Environmental Impact Assessment Consultant(s) / Firm at Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA)

Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA), an international development organization, specializes in designing sustainable, market led agricultural initiatives. We build strong local and global partnerships, incorporate innovative approaches into our programs, and foster inclusive development to offer enhanced opportunities to under-served groups. Since 1985, CNFA has managed more than $600 million in donor funded agriculture development programs and has worked in 46 countries across the world in Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Central Asia.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Environmental Impact Assessment Consultant(s) or Firm

EOI Number: ICS-2021.02.002
Location: Nigeria
Category: Procurement
Funded By: USAID 72062019C00001
Implemented By: CNFA
Description: Environmental Impact Assessment Consultant(s) or Firm
For: Feed the Future Nigeria Agribusiness Investment Activity (FTF)

Introduction to Offerors
The Feed the Future Nigeria Agribusiness Investment Activity is a USAID program implemented by CNFA in Nigeria. The goal of the Feed the Future Nigeria Agribusiness Investment Activity project is to strengthen the enabling environment for agribusiness finance and investment. To achieve this goal, the activity focuses on four interrelated components:

• Improving the agribusiness enabling environment;
• Broadening access to finance by mitigating the credit risks of agribusinesses;
• Facilitating investment opportunities for agribusinesses to expand and scale up operations; and
• Enhancing the performance of agribusiness Medium Small and Micro-Enterprise (MSMEs). In line with the U.S. and Nigerian Government’s commitment to growing the non-oil-based economy, these efforts will increase the quality, quantity, market access, and diversification of Nigeria’s economy.

As part of project activities, CNFA requires the services of  Independent Consultants or Firms to conduct  various Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)of Agribusinesses’ operations on an as needed basis with beginning assignments as soon as April 2021.The purpose of this EOI is to identify a pre-qualified pool of offerors.Each qualified offeror shall have an opportunity to compete for detailed scope of work (SOW) to specific agribusinesses based on their experience and understanding of requirements for specific agribusiness types, and regulations and policies of different focal states supported by the Activity.

Offerors must be able to conduct an assessment of sufficient quality and coverage to meet the due diligence scrutiny of the financial institutions, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), equity investors, and donor organizations, as applicable. For additional details, please refer to Section B - Scope of Work.

Offerors are responsible for ensuring that their expression of interest is received by CNFA in accordance with the instructions, terms, and conditions described in this EOI. Failure to adhere with instructions described in this EOI may lead to disqualification from the pre-qualified competition stage.Please reference the EOI number in all responses.

About Feed the Future Nigeria Agribusiness Investment Activity
The Feed the Future Nigeria Agribusiness Activity (FTF) is a USAID program implemented by CNFA in Nigeria. The goal of the Feed the Future Nigeria Agribusiness Activity (FTF) is to strengthen the enabling environment for agribusiness finance and investment. To achieve this goal, the activity focuses on four interrelated components:

• Improving the agribusiness enabling environment;
• Broadening access to finance by mitigating the credit risks of agribusinesses;
• Facilitating investment opportunities for agribusinesses to expand and scale up operations; and
• Enhancing the performance of agribusiness Medium Small and Micro-Enterprise (MSMEs).
• In line with the U.S. and Nigerian Government’s commitment to growing the non-oil-based economy, these efforts will increase the quality, quantity, market access, and diversification of Nigeria’s economy.

Assignment Summary:

• CNFA in collaboration with Agribusiness Partners, is seeking the services of Independent Consultants / firms to conduct upcoming Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and potentially other permits associated with those industries.
• The EIA is meant to assist the enterprise in ensuring that negative environmental effects are reduced and mitigated. Moreover, it is a requirement to be eligible to receive certain types of loans.
• Agribusiness partners are mainly large and medium scale enterprises and engage in multiple agricultural industries and value chains such as aquaculture, maize, soybean, rice or inputs (i.e. fertilizer). These enterprises work in the following 7 focal states in Nigeria: Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Kaduna, Kebbi and Niger state, though the company may also have operations outside of these states.

Anticipated Period of Performance:

• Ongoing assignments beginning as early as April2021. The period of performance for an assignment is estimated for no more than 30 days.

Anticipated Key Tasks:

• Before commencing the EIA, the selected offeror will review the detailed activities the Agribusiness intends to execute with the expected funds and make recommendations to ensure that any possible negative effect on the environment is mitigated or eliminated.

For the EIA, the selected offeror is expected to:

• Collect all requisite data and information from Agribusiness.
• Conduct one or more site visits to Agribusiness.
• Conduct primary and secondary data analysis.
• Deploy appropriate methodology consistent with state and national guidelines.
• Draft the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report based on different state, national and bank institution requirements.
• Apply for other permits based on EIA report as needed
• Conclude and present report in prescribed formats.

Anticipated Deliverables:

• The selected offeror will conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in order to unlock a loan facility.Submit a final report that is of sufficient quality and coverage to meet the due diligence scrutiny of the financial institutions, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), equity investors, and donor organizations, as applicable. The following deliverables are anticipated:
  • Preliminary work plan to understand timelines on outline, methodology and drafts
  • Methodology that is consistent with state and national guidelines as mentioned above
  • First draft of the report (validated by CNFA and Partner Agribusinesses for review)
  • Final draft of the report
  • Submission of any data collected.
  • The final EIA report should cover, at a minimum, the following elements:
    • Description of the business activity
    • Potential environmental implications
    • Assessment of likely or potential environmental impacts
    • Identification and description of the mitigation measures (e.g., hazardous waste remediation, disposal, and clean up)
    • Sustainability plan
    • Environmental Audit Certificate valid for 3 years
    • Partner Agribusinesses’ on-going environmental monitoring and management system, and
    • Executive summary of all the above.
• Proof of filing of any required permits (as necessary)

Evaluation:

• Expressions of interest will be evaluated on the following factors for consideration in the pool of pre-qualified offers for future solicitations:

Technical Approach:

• Familiarity with environmental impact assessment policies, procedures, and requirements in Nigeria.
• Strong analytical skills within the context of assessing potential environment impact.
• Demonstrated relevant experience in designing and conducting Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and other potential assessments based on specific industry requirements (i.e. Air Quality, Waste and Toxic Assessments).
• Registered and be accredited by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).
• Registered with Federal Ministry of Environment as an Environmental Consultant.

Assignment Location:

• The selected offeror(s) may work in Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Kaduna, Kebbi and Niger state. The work location will be determined at the point of contracting.

Qualification and Experience

• Experienced in environmental aspects of the agricultural sector.
• Ability and willingness to work in Nigeria and travel to locations as deemed necessary by CNFA and Partner Agribusinesses.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Excellent report writing skills.

Summary of Skills / Minimum Qualifications:

• Must have and show proof of relevant experience in EIA.
• Must be registered with Federal Ministry of Environment as an Environmental Consultant.
• Registered and be accredited .by the NESREA.
• Must be familiar with the environmental impact assessment policies, procedures and requirements in Nigeria.
• Must be familiar with the permit processes associated with environmental impact assessments.
• Must be eligible, have the resources and willingness to work in Nigeria and travel to locations as deemed necessary by CNFA and its Partner Agribusinesses.
• Must be able to work, present and deliver the requested report to CNFA and other audiences as deemed necessary.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Excellent report writing skills.

Award:

• Issuance of this EOI does not constitute an award or commitment on the part of CNFA or USAID in any way, nor does it commit to pay for costs incurred in preparation and submission of an application. CNFA reserves the right to accept or reject any or all expressions of interest received.
• CNFA will identify a pre-qualified pool of offerors following evaluation of expressions of interest. CNFA will then release a competitive solicitation to the pre-qualified pool of shortlisted offerors identified through this EOI to submit their technical and cost proposal for consideration. After solicitation, award(s) will be given to the offeror(s) whose offer represents the best value to CNFA. Award(s) will be issued only to the entity(ies) which submits an offer in response to that solicitation. CNFA will not award to any individual or firm debarred, suspended, or considered ineligible by the US Government.

Application Closing Date
12:00PM, WAT on 26th March, 2021.