Job Description
MINISTRY OF HEALTH
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES- INDIVIDUAL SELECTION)
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL STANDARDS SPECIALIST (ESSS)
Country: Malawi
Name of Project: Malawi Health Emergency Preparedness, Response and Resilience Program (MHEPRRP)
Procurement Reference Number: MW-MOH-431722-CS-INDV
Issue Date: 29th July 2024
Environmental and Social Standards Specialist
1. Background
The government of Malawi is implementing the Malawi Health Emergency Preparedness, Response and Resilience Program (MHERRP) funded by the World Bank (IDA). This is a five-year project. The Project aims at strengthening health system resilience and multisector preparedness and response to health emergencies in Malawi.
The Ministry of Health intends to source consultancy services for Environmental and Social Standards Specialist to work on the project. The position is tenable at the Ministry of Health Headquarters, Capital Hill, Lilongwe, Malawi.
2. Project Development Objective (PDO)
The Project Development Objective (PDO) is to strengthen health system resilience and multisector preparedness and response to health emergencies in Malawi. The Project will strengthen the preparedness and resilience of the health system and improve early detection and response to Health Emergencies (HEs) through a multi-sectoral approach. To this end, the project team will support the implementation of the Project activities in alignment with the Project Development Objectives.
The Environmental and Social Standards Specialist (ESSS) will work collaboratively with Project team members to provide technical leadership in managing the environmental and social aspects of the project components’ activity execution process. The ESSS will be responsible for identifying and mitigating environmental and social risks and impacts, overall monitoring and reporting of implementation of all environmental and social (E&S) measures, as described in the E&S instruments.
These instruments include an Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP), Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), which includes a Grievance Mechanism, Labour Management Procedures (LMP), Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF), and, where applicable, Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs). Additionally, the ESSS will oversee Life and Fire assessments and activities, in support of infection Control and Waste Management Plans, and any due diligence requirements. The ESSS will ensure gender considerations and mainstreaming in the implementation of project components’ activities. Therefore, the ESSS will offer support to ensure that the project adheres to environmental and social standards and other related tasks of the project.
3. Objective of the Assignment
The ESSS will provide technical guidance and leadership in the management of environmental and social aspects throughout the execution process of various project components and activities.
4. Duties and Accountabilities
The ESSS will be tasked with the responsibility of environmental and social risk management and ensuring compliance with environmental and social framework requirements in addition to national policy and legislative requirements under the guidance and supervision of the Project Coordinator (PC). His/her responsibilities will include but are not limited to the following:
- Collaborating with all relevant stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health and District Councils, to conduct a screening of environmental and social risks and impacts for the project.
- Ensure Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) are developed and adequately implemented for project activities and mitigation measures on a site-specific basis.
- Conduct an environmental and social risk screening, along with an assessment of occupational health and safety (OHS) risks.
- Due Diligence assessments, and/or Infection Control and Waste Management Plans. agencies and the World Bank before being implemented.
- Develop and implement an internal administrative tracking system for the PIT to monitor the progress of project activities in terms of meeting environmental and social safeguard requirements.
- Design and deliver, or arrange for the delivery of, an environmental and social safeguards capacity building program for the PIT and district-based relevant stakeholders in various implementing agencies.
- Assist in setting up and designing project-level Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRM) (ESS 10) and ensuring the functionality of the Worker’s GRM.
- Monitoring the implementation of environmental and social risk management activities as documented in ESMPs, WMP, OHS, and other E&S instruments, and social response operations at sector and district levels through designated Social and Environmental focal officers at the Sector level and Environmental District Officers at district level respectively:
- Preparation of non-compliance reports and keeping track of respective responses/actions undertaken; preparation of Environmental Compliance Monitoring Reports. Report to be attached to monthly project progress reports;
- Timely review reports from independent Environmental and Social consultants engaged under the project and ensure necessary clearance/ or approval by relevant authorities (Malawi Environmental Protection Authority and World Bank);
- Support in the preparation of general assessment focusing on E&S, mid-term, mid-reviews, final evaluations, and environmental and social audits.
- Ensure that Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, Sexual Harassment, Child labour, STi, Community Health and Safety, and gender and social inclusion-related impacts are addressed and mitigated during the project implementation;
- Ensuring that vulnerable people such as the ultra-poor, women, people with disabilities, people living with HIV/AIDS, child-headed households and people living with albinism are not marginalized and affected negatively by the project;
- Support gender integration strategies and guide on appropriate interventions for the mainstreaming of gender needs across the project; as well as monitoring of GBV/SEA/SH cases;
- Carry out any other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by PC from time to time, including supporting other World Bank-financed projects under the MoH
5. Duration of the Assignment
The ESSS position is available for a contract period of five years, with every year contract being renewed with the possibility of extension dependent on satisfactory performance, need and availability of funding.
6.0 Performance Criteria
The ESSS performance will be evaluated using pre-established performance criteria metrics. The results of this evaluation will be used to determine whether the Project’s contract will be renewed or terminated which includes the following:
- Development of identified environmental and social safeguard instruments and tools
- Full implementation of safeguards plans;
- Coordinate environmental and social impact assessments and make appropriate recommendations;
- Provision of guidance and direction to management for ensuring compliance with safeguards requirements;
- No. of Environmental and safeguards standards instruments prepared;
- Annual Safeguards management system/approach including record keeping developed and updated;
- Quarterly response to social standards incidents/ GRM
- Biannual follow-up on Hospital ombudsman issues using Client satisfaction survey and;
- Quarterly Environmental and Social standards supervision and monitoring reports
7.0 Deliverables
The ESSS Specialist shall be responsible for the following deliverables: –
- Update ESMP after project effectiveness;
- Provide monthly project progress reports on Environment, Social, Health and Safety, and waste management to the Project Coordinator and the World Bank,
- Provide monthly Environmental Compliance Monitoring Reports
- Provide Quarterly Environment and Social Safe Guards Reports
- Prepare Biannual Quality and timeliness of safeguards instruments;
- Develop Quality of safeguards management system/approach including record keeping
- Annual E&S reports presented to PIC and submitted to the World Bank
8.0 Qualifications and Skills Required
8.1. Qualifications and Experience
- A minimum of Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Sciences, Natural Sciences, Social Development Studies, Social Sciences or any other related field with experience in environmental and social safeguards management. Those will relevant Master’s degree will have an added advantage
- Knowledge and experience in environmental and social safeguards planning and management, with a minimum of five years of progressive experience in environmental and social risk management, including safeguards or social standard applicable experience;
- Have a thorough knowledge of World Bank environmental and social safeguards policies. Those who can demonstrated experience in successfully preparing Environmental Social Impact Assessment’s, Environmental and Social Management Plan and Resettlement Action Plans by World Bank standards will have an added advantage;
- Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in addressing environmental and social safeguards issues, ideally in donor-funded programmes (World Bank/AfDB) will be an added advantage;
- Be familiar with World Bank Group Gender Strategy (2016-23), and gender and energy linkages in Malawi;
- Have experience with designing and delivering capacity-building programs on Environmental, gender and social safeguards;
- Be familiar with environmental, social, gender and economic conditions prevailing in Malawi;
- Solid understanding of issues relating to development projects, reconstruction and conflict mitigation, including the ability to speak persuasively and present ideas clearly and concisely:
- Strong organizational and communications skills and ability to interface with grassroots, district and sector players in the discipline;
- Evidence of accomplishments of work objectives of similar magnitude and scale while creating an enabling environment for team and collaborators;
- Understanding of assignment objectives, effective planning of activities and ability to adjust to changing circumstances;
- Demonstrated ability to work in a team and capacity to foster teamwork and establish harmonious working relationships in a multicultural environment;
8.2 Required Competences
- Exceptional writing and communication skills, demonstrated through their experience in report writing
- Proficiency in computer skills, including advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office applications such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
- Strong interpersonal, communication and facilitation skills
- Proficiency in both written and verbal English communication.
- Ability to use data collection platforms such as Survey Solutions, ODK, and KoBo Toolbox on mobile devices
- Strong attention to detail and thoroughness in work product.
- Ability to work in a team and independently with minimal supervision.
- Ability to multi-task and work with tight deadlines and deliver exceptional results.
9. Reporting
The ESSS Specialist will report directly to the PC.
10. Location
The ESSS will be based at the Ministry of Health, Capital Hill. The following shall be provided by the Client: office space, furniture, office equipment, and internet facilities.
11. The attention of interested consultants is drawn to Section Ill, 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.
12. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant (INDV) selection method set out in the Procurement Regulations.
13. Further information can be obtained at the address (a) below during working hours from 08 – 12 and 13 – 16 hours’ local time (Monday to Friday) except National Public Holidays.
14. Expression of Interest, including updated curriculum vitae and copies of academic and professional qualifications must be delivered in written form to the address (b) below (in person or by mail) by 15th August 2024
15. Address for information and clarifications:
a) The Project Coordinator
Ministry of Health
Malawi Health Emergency Preparedness, Response and Resilience Program (MHEPRRP)
P.O Box 30377, Lilongwe 3
Attention: The Project Coordinator
Email: recruitment@health.gov.mw
copy; woffen@yahoo.co.uk, mercykulima@yahoo.com, emmiewaya@yahoo.com
b) For Expressions of Interest
The Chairperson, Internal Procurement & Disposal Committee
Ministry of Health
Malawi Health Emergency Preparedness, Response and Resilience
Program (MHEPRRP)
P.O Box 30377, Lilongwe 3
Malawi
Email: recruitment@health.gov.mw
copy; woffen@yahoo.co.uk, mercykulima@yahoo.com, emmiewaya@yahoo.com