Consultancy service to prepare an Annual Environmental and Social Performance Audit (ESPA)

Financing Agreement/Procurement Plan reference: 2100150043498 Project ID No.: P-Z1-C00-075

The Ministry of Agriculture has received financing from the African Development Bank and the Government of Republic Zambia toward the cost of the PIDACC and intends to apply part of the agreed amount for this loan to payments under the contract for the recruitment of consultancy service to prepare an Annual Environmental and Social Performance Audit (ESPA).

The services included under this project are is to assess the level of compliance of the project with the applicable E&S requirements. The audit will focus specifically on assessing the extent of compliance with the project’s financial agreement provisions, including national legislations, regulations norms and procedures, the Bank’s environmental and social requirements, and Good International Industrial Practices (GIIP) of the project’s sector.

1. Scope The audit will focus specifically on assessing the extent of compliance with the financial agreements provisions, including national legislations, regulations and procedures, the Bank’s environmental and social requirements and international industrial best practices (IIBP) of the Project’s sector. The audit will identify non-compliances, deficiencies and good practices, draw lessons for future projects under the Ministry funded by the Bank.

The key criteria but not exhaustive list to consider in conducting the audit are:

i. The E&S requirements of the loan agreement;

ii. The applicable national E&S legislations, regulations, norms, standards, and procedures;

iii. The Bank’s policies and requirements in particular the Bank’s Integrated Safeguards System (ISS); The approved and/or disclosed Project’s Environmental and Social safeguards documents, including Aide-mémoires and project progress reports, etc.; and

v. The Good International Industrial Practices (GIIP) of the Project’s sector, if any.

1. Duration of Audit – The duration of the assignment is 2 months.
2. Qualifications, Experience and Technical Competencies The candidate shall have the following minimum qualifications, experience and technical competencies:

3.1 Qualifications (20 POINTS)

• A master’s degree in environmental and social management disciplines.

3.2 Experience (50 POINTS)

• A minimum of eight (8) years of relevant professional experience in environment and social auditing;
• Experience in at least five (5) assignments in the field of environmental and social monitoring, assessment and management of projects (e.g. instruments like ESIA, ESMP, RAP, SEP, etc.) during the last five (5) years.
• Thorough knowledge of AfDB ISS or Development Finance Institution’s (DFIs’) environmental and social safeguard policies, as well as of the Zambia’s relevant laws and regulations.
• Experience in environmental and social projects in Zambia will be an added advantage.
• To be formally registered with the relevant regulatory authority in Zambia as an

Environmental practitioner

• At least two (2) traceable references of past E&S audit assignments or similar.
• Experience in the project host country would be an added advantage.

3.3 Technical Competencies (30 POINTS)

• The candidate must be familiar with the project host country legal, administrative and institutional system;
• Demonstrated experience in preparing and/or managing the implementation of ESIAs, ESMPs, RAPs of projects financed by AfDB or other DFIs;
• Organizing, work planning and scheduling skills; and
• Excellent report writing skills with a good command of spoken and written English.

The Ministry of Agriculture now invites eligible Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing these services. Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the services (Curriculum Vitae (CVs), description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions).

Eligibility criteria, the establishment of the short-list and the selection procedure shall be in accordance with the African Development Bank’s as specified in the Bank’s Procurement Framework, dated 2015, which is available on the Bank’s website at https://www.afdb.org/en/projects-and-operations/procurement/new-procurement-poli cy.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant Selection (ICS) method set out in the Procurement Policy.

Expressions of Interests with Cover Letter accompanied with Curriculum Vitae must be deposited in the Tender Box at Ministry of Agriculture Procurement and Supplies Unit Mulungushi House, Lusaka, Zambia, Mulungushi House Ground Floor, th not later than Monday, 5 October, 2026 at 16:30Hrs Local Time (Zambia) clearly marked “Recruitment of Consultancy Service to prepare an Annual Environmental and Social Performance Audit (ESPA) under PIDACC Zambia.”

Interested consultants may obtain further information, including the detailed Terms of Reference (ToRs) via Email: martin65mulomba@gmail.com or from the office of the Head Procurement and Supplies Unit during office hours 1000 to 1600 hours.

The Acting Permanent Secretary Ministry of Agriculture Lusaka.

Attention: Geoffrey Chilikwazi – Head, Procurement & Supplies Unit Ministry of Agriculture, Lusaka Zambia

For/The Acting Permanent Secretary (Administration)