FBIH Roads - Climate Resilience in the Bosnian Roads Sector

Clarification 26/08/2016: The deadline for Expressions of Interest has been extended to Monday 29 August 2016 at 23:59.

Project Description

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD or the Bank) has signed a loan to finance the repair and modernisation of roads in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) following recent floods which caused collapse to several bridges and road sections.

Assignment Description
In order to increase climate resilience in the EBRD’s countries of operations, the Bank is systematically integrating climate risk assessments and adaptation measures in its investment operations. The Bank aims to reduce long-term risks and increase resilience through improved practices and investments in measures and technologies that are better suited to a changing and more variable climate.

In response to the aforementioned concerns in the road sector of Federation of BiH, the Bank now intends to engage a consultant (the Consultant) to provide technical assistance support in assessing climate change risks, setting up appropriate institutional structures and formulating a Climate Change Adaptation Strategy for the sector (the Assignment).

The Consultant is expected to provide the following services for the Assignment:

1) Support to establish an institutional framework for climate risks to the road network: Establishing the necessary collaboration channels and mechanisms (e.g. working group, data sharing) to better understand impact of climate change (increased precipitation, landslides)

2) Support in assessing climate risks to the road network and mapping specific vulnerabilities: Understanding the current state of the road network, ensuring current infrastructure and assets are resilient to observed weather events and allowing for better operational planning in regards to extreme weather events.

3) Support the development of an adaptation strategy: Identification of specific risks to the road network and determining most appropriate management options (incl. understanding options for intervention, and the costs and benefits of extreme weather events)

4) Call-down support to the Roads Agency for the implementation of climate resilience measures under an associated investment project

Status of Selection Process: Interested firms or groups of firms are hereby invited to submit expressions of interest.

Assignment Start Date and Duration: The Assignment is expected to start in November 2016 and has an estimated overall duration of 12 months.

Cost Estimate for the Assignment: EUR 135,000; exclusive of VAT. The Consultant must determine whether any VAT would be chargeable on the services and the basis for that determination, without taking into consideration the Bank's special status as an IFI and state this to the Bank in their response to the Invitation for Expressions of Interest. To the extent that a consultant incurs input VAT on goods and services purhcased in connection with the provision of services (e.g. VAT on airline ticket) which is not otherwise recoverable by the consultant from the local tax authority, the gross cost to the consultant of such expenses shall be treated as a reimbursable expense.

Funding Source: It is anticipated that the contract will be financed by the Central European Initiative (CEI) Fund supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Please note selection and contracting will be subject to the availability of funding.

Eligibility: There are no eligibility restrictions.

Consultant Profile: Corporate services are required. The Consultant will be a firm or a group of firms preferably with previous project experience and expertise in the following areas:

1) Capacity building with government agencies and institutional development relating to cross-institutional collaboration and sectoral strategies.

2) Experienced in capacity building and policy work in countries of the Western Balkans, and in Bosnia and Herzegovina in particular.

3) Demonstrated analytical capacity in relation to utilising hydrological, meteorological, geological and other relevant data to assess the impacts of climate change in order to inform decision-making processes and infrastructure investment planning.

4) A deep technical and operational understanding of the road sector, including road construction specifications and standards, road network management and international best practices in adaptation to climate change.

5) The technical ability to process extensive data-sets geographically (geographical information systems) and to utilise it in in the form of vulnerability maps.

6) The ability to engage with local stakeholders and organise and facilitate collaborative workshops across government agencies.

The Consultant’s expert team is expected to include the following key experts:

· Key Expert 1: Project Manager with preferably 5 years or more of previous project experience in leading capacity building projects, strong project management skills and strong knowledge of the region

· Key Expert 2: Senior Roads Engineer with preferably 5 years or more previous project experience in road construction projects and road sector management, experience in the Western Balkan region an advantage; Strong experience with international best practices and road standards,

· Key Expert 3: Climate Change Expert with preferably 5 years or more previous project experience in assessing climate change impacts on road infrastructure and/or other relevant industries and sectors, preferably in the Western Balkan region;

· Key Expert 4: Training and Institutional Development Expert with preferably 5 years or more previous project experience in working on institutional development and designing and facilitating trainings and workshops;