Senior Environmental Expert

LIBERIA ELECTRICITY CORPORATION

LIBERIA ELECTRICITY SECTOR STRENGTHENING AND ACCESS PROJECT PHASE 2 (LESSAP 2)

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (REOI)

Assignment Title: Hiring of a Senior Environmental Expert under the Liberia Electricity Sector Strengthening and Access Project (LESSAP 2).

Project ID. P180498

Reference No.: LR-LEC-493514-CS-INDV

Publication Date: July 23, 2025

The Government of Liberia has received financing from the World Bank towards the cost of the Liberia Electricity Sector Strengthening and Access Project Phase 2 (LESSAP- 2) and intends to apply part of the proceeds for hiring of a Senior Environmental Expert under the LESSAP Projects.

Under the World Bank investment, LESSAP-2, the Project Management Unit (PIU) is supporting the development of the Solar IPP projects, two 100 MWp solar PV plant with battery storage in two sites of approximately 100-150 hectares each and the right of way, namely Buchanan and Yekepa (together the Projects).

The LESSAP-2 PIU is looking for a Senior Environmental Specialist who will be in charge of pre-screening for both sites and work very closely with the PIU, the Liberia Land Authority and the Technical Committee. The Senior Environmental Specialist will work very closely with a Senior Social Expert. The Consultant will provide technical support to LESSAP 1 & 2 PIU at LEC. The technical support will be to review reports and provide strategic guidance to the PIU Environmental specialist.

Main Responsibilities/Role Description

The Specialist will conduct E&S screening of the proposed sites with their right of way in accordance with the guidance provided below. In carrying out its work, the Specialist will:

• Consider views and concerns of key stakeholders, including relevant authorities, local NGOs, and representatives of affected communities. Before interacting with any stakeholder, the Specialist will coordinate with, and get consent from, the Client especially in relation to what information to disclose.

• Clearly state all methods, assumptions, and used data sources and present collected data and results of analyses in maps reporting the locations of salient Projects features. Collected data, list of sources and relevant pictures from site visits should be included in the report or its annexes. This should include a list of names, organizational affiliation, contact details and meeting dates for all stakeholders interviewed or consulted.

• Refer to:

• Projects’ relevant E&S laws, regulations and policies of Liberia

• World Bank ESF

• World Bank Group Environmental, Health and Safety General Guidelines (“WBG EHS General Guidelines”)

• WBG EHS Guidelines for Electric Power Transmission and Distribution

• Relevant international treaties to which the Project country is a signatory

• Good International Industry Practices

• Handbook for Preparing a Resettlement Action Plan, if needed

• Good Practice Handbook on Cumulative Impact Assessment and Management.

• Relevant LESSAP 2 Project E&S instruments, including the Stakeholder Engagement Plan

• WB good practice note on SEA/SH in large infrastructure projects.

To note that, for biodiversity aspects, the Specialist is expected to provide a clear statement, supported by necessary analysis and maps, on the:

• current extent of Modified and/or Natural habitat (as per ESS6 of the ESF), especially of the zones within the Project's area that are selected for clearing and development; and

• presence or absence of biodiversity values, their location, status and condition, and as far as possible, information on areas of habitat, key resources, and critical areas that support the values. This should include occurrence or likely occurrence of Critical Habitat values, if any (as per ESS6).

The screening process will include:

• Desktop review: Review existing literature to familiarize oneself with the most prominent E&S issues of the broader area where the sites are located. Where available, literature review will cover (i) existing environmental studies, scientific literature or any other type of pre-existing assessments available for the project area and/or adjacent areas; (ii) national or regional plans (e.g., Strategic Environmental Assessments, development strategies); (iii) existing programs or initiatives in the area and its surroundings relevant to E&S issues (e.g. local NGO projects). This review will be led by the Environmental Specialist and will be reviewed by the Social Specialist.

• Key informant interviews: Interview stakeholders with relevant experiences or knowledge of the region's biodiversity matters to fill gaps/confirm the results of the screening.

• Site visit: Conduct a walkover/site reconnaissance (1-2 days) of the sites to provide initial confirmation of desktop results and collect additional information, for example through interviews with stakeholders involved in the day to day management of the area of interest in order to collate any historical or currently undocumented information. At least one visit per site will be undertaken, unless the desktop review (validated by knowledge of local Specialists) already indicates that the site presents a fatal flaw (e.g., the site is confirmed to be located in a legally protected /internationally recognized biodiversity area that qualifies as Critical Habitat per ESS6).

The screening will cover the sites and the ancillary/associated infrastructures (connection to the grid and road access), will be based on the mitigation hierarchy and will follow the criteria indicated below.

• Avoidance of overlap or impacts to legally protected areas and internationally recognized sites

• Avoidance of overlap or impacts to areas meeting criteria for Critical Habitats (i.e., habitats of significant importance to highly threatened species, endemic/restricted range species, globally significant concentrations of migratory/congregatory species, highly threatened/unique ecosystems, key evolutionary processes).

• Avoidance /minimization of overlap or impacts to areas considered Natural Habitats and encourage overlap or impacts to areas considered Modified Habitats (Note: some Modified Habitats may also contain essential biodiversity values).

• The screening should report distance from legally protected areas, internationally recognized sites, and areas meeting criteria for Critical Habitat

• Other environmental aspects to consider: (i) Distance from groundwater (wells) recharge areas and surface water bodies; and (ii) Identification of high risks linked to water supply and/or water-stressed areas.

The Specialist will present its conclusions, data sources (including the list of key informants interviewed), and key E&S aspects of each site in a screening report.

The consultant will also provide technical support to LESSAP 1 & 2 PIU at the LEC. The technical support will be to review reports and provide strategic guidance to the environmental specialist.

Duration:

The duration of this assignment will be three (3) months maximum.

Detailed Terms of Reference (ToR) for the assignment can be obtained at the following link:

https://lecliberia.com/wp-content/uploads/Liberia_TOR_Senior-Environment-Expert-final.docx

The LEC now invites eligible and selected Individual to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Individual(s) should submit their Expressions of Interest (EOI), including their CV with information demonstrating that they are qualified to perform the services (description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills, etc.), educational and professional qualification certificates etc. The shortlisting criteria are listed below.

Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree in environmental science, natural resources management, or related field

• ESF expertise

• Track record on E&S assessments for a power plant, including solar

• At least 15 years' experience in environmental aspects and nationally or internationally recognized for knowledge of biodiversity values and with proven expertise in carrying out the desired activities, including: (i) experience working in similar habitats in the area of interest, country or the broader region; (ii) experience with application of ESS6 and working with associated databases, assessments or approaches (e.g. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, Critical Habitat Assessment).

• Proven knowledge and work experience in West African, and preferably in Liberia (iii) Experience in working with Arc Gis and other mapping tools relevant to the study is an added advantage

• Must demonstrate proficiency in English, analytical skills and report-writing skills.

Interested Individual/s must have minimum qualifications and experience as per the Terms of Reference. The Senior Environmental Expert will be selected in accordance with the Selection method set out in the Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (July 2016 as Revised in November 2017 and August 2018, November 2020, September 2023 and February 2025).

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours, i.e., 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM GMT, Monday to Friday.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in written form to the address below via email on or before August 15, 2025, at 11.59 pm GMT with subject: “Senior Environmental Expert under the Liberia Electricity Sector Strengthening and Access Project 2 (LESSAP 2)”.

Executive Director for Projects

Liberia Electricity Corporation

P.O. Box 10-165 Waterside

Water Street,

1000 Monrovia, Liberia

[email protected]