THE WORLD BANK IBRD * IDA I WORLDB MKGROUP November 14, 2019 Her Excellency Madame Kan6 Aichatou Boulama Minister of Planning Ministry of Planning B.P. 862 OFFICIAL Niamey Republic of Niger DOCUMENTS Re: Republic of Niger: Advance Agreement for the Preparation of the Proposed Learning Improvement for Results in Education Project Project Preparation Advance No. IDA V291. Excellency: In response to the request for financial assistance made on behalf of the Republic of Niger ("Recipient"), I am pleased to inform you that the International Development Association ("World Bank") proposes to extend to the Recipient an advance out of the World Bank's Project Preparation Facility in an amount not to exceed two million two hundred thousand Dollars (USD 2,200,000) ("Advance") on the terms and conditions set forth or referred to in this letter agreement ("Agreement"), which includes the attached Annex, to assist in financing the activities described in the Annex ("Activities"). The objective of the Activities is to facilitate the preparation of a proposed project designed to improve teacher professional competencies and student learning in basic education and for out-of-school children in Project areas ("Project"), for the carrying out of which the Recipient has requested the World Bank's financial assistance. The Recipient represents, by confirming its agreement below, that: (a) it understands that the provision of the Advance does not constitute or imply any commitment on the part of IBRD or IDA to assist in financing the Project; and (b) it is authorized to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the Activities, repay the Advance and perform its other obligations under this Agreement, all in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. Please confirm the Recipient's agreement to the foregoing by having an authorized official of the Recipient sign and date the enclosed copy of this Agreement, and returning it to the World Bank. Upon receipt by the World Bank of this countersigned copy, this Agreement shall become effective as of the date of the countersignature; provided, however, that the offer of this Agreement shall be deemed withdrawn if the World Bank has not received this countersigned copy within 90 days after the date of signature of this Agreement by the World Bank, unless the World Bank has established a later date for such purpose. 1818 H Street NW * Washington. DC 20433 USA -2- Very truly yours, INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION By Soukeyna ane Country Director for Niger Africa Region AGREED: REPUBLIC OF NIGE By_/ /Adioribd epresentative Name: Title: Mi4 kA(ST-E- b(- L V~ Date: 2,n 0 ov Enclosures: (1) "Standard Conditions for Advances Made by the World Bank under its Project Preparation Facility", dated July 31, 2010. (2) Disbursement Letter for the Advance of the same date as this Agreement, together with "Disbursement Guidelines for Investment Project Financing", dated February 2017. (3) "Guidelines on Preventing and Combating Fraud and Corruption in Projects Financed by IBRD Loans and IDA Credits and Grants", dated October 15, 2006 and revised in January 2011 and as of July 1, 2016. (4) "World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers" dated July 2016, revised November 2017 and August 2018. PPA No. IDA V291 ANNEX Article I Standard Conditions; Definitions 1.01. Standard Conditions. The "Standard Conditions for Advances Made by the World Bank under its Project Preparation Facility", dated July 31, 2010 ("Standard Conditions"), constitute an integral part of this Agreement. 1.02. Definitions. Unless the context requires otherwise, the capitalized terms used in this Agreement have the meanings ascribed to them in the Standard Conditions or in this Agreement, including the Appendix to this Agreement. (a) "Environmental and Social Commitment Plan" or the acronym "ESCP" means the Recipient's environmental and social commitment plan, acceptable to the Bank, dated , which sets out a summary of the material measures and actions to address the potential environmental and social risks and impacts of the Activities, including the timing of the actions and measures, institutional, staffing, training, monitoring and reporting arrangements, and any instruments to be prepared thereunder; as the ESCP may be revised from time to time, with prior written agreement of the Bank. (b) "Environmental and Social Standards" means, collectively: (i) "Environmental and Social Standard 1: Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts"; (ii) "Environmental and Social Standard 2: Labor and Working Conditions"; (iii) "Environmental and Social Standard 3: Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention and Management"; (iv) "Environmental and Social Standard 4: Community Health and Safety"; (v) "Environmental and Social Standard 5: Land Acquisition, Restrictions on Land Use and Involuntary Resettlement"; (vi) "Environmental and Social Standard 6: Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources"; (vii) "Environmental and Social Standard 7: Indigenous Peoples/Sub-Saharan Historically Underserved Traditional Local Communities"; (viii) "Environmental and Social Standard 8: Cultural Heritage"; (ix) "Environmental and Social Standard 9: Financial Intermediaries"; (ix) "Environmental and Social Standard 10: Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure"; effective on October 1, 2018, as published by the World Bank at www.worldbank.org. (c) "Implementation Unit" means the unit estabilished within the Recipient's ministry responsible for technical and vocational education and training, pursuant to the provisions of the Financing Agreement for the Skills Development for Growth Project between the Recipient and the Association, dated June 7, 2013 (Grant No. H840-NE). (d) "Operating Costs" means the incremental expenses incurred on account of the Activities' implementation, management and monitoring, consisting of the cost of operation and maintenance of offices, vehicles and office equipment, water and electricity utilities charges, telephone charges, bank charges, travel and per diem, and salaries of contractual staff, but excluding the salaries of officials and public servants of the Recipient's civil service. (e) "Teacher Education Colleges" means Ecoles Normales des Instituteurs, the Recipient's teacher-training institutes. (f) "Training" means the reasonable costs associated with training or workshop participation under the Activities, consisting of travel and subsistence costs for Training participants, costs (other than consulting services) associated with securing the services of 4- trainers and presenters, rental of training facilities, translation and interpretation services, preparation and reproduction of training materials. Article H Execution of the Activities 2.01. Description of the Activities. The Activities for which the Advance is provided consist of the following parts: (a) Techical assistance to carry out relevant studies in the education sector related to: (i) institutional and organizational audits of existing Teacher Education Colleges; (ii) the preparation of environmental and social safeguards; and (iii) georeferencing of schools. (b) Establishment and operationalization of the Implementation Unit of the proposed Project, including the recruitment of key staff and the acquisition of office equipment. (c) Carry out Training to strengthen the capacity of a national team in educational activities. 2.02. Execution of the Activities Generally. The Recipient declares its commitment to the objectives of the Activities. To this end, the Recipient shall carry out the Activities through an Implementation Unit in accordance with the provisions of: (a) Article II of the Standard Conditions; (b) this Article II; and (c) the "Guidelines on Preventing and Combating Fraud and Corruption in Projects Financed by IBRD Loans and IDA Credits and Grants", dated October 15, 2006 and revised in January 2011 and as of July 1, 2016. 2.03. Institutional and Other Arrangements. Without limitation upon the provisions of Section 2.02 above, the Recipient shall maintain, throughout the Refinancing Date, the Implementation Unit with functions and resources acceptable to the World Bank with staff in adequate numbers and with qualifications and experience satisfactory to the World Bank to be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Activities, including financial management and procurement. 2.04. Environmental and Social Standards (a) The Recipient shall ensure that the Activities are carried out in accordance with the Environmental and Social Standards, in a manner acceptable to the Bank. (b) Without limitation upon paragraph (a) above, the Recipient shall ensure that the Activities are implemented in accordance with the Environmental and Social Commitment Plan ("ESCP"), in a manner acceptable to the Bank. To this end, the Recipient shall ensure that: (i) the measures and actions specified in the ESCP are implemented with due diligence and efficiency, and as further specified in the ESCP; (ii) sufficient funds are available to cover the costs of implementing the ESCP; (iii) policies, procedures and qualified staff are maintained to enable it to implement the ESCP, as further specified in the ESCP; and (iv) the ESCP or any provision thereof, is not amended, revised or waived, except as the Bank shall otherwise agree in writing and the Recipient has, thereafter, disclosed the revised ESCP. In case of any inconsistencies between the ESCP and the provisions of this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail. (c) The Recipient shall: (i) take all measures necessary on its part to collect, compile, and furnish to the Bank through regular reports, with the frequency specified in the ESCP, and promptly in a separate report or reports, if so requested by the Bank, information on the status of compliance with the ESCP, all such reports in form and substance acceptable to the Bank, setting out, inter alia: (A) the status of implementation of the ESCP; (B) conditions, if any, which interfere or threaten to interfere with the implementation of the ESCP; and (C) corrective and preventive measures taken or required to be taken to address such conditions; and (ii) promptly notify the Bank of any incident or accident related to or having an impact on the Activities which has, or is likely to have, a significant adverse effect on the environment, the affected communities, the public or workers, in accordance with the ESCP, the instruments referenced therein and the Environmental and Social Standards. (d) The Recipient shall, maintain and publicize the availability of a grievance mechanism, in form and substance satisfactory to the Bank, to hear and determine fairly and in good faith all complaints raised in relation to the Activities, and take all measures necessary to implement the determinations made by such mechanism in a manner satisfactory to the Bank. 2.04. Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation of the Activities. The Recipient shall monitor and evaluate the progress of the Activities in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.08 of the Standard Conditions. 2.05. Financial Management (a) The Recipient shall ensure that a financial management system is maintained in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.09 of the Standard Conditions. (b) The Recipient shall ensure that interim un-audited financial reports for the Activities are prepared and furnished to the World Bank not later than forty-five (45) days after the end of each calendar semester, covering the semester, in form and substance satisfactory to the World Bank. (c) The Recipient shall have its Financial Statements audited in accordance with the provisions of Sections 2.09(b) of the Standard Conditions. (i) If, on or before the Refinancing Date, a Refinancing Agreement has been executed by all of its parties, the Recipient shall have the Financial Statements included in the first audit of financial statements required under the Refinancing Agreement. (ii) If, by the Refinancing Date, no Refinancing Agreement has been executed by all of its parties, such audit of the Financial Statements shall cover the period of .41 the Advance, commencing with the fiscal year in which the first withdrawal under the Advance was made. The audited Financial Statements for such period shall be furnished to the World Bank not later than six months after the end of the Recipient's fiscal year in which the Refinancing Date occurs. (iii) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this Section, the World Bank may request an audit of the Financial Statements prior to the Refinancing Date, covering such period as is indicated in its request. The audited Financial Statements for such period shall be furnished to the World Bank not later than six (6) months after the end of such period. 2.06. Procurement All goods, non-consulting services and consulting services required for the Activities and to be financed out of the proceeds of the Advance shall be procured in accordance with the requirements set forth or referred to in the "World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers" dated July 2016, revised November 2017 and August 2018 ("Procurement Regulations") and the provisions of the Recipient's procurement plan for the Activities dated July 29, 2019 ("Procurement Plan") provided for under Section IV of the Procurement Regulations, as the same may be updated from time to time in agreement with the World Bank. Article III Withdrawal of the Advance 3.01. Eligible Expenditures. The Recipient may withdraw the proceeds of the Advance in accordance with the provisions of: (a) Article III of the Standard Conditions; (b) this Section; and (c) such additional instructions as the World Bank may specify by notice to the Recipient (including the "Disbursement Guidelines for Investment Project Financing" dated February 2017, as revised from time to time by the World Bank and as made applicable to this Agreement pursuant to such instructions), to finance Eligible Expenditures as set forth in the following table. The table specifies each category of Eligible Expenditures that may be financed out of the proceeds of the Advance ("Category"), the amount of the Advance allocated to each Category, and the percentage of expenditures to be financed for Eligible Expenditures in each Category: Category Amount of the Advance Percentage of Allocated Expenditures to be (expressed in Dollars) Financed (inclusive of Taxes) (1) Goods, non- 2,200,000 100% consulting services, consulting services, Operating Costs and Training under the Activities TOTAL AMOUNT 2,200,000 3.02. Withdrawal Conditions. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.01 of this Agreement, no withdrawal shall be made for payments made prior to the date of countersignature of this Agreement by the Recipient. 3.03. Refinancing Date. The Refinancing Date is October 30, 2020. Article IV Terms of the Advance 4.01. Service Charge. The Recipient shall pay a service charge on the Withdrawn Advance Balance at the rate of three-fourths of one percent (3/4 of 1%) per annum. The service charge shall accrue from the respective dates on which amounts of the Advance are withdrawn and shall be paid in arrears in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.02 of this Agreement. Service charges shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. 4.02. Repayment The Withdrawn Advance Balance shall be repaid by the Recipient to the World Bank (together with any service charges accrued thereon) in accordance with the provisions of Article IV of the Standard Conditions and the following provisions: (a) Refinancing under the Refinancing Agreement: If, on or before the Refinancing Date, a Refinancing Agreement has been executed by all of its parties, then the full amount of the Withdrawn Advance Balance shall be repaid to the World Bank (together with any service charges accrued on the Advance to the date of repayment) as soon as the Refinancing Agreement becomes effective, by means of a withdrawal by the World Bank of an amount of the Refinancing Proceeds equivalent to the Withdrawn Advance Balance plus such service charges, in accordance with the provisions of the Refinancing Agreement. (b) Repayment in the absence of a Refinancing Agreement: If, on or before the Refinancing Date, no Refinancing Agreement has been executed by all of its parties, or if, by such date, it has been so executed but terminates without becoming effective, then: (i) if the amount of the Withdrawn Advance Balance does not exceed $50,000, it shall be repaid by the Recipient to the World Bank (together with service charges accrued on the Withdrawn Advance Balance to the date of repayment) on such date as the World Bank shall specify in a notice to the Recipient, which shall in no event be earlier than 60 days following the date of dispatch of such notice; and (ii) if the amount ofthe Withdrawn Advance Balance exceeds $50,000, it (together with service charges accrued on the Withdrawn Advance Balance to the Notice Date) (the "Aggregate Balance") shall be paid by the Recipient to the World Bank in ten approximately equal semiannual installments, in the amounts and on the dates ("Payment Dates") which the World Bank shall specify in a notice to the Recipient. In no event shall the first Payment Date be set earlier than 60 days following the date ("Notice Date") of dispatch of such notice. The Recipient shall pay a service charge on the Aggregate Balance at the rate of three-fourths of one percent (3/4 of 1%) per annum, payable in arrears on each Payment Date. The service charge shall be computed on the basis of a 360- day year of twelve 30-day months. Article V Recipient's Representative; Addresses 5.01. Recipient's Representative. The Recipient's Representative referred to in Section 9.02 of the Standard Conditions is its minister responsible for planning. 5.02. Recipient's Address. The Recipient's Address referred to in Section 9.01 of the Standard Conditions is: Ministry of Planning B.P. 862 Niamey Republic of Niger Telex: Facsimile: 5.03. World Bank's Address. The World Bank's Address referred to in Section 9.01 of the Standard Conditions is: International Development Association 1818 H Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20433 United States of America Telex: Facsimile: 248423 (MCI) or (1)-202-477-6391 64145 (MCI)