Individual Consultants (Capacity Building) at Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a regional grouping with 15 Member States in West Africa (three landlocked and one island) with a population of about 300 million with an annual economic growth rate of around 6%. The ECOWAS Commission is one of the eight Regional Economic Communities supporting the African Union to coordinate the implementation of continental and regional integration and development programmes in the West African region.

We are currently recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Individual Consultant for the Need Assessment Study for Capacity Building of Member States Regarding the Implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code

Location: West Africa
Client: ECOWAS Commission
Type: Expression of Interest (EOI)

Background

• The International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code is an amendment to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention (1974/1988) on minimum security arrangements for ships, ports and government agencies. Having come into force in 2004, it prescribes responsibilities to governments, shipping companies, shipboard personnel, and port/facility personnel to "detect security threats and take preventive measures against security incidents affecting ships or port facilities used in international trade."
• ECOWAS Member states are interested in improving maritime security on ship and port facilities at a level which will be acceptable by the currently applied international standards. For this purpose, ECOWAS seeks to engage the Services of an Individual Consultant for the need assessment study for capacity building of Member States regarding the implementation of the ISPS Code.
• The overall objective of this study is to evaluate the level of the adoption of the ISPS Code and to further elaborate the necessary plans for its implementation within the region of ECOWAS Member States and particularly the coastal member States of Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Cape Verde, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Guinea Conakry and Guinea Bissau.

Duties and Responsibilities of the Consultant
Within the above context, the results to be achieved by the consultant are as follows:

• Review of the current level of application of ISPS code within the ECOWAS region;
• Identification of associated gaps and shortfalls regarding their current position of implementation of the ISPS Code;
• Elaboration of a capacity building strategy for the concerned Member States and of a plan of progressive implementation;
• Development of a concise capacity building plan, in terms of investment required (specify required equipment to comply with international standards) and operational interventions (procedures, staffing plan) at all levels (public sector, private sector, ports, shipping vessels);
• Training needs plan for the countries concerned; and
• Estimate needed funds for implementation.

Requirements
The ECOWAS Commission now invites eligible Consultants (Individual) to indicate their interest in providing these services. The interested Consultant must provide all information supporting their qualification to perform the service The qualifications of the Consultant should include, among others:

• Minimum of Master’s degree in Maritime and Port security or equivalent.
• Minimum 15 years of general professional experience.
• Minimum 10 years of professional experience in the area of maritime security (ship and port facilities).
• Must be familiar with the ISPS Code.
• Have proven experience in at least two implementation projects regarding the ISPS Code in both areas of ship and port facilities.
• Fluent in English or French (working knowledge of both languages is an advantage).
• Experience in the region would be highly desired. (Kindly attach detailed Curriculum Vitae that highlights the above).

Please note that if individual consultants are proposed by firms, only the experience and qualifications of the individuals shall be used in the selection process; their corporate experience shall not be taken into account, and the contract, if awarded, will be signed with the proposed individual.

The selection will be done on the basis of a comparison of curricula vitae and the selected Consultant will be invited to produce Technical and Financial Proposals which will serve as the basis for negotiation for the conclusion of the Contract Agreement. (Method Based on the Qualification of Consultant). Please note that the selected consultant will be expected to submit all required reports in English and French.

Application Closing Date
5th November, 2015.

Method of Application
Expression of Interest must be delivered in sealed envelope and clearly marked "RECRUITMENT of an Individual Consultant for the Need Assessment Study for Capacity Building of Member States Regarding the Implementation of the international Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code", Do not open except in the presence of the Tender Committee" to the address below:
The ECOWAS Tender Box
The Office of the Commissioner,
General Administration & Conference,
5th Floor ECOWAS Commission,
101 Yakubu Gowon Crescent,
Asokoro District,
P. M. B. 401,
Abuja-Nigeria.

Note:
Interested Consultants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours: Monday to Friday from 9.00 am GMT+1 to 5.00 pm (GMT+1):
ECOWAS Commission,
Directorate of General Administration,
Procurement Division,
101, Yakubu Gowon Crescent,
Asokoro District,
P M. B. 401,
Abuja- Nigeria
E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]