Environmental Safeguard Specialist

Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture

REPUBLIC OF MALAWI
MINISTRY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, UNITY AND CULTURE
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL SELECTION)

COUNTRY: MALAWI
NAME OF PROJECT: REGIONAL CLIMATE RESILIENCE PROGRAM FOR EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA 2 (RCRP)
PROJECT ID #: P181308
Assignment Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SAFEGUARDS SPECIALIST
Reference No.: MW-NLGFC-405631-CS-INDV
Date of Issue : 29th October, 2024

1. INTRODUCTION

The Government of Malawi through Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs has applied for financing toward the cost of the Regional Climate Resilient Programme (RCRP). The Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture and National Local Government Finance Committee as implementing agencies for sub-component 2.2 of the programme intends to apply part of the proceeds of this financing to eligible payments under the contract for hiring an Environmental Safeguard Specialist.

The Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture and National Local Government Finance Committee 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: Deputy Project Coordinator
Duration of Assignment : 5 years

2. THE OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The Environmental Safeguard Specialist will support the Project Implementation Unit (LG-NGFC) in ensuring ensure that all environment safeguards issues that may impact the projects managed in accordance with World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), and Good International Industry Practice (GIIP). Working with other team members, the Environmental Safeguard Specialist will ensure eligible local authorities develop and implements environmental safeguards issues in all the sub-project sites.

3. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Environmental Safeguards Specialist will be responsible for day-to-day facilitation of RCRP activities in ensuring that the sub projects implemented under local authorities are compliance with the requirements of the environmental and social safeguards as outlined in the governing Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and the Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF).

The Environmental Safeguard Specialist duties will include but will not be limited to:

  1. In collaboration with the Social Safeguards Specialist, support and supervise the eligible local authorities in conducting environmental and social screening and securing all environmental and natural resources management related permits and authorisations followed by the timely development and disclosure of Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) and Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (where applicable) of all sub-project activities implemented by local authorities with the aim of incorporating due processes as standard practice in environmental and social safeguards implementation;
  2. Conduct reviews of ESMPs of all the sub-projects developed by the local authorities in compliance with Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and the Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF), RAPs, and ESIA to ensure quality and timely submission, and World Bank review of sample documents;
  3. Coordinate and interact with contractors, design engineers, etc., to review environmental and social concerns into the planning, design and contracting of investments, including the preparation of tender documents in line with the project ESMF, and WB Environmental and Social Framework (ESF);
  4. Develop and implement an internal administrative tracking system for the PIU in order to monitor the progress of project activities in terms of meeting environmental, safety, and social safeguard requirements. The system will include the planning, assessment, approval, implementation and monitoring phases of RCRP, GESD and SSRLP linked project activities. The system will be computer based (using a spread sheet or Microsoft Access) 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, reports to be aligned with ESCP reporting requirements and template;
  5. Together with other specialists, design and deliver or arrange for the delivery of, an environmental, safety and social safeguards capacity building program for local authorities staff and other relevant stakeholders with the purpose of strengthening capacity of local authorities to implement environmental, safety and social safeguard requirements effectively within the context of the activities and the larger RCRP activities;
  6. Following up implementation of ESMPs at sector and district levels through relevant local authority staff;
  7. Undertaking review of Contractors Environmental and Social Management Plan (C-ESMPs) and provide feedback to local authorities;
  8. Undertake site visits on compliance monitoring of GESD and SSRLP linked sub-projects; Labour Management Procedures (LMPs), Codes of Conducts etc including determining and suggesting remedial actions in collaboration with the Social Expert and Occupational Safety and Health (OHS) Expert;
  9. Preparation of non-compliance reports and keeping track of respective responses/actions undertaken and preparation of periodic Environmental Compliance Monitoring Reports;
  10. Preparation of progress reports, as per ESCP;
  11. Participating at the official meetings with the Bank and other forums related to the project;
  12. Provide inputs and materials to Communication Specialist for devising communication strategy, knowledge products and dissemination of results;
  13. Performing any other duties as may be necessary for the effective implementation of the project as assigned by Deputy Project Coordinator; and
  14. Provide ad hoc surplus support to other PlUs under the RCRP project regarding Environmental Safeguards activities.

4. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The candidate should meet the following qualifications:

  1. A Master’s Degree in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Engineering, or Natural Resources Management;
  2. A minimum of 10 years of demonstrated experience in the field of environmental management at National level, local authority, international organization, and donor projects handling environmental and social aspects of planning, assessing and managing civil works projects of various scale:
  3. Have thorough working knowledge of World Bank environmental and social frameworks (ESF), especially Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, and have demonstrated experience in successfully preparing ESIAs, ESMPs and RAPs, and development of other instruments such as waste management plans, traffic safety management plan, hazardous substances management plan, biodiversity management plans and rehabilitation plans in accordance to World Bank standards and environmental policies and regulations of the Government of Malawi;
  4. Membership or accreditation by IAIA or Malawi chapter of IAIA will be an added advantage;
  5. Have experience with designing and delivering capacity building programs;
  6. Demonstrated ability to assess technical issues of environment and sustainability nature;
  7. Have excellent oral and written communication skills in English, as well as team participation and management skills;
  8. Strong organizational and communications skills and ability to interface with grassroots, district and sector players in the discipline;
  9. Demonstrated Computer Skill (Proficiency in using computer desktop application MS Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint); and
  10. Knowledge of the decentralized local government systems in Malawi.

5. DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT

The Contract is for an initial period of one-year and will thereafter be extended for the entire period of the project upon

satisfactory completion of the assignment and

satisfactory appraisal results.

6. LOCATION OF EMPLOYMENT
The Environmental Safeguards Specialist will be based at the PIU Office in Lilongwe, but would be required to travel regularly to local authorities where the RCRP sub component 2.2 is implementing its activities.

7. REPORTING
The Environmental Safeguard Specialist will report to the Deputy Project Coordinator on all administrative, operational and technical issues related to his/her functions and will collaborate with other specialist under the project.

8. MODE 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 Monday, 11th November, 2024 on or before 16:00 hours, local time.

The Deputy Project Coordinator,
Regional Climate Resilience Program for Eastern and Southern Africa 2 Project,
National Local Government Finance Committee
Box 31162
Lilongwe 3
MALAWI.
Email: ed@nlgfc.gov.mw copy flemingsnyirenda@gmail.com