Consultancy to Conduct an Oceanographic Survey

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (REOI)

Project: West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project 2

Grant No.: E1400-GM

Assignment Title: Consultancy to Conduct an Oceanography Survey

Category : National and International Consulting Firm

Proc. Reference No.: GM-CPCU-471184-CS-CQS

BACKGROUND

The Gambia is the smallest country in continental Africa with a surface area of about 11,000 km2 and is in the Sahelian zone of West Africa. It is also one of the poorest and most densely populated countries with poverty estimated at around 50% [1].

The Gambia is mainly an agrarian economy but remains a food-deficit country. The main drivers of economic growth for The Gambia are the agriculture, fisheries, tourism, construction and telecommunications sectors [2]. The main drivers of economic growth for The Gambia are the agriculture, fisheries, tourism, construction and telecommunications sectors. Agriculture, fisheries and tourism together account for some 40% of GDP and depend heavily on use of natural resources.

Objective of the consultancy

The overall objective of the Project of which this contract will be a part is as follows:

Provide institutional strengthening and policy frameworks in climate risk management and integrated coastal zone management.

EXPERIENCES AND QUALIFICATIONS

FIRM PROFILE

• Core business of the firm (s) must include oceanographic survey

• Must be a firm with 10 years of experience in a similar consultancy business especially within Africa

• Experience in Conducting similar/relevant assignments especially for multilateral donor agencies is an added advantage

EXPERTISE AND PROFILE OF KEY EXPERTS

All experts who have a crucial role in implementing the contract are referred to as key experts. The profile of the key experts for this contract are as follows:

Key Expert 1: Team Leader/Senior Scientist

At least 85% of the time input from Key Expert 1 will be carried out in The Gambia.

Qualifications and skills

• Must have a graduate degree in coastal management, oceanography or a related field with a focus on marine survey. Additional qualifications or experience in GIS and video interpretation will be an added advantage.

• Mathematical / statistical skills or database experience would be an advantage

• Must have experience in team management and can operate in a multi-cultural setting.

• Must possess good communication and knowledge transfer skills.

• Must have fluency in spoken and written English and be able to write clear, concise technical and non-technical reports in English.

General professional experience

• You must have a minimum of 10 years’ professional experience including at least 5 years on marine/ coastal management programmes.

• It should preferably have been a core player in conducting benthic habitat surveys.

Specific professional experience

• At least 3 years of experience with project cycle management.

• Experience overseeing all stages of the seabed habitat survey process is desirable.

• Experience in developing countries, especially in West Africa, would be desirable.

• Experience in the assessment of climate change vulnerability for marine/coastal habitats will be an added advantage.

Key Expert 2: Senior Surveyor

At least 85% of the time input from Key Expert 2 will be carried out in The Gambia.

Qualifications and skills

• Must have a graduate degree in oceanography, marine ecology, marine environmental monitoring or a related field with a focus on habitat survey and assessment.

• Must possess proven scientific and technical analysis skills.

• Must possess good communication and knowledge transfer skills.

• Must have fluency in spoken and written English and be able to write clear, concise technical and non-technical reports in English.

General professional experience

• Must have at least 10 years professional experience including at least 3 years on marine survey work.

• Must have good knowledge and operational understanding of the survey equipment and methodologies used for bathymetry and seabed habitat mapping.

Specific professional experience

• Experience in developing countries, especially in West Africa, would be desirable.

• Experience in the assessment of climate change vulnerability for marine/coastal habitats will be an added advantage.

All experts must be independent and free from conflicts of interest in the responsibilities they take on. The consulting firm shall select and hire other experts if need be. All experts must be independent and free from conflicts of interest in the responsibilities accorded to them.

General requirements for these experts are as follows:

Qualifications and skills

• Must have a degree in the required or relevant discipline, and at least 5 years work experience.

• Must demonstrate/show the ability to have previously work with a multi-disciplinary team and complete study reports.

• Must have excellent communication and knowledge transfer skills.

• Must be able to write clear, concise technical reports.

• Experts involved in training must possess excellent facilitation skills.

General professional experience

• Must have at least 5 years of professional experience.

• Must have at least 3 years’ professional experience on the specific tasks assigned.

• Experience with at least one WB funded project would be an added advantage.

Support staff & backstopping: Backstopping and support staff costs must be included in the global price.

Duration: The period of implementation of the contract will be 6 months from date of contract signature.

Reports

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