Blantyre Water Board
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST – NON- ESTABLISHED- 12 MONTHS
Introduction
Government of Malawi (GoM), through BWB and BCC, with financial support from the International Development Association (DA), intends to implement the Blantyre Water and Sanitation Project (BWSP). The BWSP will run from March, 2023 to March, 2028. The project interventions are therefore expected to contribute to improved access to water and sanitation for the residents of Blantyre, thus improving the city’s health outcomes and quality of life, and enabling the business environment for its residents and BWB and BCC.
Blantyre Water Board (BWB), which is the main implementing agency, intends to recruit the services of the following specialist:
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST
The overall objective of this position is to ensure that various interventions implemented under BWSP comply with environmental policies, laws and regulations governing national/ Country and World Bank Environmental and Social Standards that will be triggered by the project implementation.
Key Scope of the Services
The Social Development Specialist will lead the social component in the overall project execution process. He/she will be responsible for overall development, monitoring of implementation of all social safeguards measures as described in the Stakeholder Engagement Plan, Labour Management Procedures, Community Health and Safety Plan, Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF), including compensation for resettlement, loss of access to land, and livelihood restoration activities, and Cultural Management Plan where applicable.
The Social Development Specialist will be directly reporting to the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) Manager and will work in close collaboration with staff of BWB as part of capacity building.
Specifically, the Social Development Specialist will perform the following duties:
- Ensure effective integration of social considerations in identification, consultation, planning, implementation and monitoring project activities to ensure that they are consistent in adhering to safeguards requirements
- Support in the development of key safeguard instruments; Labor Management Procedures (LMP), Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) and related Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs)
- Update the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) including the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) and monitor its implementation
- Review project related documentation to better understand the implications of proposed project activities and prepare a Resettlement Action Plan (RAPs) and Livelihood Restoration Plans (LP) where required in line with RPF.
- Undertake an assessment of project affected persons (PAPs) (defined as those who may be relocated, or whose incomes or livelihoods may be displaced or disrupted, by the project) including determining the socio-economic status of potential PAPs and Provide guidance on eligibility, valuation, compensation and other resettlement assistance, as needed, or when a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) may need to be prepared;
- In a case where a RAP may need to be prepared, facilitate and provide oversight for RAP formulation and its implementation, including ensuring that resettlement compensation for replacement of lost assets and land access, as well as livelihood restoration activities, are successfully carried out.
- Conduct consultations with key stakeholders about the project, and acceptable resettlement and other alternatives, as appropriate;
- Prepare social safeguards information materials in line with the SEP and disseminating the information to the relevant stakeholders especially affected communities and other key stakeholders.
- Undertake site visits during project execution with the aim of monitoring the effectiveness of social safeguards measures as stipulated in the ESMP and provide proposed actions to improve on mitigation measures.
- Work with the Occupational Health and Safety Specialist, in engaging with impacted communities on Community Health and Safety (CHS) issues and undertake site supervision of project sites to ensure CHS measures are adhered to
- Conduct consultations with key stakeholders throughout the project cycle social impacts as stipulated in the SEP.
- Establish grievance redress mechanisms (GRM) to affected people for complaints about project impacts.
- Formulate grievance logs and resolutions templates with third-party appeal provision to ensure no conflict of interest and disturbance with program activities.
- Undertake social safeguards trainings for PIU staff, stakeholders and project staff including Grievance Redress Committees
- Interface with relevant national authorities to ensure implementation of social safeguards, including ensuring that LMP, SEP, ESIAs, ESMPs, RAPs, and Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRMs) are developed and conform with Government and World Bank requirements.
- Ensure social & gender inclusion mainstreaming in the project (such as need for sex disaggregated data, gender analysis, vulnerability analysis etc.)
- Designing and implementing a GBV, SEA, SH and VAC community prevention and response program in the project area,
- Undertake GBV Assessment of the project site thereafter develop GBV Action and GBV Referral Pathways.
- Enhancing mechanisms to mitigate risks of GBV, SEA, TIP and VAC due to the project.
- Conduct a Stakeholder Mapping for GB Stakeholders Respond to and provide required support to GBV, SEA, TIP and VAC survivors within the project area.
- Strengthen coordination with national and district authorities to monitor implementation of GBV/SEA/SH mitigation measures in the project area.
- Strengthen mechanism for surveillance, detection and reporting GBV, SEA, SH and VAC incidence along the project area.
- Provide adequate attention to the disadvantaged and marginalized groups so that they benefit from the project and minimize their risks.
- Collaborate with the Contractors in developing social and gender inclusion plans related to: Women’s employment and economic development; workers’ rights; sexual harassment and gender-based violence, HIV/AIDS and such other communicable diseases, trafficking in persons, child labor and community development.
- Facilitate budgetary formulation.
- Provide Capacity building and monitor implementation.
- Provide oversight for RAP Completion Audits) to be carried out by independent consultant 6-12 months after resettlement activities are completed.
- Perform other tasks and responsibilities related to environmental issues as required by the PI Manager.
Professional Qualifications and Experience
The candidate should meet the following minimum qualifications:
- Master’s degree in a relevant social science (anthropology, sociology, political economy, social development, development studies etc.) or related field
- At least 8 years of experience working in resettlement management issues, social risk management, social inclusion, social accountability
- Extensive knowledge and experience in addressing issues covered by the World Bank’s new Environmental and Social Framework in complex and complicated settings, and across sectors
- Demonstrated ability to translate analytical work into policy advice and substantial, practical recommendations
- Consistent track record in resettlement and relocation, land acquisition and in the analysis, assessment and monitoring of resettlement plans, livelihood restoration plans and Indigenous peoples plans
- Experience with community consultation and the preparation, implementation and monitoring of Partner Engagement Plans
- Ability to present complex social safeguards and social development issues in a simple way to people of different technical backgrounds
- Proven ability to engage effectively with Government, private sector, project beneficiaries and civil society
- Excellent interpersonal, problem-solving skills, analytical skills, and ability to think innovatively and strategically to find solutions to complex development problems
- Very high level of energy and initiative
- Proven ability to work in and actively contribute to teams and champion a positive team dynamic
- Experience working in a multicultural setting
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
Method Of Application
Interested Individuals meeting the stated requirements should submit their updated detailed Curriculum Vito (CVs) and copies of professional certificates in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by fax, or by e-mail) by 20th January, 2023.
The Chief Executive
Blantyre Water Board,
Off-Makata Road,
P.O. Box 30369,
Blantyre,
Malawi
Phone: +265 (0) 1 872 200
Physical submission: Blantyre Water Board Head Office Main Reception
Email for submission of applications:
Email: bwb@bwb.mw
Copy: sbakolo@bwb.mw