West Bank and Gaza Social Recovery and Job Creation Project

E&S Post Audit / Monitoring for Component 1 - Annually

Bid Reference: GZ-MOPIC-508497-NC-RFQ
Procurement method: Individual Consultant Selection
World Bank project No. : P508729

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Individual Consultant Services

Environmental and Social (E&S) Audit Consultant

Social Recovery and Job Creation Project (SRJC)

The Ministry of Finance and Planning (MoFP), through the Social Recovery and Job Creation Project (SRJC), invites qualified individual consultants to express their interest in providing consulting services for conducting an Environmental and Social (E&S) Audit of Component 1 – Labor-Intensive Infrastructure.

Background

The Social Recovery and Job Creation Project (SRJC) is financed by the World Bank and implemented under the overall oversight of the Ministry of Finance and Planning (MoFP). The project aims to:

1. Increase employment opportunities for selected groups in targeted areas; and
2. Improve the operational capacity of selected government institutions.

Under Component 1, implemented by the Municipal Development and Lending Fund (MDLF), the project finances labor-intensive public infrastructure activities across the West Bank.

In accordance with the project's Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP), MoFP intends to recruit a qualified Environmental and Social Consultant to conduct an independent Environmental and Social Audit of a representative sample of sub-projects implemented under Component 1.

Scope of the Assignment

The Consultant will assess compliance of selected sub-projects with:

• World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and relevant Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs);
• Project Environmental and Social instruments, including the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), Land Acquisition and Livelihood Framework (LALF), Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), and Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP);
• Applicable Palestinian environmental, social, labor, and occupational health and safety regulations.

The Consultant will undertake document reviews, stakeholder consultations, field visits, compliance assessments, and prepare a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) identifying gaps and recommendations for improvement.

Key Deliverables

1. Inception Report – within three (3) weeks from contract signature.

2. Draft Environmental and Social Audit Report including Corrective Action Plan (CAP) – within eight (8) weeks from contract signature.

3. Final Environmental and Social Audit Report including CAP – within twelve (12) weeks from contract signature.

Duration of Assignment

The assignment is expected to be completed within three (3) months from contract signing.

Required Qualifications and Experience

The Consultant shall possess:

• A Master's degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Social Sciences, Planning, Development Studies, or another relevant discipline.
• At least ten (10) years of professional experience in environmental and social risk assessment and management.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting Environmental and Social Audits, with a minimum of three (3) similar assignments. Experience in donor-funded or development projects will be an advantage.
• Proven knowledge of Palestinian environmental, social, labor, and occupational health and safety legislation.
• Demonstrated experience with international environmental and social standards, particularly the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF).
• Excellent analytical, report-writing, communication, and presentation skills.
• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken.

Selection Method and Evaluation Criteria

The Consultant will be selected in accordance with the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers and based on the qualifications and experience of the applicant.

The evaluation will be conducted out of a total score of 100 points as follows:

Only candidates obtaining a minimum technical score of 70 points may be invited for an interview, if deemed necessary by the evaluation committee.