Request for Expressions of Interest
Consulting Services – Individual Consultant Selection
Project: Technical Assistance to the SAPP (RETRADE SAPP)
Position: Environment Specialist, PAU
Background
The Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) is a regional platform for coordinated power system planning, system operations, and cross-border electricity trading among its 12 member countries. Its operational hub, the SAPP Coordination Centre (SAPP CC) in Harare, oversees day-to-day market and system operations, as well as regional planning.
The Project Advisory Unit (PAU) was established within the SAPP CC in 2015, with support from the World Bank, to coordinate and facilitate the development of selected regional energy projects from early-stage preparation through to bankability.
In November 2025, the World Bank approved a grant for the Technical Assistance to the SAPP (the “Project”)¹, known as RETRADE SAPP. The Project forms part of the Regional Energy Transmission, Trade and Decarbonization in Southern Africa Multi-phase Programmatic Approach (RETRADE‑SA MPA) Program, which also finances several interconnector investments in the SAPP region.
With the objective to increase and expand the regional electricity market in the SAPP, the Project provides technical assistance to SAPP and the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) energy institutions—namely, the SADC Secretariat, the Regional Energy Regulators Association of Southern Africa (RERA), and the SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE)—through three components:
- Component 1 equips these regional institutions with technical experts, laying the foundation for the implementation of Components 2 and 3;
- Component 2 supports upstream preparation for selected regional energy projects and private sector mobilization, including the operationalization of the Regional Transmission Infrastructure Financing Facility (RTIFF); and
- Component 3 finances analytical work, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building activities essential for advancing regional energy infrastructure development and cross-border power trade.
While the PAU is funded by the Project to carry out its mandate of advancing the preparation of selected regional energy projects — focusing on cross-border transmission but also potentially including in-country backbone projects and other energy investments such as renewables and battery storage supporting regional trade — it also plays a central role in the overall implementation of the RETRADE SAPP Project.
Invitation for Expressions of Interest
SAPP now invites suitably qualified and experienced individuals (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services for the consultancy position of Environment Specialist, to be based at the SAPP CC Offices in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.
Key Responsibilities
- Ensure comprehensive environmental risk and impact screening is conducted in alignment with World Bank Environmental Standards (ES) and the SAPP Environmental and Social Management Framework (EMSF) for energy infrastructure projects.
- Identify, analyse, and document potential environmental risks early in the project cycle to inform decision-making and mitigation strategies.
- Classify projects according to the World Bank and other international financiers’ risk categorization systems, ensuring accurate risk profiling for compliance and resource allocation.
- Prepare, oversee the development and implementation monitoring of key safeguard instruments, including Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), Environmental Management Plans (EMPs), Biodiversity Management Plans, Pollution Prevention Plans, and Climate Risk Assessments.
- Supervise and provide technical guidance to consultants preparing environmental safeguard documents, ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements and quality standards acceptable to World Bank and other international financiers.
- Integrate the findings of environmental assessments and feasibility studies into project design and providing cost estimates and resource requirements for environmental activities.
- Ensure inclusivity in stakeholder engagement and timely distribution of environmental safeguard documents to relevant parties and maintain appropriate records of stakeholder feedback and responses.
- Organize and facilitate environmental consultations and public disclosure meetings to ensure transparency and inclusivity.
- Engage diverse stakeholders including regulators, local communities, NGOs, and project-affected parties using culturally appropriate and participatory approaches.
- Liaise with the World Bank and other international financiers to ensure continual compliance with the applicable environmental safeguard policies and standards.
- Prepare and submit semi-annual progress reports on environmental performance, highlighting key achievements, challenges, and corrective actions arising from internal reviews and findings/observations made during World Bank missions.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of evolving international environmental standards and best practices and applying them to project activities.
- Develop and implement training programs for the staff of SAPP Environmental Sub-Committee and member utilities to strengthen institutional capacity.
- Deliver technical training on environmental risk management, promoting best practices across project teams.
- Support regional capacity-building initiatives to enhance environmental risk management and sustainability in cross-border energy projects.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in either Environmental Science, Natural Resources Management, Ecology, or Environmental Planning, or an equivalent qualification. Master’s degree in any of these fields is an added advantage.
- Specialized training in environmental safeguards (World Bank ESF or equivalent donor institution’s ESF/ES), EIA, EMP, OHS and climate risk assessment.
- Membership in a recognized environmental or sustainability professional body is desirable.
- Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in environmental risk assessment and safeguards for large infrastructure or energy projects.
- At least 5 years’ experience applying World Bank or equivalent donor institution’s ESF and preparing safeguard instruments (EIA, EMP, Biodiversity Plans) in donor funded projects.
- Ability to integrate findings of environmental assessments and feasibility studies into project design, including costing and resource planning.
- Strong background in stakeholder engagement, public disclosure, and consultation using inclusive and culturally appropriate methods.
- Experience liaising with international financiers (e.g., World Bank, AfDB, IFC) for compliance and reporting.
- Knowledge of regional EIA regulations and permitting processes in Southern Africa and SADC experience desirable.
- Proficiency in climate risk screening, GIS tools for environmental analysis, and ICT applications.
- Excellent communication, facilitation, and technical report-writing skills.
- Eligible and free from any conflict of interest, in accordance with the World Bank Procurement Regulations.
Submission
Interested candidates are requested to submit the Application, relevant experience and qualification accompanied by a comprehensive CV.
The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, 7th edition, September 2025, setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.
A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant Selection method set out in the World Bank Procurement Regulations.
Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours (0800 to 1630 hours).
Additional Information
A TOR can be found at the following website: www.sapp.co.zw, or can be obtained at the address given below.
Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e‑mail) by 14 April 2026.
Contact Details
The Executive Director
Attn: Chrispen Zifuke, Human Resources Specialist
Southern African Power Pool Coordination Centre
24 Golden Stairs Road
P.O. Box EH52
Emerald Hill
Harare
ZIMBABWE
Tel: (263)-242-(335517, 335468, 335558, 782708798/9)
E-mail: [email protected]