Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, August 11, 2016 — IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, today announced the launch of a web portal to speed the development of mini-grids in Tanzania, helping the country boost its energy production and increase access to electricity through renewable sources such as solar and hydro.
The portal, found at http://www.minigrids.go.tz/, provides licensing, financing, regulatory, and other information and support to small, renewable power producers in Tanzania who want to sell electricity to consumers, especially to the millions in the country not connected to the main grid.
Monthly Archives: August 2016
Modernizing weather forecasts and disaster planning to save lives
Article published on http://www.worldbank.org, August 9th, 2016.
By Lisa Finneran
Is it hot outside? Should I bring an umbrella?
Most of us don’t think much beyond these questions when we check the weather report on a typical day. But weather information plays a much more critical role than providing intel on whether to take an umbrella or use sunscreen. It can help manage the effects of climate change, prevent economic losses and save lives when extreme weather hits.
During the second IDA18 replenishment meeting in Nay Pyi Taw, I visited the Myanmar Department of Meteorology and Hydrology’s Multi-Hazard Early Warning Center to see how funding from IDA, the World Bank’s fund for the poorest, is helping the country modernize its systems for observing and forecasting weather through the Ayeyarwady Integrated River Basin Management Project.
eC2: Crop Protection and Gender Study in East Java
Deadline: 29-Aug-2016 at 11:59:59 PM (Eastern Time – Washington D.C.)
IFC Indonesia is seeking to recruit an Short-Term Consultant (STC) to lead an Agro-input 
and Gender study in East Java.
The study will focus on the following areas:
- Existing gender roles, in particular with respect to farming and agro-input use;
- Existing perceptions on agro-inputs;
- Information on agro-inputs;
- Purchase decisions;
- Agro-input purchases;
- Use of agro-inputs.
Article: Climate Change Expected to Magnify Water Scarcity
Article published on http://www.worldbank.org, August 18, 2016
Story highlights
- Nearly 1.6 billion people live in countries with physical water scarcity – a figure that
may double in the coming two decades.
- As the potential for developing new sources of water diminishes, making more efficient use of water becomes essential to meeting future demand.
- The World Bank works with countries around the world to help ensure water resources remain secure through water efficiency measures, including improved agricultural practices.
eC2: Global Investment Competitiveness Survey
Deadline: 07-Sep-2016 at 11:59:59 PM (Eastern Time – Washington D.C.)
The Global Investment Competitiveness Survey aims to capture business perceptions on 
the role of investment climate factors in guiding foreign direct investment (FDI) decisions. The survey aims to analyze the investment-decision process of FDI firms across all the steps of their investment cycle (e.g., investment plans, entry, expansion, and exit). The survey also measures the importance of investment climate variables in influencing FDI decisions (e.g., investment incentives, promotion, regulations, administrative processes, etc.). We have developed a preliminary draft survey comprises around 30 questions that should take around 20-30 minutes to complete.
The survey firm will be responsible for pilot testing and implementing the survey. In person (face to face) or telephone follow up interviews of selected respondents and write up of a small set of case studies will also be required to complete the assignment.
eC2: Consultant for 2030 Water Resources Group Bangladesh
Deadline: 24-Aug-2016 at 11:59:59 PM (Eastern Time – Washington D.C.)
Working under the supervision of the Bangladesh Program Coordinator for 2030 World 
Resources Group (WRG) the Consultant will support the 2030 WRGs Bangladesh secretariat including:
1. Support organization of workshops, focused group discussions and high level meetings related to the Bangladesh Water Multi-Stakeholder Partnership and its three work-streams
2. Prepare agenda, presentations, case studies for the events
3. Liaise with stakeholders from the government, private sector and civil society to seek their inputs into event design and execution
4. Support communication and PR functions and provide all logistical support
5. Support the analytical studies Water Governance and Sustainability work-stream and associated Task Forces.
6. Support the Investment Plan of the Bangladesh Delta Plan
7. Support the Greater Dhaka Watershed Restoration (GDWR) and Agri-Water work-streams as needed
Continue reading
eC2: Sector Diagnostics for Competitiveness and Export Diversification for Bangladesh
Deadline: 24-Aug-2016 at 11:59:59 PM (Eastern Time – Washington D.C.)
Trade and Competitiveness Global Practice in Bangladesh intends to hire a consulting firm 
to assist in sector prioritization and value chains selection with a strategic perspective to contribute to Bangladesh’s economic growth agenda. The objective of this assignment will be to conduct a rapid sector diagnostic and prioritization with focus on potential export, jobs, SME intensity, investment generation etc. in Bangladesh. The sector analysis would review relative strengths and weaknesses of a number of high potential sectors, assessing global market opportunities and relative competition, including an indication of any binding obstacles at a sector level among local businesses that should be addressed in order to enhance competitiveness in these sectors. The analysis would build on existing sources of information on recent industry trends in each sector as well as a sector outlook for the future in order to identify the key drivers of competitiveness.
eC2: Solomon Islands: Electricity Access Expansion Project
Deadline: 30-Aug-2016 at 11:59:59 PM (Eastern Time – Washington D.C.)
Dispersed population across an island archipelago and the poor performance of Solomon 
Power in the past constrained its capacity to expand its grid to main population centers or even in the capital city Honiara. While 45% households have reported to have some form of power supply at home, the majority of these households only have small solar panels, typically of 20W, whereas only 9% have power supply from the grid operated by Solomon Islands Electricity Authority (now trading as Solomon Power).
The World Bank is looking for an Independent Verification Agent (IVA). The objectives of the IVA are to (i) verify that the pre-agreed outputs as defined in Operations Manual (OM) have been delivered and properly documented; (ii) confirm that claimed outputs and beneficiaries are eligible to receive OBA subsidies; (iii) review costs of service connection and household wiring; (iv) recommend reimbursement of OBA subsidy to Solomon Power; and (v) prepare Output Verification Reports and to verify and collect project monitoring data.
Latin America and the Caribbean: seizing a trillion dollar opportunity in climate investments
Article published on http://www.worldbank.org on July 13, 2016.
Soon the world will celebrate the one-year anniversary of the historic climate agreement 
signed in Paris in December 2015. The agreement will be implemented through country-led greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction commitments known as their intended Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which to date have been submitted by 189 countries covering 95 percent of global GHG emissions.
Apart from signaling concrete commitments, these reduction targets also offer a clear signpost of the investment direction countries need to follow as the global economy steers towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient pathway. Estimates point to between $57 trillion and $93 trillion in new low-carbon, climate resilient infrastructure investment by 2030.[1] How developing countries evaluate and respond to their infrastructure needs will greatly determine their ability to meet GHG reduction commitments.
eC2: Options Analysis for WASH PPP in Tanzania
Deadline: 28-Aug-2016 at 11:59:59 PM (Eastern Time – Washington D.C.)
The objective of the assignment and anticipated outputs is to support the MoW in 
examining Public Private Partnership (PPP) options for improving provision of water supply and sanitation services for the larger urban areas, as well as looking at the potential projects that have already been the subject of studies in Tanzania, both as set out below:
Priority Urban Areas
1. Regional Towns -Arusha, Singida and Dar es Salaam
2. District Towns -Kisarawe, Mkuranga and Namtumbo
3. National Project for PPP- HTM, Wangingombe, Makonde and Mugango Kiabakari
Potential Projects
1. Handeni Trank Main (HTM) Development of Business Case Options and Analysis of Involvement of Private Sector Xs-Axis Consulting GmBH
2. Detailed design and Tender documents for Kisarawe, Mkuranga, Namtumbo, Mugango Kiabakari and Wangingombe National Project.
3. Feasibility Studies Report for Makonde and HTM National Project
Netherlands for the World Bank 
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