Owner's Engineer (Individual Consultant) for the On-Grid Electrification Component of the ASCENT Project in Lesotho
01Project Overview
02Project Background
The Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation in Lesotho (ASCENT) Project is financed by the World Bank to extend the grid and provide last-mile connections that electrify households in selected villages throughout Lesotho. The project also includes a distributed renewable energy pilot to electrify households beyond the reach of the national grid, together with technical assistance and project management support.
Component 1 of the project, entitled Increasing Access to On-Grid Electrification, is the primary focus of this consultancy. It finances the expansion of the national distribution network and last-mile connections in targeted peri-urban and highland rural areas identified as least-cost grid electrification zones under the National Electrification Strategy (NES) of Lesotho, and targets the connection of approximately 24,842 non-electrified households, businesses and public facilities.
Activities under Component 1 include the construction of new medium voltage and low voltage distribution networks, the installation of transformers, service drops and prepaid meters, the provision of ready boards for households unable to afford internal wiring costs, and the reinforcement and upgrading of existing transformers to improve reliability and climate resilience. The Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC) is the state-owned utility responsible for the transmission and distribution of electricity nationwide. The Project Implementation Unit is established within the Ministry of Energy and Mining and is supported by an On-Grid Technical Unit and an Off-Grid Technical Unit; the On-Grid Technical Unit works closely with LEC and bears primary responsibility for technical due diligence, land acquisition and oversight of electrical works contractors under Component 1.
03Scope of Work & Technical Specifications
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Nature of Services | An individual consultant engaged by the ASCENT Project Implementation Unit of the Ministry of Energy and Mining to support the management and implementation of Component 1, Increasing Access to On-Grid Electrification |
| Three Core Areas of Support | Contracts management and coordination; review of designs prepared by LEC; and ad hoc supervision of civil and electrical works, including quality assurance and quality control |
| Detailed Scope | Project management and coordination support; support to design review; support to the procurement process; and support to the supervision of works and acceptance (quality assurance and quality control) |
| Working Relationships | The consultant works under the supervision of the on-grid project engineers and in close collaboration with the PIU team, LEC and other relevant stakeholders |
| Compliance Requirements | Project activities must be delivered on time, with the required quality and within budget, and in compliance with the World Bank fiduciary, technical and applicable environmental and social (E&S) standards |
| Basis for Submission | The expression of interest must be submitted as a single PDF file together with certified copies of educational certificates; further information may be obtained during office hours (08:00 to 17:00 local time) as stated in the notice |
04Key Commercial Terms
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Contract Type | Time-based contract |
| Contract Duration | An initial contract term of one year including a three-month probationary period; the contract may be extended depending on need and performance |
| Duty Station | Maseru, Lesotho, with regular travel to project sites in the field as required |
| Employer Support | The employer provides the consultant with access to relevant project documents and data, and with office space as needed |
| Conflict of Interest | Consultants shall not be hired for any assignment that would be in conflict with their prior or current obligations to other clients, or that may place them in a position of being unable to carry out the assignment in the best interests of the borrower |
05Bidder Qualification Requirements
06Key Milestones
