Ministry of Finance
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS SELECTION)
(Appointment Type: Local Hire)
COUNTRY: MALAWI
NAME OF PROJECT: REGIONAL CLIMATE RESILIENCE FOR EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA 2 (RCRP)
PROJECT ID: P181308
DATE OF ISSUE: 31st January , 2024
TIME COMMITMENT: 100%
ACCOUNTABLE: PROJECT COORDINATOR
DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT: 5 YEARS
The Government of Malawi (GoM) through the Ministry of Finance (MoF) has applied for financing towards the cost of the Regional Climate Resilience for Eastern and Southern Africa 2 (RCRP). The
EP&D intends to apply part of the proceeds of this financing to eligible payments under the contract for hiring various Project specialists and an intern.
The EP&D invites applications from suitably qualified and interested candidates to fill the various positions of Project specialists, recruited as individual consultants following World Bank Regulations dated September 2023.
Position Title : Project Environmental Safeguards Specialist (2 positions)
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 Borrowersdated September 2023.
Duties and Responsibilities
a) Collaboration with Social, and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Experts, project engineers, technical design teams, and all relevant implementation agencies such as Ministry of Water, National Water Resource Authority (NWRA), Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Agriculture,
Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS), Malawi Environment Protection Authority (MEPA)and Environmental Affairs Department (EAD) in conducting environmental and social screening followed by the timely development and disclosure of Environmental and Social Assessment instruments of all sub project activities with the im of incorporating due processes as standard practice in social and environmental safeguards implementation;
b) For upcoming project activities, conduct the needed screening and whenever necessary, prepare the required Environmental and Social Assessments instrument, i.e. Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), etc., and ensure that such plans include the necessary technical and feasibility information to ensure sufficient information
for decision making, are approved by relevant agencies and the World Bank prior to implementation;
c) Provide professional input regarding environmental and social concerns into the planning, design and contracting of investments, including the preparation of tender documents;
d) Develop and implement an internal administrative tracking system for the PCU in order to monitor the progress of project activities in terms of meeting environmental and social safeguard requirements. The system will include the planning, assessment, approval, implementation and
monitoring phases of RCRP activities. The system will be computer based (using a spread sheet or Microsoft Access) and designed for easy data entry and report generation.
Monitoring data must include spatial information of implemented activities. 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;
e) Design and deliver, or arrange for the delivery of, an environmental and social safeguards capacity building program for the PCU, Sectors and District based relevant stakeholders in various implementing agencies. This program will include formal training sessions as well as on the job
coaching. The purpose is to strengthen the capacity of implementing agencies and other relevant stakeholders to implement environmental and social safeguard requirements effectively within the context of larger RCRP activities;
f) Following up implementation of environmental screening and implementation of ESMPs and Social response operations at sector and district levels through designated Social and Environmental focal officers at Sector level and Environmental District Officers and district level respectively;
g) Undertaking review of CESMPs.;
h) Conduct compliance monitoring of Contractors Environmental and Social Management Plan;
i) Undertaking site visits and reviewing contractors’ compliance with site-specific CESMPs, Labour Management Procedures (LMPs), Occupational Health and Safety practices, Codes of Conduct etc., including determining and suggesting remedial actions in collaboration with the Environmental Expert and Occupational Safety and Health (OHS) Expert;
j) Preparation of non-compliance reports and keeping track of respective responses/actions undertaken and preparation of periodic Environmental Compliance Monitoring Reports;
k) Participating at the official meetings with the Bank and other forums related to the project;
l) Provide inputs and materials to Communication Specialist for devising communication strategy, knowledge products and dissemination of results;
m) Ensure that any outstanding environmental or resettlement issues are properly attended to;
n) Create interface between the Project Engineer, Social Specialist, OHS Specialist, M&E Specialist, Communication Specialist and enhance communication and interaction between the grassroots structures, the district and the Sectors ensuring sensitization of responsible groups at all levels;
o) Provide professional input to ToRs developed by various sectors for recruitment of other environmental and social assignments for the project;
p) Participate in the timely review of reports of independent Environmental and Social consultants engaged under the project and ensure necessary clearance / or approval by relevant authorities (MEPA and World Bank);
q) Provide backstopping support to the Safeguard teams of the other PIUs; and
r) Performing any other duty as may be necessary for the effective implementation of the project as assigned by Project Coordinator.
Performance Criteria
a) Monthly and quarterly reports showing progress of work ; and
b) Completion reports for any works.
Reporting Requirements
The Environmental Safeguards Specialist will report to the Project Coordinator for all his / her technical and administrative operations:
Qualification and experience
The candidate should meet the following minimum qualifications:
a. A Master’s Degree in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Engineering, Natural Resources Management, Ecology, or Nature Conservation.
b. A minimum of 10 years of cumulative demonstrated experience in the field of environmental management at National level or international organization, and donor projects handling environmental aspects of planning, assessing and managing civil works projects of various scale,
and developing ecosystem appropriate rehabilitation plans;
c. A minimum of 5 years infield experience supervising environmental management during construction projects;
d. Have thorough working and demonstrated knowledge of World Bank environmental and social frameworks, especially Environmental and Social Assessment (ESS1), Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention and Management (ESS 3), Community Health and Safety including dam safety (ESS 4) and Biodiversity conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources (ESS 6), have demonstrated experience in successfully preparing ESIAs, ESMPs, Biodiversity Management Plans, and Rehabilitation plans by World Bank standard, and environmental policies and
regulations of Malawi;
e. Have experience with designing and delivering capacity building programs;
f. Be familiar with Article VI of Paris 21 Agreement; environmental, social and economic conditions prevailing in Malawi or similar African countries;
g. Have excellent oral and written communication skills in English, as well as team participation and management skills;
h. Strong organizational and communications skills and ability to interface with grassroots, district and sector players in the discipline;
i. Demonstrated Computer Skill (Proficiency in using computer desktop application MS Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint); understanding of GIS is an additional benefit; and
j. Highly motivated with a positive attitude and energy.
Duration of the assignment
The Project Financial Management Specialist will be recruited for a period of five (5) years, with the contract renewable annually subject to satisfactory performance, need and availability of funding.
Facilities to be provided by the Client
The following shall be provided by the Client: 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.
Location of Employment
All the Project Specialists will be based at the Project Coordination Unit in Lilongwe but would be required to travel regularly to other relevant field offices where the RCRP 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 fax, or by e-mail) by Tuesday, 13th February, 2024 on or before 10:00 hours, local time.
The Project Coordinator,
Regional Climate Resilience Program for Eastern and Southern Africa 2 Project,
Department of Economic Planning and Development,
P. O. Box 30136,
Lilongwe
Malawi.
(Attention: The Procurement Officer)
Alternatively, applications may be emailed to: [email protected] : /copy [email protected]