Federated States of Micronesia Climate Resilient Road Project: Roads FSM Project Manager

Micronesia, Federated States of - P172225 - Federated States of Micronesia Climate Resilient Road Project - FM-DOTCI-148482-CS-INDV

Country: Micronesia, Federated States of

Project Id: P172225

Project Name: Federated States of Micronesia Climate Resilient Road Project

Loan/Credit/TF Info.:

Notice Version No.: 1

General Information

Contact Information on Advertisement

Detailed Information for Advertisement

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(INDIVIDUAL CONSULTING SERVICES)

FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA

FSM CLIMATE RESILIENT ROAD PROJECT (P172225)

Assignment Title: Project Manger

Reference No: FM-DOTCI-148482-CS-INDV

The Government of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) has received a Project Preparation Advance (PPA) to assist in the preparation of the FSM Climate Resilient Road Project (FSMCRRP). The PPA will be used to prepare the necessary technical, economic, environmental and design studies for the project, including: (i) conducting a vulnerability assessment and climate resilient road strategy; (ii)preparing feasibility studies, designs and bid documents of critical climate resilient road, bridge or drainage improvement works that should be implemented urgently to maintain a basic level of land transport connectivity in each state;(iii) undertaking a road safety study;(iv) conducting an environmental and social impact assessment and preparing safeguards documents, such as environmental management plans and land acquisition and resettlement plans; and, (v) funding a Project Manager to oversee project preparation.

Scope of Assignment

The main objective of the Project Manager (PM) position is to manage and coordinate all preparatory activities associated with the PPA for FSMCRRP, through the Department of Transportation, Communication and Infrastructure (DTC&I). See the detailed Terms of Reference attached here for further details.

Duration of the Assignment and Estimated Time Input

This is a full-time assignment that will initially be for a period of up to one year from September, 2020. Based on satisfactory performance, available financing and mutual agreement between DTC&I and the PM, there is the possibility for longer-term engagement to support the implementation of FSMCRRP. The position is expected to be located at DTC&I in the Program Management Unit (PMU), and office space, general office supplies and office equipment will be provided.

The Department of Transportation, Communication and Infrastructure now invites eligible individuals (“Consultants”) 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 (attach curriculum vitae with description of experience in similar assignments, similar conditions, etc. and the details of two references). Firms’ staff may express interest through the employing firm for the assignment and, under such situation, only the experience and qualifications of individuals shall be considered in the selection process.

The criteria for selecting the Consultant are:

Mandatory

• 15 years’ experience, 5 of which as a Project Manager/Team Lead in similar assignments, which should include assignments in the road transportation sector;
• Experience in developing countries;
• Experience managing donor-funded projects and working with development partners, such as World Bank, Asian Development Bank, USAID;
• A university degree in civil engineering, environmental sciences, transportation economics, or other relevant fields, is required;

Desirable

• Experience on the planning and design of climate-resilient infrastructure.
• Specific experience in small island developing states.

The attention of interested Consultants (including firms) is drawn to paragraph 3.14, 3.16 and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers dated July 2016, revised November 2017 and August 2018(“the Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours. The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment is attached and can be found at the following website:www.tci.gov.fm.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by Friday, July 24th, 2020.

Robert Goodwin,

Program Manager

Department of Transportation, Communication and Infrastructure (DoTC&I)

Palikir, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)

Tel: (+691) 320 2080

Email: rscgoodwin@hotmail.com

Web:  www.tci.gov.fm

And cc to:

Ciu.tci@gov.fm

FSM CLIMATE RESILIENT ROAD PROJECT (P172225)

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND INFRASTRUCTURE (DTC&I)

Terms of Reference for Project Manager

1. Background

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), is made up of four semi-autonomous states (Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk, Yap) located between Palau and the Philippines to the west and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) to the east. Although its land area covers just 700 square kilometers, FSM consists of more than 600 islands scattered over an area of about 2.6 million square kilometers, including its Exclusive Economic Zone. The current population is about 102,000 persons.

As with other small island nations in the region, FSM faces significant challenges related to its small size, remoteness, geographical dispersion, environmental fragility and sensitivity to external shocks. In particular, frequent natural disasters and climate change impose high costs and may even threaten the physical viability of some areas of both the main islands and more remote outer islands. Droughts, typhoons, storm waves, flooding and landslides all affect FSM. The islands are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and are likely to suffer serious adverse environmental, social and economic losses as a result of climate change induced hazards. The need to ensure the resilience of its infrastructure to natural disasters and climate change has become one of the FSM’s key developmental challenges.

Similar to other Small Island Developing States, FSM is vitally dependent on access to well-functioning and reliable transportation systems. FSM’s road network is of critical importance to the country’s economic development. It provides for the day-to-day well-being of its people by increasing their access to economic activities and social services.  It is estimated that around 75 percent of the population lives within one km of the coast, and critical infrastructure - such as hospitals, schools, places of employment, tourist infrastructure, port facilities, airports, and roads–is located primarily in the coastal zone.

The FSM road network faces a range of vulnerability issues, in particular: (i) coastal exposure to sea-level rise, storm surge, wave action during very high tides and typhoons; (ii) inland flooding and landslips during extreme rainfall events; and (iii) accelerated pavement deterioration due to extreme weather and rising water tables in some locations. These problems are compounded by a long history of under-investment in road infrastructure, the absence of effective asset management systems and a weak regulatory and institutional framework to manage the road sector. It is against this background that the FSM, in partnership with the World Bank, is preparing the FSM Climate Resilient Road Project.

The FSM Climate Resilient Road Project (FSMCRRP)

FSMCRRP will provide funds for technical assistance and institutional strengthening to improve the management of the road network in relation to potential climate change impacts and will fund physical works on priority road assets to improve resilience to climate-related hazards or events. The Project will fund the feasibility, design and construction of priority road assets to enhance the resilience of the network in each state to climate change impacts and natural hazards. Works will be prioritized in a Climate Resilient Road Strategy based on the outputs of a Vulnerability Assessment and will focus on the approximate 200 km of primary road networks within the existing legal road easements in each State (e.g. road improvements, overlay, drainage improvements, spot slope stabilization, rock wall revetment strengthening, improvements to causeways and bridges). The exact scope and locations will not be known until project implementation for the works to be identified based on the Vulnerability Assessment. Critical climate resilient road, bridge or drainage improvement works that should be implemented urgently to maintain a basic level of land transport connectivity in each state have also been identified.

The preparatory phase of the project is now underway and will include at least 3 major studies, as follows:

• A Vulnerability Assessment and Climate Resilient Road Strategy;
• An Environmental and Social Impact Assessment and Preparation of Safeguard Instruments; and
• A Road Safety Study.

These preparatory studies will provide essential inputs for the scoping, formulation and appraisal of the Project by the World Bank.

3.   Objectives of the Assignment

The main objective of the assignment is to provide effective project management services for the preparation of the project in accordance with the needs and requirements of the FSM, the agreed timelines for the preparatory studies and activities and the applicable regulations and procedures of the World Bank. 

The Project Manager is expected to ensure that all stakeholders, including the National and State Government Agencies, the private sector, concerned community groups, environmental groups and road users, are engaged in the project development process.

4.   Scope of Services

The scope of the assignment will include the following:

• Provide timely advice to DTC&I and other project stakeholders on World Bank procedures and requirements;
• Provide timely advice to DTC&I, where required, on compliance with FSM procedures and requirements;
• Assist DTC&I in the preparation of terms of reference for FSMCRRP studies and activities;
• Support DTC&I on all phases of the procurement of consultant services in accordance with World Bank procurement policies and procedures;
• Oversee the implementation of consultancy contracts for FSMCRRP studies and activities, and ensure coordination and collaboration between consultancies where required;
• Oversight, management and monitoring of all consultancy contracts, as well as consultants' inputs, deliverables, general and specific performance;
• Liaise with DOFA on the preparation and processing of payment/withdrawal applications and the quarterly review and annual audit of project accounts;
• Organize technical and logistical support for the FSMCRRP studies and coordinate the review of Consultant outputs and deliverables for project-related activities;
• Facilitate and assist DTC&I with public consultations and the review of safeguards document prepared by the selected consultancy;
• Facilitate the preparation and public release of project information;
• Maintain official records of the Project and prepare project progress reports for review by DTC&I and for submission to World Bank, as required, under the legal agreement;
• Ensure implementation compliance with the provisions of the legal agreement;
• Liaison with government agencies, World Bank officials, other development partners, and others on project-related matters;
• Provide support to World Bank missions associated with the project during project preparation, appraisal and grant negotiations;
• Carry out other reasonable duties, as necessary.

5.    Qualifications and Requirements

       Mandatory

• 15 years’ experience, 5 of which as a Project Manager/Team Lead in similar assignments, which should include assignments in the road transportation sector;
• Experience in developing countries;
• Experience managing donor-funded projects and working with development partners, such as World Bank, Asian Development Bank, USAID;
• A university degree in civil engineering, environmental sciences, transportation economics, or other relevant fields, is required;

       Desirable

• Experience on the planning and design of climate-resilient infrastructure.
• Specific experience in small island developing states.

5.   Duration of the Assignment and Estimated Time inputs

This is a full-time assignment that will initially be for a period of up to one year from September, 2020.  Based on satisfactory performance, available financing and mutual agreement between DTC&I and the PM, there is the possibility for longer-term engagement to support the implementation of FSMCRRP. The position is expected to be located at DTC&I in the Program Management Unit (PMU), and office space, general office supplies and office equipment will be provided. The PM will also have full access to the technical resources and knowledge management tools of the PMU.

6.   Reporting Requirements

The Project Manager will report to the Secretary of DTC&I but will work under the supervision of the Program Manager of the Program Management Unit (PMU) of DTC&I.