Consulting Services for the Implementation of Resettlement Plans (RPs) developed for the Upgrade of Makeni and Kenema Central Markets

GOVERNMENT OF SIERRA LEONE

MINISTRY OF FINANCE

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION)

Country: Sierra Leone

Name of Project: Resilient Urban Sierra Leone Project - RUSLP

Grant No.: IDA-D8420

Project ID: 168608

Date of Issue: 29th November 2024

Assignment Title: Consulting Services - Implementation of Resettlement Plans (RPs) developed for the Upgrade of Makeni and Kenema Central Markets

Reference No.: SL-MOF-461138-CS-CQS

• 0 Background

The Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) (hereinafter called “Borrower”) has received financing from the International Development Association (IDA) (hereinafter called “Grant”) toward the cost of the Resilient Urban Sierra Leone Project (RUSLP). The Borrower intends to apply a portion of the funds to eligible payments under the contract for consulting services for the Implementation of Resettlement Plans (RPs) developed for the Upgrade of Makeni and Kenema Central Markets.

The project development objective of the RUSLP is to improve integrated urban management, service delivery, and disaster emergency management in Western Area and secondary cities of Sierra Leone.

In fulfillment of its aim to improve local public service delivery and access to resilient infrastructure, subcomponent 2c of the RUSLP will finance the comprehensive upgrading of Makeni and Kenema central markets to improve working conditions for traders, stimulate local economies and provide city councils with increased revenues through increased collection of market dues. Market dues, paid daily or weekly, are the lifeblood of councils because they finance council operations. Contributing, on average, about 33.5 percent of total own-source revenue in councils. The central markets lack water, electricity, proper toilets, and storage facilities, pavements, and adequate roofing, and are not disability accessible.

The locations for the proposed market upgrades are Maxwell Khobe Street in Kenema and Church Street in Makeni cities respectively. The intervention will help to improve market conditions for petty traders and their accompanying family members, including children and customers. The PMU has recruited an E&S consulting firm to conduct an Environmental Social Impact Assessment study and prepare Environmental and Social Management and Resettlement Plans for both markets.

2.0 Objectives of the current Assignment

The TOR aims to engage the services of a competent consultant to assist Local Councils (LCs) and the Traders’ Unions (TUs), and where necessary in collaboration with one or the other of the Ministry of Lands Housing and Country Planning, the Ministry of Local Government, The National Development Induced Resettlement Programme in the implementation of the Resettlement Plans (RPs) developed for the proposed upgrade of Makeni and Kenema Central Markets. The scope of work will be in four phases:

• Phase 1: Preparatory Phase

• Phase 2: PAP compensation and trader relocation phase

• Phase 3: Works Implementation

• Phase 4: Relocation of traders back to upgraded market

The Consultant´s assignment is to ensure timely, appropriate, and comprehensive implementation of the RP in compliance with applicable national legislation and the World Bank’s ESF (ESS5) and the project Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF).

The Consultant will closely work with the LCs, in both cities, the PMU, supervising consultants, and respective local authorities, such as mentioned above, responsible for land acquisition, resettlement, and compensation in both cities.

2.1 Specific Objectives

Once the RP is formally approved and following the completion of public disclosure, the resettlement process will move into implementation, with the following key tasks:

It is expected that under this assignment, the following specific objectives drawn for the project shall be achieved:

• The consultant should understand the contents of the RPs developed for both markets and familiarize themselves with all affected areas, assets, and PAPs.

• Should carry out all activities/assignments necessary for effective implementation of the RPs in close collaboration with teams allocated by both LCs, TUs, and the competent national and local government authorities and local authorities such as the Ministry of Lands Housing and Country Planning, the Ministry of Local Government, The National Development Induced Resettlement Programme.

• Preparation of a stakeholder management process based on the RP stakeholder engagement plan and execution of public and PAP consultation meetings to prepare all stakeholders on the RP implementation commencement, ensuring the public and PAP understanding of all procedures and issues pertained to the RP implementation. If this is not in the RP, draw from the RUSLP Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP).

• Provide proposed correction of any justified misalignment to the LCs, TU and resettlement committees that may be found in the field with RP procedures and the area of coverage of the project.

• Updating the RP to ensure that all information is current and relevant. This will include but not be limited to verification of PAPs census, asset inventory and entitlements and preparation of PAP signoff based on the RP.

• Provide full information to the PAPs on the RP policy, provisions, and approach to asset acquisition (where applicable) and timeframe for implementation, roles, and responsibilities of implementing agencies and grievance redress mechanism.

• Detailed implementation planning, including team setup, schedules, tasks, and responsibilities, logistics as well as development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) (e.g., assisted self-build program, household sign-off, livelihood restoration program).

• Individual seller’s sign-off, based on agreed sign-off templates and in conjunction within depth consultations regarding compensation options for physical displacement.

• Oversee that due process as required by RAP is followed and documented accordingly.

• Undertake Livelihood Restoration measures as outlined in the RP, including final elaboration of the livelihood restoration program, procurement of necessary economic inputs and any other items/services which would be needed to implement the program and support for implementation.

• Work with Grievance Redress Mechanism structures (at site level) and assisting in their implementation as outlined in the RP as well as disseminating widely the project GRM process to all stakeholders and project-affected persons.

• Undertake monitoring and evaluation of RAP implementation and produce monthly and quarterly progress reports and the final RP implementation report as per the proposed structure will be presented.

3.0 Duration of Services

The timeline for initiating the RAP implementation will be provided by the PMU. From initiation, the duration of the services will be six (6) months within the 20-month (pre and post construction period). The RP implementation within this time would be phased or staggered, as the case may be. The resettlement activities would be carried out in different phases allow for construction work to be completed. The Consultant shall help the PMU in all other matters deemed necessary to implement the RPs in its spirit and entirety. Additionally, the consultant shall monitor the sellers after compensation and resettlement process.

Consultants should take note that the Expression of Interest must include the following information:

• Core Business and how it is relevant to the assignment.

• Number of years in business, both as a registered business entity and in providing services in the sector(s) that are relevant to this assignment.

• Management structure, number of directors and total number of staff - fulltime, on contract and as associates (however, Key Personnel and their specific experiences are not evaluated at this stage);

• Financial performance (e.g. turnover and profitability) in the last Three years.

• Enlist firm’s experience. For each similar assignment undertaken by the firm, it is required to state the cost, whether it undertook the job solely, in partnership with other firms (name them and the role of your firm), and name of the client, the duration of the assignment, the number of staff/person-day(s) your firm engaged on the assignment, cost of the assignment (and cost of the project, if available), status of completeness as at time of expression of interest for this assignment, a brief scope of work for the assignment, etc.

• Firms submitting a joint expression of interest must show information (especially on i to iii above) for each firm separate/distinct from the other(s) as, at this stage, each firm will be evaluated on its own individual merit based on the information submitted to determine its potential value addition to the partnership.

4.1. Qualification of the Firm

• Experience and Expertise

• Minimum 5 Years of Experience: The firm should have at least 5 years of proven experience in implementing Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs) for similar infrastructure projects, preferably under World Bank-funded initiatives.

• Demonstrated expertise in stakeholder engagement, community consultation, and grievance redress mechanisms.

• Experience in managing temporary relocation and re-establishment of businesses and livelihoods.

• Technical Competence:

• Proficiency in conducting socio-economic surveys, baseline studies, and impact assessments.

• Ability to develop and implement detailed relocation and restoration plans, including logistics and support services.

• Expertise in monitoring and evaluating resettlement processes to ensure compliance with World Bank standards.

• Project Management Skills:

• Strong project management capabilities with the ability to coordinate multiple activities and stakeholders.

• Excellent organizational skills to ensure timely and efficient execution of relocation and restoration processes.

• Cap