Review of the Terms of Reference for the Luapula Hydropower Technical Feasibility Study and Enviro
AFDB1JP00001590
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Posted On
2026-10-11
Period
2026-10-21 to 2026-11-19
Job Type
Temporary Full Time
Location
CIV
Category
Business Professional
Description
The Bank seeks to engage an experienced Individual Consultant to independently review and strengthen the Terms of Reference for the Luapula Hydropower Project feasibility studies and to provide technical and professional support for the completion of the procurement process and contracting of the successful consulting firm that will undertake the studies.
Application Close Date
2026-10-16
Engagement Type
Individual Consultant
Job Family
5.Operations management & programming
A. Background Objectives
The Governments of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo intend to develop the Luapula Hydropower Project to increase reliable and sustainable electricity generation and contribute to energy security and economic development. Terms of Reference have been prepared for multidisciplinary feasibility studies covering technical, economic, financial, environmental and social, climate, institutional, and implementation considerations. Given the project’s strategic importance and potential capital cost, the ToRs require an independent adequacy review to guide the project implementation team on critical matters to be addressed during preparation of the studies.
The assignment comprises two components. Component A will assess the completeness, technical robustness, and suitability of the existing ToRs; identify gaps, inconsistencies, and areas requiring clarification; and prepare revised ToRs capable of supporting bankable, investment-grade feasibility studies. Component B will provide independent technical and professional support to the Bank and the project implementation team in finalising the procurement process, contract award, and contract signature.
The Consultant shall ensure that the revised ToRs clearly define the scope, methodologies, interfaces, deliverables, and acceptance criteria. The revised ToRs shall also provide the project implementation unit and the technical committees overseeing the feasibility studies with clear benchmarks and checklists for monitoring critical deliverables throughout study preparation.
B. Scope of work
Component A – Review and revision of the feasibility-study ToRs a. Review all available project documentation, including the existing ToRs, prior studies, hydrological, geological, topographical, environmental and social studies, grid studies, demand forecasts, power-sector plans, and relevant policies, laws and regulations. b. Review the two ToRs prepared for the appointment of separate consulting firms: (i) Consultancy Services for the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) for the Luapula Hydropower Project; and (ii) Consultancy Services to Undertake Technical Feasibility Studies for the Proposed Luapula River Hydropower Projects. c. Assess whether the ToRs clearly define the project context, objectives, development alternatives, expected outputs, methodology, sequencing, data requirements, field investigations, modelling, quality assurance, consultations and acceptance criteria. d. Review the adequacy of requirements for hydrology and water resources; climate change and resilience; topographical and geospatial surveys; geology and geotechnical investigations; sedimentation and catchment management; dam safety; hydraulic structures; electromechanical and electrical systems; energy-yield assessment; grid connection and transmission; and operation and maintenance. e. Assess coverage of environmental and social matters, including biodiversity, aquatic ecosystems, environmental flows, land acquisition, resettlement, livelihoods, vulnerable groups, gender, cultural heritage, community health and safety, stakeholder engagement and grievance mechanisms, in line with national requirements and applicable development-finance-institution standards. f. Review requirements for economic and financial analysis, integrated financial modelling, feasibility-level cost estimates, implementation and procurement arrangements, institutional responsibilities, construction scheduling, risk and sensitivity analysis, bankability and financing. g. Prepare a structured gap-analysis matrix identifying missing, inadequate, ambiguous, duplicated, inconsistent, or outdated provisions; benchmark the ToRs against relevant good practice; and prepare revised ToRs incorporating the agreed recommendations. h. Develop a checklist of study deliverables and key considerations to guide the project implementation team and technical committees in evaluating outputs submitted by the consulting firms during preparation of the two studies. Component B – Support for the Evaluation Process and Contract Award a. Provide professional support to the Bank in reviewing the evaluation report submitted by the Project Implementation Unit, preparing the procurement opinion, and finalising the contract award, while maintaining strict confidentiality, impartiality, and conflict-of-interest safeguards. b. Support the detailed evaluation of firm experience, understanding of the assignment, methodology and technical approach, work plan, staffing, key experts, quality assurance arrangements and responsiveness to the multidisciplinary feasibility-study requirements. c. Verify mandatory compliance, apply only the approved criteria and weightings, support consistent scoring, provide clear justification for significant scores, check arithmetic and consistency, and identify permissible clarification requirements. d. Where applicable, support the financial and combined evaluation, including completeness checks, arithmetic corrections, currency conversion, evaluated costs and application of the approved technical/financial weighting.
C. Deliverables Expected
1 Inception Note and review methodology 3 days after appointment 2 Detailed ToR adequacy reviews and gap-assessment matrices 10 days post appointment 3 Preliminary Review Report 15 days post appointment 4 Review of the evaluation report submitted by the Project Implementation Unit and preparation of the procurement opinion 15 days post appointment 5 Revised draft ToRs for the feasibility studies Week 4 6 Contract award support 20 days post appointment 7 Final Review Report, final revised ToRs and checklists Weeks 5–6
D. Duration and Timetable for the Assignment
The assignment is expected to require approximately 30 working days in total and will be implemented in phases. The schedule will also depend on the Project Implementation Unit’s submission of the bid evaluation report. Flexibility in prioritising activities will therefore be required to maintain alignment with ongoing and interdependent tasks. The indicative start date is 21 October 2026.
E. Bank Contribution and Institutional Arrangement
The Power Systems Development Department (PESD) will manage the assignment and provide the Consultant with available project documents, the existing feasibility-study ToRs, relevant procurement documents and consolidated comments
F. Duty Station
The assignment will be undertaken primarily remotely, with virtual or in-person meetings and evaluation sessions as required by the Bank. Any travel shall be subject to prior written authorization and the applicable contractual provisions.
G. Essential Specialized Skills/Knowledge/Competencies
Academic qualifications • Master’s degree in engineering, economics, finance, procurement, project management, energy, infrastructure development or another relevant discipline. A relevant Bachelor’s degree may be considered where supported by substantial professional experience. Professional experience • At least 10 years of relevant professional experience. • Demonstrated experience in hydropower, energy, transmission or comparable major infrastructure projects and in reviewing or preparing multidisciplinary feasibility-study terms of reference. • Substantial experience in the procurement and evaluation of consulting services, including assessment of technical and financial proposals and preparation of evaluation reports. • Experience with feasibility studies, technical investigations, economic and financial analysis, environmental and social requirements, risk assessment and project implementation arrangements. • Experience working with government institutions and/or development finance institutions. Familiarity with AfDB, World Bank, EIB, EU or comparable international procurement procedures is an advantage. • Strong analytical, drafting and communication skills, and fluency in English.
Selection criteria
The Consultant will be selected in accordance with the African Development Bank’s Implementation Manual Concerning the Procedures for Acquisition of Consulting Services funded by the Administrative or Capital Expenditure Budget of the Bank Group. The candidate shall be evaluated based on the following technical criteria:
Criterion Weight Academic qualifications 15% General professional experience 20% Experience in hydropower projects 25% Experience with feasibility studies and infrastructure projects 15% Experience with AfDB and development-financed procurement 15% Understanding of the assignment and proposed methodology 10% Total 100%
Applicants shall submit a cover letter and curriculum vitae (CV), using the AfDB CV template provided as an attachment. The minimum qualifying technical score is 75%. The highest-ranked Individual Consultant will be invited to contract negotiations.
Payment terms Payments shall be made upon the satisfactory completion and acceptance of the relevant deliverables: 25% upon acceptance of the Inception Note and gap-assessment matrix (Deliverable 2), and 75% upon acceptance of the final revised ToRs and checklists (Deliverable 7).
Independence, confidentiality and obligations • The Consultant shall disclose any actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest and sign the required declarations of impartiality, confidentiality and conflict of interest before commencing the assignment. • The Consultant shall not have participated in any submitted proposal, hold a financial interest in a participating firm, provide preferential treatment, disclose confidential information or undertake any action that could compromise the integrity of the evaluation. • The Consultant shall perform the services with due care and diligence, communicate regularly with the Bank, rely only on information permitted under the procurement rules, and maintain complete and auditable working records.
Performance evaluation Performance will be assessed against professional competence; analytical, reasoning and communication skills; reliability; timeliness; quality and completeness of outputs; adherence to procurement rules; and observance of confidentiality and independence requirements.
H. Supervisor
Department: Power Systems Development Department (PESD) Division Manager: Mr Farai Kanonda (PESD.5) Task Manager(s): Ms Liezl Harmse (PESD.2) & Mr Mundia Simainga (PESD.5)
Consultancy Input Days
22.00
Qualifications
Qualification
Assessment
Regular Consultant
Less than 32 years old at the time of signing the contract and during contract execution
