Occupational, Health and Safety (OHS) Specialist

Roads Authority

Government of the Republic of Malawi
Accelerating Malawi’s Economic Growth
Roads Authority (Malawi)

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES-INDIVIDUAL SELECTION)
REGIONAL CLIMATE RESILIENCE PROGRAM FOR EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA 2
Country: MALAWI
Name of Project: REGIONAL CLIMATE RESILIENCE PROGRAM FOR EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA 2
Grant No: IDA – E2790 / IDA – E2800
Assignment Title: OCCUPATIONAL, HEALTH AND SAFETY SPECIALIST
Project ID: P181308
Reference No.: MW-RA-404916-CS-INDV
Date of Issue: 10th May, 2024

1. Background
The Government of Malawi has obtained a credit and grant from the International Development Association (IDA) through the crisis response window to implement the Regional Climate Resilience Program for Eastern and Southern Africa 2 Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services. The consulting services (“the Services”) include consultancy services as an Occupational, Health and Safety (OHS) Specialist for the construction of washed-away road sections and drainage structures in the Southern Region under the Regional Climate Resilience Program for eastern and Southern Africa 2 (RCRP).

The Roads Authority now invites eligible individuals (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.

2. Objectives of the Assignment
The expert will familiarize him/herself with the safeguards documents for the project such as the Project Social Management Framework (ESMF) and ensure that Environmental and Social Impact (ESIA), RAP, OHS plans are developed and that Contractor’s ESMP and World Bank (WB) Environment, Safety and Health (ESH) Guidelines, and project instruments, improved performance and implementation of these tools during the project and recommend improvements to the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) and the World Bank. He / She will ensure that the construction and supervision of washed-away road sections and drainage structures activities comply with the WB Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and ESH guidelines as outlined in the governing Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP), Labour Management Procedures and Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF).

3. Duties and Responsibilities
The OHS Specialist will report to the Project Coordinator and will have the following major duties and responsibilities:

  1. Considering World Bank Environmental Health Safety Guidelines (EHSG), Good International Industry Practice (GIIP), the OHS specialist will compile OHS procedures update where applicable the OHS strategy, system and the operational plans for the road infrastructure project subcomponent which falls under the Roads Authority’s PIU.
  2. Together with OHS officers of contractors, develop, update, coordinate and facilitate the development and/or revision of and OHS risk assessments and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the various activities under the Project.
  3. Liaise with other specialists (including Environmental, Social, Project Civil Engineer, etc.) in the team on OHS matters to review severe OHS incidents, recurring minor incidents, and near misses that have occurred on project with the aim to further mitigate these from repeating.
  4. Facilitate the development of Health and Safety Manual and a health and Safety Management plan for the Roads Authority’s implemented project activities and incorporate the relevant OHS measures (including emergency preparedness and response measures) into the Labour Management Procedures (LMP) and community Safety.
  5. Conducting OHS site inspections on a regular basis with adequate frequency.
  6. Providing internal audits on OHS issues.
  7. Facilitating wellness health awareness and screening Programs.
  8. Support project teams and clients in investigating the root cause/s of the incidents and developing appropriate remedial and mitigation measures.
  9. Prepare and deliver reports to the project on OHS incidents, patterns of incidents, and proposed recommendations
  10. Help develop and implement a comprehensive intervention to improve worker OHS, and Community Health and Safety for communities directly impacted by the project.
  11. Develop and implement a training program on OHS for project clients and contractors
  12. Recommend measures to help protect workers, and community members, from potentially hazardous work methods, working at heights, scaffolding measures, working adjacent to flowing water, waste management and disposal, and other relevant processes, or materials.
  13. Advise communities and/or institutions regarding health or safety issues
  14. Inspect or evaluate workplace environments, equipment, or practices to ensure compliance with safety standards and government regulations
  15. Develop or maintain hygiene programs, such as noise surveys, continuous atmosphere monitoring, ventilation surveys, or asbestos management plans
  16. Review and inputs into community emergency procedure plans for subcomponent activities
  17. Inspect work environments to ensure safety for the workers and community
  18. Conduct safety training or education programs, job hazard assessments, and demonstrate the use of safety equipment
  19. Investigate health-related complaints and inspect facilities to ensure that they comply with public health legislation and regulations, and World Bank’s ESF and ESHS requirements, and project ESMF.
  20. Develop or maintain medical monitoring programs for employees and contractors
  21. Set up monitoring systems for the sites, including file management on site for Toolbox talks and topics, ongoing skills and training development, SOPs, Permits to work, incident reports, monitoring First Aid kits, etc. Ensuring first aid kits are appropriately stocked to type of activities anticipated on sites, etc
  22. Develop and review and monitoring emergency procedures for sites including ensuring correct fire prevent controls and training in place, etc.
  23. Coordinate “right-to-know” programs regarding hazardous chemicals or other substances, and safety procedures.
  24. Maintain or update Emergency Response Plans or procedures, as well as waste management plan, traffic safety management plan, hazardous substances management plan, etc., with necessary SOPs or safety procedures developed in the OHS strategy and plan.

4. Performance Criteria

The following performance criteria will be used to assess the performance of the Project OHS Specialist at annually and based upon these assessments the contract with the Project may be continued or terminated:

  1. Timely implementation of planned activities
  2. Coordination with stakeholders, including contractors and consultants, ensuring timely sharing of information and other related program implementation issues.
  3. Enforcement of inclusion of environmental aspects in RCRP implementation in line with national legislation and requirements of World Bank Environmental Health Safety Guidelines (EHSG), Good International Industry Practice (GlIP),
  4. Implementation of structured communication updates/ stakeholder engagement, in liaison with other specialists, to inform external stakeholders and manage grievances;
  5. Timely periodic provision of a synthesis of progress against planned actions, key challenges and proposed management decisions.

5. Reporting Requirement

The Project OHS 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:

  1. BSc in occupational safety or Bsc in public health, Engineering (Civil, Environmental, Quality and Safety), Environmental Health and Safety, those with a Masters Degree will have an added advantage.
  2. A qualification and or international certificate in OHS e.g. NEBOSH, or similar.
  3. A minimum of 8 years of demonstrable project experience in developing, implementing and/or supervising OHS in construction, with experience in transport infrastructure, energy, hydropower, DRM and or extractives sectors at similar or senior level.
  4. Knowledge of OHS management systems, including experience auditing/ assessing health and safety programs and systems.
  5. Membership of professional bodies and experience in implementing World Bank funded projects and/or other multilateral banks’ OHS policies will be an added advantage.
  6. Demonstrated ability to assess technical issues of OHS and to effect a cultural change to create a culture of safety across a workplace or organization
  7. Have excellent oral and written communication skills in English, as well as team participation and management skills
  8. Proficiency in using computer applications e.g. MS Word, Excel and Power Point.

7. Duration of the Assignment
The assignments are for period of five years with contract eligible for review and renewal annually depending 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
Project OHS Specialist will be based at the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) 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 Ill, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, nd 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 Friday, 24th May, 2024 on or before 16:00 hours local time.

The Project Coordinator
Regional Climate Resilience Program for Eastern and Southern Africa 2
Roads Authority,
Functional Building, Paul Kagame Road
Private Bag B346,
Lilongwe 3
Email: ipc@ra.org.mw