Project Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist – Ministry of Agriculture
Job Description
Ministry of Agriculture
MITIGATING FRAGILITY THROUGH THE AFRICA DISASTER RISK FINANCING PROGRAMME IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
REQUEST FOR APPLICATION FOR TO FILL VACANCIES OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL SAFEGUARDS SPECIALIST, INDEX INSURANCE SPECIALIST, FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST, PROJECT PROCUREMENT SPECIALIST, AND PROJECT OFFICE ASSISTANT UNDER ADRIFI II PROJECT
1. Background
The Government of Malawi has secured funds from the Prevention Envelope of the Transition Facility of the African Development Bank, amounting to USD 21 million to implement the Multi-National Project “Mitigating Fragility through the Africa Disaster risk Financing Programme (ADRiFi) in Southern Africa: Malawi and Zimbabwe” from 2024 to 2028.
The main objective of the project is to enhance resilience and adaptation to climate disaster risks for vulnerable communities in Malawi and Zimbabwe.
The project which will be implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the Department of Disaster Management Affairs has been designed to contribute towards building national resilience to disasters and address prioritised effects of the 2023 Cyclone-Freddy across sectors and selected local authorities.
The Ministry of Agriculture would like to set up a Project Implementation Unit (PIU) in Lilongwe, through the existing Government structures, which will be responsible for undertaking the day to day operational and administrative tasks, procurement, financial management, insurance index, environmental and social safeguards as well as project implementation.
The Ministry, therefore, seeks to use part of the proceeds of the loan/grant package to recruit individual consultants to fill the positions of the Project Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist, Index Insurance Specialist, Project Procurement Specialist, and Project Office Assistant to provide services in the Project Implementation Unit (PIU).
Position Title: Project Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist
Reporting to: The Project Coordinator
Reference Number: MOA/ADRiFi/CS/01-1
Publication date: 25th December, 2024
Closing date: 20th January, 2025
Place of duty: Ministry of Agriculture Offices (Capital Hill)
Terms of Appointment : Four (4) year contractual appointment renewable every year following excellent performance.
The ESS Specialist is part of a larger Project Implementation Unit, which comprises the Coordinator and other specialists. Specifically, he/she shall be responsible for the day-to-day oversight of the environmental and social aspects of all project activities, particularly those with potentially adverse environmental and social impacts that will need to be adequately mitigated.
1. Duties and Responsibilities
Working closely with the line ministries and institutions responsible, the ESS shall be expected (but not limited) to do the following:
- Review the project related documentation to better understand the implications of proposed environment and social safeguards and ensure that they have been adequately considered in the documentation.
- Interface with National Authorities in charge of social & environment and the AfDB safeguards team to ensure implementation of social and environmental safeguards, including preparation of catchment management plans, Construction Environmental Management Plans (CEMP), Pest Management Plans (PMP), Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIAs), Resettlement Policy Frameworks (RPF), Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRMs), Environmental Social Management Framework (ESMF) conform with Government and AfDB requirements.
- Oversee development monitor implementation of environmental management plans, code conduct for the workers, Environmental Health and Safety for workers, rehabilitation and management of selected sub project sites in order to enhance restoration of ecological functions of project implementation sites.
- Monitor and evaluate the implementation of Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESGs), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) and Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs), Pest Management Plans (PMP), Environmental Construction Plans (ECPs), and any environmental activity that might be implemented on the ground including the sub-projects under the Project to ensure compliance.
- Facilitate integration of relevant cross-cutting social and environmental issues including gender and HIV/AIDs.
- Be the lead on community sensitization meetings to ensure that communities are continuously aware of environmental and social safeguards issues including HIV/AIDs, Child labour, GRM, GBV etc
- Coordinate stakeholder engagement to ensure that relevant stakeholders are continuously updated on project progress and other issues of interest to the stakeholders
- In collaboration with team members of the PIU and relevant national authorities, organize and conduct training workshops, in accordance with the capacity building plan, on environmental and social safeguards and any relevant social and environmental management.
- Periodically, carry out the necessary coordination activities for environmental and social activities and perform related field work as required and submitting clear and concise written reports based on field inspections or regular monitoring.
- Build capacity of implementers and all relevant stakeholders in implementing, monitoring and reporting environmental and social safeguards.
- Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual report to be submitted to the Project Coordinator as a follow-up on the implementation and monitoring of the projects’ environmental and social activities vis-à-vis the respective ESMPs, ESGs, PMPs and EMPs as well as any issue that is encountered with regard to the environmental safeguards.
- Support in the preparation of Annual Work Plans and Budgets Procurement Plans, mid-term reviews, final evaluations, and environmental and social audits.
- Assist the Project Coordinator in any other tasks relevant to the expertise including preparing various reports and other documents required by Management and DPs.
2. Qualifications and experience
The Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist shall have the following qualifications and skills:
- A minimum of post-graduate degree in Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Environmental and Resource Economics, Agricultural Economics, Economics or any relevant field demonstrating environmental and social management
- At least 5 years’ postgraduate experience with relevant and proven track record in similar assignments related environmental and social management.
- Work experience in social, environmental and natural resources management, climate change adaptation, protected areas, wildlife management, and/or integrated water resources management.
- Experience with donor funded programmes will be an added advantage.
- 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.
Note: Applicants for the vacancies should submit their applications together with copies of relevant certificates and Curriculum Vitae to:
The Chairperson
Internal Procurement and Disposal Committee
Ministry of Agriculture,
P. O. Box 30134,
LILONGWE 3.
E-mail: adrifii_afdb_malawi@yahoo.com
To reach him not later than 20th January, 2025
You can get the full Terms of Reference from www.afdb.org or by requesting for the document from adrifii_afdb_malawi@yahoo.com