RECRUITMENT OF INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT/FIRM FOR THE BASELINE ECOLOGICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STUDIES OF THE SCARCIES RIVER AND SIERRA LEONE RIVER ESTUARY MARINE PROTECTED AREA

Procurement Number: EPASL/NRG/ACS/RFP/2024/0018

Date of First Issue: 4^th November, 2024

Background

The Government of Sierra Leone through the Environment Protection Agency has received funds from the Abidjan Convention Secretariat for the procurement of hiring an individual consultant or firm for Baseline ecological, environmental and socio-economic studies of the scarce River and Sierra Leone River Estuary Marine Protected Area. The coastline of Sierra Leone has changed over the years in response to natural occurrences and climate change. In addition, human activities, such as the removal of coastal vegetation, infrastructural development, and population growth in coastal communities, have also influenced physical shoreline change.

Recognising the increasing human pressures on coastal and marine ecosystems across the country and the weak governance structures, such as inadequate legal instruments and management tools to address the many human-induced environmental impacts, this project seeks to enhance tools to mitigate the effects of such pressures. These tools will support processes for improved coastal zone management and biodiversity conservation by integrating Marine Protected Area (MPA) management systems into the general coastal and marine governance and regulatory mechanism.

Objectives

Project Goals/Objectives

The overall goal of the project is to support processes for improved coastal and marine biodiversity conservation by strengthening MPA management and restoring degraded sites.

The specific objectives are:

1. To manage and reduce local threats to marine biodiversity by promoting resilience-based strategies in MPA management.
2. To establish and operationalise conservation and management tools that protect and manage the Sierra Leone River Estuary and the scarce River Estuary.

• Enhance the sustainable management of marine resources, including fisheries, coastal habitats, and marine biodiversity, through effective zoning.

Specific Tasks:

Conduct Baseline Ecological, Environmental and Socio-Economic studies of the scarce River and Sierra Leone River Estuary.

1. Assess the ecological and environmental status of the scarce and Sierra Leone River Estuary.
2. Conduct an assessment of the terrestrial species diversity (i.e., species richness) within both areas.

• Conduct a threat assessment of the anthropogenic threats and impacts as well as the natural threats.

Academic qualifications:

Education:

A Master’s degree in Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Social Sciences or a related field.

A post-doctorate in Conservation, Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Social Sciences or the relevant field is an added advantage.

Experiences:   

A minimum of three (3) years of related experience with an extensive understanding of coastal and marine environment governance or related works. Experience in the following fields is relevant:

1. Coastal and Marine assessment.
2. Marine Protected Area planning and governance
3. Integrated Coastal Zone Management
4. Monitoring and Evaluation systems

Understanding of the Abidjan Convention and related regional conventions

Language Requirements:

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

Corporate Competencies

• Demonstrates strong integrity and ethical standards.
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the Agency and partner institutions.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism.
• Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Technical Competencies:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with analytic capacity and demonstrated ability to synthesize complex information in high-quality papers/reports and effective presentations to different audiences;
• Skills in facilitating meetings effectively and efficiently;
• Substantive experience in collaborating with and consulting for governments on biodiversity management issues, particularly in the rapid review of NBSAP, assessment of monitoring systems policy, and institutional alignment for the effective implementation of the GBF.

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, but excluding travel costs and DSA).

The individual consultant/firm is requested to prepare and submit their technical and financial proposal to be submitted to the address not later than 3^rd December 2024 at (1:00 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 SL is soliciting the services of an individual Consultant or firm to do the Baseline ecological, environmental and socio-economic studies of the scarce River and Sierra Leone River Estuary Marine Protected Area. The Agency has secured fund from Abidjan Convention Secretariat and is therefore inviting International 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 [3^rd December, 2024] at [1:00 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 individual Consultants /firms. 

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. But excluding travel costs and DSA.
• 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 4 weeks 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 [3^rd December, 2024] at [1:00 pm],

Proposals along with relevant documents must be submitted in sealed envelope boldly marked: “Baseline ecological, environmental and socio-economic studies’’ 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

Bids must be delivered to the address below or by email to kamara.isatu2000@gmail.com/Procurement@epa.gov.sl and copied to massaquoiabubakar@gmail.com no later than 3^rd December 2024.

Executive Chairperson

Environment Protection Agency-SL;

2^nd Floor

38 Freetown Road, Wilberforce Village

Freetown