NATIONAL CONSULTANCY- Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) EXPERT Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining [ASGM] and Mercury Reduction

Procurement Number: EPASL/GEF/GOPL/ RFP/2025/006

Date of First Issue: 22^nd May, 2025

Background

The Government of Sierra Leone through the Environment Protection Agency has secured funds from The Global Environment Facility (GEF) To conduct a wide-ranging, inclusive baseline assessment of the state of ASGM activities and mercury use at the pilot sites, for Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) of Mercury Use, and for advocacy and policy interventions throughout the project implementation. The project implementation phase was officially launched in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on 12 November 2024, by the Environment Protection Agency Sierra Leone (EPA-SL) – Execution Agency and the Conservation International (CI) – Implementing Agency.

Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) provides an essential livelihood for at least 80,000 miners in Sierra Leone. An increase in the international price of gold and a decrease in alluvial diamond deposits have attracted more people to engage in this sector, especially among rural communities. ASGM generates supplementary cash flows in the farming off-season.

However, this largely informal and unregulated sector poses severe negative impacts on both the environment and the health of people, and its contribution to the GDP is hard to quantify because of the informality. ASGM is the largest user and emitter of mercury into the environment, and this has devastating health and environmental consequences. ASGM operations also degrade land because they leave behind open mine pits, cause deforestation and pollute ground and surface water

Objectives

The project aims to reduce the use of mercury in the ASGM sector through a holistic, multi-sectoral, integrated formalization approach, and increasing access to finance leading to the adoption of sustainable mercury-free technologies and access to traceable gold supply chains.

The Consultant(s) will work closely with the Project Management Unit (PMU), EPA-SL and CI to ensure the following specific objectives are met: – A Baseline assessment of the state of ASGM activities and mercury use in the pilot sites for advocacy and policy interventions throughout the project implementation, taking into account, women’s participation and views. This can be achieved through

1. Data Collection: – Assessment of miners’ equipment, gold production, and access to mercury and mercury-free technologies; information on miners’ expectations and availability for the program trainings and identification of key ASGM actors
2. Data Analysis:
   1. – Identification of the most urgent miners’ needs and views, for integration into a training program on better mining practices to be conducted later, and for the selection of cleaner technologies and equipment to be introduced on-site, with a focus on land rehabilitation and forest-smart mining.
   2. Estimation of mercury use at each site, extrapolated to the district level
   3. Estimation of the potential of trainings and different technologies for enhancing productivity and mitigating environmental health impacts, highlighting the best practices and mitigation measures that should be included in the interventions.

Methodological Approach

The data collection instruments and methods should be appropriate, taking into consideration sample size, representativeness and ensuring quality assurance and statistical confidence.

1. Geographical Coverage | Pilot ASGM sites in the environs of a) Makum village, Kholifa Rowalla chiefdom in Tonkolili district, b) Baomahun town, Valunia Chiefdom in Bo district and c) Nemima section, Penguia Chiefdom in Kailahun district.
2. Multi-Stakeholder Engagement & Target Groups | ASGM miners (men, women, youth), mining associations, equipment suppliers, local authorities, local and indigenous community groups, private sector actors, NGOs, and Government officials (MDAs, law enforcement) present at the pilot sites; Ensures inclusive decision-making and equitable benefit-sharing.
3. Key Focus Areas |
4. uses multiple sources of information to verify the accuracy and validity of data, ultimately improving data quality (direct surveys, equipment use logs, sales records and police reports of mercury seizure).
5. Equipment Assessment:Inventory of existing tools/technologies (mercury-dependent vs. mercury-free).
6. Mercury Use Estimation: Quantify mercury use per site (grams/month) and disposal practices (interviews, questionnaires, covert investigations and review of police reports – see ‘Data Collection Instruments below’). Extrapolate estimate of mercury use per site to the district
7. Access to Alternatives: Evaluate availability, affordability, and awareness of mercury-free technologies.
8. Governance and Policy Frameworks | Implemented in line with CI-GEF Policies and National Legal and Institutional frameworks. Encourages transparency, accountability, and enforcement of regulations.

This activity will also involve the review of available national information on mercury use and contamination related to small-scale gold mining and an analysis of the data captured to develop a gender-sensitive strategy to tackle mercury use in the ASGM.  The applicant is expected to outline the proposed methodology in detail, including sampling frame, informed consent procedures, and gender-sensitivity indicators.

 Academic qualifications:

Education:

Advanced degree in environmental science, Specialized training in Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E), impact assessment, or data analytics.

Experiences:   

Applicants should have strong evidence of knowledge and a minimum of Three (3) years of experience in designing and implementing M&E frameworks for development projects, preferably in natural resource management, environmental conservation, or public health.

1. Demonstrated expertise in collection, evaluation, and reporting of gender-responsive data as well as in explaining complex issues to diverse stakeholders.
2. Familiarity with ASGM monitoring tools, such as UNEP’s Methods and Tools: Estimating Mercury Use and Documenting Practices In Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining
3. Proven track record working on ASGM projects, particularly those targeting mercury reduction, formalization, or livelihood improvement.
4. Familiarity with mercury-free technologies (e.g., gravity concentration, retorts) and barriers to adoption.
5. Knowledge of the Minamata Convention and national ASGM policies/regulations
6. A demonstrated understanding of CI-GEF’s Policies and principles
7. Strong communication, stakeholder engagement, and project management skills.
8. Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, work well independently, and manage work with minimal supervision
9. Strong team player with collaborative approach, excellent interpersonal, organizational, prioritization, and time management skills.
10. Ensuring equal access to services for women and men

Language Requirements:

Fluency in written and spoken English. All documents are expected to be produced in English.

Evaluation method and criteria

Technical Criteria weight 70%

Financial Criteria weight 30%,

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% of the total technical points (49 points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Financial Proposal:

Financial proposal that indicates all-inclusive fixed total contract price supported by a breakdown of costs (including professional fee, and specified other costs if applicable.

The National consultant/firm is requested to prepare and submit their technical and financial proposal to be submitted to the address not later than 18^th June at (1:30 Pm).

Note: The consultant/firm shall be ranked and the first ranked on the list shall be selected for the proposed assignment given that, their fee rates are within the budget.  The selection process will be based on the Least Cost Selection

Service Required: The Environment Protection Agency Sierra Leone (EPA-SL) is seeking a competent expert with experience in conducting a wide-ranging, inclusive baseline assessment of the state of ASGM activities and mercury use at the pilot sites, for Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) of Mercury Use, and for advocacy and policy interventions throughout the project implementation. The Agency has secured fund and is therefore inviting consultants who can provide a statement of capability and experience indicating that they are qualified to perform the service (description of similar assignment, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc.) to submit Technical and financial proposals for the assignment. The Technical Proposals will be publicly opened on [18^th June, 2025] at [1:35 pm], in the presence of the bidders’ designated representatives and anyone who chooses to attend, at the address below.

This advertisement is open to all National Consultants.

 Kindly submit the following documents;

• Technical proposal
• Financial Proposal, that indicates all-inclusive fixed total contract price supported by a breakdown of costs (inclusive professional fee and specify other costs if applicable.
• A Cover Letter
• Personal CV indicating educational background/professional qualifications. contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references;
• Individual / firm Profile
• Samples of previous work/ experience from similar project.
•  Duration of work:

The assignment is expected to be undertaken within 85 days from the date of signing the contract.

Duty Station: Home Base

Interested consultant may obtain further information and collect the terms of reference (TOR) at the address below between [9am to 4pm Mondays to Fridays] or send an email to the below email address.

Technical and Financial proposals must be delivered either by hand or mail to the address below on or before [18^th June, 2025] at [1:30 pm],

Proposals along with relevant documents must be submitted in sealed envelope boldly marked: “NATIONAL CONSULTANCY- Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) EXPERT’’ at the address below.  Late proposal will be rejected and returned unopened. In addition to the original of the proposals, the number of copies required is 2.

WOMEN ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

Proposals must be delivered to the address below or by email to kamara.isatu2000@gmail.com/isatu.kamara@epa.gov.sl and copied to massaquoiabubakar@gmail.com no later than 18^th June,2025.

Executive Chairperson

Environment Protection Agency-SL;

2^nd Floor

38 Freetown Road, Wilberforce Village

Freetown