REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT SELECTION
CONTRACTS MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION CONSULTANT
Name of Project: Lesotho Renewable Energy and Energy Access Project (LREEAP)
Implementing Agency: Lesotho Electricity Company (Pty) Ltd
Assignment: Contracts Management and Supervision Consultant
The Government of Lesotho has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Lesotho Renewable Energy and Energy Access Project (LREEAP). The LREEAP demonstrates the GoL’s commitment to advance the electrification agenda and the implementation of the Lesotho Energy Policy 2015 – 2025 by supporting the provision of off -grid electricity services as well as grid electrification of economic zones to enhance job creation. The project aims to accelerate electricity access along two (2) dimensions: (i) grid extension to economic development zones in peri-urban areas, and (ii) the deployment of mini-grids to reach rural and remote communities.
The Lesotho Electricity Company (Pty) Ltd is implementing Component 1 of the Project namely Grid Extension to Peri-urban Areas of Lesotho. This component fi nances the design, procurement of materials and construction of works required to electrify selected industrial and commercial loads in peri-urban areas of Lesotho, as well as providing connections to approximately 1400 residential customers in adjacent areas. To this end, one of the notable projects under this component is the ongoing Design and Construction of 33/11Kv Substation at Belo Industrial Area in the Butha-Buthe District and 33kV Line from Hlotse to Ha-Mopeli to the Substation.
In pursuit of its mandate of successfully implementing projects in component 1, the LREEAP project is recruiting a capable Individual Consultant to undertake contracts management and supervision services of projects being implemented under this component including the Belo contract mentioned above. The consultant shall be engaged on a time-based type of contract and report directly to the Project Coordinator in charge of implementation of Component 1 and 2A of LREEAP.
Objectives and Scope of the Assignment
The consultant will assist LREEAP in planning, implementation and monitoring of contracts under Component 1 and 2A and facilitate the coordination with the LREEAP Project management team, the contractors, and other key actors defined in such contract agreements for the effective, efficient and economic completion of contracts. The following scope of the assignment entails the following:
i. Assist LREEAP in formulating and preparing and entering into a complete and well-defined contract agreements, for new contracts.
ii. Assist LREEAP and assure that the project or Contract Management Plan (CMP) and Risk Management Plan (RMP) is in place with objectively agreed key performance indicators (KPI) and assist LEC in monitoring same regularly.
iii. The consultant reviews the existing Project or contracts management manual of the client, if available (or develop a simplified project management manual) and provide training to LEC staff in application of the manual. The project planning, implementation status and reporting is communicated together with necessary recommendations regularly (say quarterly).
iv. Assist the client in contract implementation planning, implementation monitoring, review of deliverables, managing changes and monitor progress of contracts.
v. Facilitate progress review meetings, technical dialogue between LREEAP, Contractor; and where applicable, Supervision Consultant, Dispute Board, Arbitrator et al with a view to achieve closure on divergent interpretation of contractual clauses and improved contract relations. Take minutes of such meetings and follow up on the implementation of actions agreed.
vi. Provide approvals of contractor’s proposals/works; checking and certifying works progress against financial and against work programs and give first line decisions in consultation with project manager but acting independently from the Contractor,
vii. Review and certify invoices submitted by the Contractor
viii. Monitor the timeliness, cost, and quality of the contract against agreed parameters and prepare or verify contract progress reports and advice the client on any proactive actions required to better manage the contract for enhanced value for money, including for any value engineering possibilities.
ix. The Consultant shall; facilitate communications and on behalf of Client, act as a focal person for contract administration issues that may accrue liabilities for Client.
x. In case of any contractual claims and disputes that the Client may have with the Engineer or Contractor on any certification, determination, instruction, opinion or valuation the Consultant shall act on behalf of LREEAP and provide technical guidance for a first stage resolution so that matters are settled prior to their reference to Dispute Board/expert.
xi. In case of a Notice of Dissatisfaction by the client on Engineer’s or contractor’s performance, the Consultant shall advise on the process of improvement of performance but will not take responsibility with contractual responsibilities.
xii. The Consultant shall provide complete data mining, collation, collection, and representation support to Client for proceedings referred to Dispute Board or for arbitration proceedings, if needed.
xiii. Represent/support Client during statutory and internal audits including audits and reviews by fi nanciers.
xiv. Provide specialist technical advice on abnormal aspects of the works which are not normally required/provided during the construction of similar facilities.
xv. For services additional to those specified above, if specifically requested by the Client, provide, or take all reasonable steps to arrange for the provision of any of the service.
xvi. Liaise with Environmental and Social Safeguards team in Monitoring and reporting on the contractor’s adherence to the provisions of the contract in relation to the Environmental and Social Management Plan and all applicable health, safety, and environmental (HSE) requirements.
xvii. Preparation of monthly and quarterly progress reports incorporating date engraved photographs and describing the progress achieved in the reporting period.
Qualifications and Experience Requirements
Civil/Construction/Electrical Engineering or related qualification with extensive contracts management experience. At least ten (10) years in managing complex and large value works contracts. At least five years of experience with demonstrative effectiveness, in providing technical support on contract administration issues on electricity projects of comparable scale and complexity will be required. Experience on donor funded projects that employ harmonized FIDIC Condition of Contracts or latest versions would be accorded more weightage. The incumbent should have extensive knowledge of national construction contracts rules and regulation. S/HE should be fluent in the language of communication defined in the Contracts (English) and shall have expert level professional experience in the interpretation of contractual documents and provisions.
Recruitment Process and Contract Type
The selection method shall follow the World Bank’s Individual Consultant selection method the procurement process shall be governed by the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers September 2023 (Fifth Edition). 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, setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. In addition, please refer to the following specific information on conflict of interest related to this assignment: Consultants shall not be hired for any assignment that would be in conflict with their prior or current obligations to other clients, or that may place them in a position of being unable to carry out the assignment in the best interests of the Borrower.
This is a time-based assignment. The consultant shall work with the Client’s project team based in Maseru, Lesotho. The assignment duration is 24 months. The incumbent shall be selected on the basis of their relevant experience, qualifications, and capability to carry out the assignment. Candidates shall be considered if they meet minimum relevant requirements which shall be determined by the Client on the basis of the nature and complexity of the assignment, and assessed on the basis of academic background and relevant specific experience and, as appropriate, knowledge of local conditions such as national language, culture, administrative systems, and government organization.
Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours i.e. 0800 to 1700 hours, local time.
Submission
Interested candidates must submit their expressions of interest with certified copies of their educational certificates in a single PDF format to the email addresses mentioned below on or before 30th September, 2024 at 17H00.
The subject of the email must be “Expression of Interest – Contracts Manager”. Hand delivered expressions of interest shall not be accepted.
Email addresses for submission and clarification requests:
Attention: The Project Manager, LREEAP LEC
120 Lancers Street, Maseru West
Emails: [email protected] Cc [email protected]
