Roads Authority
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
(INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS SELECTION)
(Appointment Type: Local Hire)
COUNTRY: MALAWI
NAME OF PROJECT: RESILIENT AND STRATEGIC TRANSPORT OPERATIONAL ENHANCE PROJECT– RESTORE
PROJECT ID: P500625
ASSIGNMENT TITLE: ENVIRONMENTAL SAFEGUARD SPECIALIST
REFERENCE NUMBER: MW-RA-SSS-CS-INDV
DATE OF ISSUE: 14th MARCH 2024
1. Background
The Government of Malawi (GoM) through the Ministry of Finance (MoF) has applied for financing toward the cost of the Resilient and Strategic Transport Operational Enhance Project (RESTORE). The Roads Authority (RA) as the implementation agencyintends to apply part of the proceeds of this financing to eligible payments under the contract for hiring an Environmental Safeguard Specialist.
The RA invites applications from suitably qualified and interested candidates to fill the position of Environmental Safeguard Specialist, recruited as individual consultant following World Bank Procurement Regulations dated September 2023.
Position Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SAFEGUARD SPECIALIST (1 Position)
Time Commitment: 100%
Accountable: Project Coordinator
Duration of Assignment: 5 years
2. The Objectives of the Assignment
The overall objective of the assignment is to manage the environmental activities outlined in the governing Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and the Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) under the project in adherence with the World Bank’s Regulations for IPF Borrowers
dated September 2023.
3. Duties and Responsibilities
The Environmental Safeguard Specialist will be responsible for the day-to-day facilitation and coordination of all activities related to environmental safeguards under the Project, including ensuring compliance with WB Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and WB EHS Guidelines as well as local regulations.Detail on scope of work include, but is not limited to:
a) Collaboration with the entire Environmental and Social team and Technical teams, international and local consultants as well as all relevant implementation agencies such as Ministry of Transport and Public Works, Roads Authority, Department of Water Resources and the Department of Disaster Management Affairs in conducting environmental and social screening and scoping studies followed by the timely development and disclosure of Environmental and Social Impacts Assessment (ESIA),
Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) and other related E&S instruments of all sub project activities with the aim of incorporating due processes as standard practice in social and environmental implementation according to WB ESF requirements, including support to gathering all the necessary permits for all the associated activities as well – such as water supply permit, water abstraction permit, storage of hazardous materials, etc. to be covered in the ESMP/ESIA;
b) For upcoming project activities, collaborate with the international and local consultants to conduct the needed screening and scoping studies, prepare the required Environmental and Social Impact assessments (ESIA), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) and Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP), and ensure that such plans are approved by relevant agencies and the World Bank prior to implementation;
c) Ensure effective integration of environmental and social considerations in identification, consultation, planning and implementation of sub-project activities, and ensuring that all sub-projects are consistent in addressing environmental requirements, and ensuring the inclusion of
ESF considerations into the TORs of technical activities under Component 2 and support the analysis of alternatives for the feasibility studies.
d) Provide environmental ESF review and technical support to project implementation teams to enhance project quality and compliance on environmental standards of the WB and local regulations.
e) Engage with relevant project stakeholders including communities, in ensuring adherence to World Bank environmental safeguard policies, guidelines, procedures and good/best practices;
f) Review and approve the Contractor’s Environmental Management Plans for the environmental measures, as per the ESIA and any other supplementary environmental studies that may need to be executed;
g) Monitor implementation of environmental instruments in sub projects;
h) Provide professional input regarding environmental and social concern into the planning, design and contracting of investments, including the preparation of tender documents, in close collaboration with the technical teams;
I) Develop and implement an internal E&S management system for the PIU in order to monitor the progress of project activities in terms of meeting environmental and social requirements. The system will include the planning, assessment, approval, implementation and monitoring phases of Project activities, as well as associated activities and permits required as well – such as water supply permit, water abstraction permit, permits of borrow pits and quarries, storage of hazardous substances, etc. The system will be computer based on any other computer applications and designed for easy data entry and report generation. Reports generated by the system should be simple to produce, showing progress of a specific project activity, and highlight critical items such as pending or overdue actions;
j) Assist the Social Specialist in setting up and designing project level Citizen’s Engagement/Grievance Redress Mechanisms, and its implementation;
k) Following up implementation of environmental screening and implementation of ESMPs and Social and OHS response operations at sector and district levels
l) Facilitate integration of relevant and cross-cutting environmental issues, including OHS, road safety, disaster risk, gender, GBV, and HIVand AIDs, into regular RA operations;
m) Organize and undertake site visits and review contractors’ compliance with site-specific ESMPs, including determining and suggesting remedial actions; review of the Contractors’ ESMPs before implementing them. Also review of bid documents to ensure ESMP requirements are adequately included and cost as part of bid evaluation.
n) Prepare non-compliance reports and keep track of respective responses/actions undertaken;
o) Prepare monthly Environmental Compliance Monitoring Reports to be shared with the World Bank in an acceptable format for the World Bank;
p) Participate at the official meetings with the Bank and other forums related to the project;
q) Ensure that any outstanding environmental and biodiversity issues are properly attended to;
r) Create interface between the Social Specialist, OHS specialist, Gender Specialist, project engineers, technical specialists and M&E Specialist, enhance communication and interaction between the grassroots structures, the district and the Sectors including Implementing Agency PIUs ensuring sensitization of responsible groups at all levels;
s) Provide professional input to ToRs developed by various sectors for recruitment of other environmental and social assignments for the project;
t) Ensure community health and safety measures are implemented, and enhanced where possible;
u) Ensure continuous consultation and feedback on environmental issues that are relevant or critical to communities and workers;
v) Immediate reporting of any incidence, accident, or project related issue, in need of management attention;
w) Participate in the timely review of reports of independent Environmental and Social consultants engaged under the project;
x) Facilitate necessary clearance / or approval by the World Bank and relevant authorities; and
y) Other duties to be performed as per the requirements of the project.
4. Reporting Requirements
The Social Safeguards Specialist will report directly to the Project Coordinator. The consultant will work in close collaboration with consultants, contractors and other stakeholders engaged in project implementations. In the performance of this contract, the Social Safeguards Specialist must submit the following reports to the Project Coordinator:
a) ESIA implementation and monitoring status reports, including the status report on the RAPs and other safeguards documents developed for project investments.
b) Reviews as requested of all project reports and documents associated with the social aspects to ensure quality and compliance with respect to the ESIA guidelines and World Bank safeguard policies.
c) Semi-annual status reports on implementation of the ESIA and associated safeguards documents, including RAPs, as input to formal project supervision missions and as part of the project’s obligation to implement, monitor and evaluate application of the ESIAs and RAPs.
d) Terms of Reference as requested for the development of site-specific Resettlement Action Plans based on the principles and guidelines detailed in the RPF, once the locations of some project interventions areas are confirmed.
e) Monthly timesheets to identify time spent.
5. Qualification and experience
The Social Safeguards Specialist must have the following qualifications and expertise:’
a) Minimum of Master’s Degree in Development Studies, Anthropology, Social Development. Political Economy, Economics, or any related disciplines is better benchmark for a specialist position
b) At least 5 years of experience in social management and monitoring of transport projects or engineering projects especially in the road sector or similar large infrastructure works/projects; experience with international development organizations in developing countries, preferably in Africa;
c) Have thorough working knowledge of World Bank Environmental and Social Standards, especially Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts (ESS1), Labour and Working Conditions (ESS2), Community Health and Safety (ESS4) and Land Acquisition, Restrictions on Land Use and Involuntary Resettlement (ESS5), Cultural Heritage (ESS8) and Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure (ESS10); and have demonstrated experience in successfully preparing ESIAs, ESMPs and RAPs by World Bank standard;
d) Knowledge of social development issues associated with large projects;
e) Knowledge of similar international donor social development guidelines and safeguard policies;
f) Familiarity with Government of Malawi standard procedures and practices with regards to infrastructure construction projects will be a plus; thorough understanding of social regulatory framework will be a plus;
g) Fluency in English is required and knowledge of local languages is an advantage;
h) Excellent oral and written communication skills;
I) Computer literacy essential;
6. Duration of the assignment
The assignment is for an initial period of one year in the Project Preparatory Activities and will thereafter be extended for the entire period of project implementation of 5 years. The contract will be renewable annually subject to satisfactory performance, need and availability of funding.
7. Facilities to be provided by the Client
The Client will provide office space, furniture, office equipment, communication, and internet facilities. For all field related assignments, the Project shall provide transport and costs and other expenses (per Diems etc.) related to the fieldwork.
8. Location of Employment
The Social Safeguards Specialist will be based at the PIU Office in Lilongwe but would be required to travel regularly to other relevant field offices where the Project is implementing its activities.
Method Of Application
Interested Individuals meeting the stated requirements should submit their Expressions of interest including updated detailed curriculum vitae (CVs) and copies of professional certificates must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by Thursday, 29th March, 2024 on or before 10:00 hours, local time.
The Project Coordinator,
Resilient and Strategic Transport Operational Enhance Project
Roads Authority
Functional Buildings
Private Bag B346
Lilongwe 3
MALAWI.
(Attention: The Procurement Manager)
Email: [email protected]