Job Advertisement

Short Term Consultant – Environmental Specialist, Lilongwe, Malawi
Organization: World Bank
Sector: Environment
Grade: Short Term Consultant (STC)
Term Duration: 40 days
Recruitment Type: Local
Location: Lilongwe, Malawi
Required Language(s): English
Preferred Language(s): Fluency in at least Chichewa

The World Bank Environment Department, Eastern Africa Region is looking to hire a short-term consultant (STC) to be based in Malawi.

The consultant will be hired on a part-time basis as short term consultant to support the environmental safeguards and environmental risk management compliance on World Bank projects in Malawi based on business needs. These assignments will be based in Malawi.

The STC Environmental Specialist will report to the Environmental Safeguards Focal Point responsible for Malawi.

This is a locally recruited position, not an internationally recruited position, as such the conditions of employment will be in line with the employment market in the country.

Duties and Accountabilities.

The duties and responsibilities of the STC Environmental Specialist includes:

• Provide conceptual, operational and technical support to World Bank operations on environmental safeguards and standards under World Bank policies and the Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) including:
  1. advise Client on the requirements of environmental safeguard policies and ESF to guide them on delivering quality environmental safeguards project documentation and supporting analysis.
  2. supervise the Borrower’s preparation of safeguard documents and implementation of safeguard and ES procedures and to meet the Bank’s requirements.
  3. work with technical colleagues to understand technical proposals and identify environmental issues as well as management solutions at the early stage of a project.
  4. prepare Bank internal safeguard/ESF documents.
  5. carry out monitoring and supervision on client’s compliance to environmental commitments during project implementation.
  6. promote knowledge sharing and experience exchange on safeguard issues. Close cooperation with the Social Safeguards/ ESF/Standards Specialist assigned to each operation is required.

More specifically the STC Environmental Specialist will be required to undertake the following tasks:

• Provide technical support for the screening of Bank projects for environmental risks and impacts, vulnerabilities, and identify risk management opportunities/strategies including in Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and climate change adaptation and mitigation in Bank operations.
• Monitor compliance of all project-financed activities with World Bank safeguards policies for projects under implementing or with concepts approved before October 1, 2018.
• In accordance with the Bank’s ESF, contribute to the determination of the appropriate environmental risk classification of projects (including projects involving financial intermediaries) taking into account all relevant information such as the type, location, sensitivity and scale of the project, the nature and magnitude of the potential impacts (direct, indirect and cumulative), the capacity and commitment of the Borrower (and any other entities responsible for project implementation) to manage risks and impacts in a manner consistent with the ESSs.
• Monitor compliance of all project-financed activities with applicable ESSs including on OHS guidelines, sector specific guidelines, other relevant policies, and contract specific conditions; flag issues of non-compliance to borrower and Bank management and advise and support the borrower in developing and implementing remedies.
• Provide guidance to the borrower in open and transparent engagement (through consultations, information disclosure and grievance redress mechanism) with relevant project stakeholders throughout the project cycle.
• Participate as team member in World Bank operations, advising on environmental and safeguards/Standards approaches, the Bank’s policies and requirements, and technical issues, during preparation and supervision.
• Proactively work with the Bank teams and clients to improve the performance of the portfolio with regard to environmental safeguards /ESF Standards and outcomes.
• Support the client to prepare the relevant documentation related to environmental risks and impacts of potential projects.
  Provide environmental input in project documents including Concept Review, Appraisal and Decision/Negotiations Packages.
• Maintain effective communication with counterparts (and development partner community and NGOs as and when required or needed), and other local agencies and organizations on World Bank activities in the environment sector.
• Provide experienced mentorship to clients in the preparation of project cycle documentation including terms of reference (ToR) for environmental safeguard instruments, such as environmental and social assessments (incl. strategic, regional and cumulative); environmental and social management frameworks and plans, Electronic and Waste Management Plans, Traffic Safety Management Plans, Pest Management Plans etc.,, and supervising their implementation. Contract specifications related to environmental safeguards and risks management, particularly for large dams and water projects. Provide technical training for the domestic EA practitioners on the WBG safeguard policies and requirements.
• Actively seek to learn World Bank Group procedures, and contribute to their improvement, by participating in training offered, by developing a personal training program, keeping abreast of research and development knowledge in the environment and natural resources sector, and relevant safeguard management process.
• Contribute to other Environment programs and activities in Malawi, as needed and directed by the Practice Manager.

Selection Criteria

It is expected that the successful candidates will meet the following selection criteria:

• Advanced Degree (Masters or PhD) in Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science/Management, or Natural Resources Management.
• A minimum of 8 years relevant operational experience after post-graduate qualification and proven track record as an environmental assessment and management professional. Especially on projects involving large scale civil works, extractive or industrial activities would be a strong advantage.
• Experience in the preparation of environmental safeguard/risk management documents of the lending projects of the WBG or other international organizations.
• Demonstrated experience in monitoring Operational Health and Safety (OHS) issues. This should include specific field-based project experience.
• Demonstrated good understanding of impact and risk identification and assessment including cumulative impacts, and applying mitigation hierarchy and proportionality.
• Good analytical skills, ability to think strategically, analyze and synthesize diverse qualitative and quantitative environmentally – related data and information.
• Knowledge of the World Bank’s safeguards Framework (ESF). Knowledge of WB EHSGs or similar standards would be an advantage.
• Ability to manage and follow up on multiple work-streams simultaneously.
• Ability to work well with a range of stakeholders, including project-affected parties, government officials, non-governmental organizations / civil society, as well as project investors and their staff.
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently within Malawi, including to remote rural areas.
• Ability to communicate clearly, confidently, and proactively, to articulate issues and recommend solutions.
• Demonstrated capacity to work in teams, be proactive, and share knowledge.
• A strong sense of teamwork and ability to work independently with limited supervision.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Advanced knowledge of MS office applications (Word, Excel, Power Point).
• Excellent oral and written communications skills in English.
• Fluency in Chichewa in addition to English, is required.

Type of contract

STC are paid on daily basis and are paid for actual days worked. Under this assignment, the consultant should be based in Malawi. The number of working hours per week is not set as the consultant engagement will depend on current workload and business need. It is, however, expected that the STC will start on a 40-day contract, with the possibility to extend based on business needs, and performance of the candidate, up to maximum 150 days per year.

If interested please send your application letter with curriculum vitae enclosed to tchiwaya@worldbank.org by 30th November 2024.