Recruitment of an Individual Consultant for Feasibility Studies on Irrigation Infrastructure — Project Implementation Unit, Ministry of Agriculture…

WORLD BANK PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION UNIT

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA

Rural Economic Transformation Project (RETRAP)

2nd Floor LIBSUCO Building Japan Freeway (Formerly Somalia Drive),

Gardnersville – Monrovia, Liberia

Request for Expression of Interest: Individual Consultancy Services for Feasibility Studies on Irrigation Infrastructure in Fahngonda, Kakata, Meleki, and a Proposed New Scheme in Sahnpa under the Rural Economic Transformation Project (RETRAP)

Credit No./Project No.: P175263

Ref: LR-PMU-MOA-511497-CS-INDV

The Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Agriculture has received additional credits in the amount of 30 million from the IDA Crisis Response Window – Early Response Financing CRW-ERF as additional financing (AF) to the Republic of Liberia for the Rural Economic Transformation Project (RETRAP) and intends to apply part of the proceeds toward payments under the contract for Individual Consultancy Services for Feasibility Studies on Irrigation Infrastructure in Fahngonda, Kakata, Meleki, and a Proposed New Scheme in Sahnpa under the Rural Economic Transformation Project (RETRAP).

• Background

Rice farming is a critical pillar of food security and rural livelihoods in Liberia. It serves as both a staple food source and a key income-generating activity for smallholder farmers. However, rice production across the country remains vulnerable due to the widespread reliance on rain-fed agriculture. Seasonal rainfall variability often leads to crop failure, reduced yields, and economic hardship for farming communities.

The lack of reliable irrigation infrastructure is a major constraint. Many existing systems—including dams, canals, bunds, and water control structures—have deteriorated significantly due to age, poor maintenance, and climate-related disruptions. As a result, water distribution is inefficient, and farmers are unable to cultivate rice consistently throughout the year.

To address these challenges, the Government of Liberia, with support from the World Bank, is implementing the Rural Economic Transformation Project (RETRAP). Under Component 5, RETRAP prioritizes rehabilitating agricultural infrastructure to boost productivity, enhance food security, and promote climate-resilient farming systems. As part of this initiative, four priority sites have been identified for technical and financial assessment:

• Fahngonda: Rice farming is essential to the local economy, but productivity is hampered by inadequate irrigation and underdeveloped farm infrastructure. This assignment will evaluate options for improving water management and farm readiness.

• Kakata, Margibi County: The irrigation system is severely degraded. Collapsed canals and broken water control structures have rendered the system inefficient and unreliable.

• Meleki, Bong County: The central dam and associated water channels are in poor condition. Their inability to retain and distribute water effectively exposes farmers to droughts and floods.

• Sahnpa, Nimba County: Farmers currently depend entirely on rainfall. A new irrigation scheme is proposed to provide a consistent water supply, enabling year-round rice cultivation for the first time.

1.1 Objective of the Assignment

The objective of this assignment is to engage qualified consultants to conduct comprehensive feasibility studies for irrigation infrastructure at four priority rice-producing sites in Liberia—Fahngonda, Kakata, Meleki, and Sahnpa—under the Rural Economic Transformation Project (RETRAP).

1.2 Summary of Scope of Services

• Undertake detailed technical assessments of existing irrigation systems in Fahngonda, Kakata, and Meleki, and evaluate the potential for a new irrigation scheme in Sahnpa capturing land suitability, water availability, existing infrastructure conditions and community needs.

• Develop engineering designs and rehabilitation plans that are practical, cost-effective, and climate-resilient, tailored to the specific needs and conditions of each site.

• Ensure environmental and social safeguard compliance, including screening for potential impacts, proposing mitigation measures, and aligning with national and World Bank safeguard policies.

• Prepare comprehensive cost estimates and investment plans to guide future implementation, budgeting, and resource mobilization.

The ultimate goal is to restore and expand irrigation infrastructure to support year-round rice cultivation, enhance agricultural productivity, improve rural livelihoods, and strengthen national food security.

2.0 The Ministry of Agriculture now invites eligible individual consultants to indicate their interest in performing the Services. Interested Individual Consultants should provide an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV), evidence of past Performance in Similar Assignments, and relevant documents indicating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.

The shortlisting criteria include the following:

2.1 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

To be eligible for this consultancy, the individual must meet the following criteria:

2.1.1 Educational Qualifications

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, Irrigation Engineering, or a closely related field.

• A Master’s degree in any of the above disciplines will be considered an added advantage.

2.1.2 Professional Experience

• At least 5 years of progressive experience in the design, assessment, and rehabilitation of water infrastructure, particularly dams and irrigation systems.

• Demonstrated experience conducting feasibility studies and preparing engineering designs for rural water or irrigation projects.

• Familiarity with environmental and social safeguard frameworks, including national regulations and international standards (e.g., World Bank, AfDB, or similar).

Technical Skills and other Requirements

• Proficiency in engineering design software (e.g., AutoCAD, Civil 3D, HEC-RAS, or equivalent).

• Strong analytical and report-writing skills.

• Ability to conduct field assessments in remote or rural settings.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

• Fluency in English (spoken and written).

• Willingness to travel to Fahngonda, Kakata, Meleki, and Sahnpa work closely with local communities and project teams.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at the following websites:

• https://vacancies & Career Opportunities | Ministry of Agriculture (www.moa.gov.lr )

• Request directly via email from: [email protected]/ [email protected]

The attention of interested individual Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” dated July 2016, revised November 2017, and August 2018, November 2020, September 2023 and February 2025 and, setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. Please refer to paragraph 3.17 of the Procurement Regulations on conflict of interest related to this assignment which is available on the Bank’s website at http://projects-beta.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/products-and-services/brief/procurement-new-framework. An Individual Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant Selection (ICS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

3.0 Expressions of interest must be submitted electronically in a format that cannot be altered (PDF format is preferred) to the email address below by Thursday, 30th October 2025 @ 5:00 pm Monrovia time.

Note: All Expression of Interests MUST include at least three (3) references with their names, telephone numbers, and email addresses; curriculum vitae(CV) with a copy of educational credentials (degrees, training certificates, etc), and be submitted to the below email address:

Galah Toto

Project Coordinator, RETRAP

Somalia Drive, Gardnersville, Monrovia, Liberia

Tel +231-777576980

Email: [email protected] with a copy to Email: [email protected]

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Consultancy Services for Feasibility Studies on Irrigation Infrastructure in Fahngonda, Kakata, Meleki, and a Proposed New Scheme in Sahnpa under the Rural Economic Transformation Project (RETRAP)

BACKGROUND

Rice farming is a critical pillar of food security and rural livelihoods in Liberia. It serves as both a staple food source and a key income-generating activity for smallholder farmers. However, rice production across the country remains vulnerable due to the widespread reliance on rain-fed agriculture. Seasonal rainfall variability often leads to crop failure, reduced yields, and economic hardship for farming communities.

The lack of reliable irrigation infrastructure is a major constraint. Many existing systems—including dams, canals, bunds, and water control structures—have deteriorated significantly due to age, poor maintenance, and climate-related disruptions. As a result, water distribution is inefficient, and farmers are unable to cultivate rice consistently throughout the year.

To address these challenges, the Government of Liberia, with support from the World Bank, is implementing the Rural Economic Transformation Project (RETRAP). Under Component 5, RETRAP priorities rehabilitating agricultural infrastructure to boost productivity, enhance food security, and promote climate-resilient farming systems.

As part of this initiative, four priority sites have been identified for technical and financial assessment:

• Fahngonda: Rice farming is essential to the local economy, but productivity is hampered by inadequate irrigation and underdeveloped farm infrastructure. This assignment will evaluate options for improving water management and farm readiness.

• Kakata, Margibi County: The irrigation system is severely degraded. Collapsed canals and broken water control structures have rendered the system inefficient and unreliable.