Assessments , RAPs and at least three (3) infrastructure projects of which two should have been funded by donor Agencies (WB, AfDB etc.).

1.   Duration of the study: The consultancy is expected to be completed in 12 weeks.

1.  Reporting: The Consultant will report to the WACA Project Implementation Unit (PIU) under the CPCU of Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources (MECCNAR).

The criteria for evaluating expressions of interest to determine short list will include the following:

• Core business of the firm (s)
• The firm should have a minimum of ten (10) years of strong working experience in social assessment, involuntary resettlement, and other relevant fields, such as the social sciences and gender studies.
• At least 10 years of experience in resettlement action plans and abbreviated resettlement action plans and stakeholder engagement and social and economic impacts assessment and evaluation for government projects and development partners funded projects in the Gambia
• Technical and managerial capability of the firm (structure of the organization, general qualifications, and availability of the required key staff as per ToR.

Consulting firms may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications, but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture (JV) and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a JV, all the partners in the JV shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected. JV Agreement should be included in the EOI.

 Firms will be selected in accordance with the Selection Based on “Consultants Qualification Selection” (CQS) Method which is available on the Bank’s website set out in the Procurement Regulations 2025. Only the Most responsive Firm shall be invited to submit Technical and Financial proposals for Negotiation.

Further information (including the TOR) can be obtained electronically by email or at the address below during office hours from Monday-Thursday 09:00am to 1600 pm, Friday 09:00 to 12:00pm Gambian time.

Expressions of interest can be delivered in a written form or electronically to the address below (in person, by mail, or by e-mail) by 16th January 2026. Expression of Interest is open to International Firms.

West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project 2

Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources (MECCNAR)

2nd Floor, MECCNAR Complex, Abuko, Kanifing, The Gambia

E-mail: mlsanyang@wacameccnar.gm; tjeng@wacameccnar.gm; ebrima1999@yahoo.co.uk