Feasibility study for the establishment of the national coastal observatory

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (REOI)

Project: West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project 2

Grant No.: E1400-GM

Assignment Title: Feasibility Study for the Establishment of a National Coastal Observatory in The Gambia

Procurement Type : Consulting Services

Category: National and International Consulting Firms

Proc. Reference No.: GM-CPCU-471193-CS-CQS

Background

The Gambia's coastal zone is vital to the country's economy, biodiversity, and resilience to climate change. However, increasing pressures such as coastal erosion, marine submersion, salinization, and habitat degradation necessitate a structured and coordinated approach to data collection, monitoring and policy formulation. This consultancy service aims to support the Government of The Gambia through the National Environment Agency in establishing a National Coastal Observatory (NCO) for the provision of a comprehensive data-driven framework to enhance coastal resilience, policy formulation and informed decision-making.

Objective of the consultancy

The objective of this assignment is to establish a national coastal observatory to provide and support for evidence-based policy and planning in coastal management.

Consultancy Scope:

The scope of this consultancy outlines the key activities and deliverables required to support the Government of The Gambia, through the National Environment Agency (NEA), in establishing a fully functional and sustainable National Coastal Observatory (NCO). The activities detailed below do not represent the operational responsibilities of the future observatory, but rather define the tasks that the consultant must carry out to design, prepare, and enable its eventual establishment and effective functioning. These activities are grouped under four interrelated thematic components:

Feasibility study and initial framework

• Conduct a detailed assessment of existing coastal monitoring initiatives.

• Identify gaps and recommend strategies for integrated coastal data management.

• Develop a conceptual framework for the NCO.

Legal and institutional framework development

• Review current policies and regulations related to coastal management.

• Propose institutional arrangements and governance structures.

• Provide recommendations for policy alignment and legal support mechanisms.

Technical and operational implementation

• Establish methodologies for data collection, processing, and analysis.

• Develop digital work environments and data-sharing platforms.

• Coordinate with national and regional bodies for knowledge exchange and standardization.

Capacity building and stakeholder engagement

• Conduct training programs for relevant agencies and personnel.

• Develop awareness campaigns for community involvement.

• Facilitate partnerships between academia, government, and private sector stakeholders.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATION

Firm Profile

• The firm should have been in existence in the last 5 years

• Core business of firm: coastal management, climate resilience, or environmental consultancy.

• Record of experience of at least 2 similar consultancy assignments

• Availability of Key Experts as per the ToR

Qualifications and experience of Key Experts

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:

The following are the expected knowledge and experience of the experts

Key Expert 1: Team Leader/Lead Consultant

• Must have a graduate degree in coastal zone management, environmental science, climate and coastal risk management or a related field

• At least 8 years of experience in climate and coastal risk management, data and information systems design

• Demonstrated expertise in data collection, analysis, and management related to coastal and marine environments.

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

• Must possess good communication and knowledge transfer skills

• Strong skills in capacity building, stakeholder engagement and technical reporting

• Experience in conducting similar activities in developing countries especially in West Africa will be desirable

Key Expert 2

• Must have a graduate degree in coastal zone monitoring, GIS and remote sensing, environmental science or related field

• At least 5 years of experience in coastal monitoring, remote sensing and risk analysis

• Experience in data and information systems design

• Demonstrated expertise in data collection, analysis, and management related to coastal and marine environments

• 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

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

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

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

Duration : 18 months

The attention of interested Consulting firms is drawn to the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” February 2025 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

Consulting firms may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications, but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected. Joint Venture agreement must be submitted along with the EOI.

Firms will be selected in accordance with the Consultant Qualification Services (CQS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information (including the TOR) can be obtained at the address below during office hours from Monday-Thursday 09:00am to 1600 pm, Friday 09:00 to 12:00pm Gambian time.

Expressions of interest can be delivered in a written form or electronically to the address below (in person, or by email) by Tuesday 5th August, 2025.

West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project 2

Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources (MECCNAR)

2nd Floor, MECCNAR Complex, Abuko, Kanifing, The Gambia

E-mail: [email protected] ; [email protected]; [email protected]