BUILDING RESILIENT DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR GROWTH – BRIDGE

 

Project Number: P508383

Assignment Reference: NG-FMCIDE-544870-CS-QCBS

 

Assignment Title:

ENGAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

 

The Federal Government of Nigeria (the “Government”) has applied for financing from the World Bank towards the cost of the ‘Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure For Growth – Bridge’, a Project aimed at deploying a 90,000km Fibre Optic Network. This will be structured as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) implemented through a Special Purpose Vehicle (the “SPV”) company. The Government intends to apply part of the proceeds for Engagement of Environmental and Social Risk Management Technical Assistance.

 

OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF THE CONSULTANCY

 

The main objective of this consultancy is to provide professional E&S support to the BRIDGE PIU, ensuring that project activities comply with Nigeria’s environmental and social regulations and the World Bank ESF (ESS1-ESS10) throughout the project lifecycle. The TA will assist the PIU E&S Unit in reviewing and implementing E&S Risk Management Instruments prepared by competitively selected and competent E&S consultants.

 

The assignment aims to support the PIU to:

 

Review of Environmental and Social Risk Management Instruments:

Support the E&S Unit of the PIU in the review and implementation of all required E&S instruments including site-specific ESIA/ESMPs, Occupational Health and Safety Plans, Resettlement Policy Framework and RAPs, Stakeholder Engagement Plan and GM, Labor Management Procedures, GBV/SEA Action Plan, Security Management Plan, Chance Finds Procedure; etc. ensuring they meet the World Bank and national standards consistent with the ESCP and the Project Operational Manual (POM).

 

Risk Identification and Mitigation: 

Advise the PIU E&S Risk Management Unit on identifying and managing environmental and social risks and impacts (including cumulative and climate-related risks) associated with fiber deployment (e.g. land disturbance, vegetation clearing, erosion, pollution, community health and safety, labor influx, GBV/SEA, etc.). Support in the application of the mitigation hierarchy (avoidance, minimization, mitigation) in site selection and design.

Institutional Capacity Building: 

Support and assist the PIU and SPV E&S staff in strengthening internal E&S management systems (procedures, checklists, reporting etc.).

 

Stakeholder and Community Engagement: 

Assist the PIU E&S Risk Management Unit in executing the Stakeholder Engagement Plan and GM, ensuring inclusive, culturally appropriate consultations, effective communication of project information, diverse languages, accessible format, and safe grievance mechanisms (including SEA/SH-sensitive channels) for all stakeholders, especially vulnerable groups and persons living with disabilities (PWD) in reference to ESIRT procedures.

 

The consultancy shall be undertaken over 365 days from contract date. 

 

All reports shall be submitted in English, in editable and PDF formats.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at the following link: b.link/ToRforE&SRiskMgtTA_WB

 

The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy now invites eligible consulting firms to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria for the Consultant are set out below:

 

1. At least seven (7) years of relevant professional experience in environmental and social risk management for large-scale infrastructure or linear infrastructure (roads, transmission lines, pipelines, fiber) in fragile/security-affected areas. Experience with World Bank ESF post-2018 with ESIRT and SEA/SH GPN implementation on civil works is an added advantage
2. Experience working with multilateral development banks (MDBs), development finance institutions (DFIs), and government entities on projects that require compliance with international environmental and social risk management.
3. Proven track record working on fiber optic or digital infrastructure deployment projects, particularly in complex or multi-jurisdictional environments, with understanding of sector-specific E&S risks. Experience with digital tools (GRM case management, GIS, Kobo, Power BI dashboards) is an added advantage.
4. Proven, hands-on experience in the application and supervision of the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ES as well as familiarity with Nigerian environmental and social laws, regulations, and permitting requirements.
5. Demonstrated expertise in key safeguard areas, including environmental and social impact assessment, stakeholder engagement and consultation, grievance redress mechanisms (GRM), labor and working conditions, occupational health and safety (OHS), biodiversity management, land acquisition and resettlement, and prevention of GBV/SEA/SH risks. Demonstrated monitoring expertise: It is required that qualified firms will be able to verifiably demonstrate that they have extensive experience in undertaking project E&S monitoring and quality assurance, for infrastructure development projects.
6. Strong experience engaging with government agencies, project-affected communities, contractors, and other stakeholders, including facilitation of inclusive consultations, management of grievances, and coordination with regulatory authorities.
7. Excellent analytical, technical writing, and presentation skills in English, with proven ability to prepare high-quality safeguard instruments, monitoring reports, advisory notes, and inputs acceptable to international financing institutions.
8. Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, supervising engineers, contractors, and financiers, and ensure timely delivery of outputs while maintaining high professional and ethical standards.
9. The firm shall demonstrate capacity for nationwide deployment (across Nigeria’s six (6) geopolitical zones).. Ability to obtain permits or verifiable field deployment plans within the geopolitical zones is necessary.

 

Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.

 

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” February 2025 (“Procurement Regula-tions”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

 

Consultants 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. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality And Cost-Based Selection method set out in the Procurement Regulations.