Individual Consultant to prepare Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and to carry out relevant Capacity Building

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (reoi)

AND THE

TERMS OF REFERENCE (tor)

[INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANCY SERVICES]

COUNTRY:                                       Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

IMPLEMENTING AGENCY:          Ministry of Communications and IT (MCIT)

NAME OF THE PROJECT:              Digital CASA Afghanistan Project

SECTOR:                                            Information and Communications Technology (ICT)

CONSULTING SERVICES:            Individual Consultant to prepare Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and to carry out relevant Capacity Building

CONTRACT TYPE:                          Individual Consultancy Contract-Lump sum

DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT:    Three months

DUTY STATION:                              Kabul, Afghanistan

CONTRACT REFERENCE NO:      MCIT/Digital-CASA/PPF-C3

WORLD BANK GRANT NO:         PPG/PPF of Digital CASA Project

PROJECT ID NO:                              -----------------------------------------

Background:

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

has received Project Preparatory Grant/Fund(PPF/PPG) from the World Bank to prepare for execution of

Digital CASA Afghanistan Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds to hire a qualified Individual

Consultant to provide Consultancy Support on preparation of Environmental and Social Management

Framework (ESMF) and to carry out relevant Capacity Building in MCIT.

This Consultancy Support will be provided to MCIT at Kabul, under the Project Preparatory Grant (PPG) of Digital CASA Afghanistan Project.

The aim of the Digital CASA Afghanistan Project is: (i) to expand and strengthen the Regional and National level broadband connectivity based on Optical Fiber Networks;(ii) to boost up digital society and economy through e-Governance initiatives and (iii) to prepare an enabling environment and Regulation for the growth of ICT Sector in Afghanistan.  The project will do so by: (a) expansion and strengthening of broadband connectivity in Central Asia and South Asia Region; (b) expansion and strengthening of national broadband connectivity in Afghanistan; (c) Commissioning of a Network called “Govnet” to connect most of the Government Offices at Central and Provincial Government levels; (d) Automation of citizen-centric services through e-Governance initiatives; (e) Automation of e-Governance mechanisms and strengthening of e-Delivery Platforms; (f) framing up of Regulations, Policies, Strategies and Policies for growth of ICT Sector.

To contribute towards achievement of some of the above mentioned objectives of Digital CASA

Afghanistan Project, MCIT has decided to avail the consultancy services of an Individual Consultant to

prepare Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and to carry out relevant Capacity

Building in MCIT.

Afghanistan plans to become a Data Hub for CASA Region and thus, there is a need to strengthen the

Regional and Domestic Backbone Connectivity through Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) Networks. Backbone

Networks of Afghanistan are already connected to the Networks in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan,

Iran and Pakistan. It is also planned to establish Regional Connectivity between Afghanistan and China

via Wakhan Border of Afghanistan-China. For Afghanistan to become a Data Hub, Capacities of Systems

and Networks of Afghanistan and of the CASA Region need to be beefed up and also many other

Redundancy Routes need to be constructed in Afghanistan. Moreover, within Afghanistan, Provinces

which are not connected with the Backbone till date need to be connected.

Islamic Republic of Afghanistan welcomes Private Participation under PPP scheme of the Government to expand Regional and Domestic Connectivity.

 New OFC based Networks which are recommended to be established are:-

 New Regional Connectivity Routes: Faizabad in Badakshan(Afghanistan)-Wakhan Border-China Border Post:  480+20 Kms; Farah Road(Afghanistan )-Farah(Afghanistan)-Iran Border: 125 Kms; Delaram(Afghanistan)-Nimroz(Zaranj-Afghanistan)-Iran Border: 220 Kms;

New Domestic Connectivity Routes in Afghanistan: Faizabad(Badakshan)-Panjshir: 319 Kms; Panjshir-Jabalsaraj(on Mazaar Route): 47 Kms;; Faizabad(Badakshan)-Nooristan;  280 Kms; Nooristan-Asadabad(Kunar): 110 Kms; Kundoz-Khulm: 130 Kms; Waras(Bamiyan)-Nilli(Daikundi): 272 Kms; Nilli(Daikundi)-Oruzghan(Tarinkot): 178 Kms; Oruzghan(Tarinkot)-Kandahar: 95 Kms; Yakawlang(Bamiyan)-Chagcharan(Ghor): 294 Kms; Chagcharan(Ghor)-Heraat: 354 Kms; Ghormach-Badghis(Qalaienow): 255 kms; Sheberghan-Sarepul: 60 Kms.  These Optical Fiber Routes will be implemented in association with private sector.

[Under the OFC Projects undertaken in the Country from 2006 onwards, till June, 2017, out of 34 Provincial Capitals, 25 would have got connected and thus, another 09(shown in Red Color) are also planned to be connected under Digital CASA Afghanistan Project].

To connect the above mentioned Routes in the period from 2018 till 2023, MCIT and the Contractors will

be required to adopt Environmental and Social Safeguards in accordance with ESMF, to be prepared by

MCIT with the help of an Individual Consultant.

Objectives of the Consultancy Assignment:

Individual Consultant is required to provide Consultancy Support to MCIT on “Preparation of Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and to build relevant capacity in MCIT through training on Environmental and Social Safeguards Management and Implementation Plans(ESSMIP)to be adopted for various Project Activities of Digital CASA Afghanistan Project”.

Scope of Work and Tasks:

• To develop an ESMF, which will serve as an umbrella document to include:  guidelines( as annexes) for  M&E; template for Environmental and Social Management Plans ( ESMPs); typical Environmental impacts and Mitigation measures with institutional responsibilities;

• To establish clear ‘ directives’ etc  ( penultimate bullet points) which could be included in each sub- project’s Bidding Documents and in Projects Implementation Manual;

• To train MCIT’s staff (including Contractors’ Staff) on: ESMF procedures/guidelines and the development and monitoring of ESMPs.

Deliverables and Reporting Requirements:

1. Report-1( to be submitted within 15 days after joining the Assignment):

Inception Report setting out methodological approach and detailed plan for the consultancy;

Stakeholders Engagement Plan;

2. Report-2(to be submitted within one month after joining the Assignment:

This should include: Analysis of the best international practices on Environmental and Social Safeguards; Recommendations given by Workshop Participants after holding a Workshop with direct and indirect stakeholders to discuss ESMF that could be applied to Digital CASA Project;

3. Report-3(To be submitted within two months of the commencement of the assignment):

This should include: Draft ESMF which would include: Guidelines and Mitigation Measures, Monitoring Plans and Implementation Mechanisms for the proposed Project Activities of the Project; Appropriate roles and Responsibilities and outline of the necessary reporting procedures for managing and monitoring environmental and social concerns, including Grievances Addressing Mechanisms; Directives and methodologies for the environmental and social screening of the fiber optic project subcomponents and the Site-specific Plans;

4. Report-4( To be submitted within three months after joining the Assignment):

Final draft of ESMF prepared to take into account of feedback from stakeholders Workshop;

Report on Training that would has been given by the Consultant to at least 20 MCIT Staff Members on: Contents of ESMF and how to develop an ESMP.

Other deliverables: Training Documents need to be issued to each Trainee (both in English and Dari/Pashtu-Translation efforts will be catered for by MCIT); Weekly and monthly briefings need to be given to MCIT and the World Bank Teams at Kabul. All the reports as outlined above shall:

1. be written such that they stand alone, without the reader needing to refer to other documents;
2. shall include a dated cover letter with the distribution list and shall note key issues of interest in the report for management’s attention;
3. All the Reports (05 Copies-printed and signed +Soft Copies in CDs) should be submitted to: One Set to the President of Afghan Telecom; One Set to the Chairman of PICU-MCIT; One Set to the Planning and Policies Director of MCIT; One Set to the concerned Department of MCIT and one Set to the Project Director of Digital CASA Afghanistan Project.

Qualification Requirements of the Consultant and Selection Criteria:

a)         The Individual Consultant should have a degree in Environmental Sciences or Engineering or Economics or Law or Public policy from any well recognized University;

b)         The Individual Consultant should have at least 5 years of experience in Environmental and Social Safeguards or in other related field as applicable to ICT Sector;

c)         The Individual Consultant should be willing to travel to Kabul (Afghanistan) and stay with MCIT for 40 % of the Working Time available in a total assignment period of 03 months and for the balance of 60 % of the Working time, the Consultant should be working on the given assignment in his Office off-shore.

An Individual Consultant will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the World Bank’s Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers (current edition).

To ensure impartiality, the consultant (including his home office, if any) must not, in any way, be affiliated with business entities that are currently providing or are seeking to provide goods or services to the project.

Timelines and payment schedules:

The Consultant will complete the assignment in 03 Months, after joining the Assignment at Kabul and shall be paid as per the following schedules:

Delivery of Report-1: 20 % of the Contract Value;

Delivery of Report-2: 20 % of the Contract Value;

Delivery of Report-3: 40% of the Contract Value;

Delivery of Report-4: 20% of the Contract Value;

Milestones will be considered complete only upon the acceptance and formal approval of the designated MCIT’s Staff. All payments will be made to the Consultant, within 30 days from date of formal approval by the Chairman of PICU of the Invoice, Activity Sheet and brief Report with each Invoice, all to be submitted both in English and Dari/Pashtu languages. Formats will be provided by the Project Director of Digital CASA Project of MCIT.

Facilities to be given by MCIT:

The following facilities and support will be provided to the Consultant by the client (MCIT):

•           A suitable working space inside MCIT’s Main Building at Kabul.

•           Internet connectivity in Office.

•           Facilitation of entry visa.

•           Relevant background documents.

•           Facilitation and arrangement for meetings with relevant stakeholders and partners.

Request for Expressions of Interest (REOI) by MCIT:

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) now invites eligible Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested Consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (CVs, giving description of their Qualifications, Experience, similar assignments done earlier, experience in similar conditions and availability of appropriate skills etc.).

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the World Bank’s Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers (January, 2011 edition).

For further details, Interested Consultants are requested to obtain further information (if required) at the address given below, during office hours from 0800 to 1600 hours:

Foreign Procurement Department (FPD) (Attn: Mr. Samimullah Samim)

General Manager for External Procurements;

Procurement Department, Ministry of Communications and IT (MCIT)

Mohammad Jan Khan Watt; Kabul, Afghanistan

Phone: Office: +93 20 210 37 41; Cell: +93 700 222 009;

Email: fpd@mcit.gov.af

Web site: www.mcit.gov.af

Any queries on the position may also be addressed to the above mentioned email address (fpd@mcit.gov.af), with CC to: pmo@mcit.gov.af,pmo.mcit@hotmail.com-- latest one week before the deadline for submission of expression of interest.

Expressions of interest, including detailed Resumes must be delivered (by E-Mails) by

29^th August, 2016(2.00 PM Kabul Time) to the E-Mail IDs as given below:

fpd@mcit.gov.af; pmo@mcit.gov.af;pmo.mcit@hotmail.com

All the E-Mails must be addressed to: fpd@mcit.gov.af; pmo@mcit.gov.af; pmo.mcit@hotmail.com