Petroleum Policies, Laws, Regulations and Institutional Frameworks Consultant

Objective of the Study
The objectives of the study are:
i) To give an analytical basis to guide the process of harmonization of existing petroleum policies, laws, regulations and institutions in ECOWAS Region and Member States

ii) To develop an understanding of how harmonisation of petroleum policies, laws, regulations and institutions in the region could impact other sectors of trade, markets, environment and tax management among others.

iii) To develop an approach for the Bank’s support of feasible shared infrastructure petroleum projects that enhance regional integration in consultation with ECOWAS Commission and its individual Member states.

Scope of Work
The following will be the scope of the study:
a) Collection and review of existing petroleum policies, laws, regulatory and institutional framework in ECOWAS Member states (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo).

b) Identifying gaps in the policies, laws, regulatory and institutional framework that need to be covered in order to bring to level a harmonised framework of the ECOWAS countries in petroleum sector.

c) Identifying within the existing petroleum policies, laws, regulations and institutional frameworks provisions that hinder the attraction of investments, negotiation of good contracts and sharing of infrastructure across borders.

d) Reviewing existing policies, laws, institutions and regulations that are most suitable in the ECOWAS region and make proposals on what may be harmonized highlighting the benefits.

e) Assessing how harmonisation of petroleum policies, laws, regulations and institutions could affect other areas of inter-regional trade/markets, pollution/spillages, shared infrastructure and tax management among others and make proposals for closing gaps or minimising conflicts where such exist.

f) Proposals on ways to bridge information gaps between the region’s countries in the petroleum sector.

Methodology and Duties of the Consultant
The study will combine review/analysis of the existing petroleum policies, laws, regulations and institutional framework in the study countries. Interviews with relevant stakeholders of the different levels of the value chain will be undertaken whenever possible.

The consultant will report to task manager for the activity. The duties and responsibilities of the consultant will include;

a) Preparation of an acceptable methodology and work plan for the study.

b) Review and analysis of existing petroleum policies, laws, regulations and institutional framework.

c) Comparative assessment of existing petroleum policies, laws, regulations and institutional frameworks in ECOWAS Member states with international best practices in the petroleum industry.

d) Visit selected ECOWAS Member states for meetings and interviews with relevant stakeholders (Ministry in charge of petroleum/energy, State owned oil Company, Petroleum agencies etc.)

e) Critically analyse the high priority areas to harmonize and make recommendations regarding the best model for harmonization

f) Preparation of inception and draft final reports with inputs from relevant Bank departments, ECOWAS Commission and stakeholders.

g) Making PowerPoint presentations of the study at validation and dissemination workshops.

h) Consolidation of the stakeholder comments into the final report and i) Preparation and handing in of PowerPoint presentations on the study for Bank use ECOWAS and African development Bank will provide the consultant with assistance to ensure successful completion of the study including documentation in their possession relating to the subject.

A pre-project meeting with the consultant is planned to harmonise the methodology, identifying case study countries, agree on reporting, content and format of the final reports

Outcome
Outcome of the study will be a detailed harmonization report useful in;
a) Supporting the ECOWAS Member States in developing transparent and robust petroleum policies, laws, regulations and institutional frameworks aligned with the community integration agenda.

b) Enhancing co-operation in the petroleum sector within ECOWAS member states.

c) Detailing how harmonization will have impacts on other sectors including intra-regional trade, markets, environmental issues like pollution and spillage together with tax management among others.

d) Evaluating future considerations for Bank’s support of petroleum projects that enhance regional integration in consultation with ECOWAS Commission and its individual Member states.

Consultant Qualifications:
The consultant must meet the following criteria:
a) Possess at least a master’s degree in petroleum law, engineering or science, sciences related to natural resources, energy law, natural resources policy or economics,

b) At least 10 years’ working experience in petroleum regulation, policy setting, commercial, work with think tanks, research or related work in petroleum sector

c) A good knowledge of the petroleum sector in the ECOWAS region

d) Proven experience in aspects of West African regional cooperation or designing policies, laws or regulations in at least two countries as lead consultant/researcher

e) Excellent written and oral English or French with working knowledge of the other language