Recruitment of a consultant to conduct the environmental and social performance audit of the classified forests project in Benin.

Bid Reference: BJ-WACA -547836-CS-INDV
Procurement method: Individual Consultant Selection
World Bank project No. : P167678

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

(CONSULTANT SERVICES)

Classified Forests Project in Benin (PFC-B)

Funding : IDA

Donor No.: D477-BJ

Number SIGMAP : PI_UIGP_11 82 39

AMI No. 002/UIGP/PFC-B/STAS/SPM/SGF/SSE/SSEnv/AD  of  13/05/2026

RECRUITMENT OF AN INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT TO CONDUCT THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF THE CLASSIFIED FORESTS PROJECT IN BENIN.

The Government of the Republic of Benin, represented by the Ministry of Living Environment and Transportation, in charge of Sustainable Development (MCVT) has obtained funding from the World Bank to implement the Classified Forests Project in Benin (PFC-B). It intends to use part of the project funds to make authorized payments for Consultant Services.

The estimated duration of the mission is forty-five (45) working days. The specific objectives of this study are as follows:

• Examine the institutional arrangement of the bodies responsible for implementing the environmental and social (E&S) measures of the project, as well as their operational effectiveness;


• Assess the compliance and adequacy of the implementation of sub-projects with regard to the provisions of the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and the applicable national regulations;


• Identify non-compliances, discrepancies, and deficiencies related to the project's framework documents, while highlighting good practices observed;


• Evaluate the performance of the Grievance Management Mechanism (GMM), particularly its accessibility, reliability, transparency, and effectiveness;


• Analyze the implementation of mitigation measures as well as the environmental and social monitoring and supervision system;


• Assess actions for biodiversity conservation, protection of sensitive habitats, and preservation of natural resources;


• Examine the respect for workers' rights and the application of health, hygiene, and safety standards at work, including the prevention of occupational hazards (accidents, chemical risks, noise, fires, etc.);


• Evaluate health and safety measures for surrounding populations, as well as accident and incident management systems;


• Assess waste management practices, as well as the methods of use and management of pests, pesticides, and fertilizers;


• Propose a corrective action plan to address identified non-compliances and anticipate potential residual impacts and risks that may persist after project closure;


• Review good practices and lessons learned to strengthen the continuous improvement of environmental and social performances;


• Evaluate the support provided to various stakeholders affected by the project, including farmers, herders, occupants of Classified Forests, etc.;


• Evaluate the environmental and social performance of sub-projects under the participatory management plans of the classified forests, construction of living bases, opening of forest tracks and boreholes, etc.;


• Verify the compliance, quality, and implementation level of specific instruments developed under the project, including at least: EIA and PGES/PGES-E, PRMS, screening forms, monitoring plans, code of conduct, GMM, and all associated permits/authorizations;


• Conduct an assessment of Gender-Based Violence (GBV)/Sexual Exploitation and Abuse/Sexual Harassment (SEA/SH) aspects.

The Terms of Reference containing the detailed mandates of the mission are attached to this request for expression of interest. They are also downloadable from the UNDB-Online website: www.devbusiness.com, and can be obtained at the following address: Integrated Project Management Unit (UIGP) of the Environmental Sector of the Ministry of Living Environment and Transportation, in charge of Sustainable Development (MCVT), Office located in the premises of COMPLEXE RESIDENCES LAICO/CEN-SAD, Building Coordination of UIGP (Villa CICA A8) Rue Steve BIKO before the MAISON ROUGE hotel, email: uigpwaca.infos@gouv.bj/uigpwaca.infos@gmail.com, Tel: 01 99 99 06 08/02.

The Ministry of Living Environment and Transportation, in charge of Sustainable Development (MCVT) invites eligible consultants to express their interest in the consultant services. Interested consultants must provide information demonstrating that they possess the required qualifications and relevant experience to execute the services. The application package will include:

• a cover letter specifying the mission;


• the updated CV of the candidate;


• copies of diplomas (certified) and proof of carrying out similar missions (certificate of service delivery) executed. Any indicated mission not supported by the above evidence will not be considered.

The pre-selection criteria are as follows:

General qualification :

Academic training: The Consultant must hold at least a BAC + 5 level in the field of environment, social sciences, or any related field.

General experience:

The Consultant must have at least ten (10) years of relevant professional experience in environmental and social project evaluation. Additionally, the consultant must have a thorough knowledge of the operational policies of the World Bank and Benin's environmental policies.

Specific experience :

The consultant must have conducted at least three (03) environmental and social performance audit missions of projects funded by the World Bank or other Technical Financial Partners (BAD, BID, AFD, etc).

NB : In case of equal number of missions, the Consultants will be differentiated by the number of environmental and social performance audit missions of World Bank-funded projects and other technical and financial partners in the sub-region during the last five (05) years: 2025, 2024, 2023, and 2022».

1. Attention of interested firms is drawn to paragraphs 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of Section III of the “Regulations for Public Procurement for Borrowers IPF” of the World Bank, July 2016, updated in November 2017, in July 2018, in November 2020, in September 2023, in February 2025, and in September 2025 (“Regulations”), which describes the World Bank's policy on conflict of interest.


2. Individual consultants will be selected by the Individual Consultant Selection method in accordance with the procedures defined in the World Bank’s procurement regulations dated July 2016, updated in November 2017, in July 2018, in November 2020, in September 2023, in February 2025, and in September 2025.

Further information can be obtained at the above address during office hours, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM and from 2:00 PM to 5:30 PM. Expressions of interest must be sent in writing, in French, bearing the mention “Expression of interest for the selection of an individual consultant to conduct the environmental and social performance audit of projects funded by the World Bank)” to the above address no later than May 29, 2026, at 10:30 AM.

Consultants wishing to submit physical application files must send them in a sealed envelope in two (02) copies, one original. The expressions will be opened on the same day at 10:30 AM in the meeting room of the Integrated Project Management Unit (UIGP).

Eliassou HAMIDOU SEKO

General Coordinator 

of the Integrated Project Management Unit