Project Manager under the Liberia Electricity Sector Strengthening and Access Project (LESSAP)

Job Description

                                        LIBERIA ELECTRICITY CORPORATION

Project: Liberia Electricity Sector Strengthening and Access Project (LESSAP)

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS SELECTION METHOD)

Assignment Title: Consultancy Services for Project Manager under the Liberia Electricity Sector Strengthening and Access Project (LESSAP)

Reference No.: LR-LEC-324429-CS-INDV

The Liberia Electricity Corporation has received financing from the World Bank towards the cost of the Liberia Electricity Sector Strengthening and Access Project (LESSAP) and intends to apply part of the proceeds for Consultancy Services for Project Manager under the Liberia Electricity Sector Strengthening and Access Project (LESSAP).

The LEC is seeking the services of a consultant to serve as the Project Manager (PM) to oversee the implementation of the activities of the World Bank-funded LESSAP.

The objective of the LEC LESSAP PMO Project Manager consultancy is to manage the implementation of Components 1 and 3 of LESSAP and coordination of implementation of LESSAP with the Project Manager of the RREA LESSAP PMO, and jointly achieve the Project Development Objective (PDO) of LESSAP.

The duration of the assignment is for an initial period of 2 years but renewable annually based on satisfactory performance of the assignment and the availability of funding and need.

Detailed Terms of Reference (ToR) for the assignment is attached below.

The Liberia Electricity Corporation now invites eligible and selected Individual Consultants (“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. The shortlisting criteria is listed below.

The Consultant must have minimum qualifications and experience as per the Terms of Reference below. The Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultants Selection method set out in the Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (July 2016 as Revised in November 2017 and August 2018, and November 2020).

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours, i.e., 0900 to 1600 hours GMT, Monday to Friday.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in written form to the address below via email on or before Monday June 12, 2023, with subject: “Consultancy Services for Project Manager under the Liberia Electricity Sector Strengthening and Access Project (LESSAP)”.

Executive Director for Projects

Liberia Electricity Corporation

P.O. Box 10-165 Waterside

Water Street,

1000 Monrovia, Liberia

Email: projectsprocure@lecliberia.com  and copied to lecprojects@lecliberia.com

Appendix 1

TERMS OF REFERENCE

LEC LESSAP PMO

Project Manager (Local)

Introduction

The Liberia Electricity Company (LEC) with support of Development Partners, the World Bank, AfDB, EU, MCC, JICA, GTZ etc. is implementing development projects aimed at expanding the generation, transmission and distribution networks and enhancing the operational capabilities of LEC.

To this end, LEC has established a Projects Implementation Unit (PIU) and appointed an Executive Director Projects (EDP) who is responsible for arranging the implementation and coordination of all donor funded projects of the PIU. Under the PIU there are several projects implemented by their respective Project Management Offices (PMOs). Each PMO is managed by a Project Manager who reports to the EDP.

One of the projects implemented by the LEC PIU is the Liberia Electricity Sector Strengthening and Access Project (LESSAP). LESSAP is a US$ 64.2 million equivalent project to increase access to electricity and improve the operational efficiency of Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC). The project comprises 3 components:

Component 1: Rehabilitation and Expansion of Electricity Infrastructure and Systems and Access Expansion (US$45.0 million equivalent IDA)

Component 2: Electrification of Health Centers and Households in Off-grid Rural Areas (US$4.0 million equivalent IDA, US$2.7 million PHRD, US$2.5 million ESMAP)

Component 3: Technical Assistance for Institutional reform, Capacity Building of Sector institutions, and Implementation Support to LEC (US$10.0 million equivalent)

LESSAP is Phase I of the Multi-Phase Programmatic Approach of the Liberia Electricity Access Program with an overall Bank financing envelope of US$180 million equivalent.

Components 1 and 3 of LESSAP are implemented by the LESSAP PMO under the LEC PIU and Component 2 is implemented by the LESSAP PMO under the RREA PIU. Coordination is the responsibility of the respective Project Managers and from LEC overseen by the EDP.

The LESSAP PMO structure is given in Annex 1.

At present the World Bank is finalizing another project to be implemented by the LEC PIU. This is the Regional Emergency Solar Power Intervention Project (RESPITE), a Regional Project with an investment budget of US$ 86 million for solar PV and hydro activities in Liberia, to be implemented by the RESPITE PMO under the LEC PIU.

Objectives of the Assignment

The responsibility of the LEC LESSAP PMO Project Manager (the Project Manager or PM) is to manage the implementation of Components 1 and 3 of LESSAP and coordination of implementation of LESSAP with the Project Manager of the RREA LESSAP PMO, and jointly achieve the Project Development Objective (PDO) of LESSAP.
The PDOs of LESSAP are:

• to increase access to electricity; and
• improve the operational efficiency of Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC).

Scope of Work
The scope of work of the LEC LESSAP PMO Project Manager (the Project Manager or PM) includes, but is not necessarily limited to the following:

1. Plan the implementation of Components 1 and 3 of LESSAP;
2. Managing staff and overseeing the day-to-day activities of the LEC LESSAP PMO related to the management and implementation of LESSAP, including procurement, project monitoring and evaluation, financial management, progress and financial reporting, and leading staff of the PMO.
3. Manage the project implementation team and make sure the LEC LESSAP PMO is adequately staffed with sufficient and qualified staff within the available resources;
4. Arrange the enabling environment for the project implementation team to carry out their assigned tasks;
5. Identify implementation arrangements and needed resources to implement the project and ensure proper management of funds, including accounting, financial control and audit procedures acceptable to the World Bank as well as the procurement of goods, works and services in accordance with World Bank guidelines including submission of annual financial audit to the World Bank;
6. Delegate implementation responsibility of components and sub-components to qualified team members and support these Task Team Leaders in carrying out the delegated responsibilities;
7. Maintain close coordination with Task Team Leaders to monitor progress on assigned tasks;
8. Guide and mentor Task Team Leaders and other PMO staff;
9. Monitor project progress using the results framework and other indicators and report on project progress to the LEC EDP and the World Bank;
10. Coordinate implementation of LESSAP with the RREA LESSAP PMO Project Manager so that jointly the Project Development Objectives are achieved;
11. Overall supervision of project activities and arrange for public consultations as required.
12. Participate on behalf of and represent the LEC LESSAP PMO in meetings;
13. In coordination with the LEC EDP undertake high level external communication;
14. Prepare, or as appropriate supervise the preparation of, progress reports, annual reports, project completion report and other reports that may be required by the stakeholders;
15. Prepare, or as appropriate supervise the preparation of, annual work plans and budgets and present to the LEC EDP for approval and World Bank No Objection;
16. From time to time review the Project Implementation Plan and if needed propose changes for approval by LEC EDP and World Bank No Objection;
17. Lead the development of work plans, workshops and periodical work sessions and meetings for the project implementation team and hold orientation seminar for new staff;
18. Any other tasks requited for the successful implementation of the project and achieve the projects PDOs.

Reporting

The Project Manager will report directly to the Executive Director for Donor Projects.
Qualifications

1. A Liberian national with an M.Sc. or equivalent in electrical engineering or other relevant studies.
2. At least 5 years experience in project implementation of donor funded projects and proven project management skills.
3. Proven knowledge and understanding of the operation of the Liberia power sector
4. Willing to learn and strengthen project management skills.
5. Involvement in the implementation of World Bank funded project would be an advantage.
6. Effective written and oral communicator in English is essential.
7. Detailed oriented and strong reporting skills.
8. A team builder able to lead and motivate a team of multidisciplinary staff committed to successfully implement LESSAP.

DURATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The duration of the assignment is for an initial period of 2 years but renewable annually based on satisfactory performance of the assignment and the availability of funding and need.

FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED BY THE CLIENT

The client will make available to the Project Manager the following facilities:

1. Transport for official duties
2. Office space with all necessary office equipment
3. Communication (i.e., Internet Services and scratch cards)

Annex 1: LESSAP PMO Structure