Consultancy to Develop Environmental and Social Risk Management Strategy for the Liberia Special Economic Zone Authority (LSEZA).

REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA

MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (MoCI)

Liberia Investment, Finance & Trade Project (LIFT-P)

INSURANCE BUILDING, 5TH STREET-SINKOR,

OPPOSITE CONEX GAS STATION MONROVIA, LIBERIA

P.O. Box 9041, 1000 Monrovia, 10 Liberia

Email: [email protected] /www.moci.gov.lr

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (REOI)

(CONSULTING SERVICES – Individual Consultant Selection)

Liberia Investment, Finance and Trade Project (LIFT-P)

Project ID: P171997

Credit Number 7037-LR

Grant Number D9690-LR

March 12, 2026

Individual Consultant to Develop Environmental and Social Risk Management Strategy for the Liberia Special Economic Zone Authority (LSEZA), LR-MOCI-535954-CS-INDV

The Republic of Liberia through the Ministry of Commerce & Industry has received financing from the International Development Association (IDA)/ World Bank towards the cost of implementing the Liberia Investment, Trade & Finance Project (LIFT-P). LSEZA’s primary objective is to create an enabling environment for investment, industrialization, and job creation within designated geographic areas. The Authority has identified the development and improvement of zones and parks, and a proposal to conduct market and demand assessments of the identified zones and parks is ongoing.

Key Objectives of the Assignment

The objective of the consultancy is to develop an Environmental and Social Risk Management Strategy for the LSEAZ for integration into the LSEZA’s core operations and investment processes.

Scope of the Assignment

The consultant hired under these Terms of Reference is expected to undertake this assignment by:

• Reviewing and analysing all LSEZA-related documents (existing LSEZA operational plans, internal Acts and policies), applicable national and international best practices in SEZ operations such as the IFC performance standards, the EPA Act, the Equator Principles, the Environmental Protection and Management and Laws of Liberia, and any relevant GIIP document related to SEZ operations, and engaging key stakeholders, including government officials, industry representatives, the overall private sector, civil society organizations, development partners, informal sector players, SMEs, local communities, and academia to familiarize him/herself with the LSEZA's mandate, objectives, and recently validated regulation and strategies as well as gain a thorough understanding of the existing socio-economic conditions related to the operations of the LSEZA.

• Analysing current environmental and social risk management mechanisms carried out by the LSEZA and identifying gaps and areas for improvement based on national needs and global best practices. The assessment should include institutional capacity and competency for ESRM.

• Undertaking comprehensive field visits and conducting a thorough analysis of the current socio-ecological and biophysical landscape oLSEZA, including environmental scoping and social baseline studies at designated zones (including the Monrovia Free Zone, the Monrovia Industrial Park, Buchanan Special Economic Zone and other zones to be identified) to assess biodiversity impacts, identify land acquisition requirements, determine sensitive ecosystems, evaluate pollution risks, assess climate vulnerabilities, and other environmental and social risks, collecting all necessary data, which will form the basis of developing the strategy.

• Formulating a comprehensive environmental and social risk management strategy that complies with national and international standards and includes specific goals and actions, an implementation roadmap, monitoring, and performance indicators. The strategy should outline LSEZA’s approach to handling current and perceived E&S Risk. The strategy should be integrated with plans for stakeholder engagement, capacity building, emergency preparedness and response, monitoring and evaluation, risk assessment and due diligence in project investment, and a grievance mechanism.

• Providing basic training to LSEZA staff on addressing environmental and social risks, ensuring environmental sustainability, and the requirements for the successful implementation of the strategy. Training modules will be developed based on the consultant’s research and will be approved by the LIFT project PIU and the LSEZA Administration.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can found at the link below: hppt //: www.moci.gov.lr / www.emansion.gov.lr

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry now invites eligible Individual Consultants (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Individual Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria are listed as per the Terms of Reference provided below. The Consultant should have minimum qualifications and experience as follows:

• A Master’s Degree in environmental science, Environmental Management, sociology, development studies, or environmental/civil engineering or any other related field.

• Minimum of 7 years of progressive professional experience in environmental and social risk management for large-scale infrastructure, industrial, or urban development projects, preferably in the context of Special Economic Zones.

• Demonstrated experience supporting the design and implementation of an Environmental and Social Management System for SEZ regulatory institutions

• Demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement and consultation, and development of ESRM policies and systems.

• Excellent practical and working knowledge of national environmental and social sustainability laws, regulations, guidelines, standards, etc. A broader knowledge of GIIP would be an asset.

• Experience working in a developing country context, preferably in Sub-Saharan Africa, with direct experience in Liberia.

• Demonstrated experience in knowledge transfer, especially experience in developing and delivering ESRM training/capacity building.

The attention of interested 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, August 2018, November 2020, September 2023, February 2025 and September 2025 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

The Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant Selection (INDV) method set out in the Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (July 2016 as Revised in November 2017, August 2018, November 2020, September 2023, February 2025 and September 2025).

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours, i.e., 0900 to 1600 hours GMT, Monday to Friday.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (only by email) on or before Thursday March 26, 2026, with subject: “ Individual Consultant to Develop Environmental and Social Risk Management Strategy for the Liberia Special Economic Zone Authority (LSEZA), LR-MOCI-535954-CS-INDV”.

Liberia Investment, Finance and Trade Project (LIFT-P)

Attn: Julius Y. Saye Keh-nel

Acting Project Coordinator

Insurance Building, 5th Street, Sinkor

Monrovia, Liberia

Tel: +231 88 682 2025 /776 654 713

Email: [email protected]

Cc: /[email protected] /[email protected]

Terms of Reference

Consultancy to Develop Environmental and Social Risk Management Strategy for the Liberia Special Economic Zone Authority (LSEZA)