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Expression of Interest - Details

Eoi Name:
CONSULTING SERVICES FOR: 1.ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL SAFEGUARDS COMPLIANCE ASSESSMENT 2. PROCUREMENT AND VALUE-FOR-MONEY (VFM) AUDIT 3. IN-DEPTH FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT REVIEW
Pack #:
LGCSP/MLGRD/C4/CS/CQS/01/2017
Post Date:
07th June, 2017
Submit Date:
22nd June, 2017
Tender Cat:
Consultancy Services
Agency:
Nkawie Government Hospital
Industry:
General
Description:

MINISTRY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
LOCAL GOVERNMENT CAPACITY SUPPORT PROJECT
(IDA CREDIT NO. 4878-GH)
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (REoI) – FIRM SELECTION
CONSULTING SERVICES FOR:
1.ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL SAFEGUARDS COMPLIANCE ASSESSMENT
2.PROCUREMENT AND VALUE-FOR-MONEY (VFM) AUDIT
3.IN-DEPTH FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT REVIEW
Introduction
The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) through the Government of Ghana has received financing from the International Development Association (IDA) towards the cost of implementation of the Local Government Capacity Support Project (LGCSP).

The specific Project Development Objectives (PDO) are:
i. To strengthen the intergovernmental fiscal framework
ii. To strengthen local public financial management and accountability for improved infrastructure and;
iii. To improve citizen engagement with urban Assemblies and their perceptions of urban management.

The project has four (4) main components, namely;
i. Component 1: Strengthening the Fiscal Framework for Decentralization
ii. Component 2: Enhancing Decentralized Urban Service Delivery
iii. Component 3: Stimulating Demand for Accountable Governance and Service Delivery
iv. Component 4: Institutional and Project Management Support


1.0 Consulting Services for Environmental and Social Safeguards Compliance Assessment
1.1 Objective of the Assignment
The key purpose of the assignment is to assess the level of compliance with the World Bank Safeguards Policies 4.01 and 4.12 and the country safeguards systems by the participating Metropolitan and Municipal Assemblies (MMAs).
The specific objectives are to:
i) assess whether the required processes and procedures for safeguards compliance outlined in the LGCSP Environment and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and the Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) were followed by the MMAs/MLGRD and services providers (contractors);
ii) assess the extent of compliance with the country environmental safeguards processes and procedures regarding the screening of sub-projects and permitting;
iii) assess the institutional arrangements and capacity of the MMAs to manage environmental and social safeguards requirements under the project.

1.2 Scope of Services
The scope of services shall include but not limited to the following;
i) assess the underlying principles for the processes and procedures for safeguards compliance outlined in the LGCSP Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF)and the Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF);
ii) assess the timeliness for screening of sub-projects and permitting processes and procedures of the EPA;
iii) Review the safeguards instruments (RAP/ARAP/ESMP) prepared to validate whether they are in compliance with the relevant World Bank Policies (OP4.12, OP4.01);
iv) Evaluate the implementation of safeguard instruments (RAP/ARAP/ESMP) for each sub-project to confirm whether there are any outstanding issues regarding compensation and/or resettlement of the Project Affected Persons (PAPs);
v) Review of the mechanism for grievance redress at the various levels proposed in the relevant safeguards instruments (RAP/ARAP/ESMP);
vi) assess the PAPs level of acceptability of the mechanism and procedures recommended in the safeguards instruments (RAP/ARAP/ESMP) for the compensation and/or resettlement actions;
vii) Review the strategy for the stakeholder consultations, identify the potential risks, and make appropriate recommendations for improvement;
viii) assess the capacity at the MMAs in terms of qualifications and training to effectively manage environmental and social safeguards issues (i.e. identification of potential environmental and social safeguards impacts and risks associated with proposed subprojects, the internal and external procedures for screening and scoping sub-projects, and public consultation and disclosure arrangements);
ix) assess the extent to which the implementation of the environmental and social safeguards has contributed to the functionality and sustainability of completed sub-projects using indicators such as level of acceptance by the beneficiaries, availability of complementary facilities (disability rumps, washrooms, etc.);
x) Identify the environmental and social safeguards implementation challenges, lessons learnt, and propose implementable recommendations to improve the management of safeguards processes and procedures.

2.0 Consulting Services for Procurement and Value-for-Money Audit
2.1 Objective of the Assignment
The key purpose of the assignment is to validate whether the procurement processes have been carried out in accordance with the provisions and procedures stipulated in the project financing agreement, and that, Value-for-Money (VfM) was achieved.
The specific objectives of the assignment are to;
i. assess the level of compliance with the procurement arrangements in the project document and associated guidelines/manuals;
ii. assess the effectiveness of the procurement and contract management systems in place, the levels of performance by the implementing agencies, identify the associated risks, and remedies;
iii. assess whether the delivery of the sub-projects under Component 2 have been done through an efficient and cost-effective manner, and that, the facilities are functional.
2.2 Scope of Services
The scope of services shall include but not limited to the following;
A. Procurement and Contract Management:
i) assess the level of compliance with the procurement method thresholds stipulated in the Project Appraisal Document, Project Implementation Manual, Project Operational Manual and concurrent approval thresholds prescribed in the Ghana Public Procurement Act;
ii) assess whether the procurement processes (preparation of tender, request for proposal, launch of invitation for tenders, request for expression of interest, submission of tender/proposals, tender/proposal opening proceedings, tender/proposals evaluation, notification of contract award, and contract signing) have been conducted in accordance with the Project Implementation Manual, Project Operational Manual, and the approved procurement plans;
iii) evaluate the level of efficiency in the management of procurement actions and contract administration processes by analyzing the actuals against the planned, and provide appropriate recommendations to minimize the variances;
iv) assess the extent to which the contents of the tender document, bid evaluation reports, and contract document conforms to the approved standard templates;
v) assess the adequacy of the procurement and contract management records management system at the implementing agencies and make appropriate recommendations for improvement;
vi) assess the capacity of the implementing agencies (in terms of staff qualifications, in-service training) to effectively undertake procurement and contract management actions;
B. Value-for-Money Analysis
i) assess whether the sub-projects have been delivered at reasonable cost that is commensurate with the quality and quantity compared to similar sub-projects provided through other sources of funding (i.e GETFund, SIF, DACF, and DDF).
ii) assess whether the sub-projects have been delivered through an efficient procurement and contract management processes with particular reference to national best practices;
iii) assess whether the sub-projects delivered have the complementary facilities and have been put to the intended use by the MMAs/Beneficiary communities. The assessment shall also identify the courses for the non-utilization of completed sub-projects and make appropriate recommendation for the way forward;
assess whether the facility management and maintenance systems in place at the MMAs and beneficiary community levels are adequate, effective, and sustainable with particular reference to ownership, institutional and management capacity, maintenance funding mechanism etc.

3.0 Consulting Services for In-Depth Financial Management Review
3.1 Objective of the Assignment
The overall objective of the assignment is to provide an independent fiduciary assessment to validate whether the disbursements of the project funds have been carried out in accordance with the provisions and procedures stipulated in the project financing agreement, and the financial management systems are effective.
The specific objectives of the assignment are to;
i. Review the financial statements of the project activities,
ii. Review of the level of compliance with financial and disbursement arrangements by the implementing agencies,
iii. Review the effectiveness of the financial management and internal control structures and MMAs’ capacity to efficiently manage the systems in place.
3.2 Scope of Services
The general scope of services shall include but not limited to the following;
i) Review of MMAs grants’ financial management systems, processes and procedures for budgeting, accounting, internal controls, reporting, and fiduciary supervisory roles and responsibilities of staff at the various levels of project implementation at the MMA level.
ii) Review of sample Interim Monthly Financial Reports (Returns) and other supporting documentation and determination of how they are formulated from the lowest implementation level through to consolidation at the highest office i.e. Finance Department at the Ministry of Local Government & Rural Development.
iii) Review cash management processes and practices (disbursement arrangement and funds transfer arrangements).
iv) Review the processes, procedures and practices for procurement/contracting policies, procedures.
v) The role of the Internal Auditors in the financial management system
vi) Access the effectiveness of the integration of UDG resources into the financial management sub-systems.
Expression of Interest
The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) now invites eligible consulting firms to indicate their interest in providing the services in the preferred area. Interested consulting firms must provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the services. Consulting firms may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or a sub-consultancy to enhance their qualification. The short-listing criteria shall be as follows: (1) Firm’s legal status – [10 points]; (2) Experience in similar assignments – [40 points]; (3) Availability of key staff with appropriate competencies – [50 points].

The attention of interested consulting firms is drawn to paragraph 1.9 of the World Bank’s Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits & Grants by World Bank Borrowers dated January 2011 and revised July 2014 (“Consultant Guidelines”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

Consultant for each assignment shall be selected based on the Consultants Qualification Selection (CQS) Method procedures set-out in the World Bank Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits and Grants by World Bank Borrowers dated January 2011and revised July 2014.

Interested consulting firms may obtained further information from the Head, Procurement Unit (Room 23), MLGRD, Ministries-Accra from 08:00 to 17:00 Hours GMT on working days.

The Expression of Interest (EoI) must be sealed, clearly marked with the title of assignment of interest, and delivered to the address below either in person or by mail before 17.00 hours GMT on June 22, 2017.
The Chief Director,
Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development,
P. O. Box M50,
Ministries-Accra
Source of Funds:
-
Region:
National
District:
Not Applicable
Contact Person:
HEAD, PROCUREMENT UNIT, MLGRD
Email :
-
Tel :
-
Fax :
-
Website: