The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), is tendering to strengthen Mauritania's institutional, regulatory, and technical capacities for the environmentally and socially sustainable development of its green hydrogen economy. Context and Objectives Mauritania holds vast renewable energy potential but lacks the regulatory framework and technical expertise to manage large-scale hydrogen initiatives. The project supports the implementation of Mauritania's national roadmap for low-carbon hydrogen, aligned with BMZ's Africa Strategy and the country's Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy (SCAPP 2016-2030). It directly contributes to SDGs 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 13. The module's overall objective is to improve political, legal, institutional, and technical conditions for a socio-ecological hydrogen economy. The specific tendered component (Output 3) focuses on building environmental and social governance capacities. Scope of Work The contractor will deliver five work packages: 1. Environmental impact assessment and monitoring: Review and update governance frameworks, adapt Strategic Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (SESIA) processes, and implement a comprehensive capacity development program. 2. Integration of international standards: Support MoE in incorporating environmental and social standards into hydrogen sector contracts and regulations; provide legal training and policy recommendations. 3. Environmental monitoring systems: Develop procedures, monitoring plans, and institutional capacities to assess and manage impacts of hydrogen projects, including coordination with a possible UNDP initiative. 4. Community participation: Establish stakeholder dialogues and multi-actor partnerships to ensure inclusive consultation of local populations, with special emphasis on women and vulnerable groups. 5. Benefit-sharing mechanisms: Design recommendations for fair and transparent distribution of hydrogen sector benefits, drawing on international best practices and aligned with EITI principles. Implementation and Duration - Project duration: December 2024 - November 2027 - Location: Mauritania (Nouakchott and project sites) - Political partners: Ministry of Economy and Finance (sponsor), Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (implementer), Ministry of Environment Contractor Requirements The contractor must provide a team of experts with strong experience in environmental governance, impact assessment, renewable energy, policy, and stakeholder engagement. Responsibilities include capacity building, advisory services, technical studies, stakeholder facilitation, and development of governance instruments. Deliverables include inception, progress, and final reports, capacity development materials, monitoring tools, and policy recommendations. Expected Results - Implementation of roadmap measures on standards and regulations. - Adoption of gender-responsive qualification models. - Integration of environmental and social recommendations into national regulations. - Establishment of inclusive dialogue formats with local communities. - Drafting of a national benefit-sharing mechanism. This tender represents a key step in enabling Mauritania to develop its hydrogen sector sustainably, ensuring that environmental protection, social inclusion, and fair distribution of benefits are embedded from the outset.