The Roads Authority
Government of the Republic of Malawi
Roads Authority (Malawi)
MALAWI
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES-INDIVIDUAL SELECTION)
(APPOINTMENT TYPE: LOCAL HIRE)
| Country: | MALAWI |
| Name of Project: | REGIONAL CLIMATE RESILIENCE PROGRAM FOR EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA 2 |
| Grant No: | IDA – E2790 / IDA – E2800 |
| Assignment Title: | ENVIRONMENTAL SAFEGUARDS SPECIALIST |
| Project ID: | P181308 |
| Reference No.: | MW-RA-404782-CS-INDV |
| Date of Issue: | 21st March, 2024 |
1. Background
The Government of Malawi has applied for financing towards the cost of the Regional Climate Resilience for Eastern and Southern Africa (RCRP2). The Government of Malawi through Roads Authority intends to apply part of the proceeds of this financing to eligible payments under the contract for hiring of an Environmental Safeguards Specialist.
The Roads Authority invites applications from suitably qualified and Interested candidates to fill the position of Environmental Safeguards Specialist, recruited as individual consultant following World Bank Procurement Regulations dated September, 2023.
| Position Title | Project Environmental Safeguards Specialist (1 Position) |
| Time Commitment | 100% |
| Accountable to | Project Coordinator |
| Duration | 5 Years |
2. Objectives of the Assignment
The expert will familiarize himself/herself with the safeguards instruments including the Project Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF). Project Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF), Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) and Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) for the Road project activities, improve performance and implementation of these tools during the project and recommend improvements to the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) and the World Bank. The Specialist will ensure that road project activities comply with the requirements of the WB ESF and ESH guidelines as outlined in the governing Project Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), Project Resettlement Policy Framework (PRF), Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) and Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) including all the supporting management plans as appropriate.
3. Duties and Responsibilities
- Collaboration with Social Expert, Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) specialist, Project Engineers, RA Environmental and Social Planning Unit and all relevant implementation agencies at community, district and headquarter level such as Ministry of Transport and Public Works, Department of Water Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources in conducting environmental and social screening followed by the timely development and disclosure of Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) or Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) as required by the project ESMF, of all sub project activities with the aim of incorporating due processes as standard practice in social and environmental safeguards implementation;
- For upcoming project activities, conduct the needed screening as set out in ESM and whenever necessary, coordinate preparation and review of the required ESIAs, Contractor Environmental and Social Management Plans (CESMPs) and ensure that such plans are approved by the World Bank and relevant agencies prior to implementation;
- Provide professional input regarding environmental concerns into the planning, design and contracting of investments, including the preparation of tender documents and contracts;
- 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 road 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;
- Together with the other specialists, design and deliver, or arrange for the delivery of; an environmental, safety, and social safeguards capacity building program for the PIU, 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 road project activities;
- Undertaking site visits and reviewing contractor’s ESMP including review of bid documents to ensure ESMP requirements are adequately included and costed as part of bid evaluation, including determining and suggesting remedial actions;
- Monitoring implementation of the Contractors Environmental and Social Management Plan to ensure it is functioning as it should;
- Preparation of non-compliance reports and keeping track of respective responses/actions undertaken and preparation of periodic Environmental Compliance Monitoring Reports in relation to ESCP, ESMF, Environment, Safety and Health (ESH) Guidelines, and relevant Environment and Social instrument (ESIA, ESMP, etc.) requirements;
- Participating at the official meetings with the Bank and other forums related to the project;
- Provide inputs and materials to Communication Specialist for devising communication strategy, knowledge products and dissemination of results;
- Ensure that any outstanding environmental issues are properly attended to;
- Create interface between the Social Specialist, OHS, Project Civil Engineer, M&E Specialist, Gender Based Violence (GBV) provider, Communication Specialist and enhance communication and interaction between the grassroots structures, the district and the Sectors including PlUs ensuring sensitization of responsible groups at all levels;
- Provide professional input to Terms of Reference (ToRs) developed by various sectors for recruitment of other environmental and social or safeguard assignments for the project;
- Participate in the timely review of reports of independent Environmental and Social consultants engaged under the project and ensure necessary clearance / or approval by World Bank and relevant authorities such as Malawi Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) and Department of Mines;
- Performing any other duty as may be necessary for the effective implementation of the project as assigned by Project Coordinator; and
- Other duties to be performed as per the requirements by the Project.
4. Performance Criteria
The following performance criteria will be used to assess the performance of the Project Environmental Safeguards Specialist at annually and based upon these assessments the contract with the Project may be continued or terminated
- Timely implementation of planned activities
- Coordination with stakeholders, including contractors and consultants, ensuring timely sharing of information and other related program implementation issues.
- Enforcement of inclusion of environmental aspects in RCRP implementation in line with national legislation and requirements of World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF)
- Implementation of structured communication updates/ stakeholder engagement, in liaison with other specialists, to inform external stakeholders and manage grievances;
- Timely periodic provision of a synthesis of progress against planned actions, key challenges and proposed management decisions.
5. Reporting Requirements
The Environmental Specialist will report to the Roads Authority’s Project Implementation Unit for all his / her technical and administrative operations.
6. Key Qualifications and Experience
The candidate should meet the following minimum qualifications:
- A Master’s Degree in Environmental Sciences/ Master’s Degree in Environmental Engineering
- A minimum of 10 years of cumulative experience in the field of environmental management at National level or international organization, and donor projects handling environmental aspects of planning, assessing and implementing environmental management on civil works projects of various scale, integrated environmental management;
- Have thorough working knowledge of World Bank Environmental and Social Standards (ESS) and have demonstrated experience in successfully preparing ESIAs, ESMPs and other environmental related plans inter alia such as Waste Management Plans, Biodiversity Management Plans, Rehabilitation Plans, Spill Management Plans by World Bank standard, and regulations of Malawi;
- Have experience with designing and delivering capacity building programs,
- Be familiar with environmental, social and economic conditions prevailing in Malawi or similar African countries;
- Have excellent oral and written communication skills in English, as well as team participation and management skills;
- Strong organizational and communications skills and ability to interface with grassroots, district and sector players in the discipline;
- Demonstrated Computer Skill (Proficiency in using computer desktop application MS Office (Word, Excel, and Power Point); and Highly motivated with a positive attitude and energy.
7. Duration of the Assignment
The Project Environmental Safeguards Specialist will be recruited for a period of 5 years but the contract shall be renewable annually based on satisfactory performance.
8. 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 field work.
9. Location of Employment
The Project Environmental Safeguards Specialist 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.
10. The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section IlI, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” dated September 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.
11. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant selection method set out in the Procurement Regulations.
12. Mode of Applications
Interested Individuals meeting the stated requirements should submit their Expressions of Interest including updated 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 email) by Thursday 4th April, 2024 on or before 16:30 hours local time.
The Chairperson,
Internal Procurement and Disposal Committee,
Roads Authority
Attn: Procurement Manager
Functional Buildings, off Paul Kagame Highway, Private Bag B346
Lilongwe 3, Malawi
E-mail: ipc@ra.org.mw
Website: www.ra.org.mw