Nile Basin Initiative - Institutional Strengthening Project Consulting Services

Nile Basin Initiative (NBI)
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTANT SERVICES)

Name of the Country: Nile Basin Initiative
Name of the Project: NILE BASIN INITIATIVE - INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING PROJECT
Category: Consulting Services
Loan No./Credit No./TF No./Grant No. TF 093015
Project ID No. NBI-ISPP110616

Expressions of interest

The Nile Basin Initiative has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Nile Basin Initiative - Institutional Strengthening Project 'NBI-ISP), and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consultant services to carry out an Institutional Design Study (IDS) leading to the identification and clarification of institutional arrangements for the NBI.

Background
The Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) has received grant funding for implementing the NBI Institutional Strengthening Project (NBI-ISP). The ISP is meant to strengthen the institutional capacity of NBI Secretariat, Eastern Nile Technical Regional Office (ENTRO) and Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program Coordination Unit (NELSAP-CU).

Specifically, the ISP will support NBI to promote the integrated development and strengthening of the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) institutions, prepare building blocks for a future river basin organization, harmonize on-going institutional strengthening and capacity building activities within the NBI, and ensure that outcomes of completing projects are properly captured.

In order to identify and clarify options for the NBI Institutions, the NBI is seeking an experienced firm to review the current institutional structure, assess future needs, and identify comparable regional models. Based on that review, the consultant will provide the NBI with suggested options for improving and streamlining institutional and governance structures.

The ISP Institutional Design Study Objectives:

• To identify and critically examine strengths and weaknesses associated with the current institutional arrangements of NBI, including governance arrangements and procedures;
• To identify future needs of the NBI as it transitions from an interim institution to a permanent river basin organization;
• To identify and compare similar regional organizations for use as design models for the NBI;
• To identify synergies and partnership opportunities among other regional organizations operating in the Nile basin;
• To propose a series of potential institutional design options (including costs) for consideration by NBI stakeholders and decision makers; and
• To facilitate an informed discussion among stakeholders and decision makers in the Nile Basin countries as they consider the path forward in Nile Basin cooperation.

The Institutional Design Study will be delivered in two phases:

1. Phase 1 (approximately 12 months) will comprise a review of current arrangements, assessment of future needs, and comparison with similar regional organizations. The results should include an initial set of illustrative options for: a. Institutional architecture and governance arrangements for the NBI: and b. Enhanced synergies and collaboration with other regional institutions operating in the Nile Basin.

2. Phase 2 (approximately 6 months) will comprise intense, facilitated dialogue with key NBI stakeholders on the proposed options. The outcome will be a report that focuses on a few (probably three or less) options that will be presented to the Nile Council of Ministers of Water (Nile-COM) at a facilitated wrap-up seminar.

The Nile Basin Initiative now invites eligible consultants to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc.).

Consultants may associate to enhance their qualifications.

A consultant will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the World Bank's Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers (May 2004, Revised October 2006).

Interested consultants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours 08 00 to 17:00 hours. Expressions of interest must be delivered to the address below by 26th January, 2009.

Nile Basin Initiative
Attn: The Executive Director
Plot 12 Mpigi Road, P.O.BOX 192,
Entebbe, Uganda
Tel:+256-41-4-321424/321329
Fax:+256-41-323757
E-mail: nbisec @ nilebasin.org
Web site: http://www.nilebasin.org