REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
SELECTION OF INDIVIDUALINTERNATIONAL CONSULTANT
FOR "INTEGRATED STEEL COMPLEX WITH
INFRASTRUCTURE" PROJECT
Mongolia
Mining Infrastructure Investment Support Project, Credit No. 4888-MN
To provide technical support to the Working Group for Feasibility Study of "Integrated Steel Complex with Infrastructure" Project
Reference No. WB/MOF/MINIS/CS/003-1/2012
Background
The Government of Mongolia (GoM) has received a Technical Assistance Credit from the InternationalDevelopment Association (the Bank) in an amount equivalent to US$ 25 million, toward the cost of Mining Infrastructure Investment Support Project (MINIS) and intends to apply a portion of the proceeds of this credit to eligible payments under this Contract.
The development objectives of the Project are to facilitate investments in infrastructure to support mining related activities and downstream value-added processes, regardless of funding source, and to build local capacity to prepare and transact infrastructure projects. Within the framework of this Project, the MINIS is planning to hire one international and one local consultant to provide technical support to the Working Group preparing studies for an integrated steel complex with supporting infrastructure.
Today, most of the iron ore mining companies export mined iron ore, dry magnetic separation concentrate to China. Few small steel making companies and the largest Mongolian steelmaker, Darkhan Metallurgical Plant, use steel and iron scrap as a raw material. Domestic scrap availability and supply cannot deliver steel production that meets increasing demand in steel products. Thus there is aneed in establishing integrated steel mill with full cycle of processing of the iron ore to finished steel products. It is significant to consider local raw materials properties, and other local conditions, and the most suitable technology choice has to be made. Mongolian economic development will benefit from success in implementing this project,as it will set up foundation for the sustainable development for the manufacturing industry and stimulate development of support industriessuch as energy, chemicals, transportation and infrastructure, construction etc.
Major iron ore deposits, including the largest iron ore deposit of strategic importance - Tumurtei, are located in Darkhan-Selenge region of Mongolia. Darkhan-Selenge and Sainshand regions are considered suitable locations for developing metallurgical industry. But Darkhan-Selenge region has an advantage of having fairly established infrastructure, availability of water and power supply, and is close to several large coal deposits. Besides, the largest Mongolian steelmaker, Darkhan Metallurgical Plant, which owns Tumurtei and other 2 iron ore deposits, is located in this area.
The Government wants to select a firm to prepare the detailed scope for all necessary studies required as part of the feasibility study for the proposed "integrated steel complex". The scope will build on the existing draft Terms of Reference (TOR) that were developed by the Government. The scope will need to meet national requirements, internationally accepted industry practices and standards where applicable, and World Bank requirements.
Objective of AssignmentThe main objective of this assignment is to assist the Working Group determine the studies that should be carried out to prepare the feasibility study for the "integrated steel complex with infrastructure" project, assess the appropriateness of existing TORs forthe feasibility study, define the timing and sequencing of remaining studies, and finalize the TORs to select the firm to prepare and finalize the TOR for the feasibility study. The main output would be the final terms. The government's TORs can be found at www.minis.mn.
Consultants Qualifications
International Consultant (IC):
· Education: Advanced University (Masters or higher) Degree in relevant field;
· Experience: Minimum 10 years professional experience preparing and managing large-scale infrastructure/mining projects for development, including preparing TORs for various studies, preferably dealing with large integrated steel complex, and providing guidance and direction to consultants' activities;
· Demonstrated expertise working on similar projects, preferably in iron-ore processing and metallurgy fields;
· Analytical ability, practical problem-solving skillsand resourcefulness in performing varied tasks in the area;
· Demonstrated skills in retrieving, gathering and obtaining information from various sources;
· Sound organizational skills and ability to prioritize and deliver assignments in a timely manner often under severe time pressures;
· Demonstrated initiative in developing practical approaches that improve efficiency and effectiveness of the project;
· Strong inter-personnel skills and commitment to workin a team-oriented, multi-cultural environment;
· Ability to provide guidance to the Local Consultant (LC) and other members of the Working Group;
· Language skills: Fluent oral and written skills in English;
· Computer literacy: Proficient in PC based applications such as Word, Excel and Power Points etc.
Timetable:
The services are expected tobe launched in early-June 2012 and completed by late-July 2012.
Level of Effort
The total level of effort isexpected to be between 4-6 weeks. The IC shall stay and work in Ulaanbaatar during the entire course of assignment. The IC will need to interact at least twice with the national level authorities: (i) when discussing the context/project and gathering the needed info; (ii) when finalizing the TOR.
Instructions for submission of applications:
Candidates must submit the following information in English:
· Cover letter (Maximum three pages). The letter will contain information on your ability how you will suit best the position's requirements etc. In the cover letter, the applicant should specify the title of the position which you are applying;
· Curriculum Vitae (CV) stating the applicant's educational background, including degree(s), professional experience in reverse chronic order, language proficiency, and any relevant professional titles orcertifications.
Consultant will be selected under the Selection of Individual Consultant (IC), the procedure for which is described in the World Bank's Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers, which are provided on the World Bank website www.worldbank.org.
The deadline for the submission of applications is 15:00 (Ulaanbaatar time), May 22, 2012.
Applications must be delivered to the address below:
Mining Infrastructure Investment Support Project (MINIS)
Arig Center, Suite # 401, Jamyan Gun Street, Khoroo 10,
Sukhbaatar District, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Tel: +976 70112689; Fax: +976 70112689
Email: gerelbat@minis.mn, cc-ing to enkhbaatar@minis.mn