Background
The Ministry of Energy and Meteorology is implementing the “Lesotho Renewable Energy and Energy Access Project” (LREEAP) funded by the Government of Lesotho (GoL) and the World Bank (WB). The objective of the project is to increase energy access in rural and peri-urban areas of Lesotho.
The project comprises three components: Grid Extension to Industrial Zones and Peri-urban areas of Lesotho; Rural electrification by mini-grids; and Technical Assistance to support project implementation. The LREEAP hereby invites applications from eligible candidates for the following positions:
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND LIAISON OFFICER
Roles and Responsibilities
The CPLO will be undertaking the following roles and responsibilities:
i. Engage with and foster community relationships, partnerships, groups and networks.
ii. Develop and maintain relationships and partnerships between LREEAP and with local community stakeholders including, but not limited to, local chiefs, religious leaders, community change agents, Civil Society including Non- Governmental Organization (NGO’s), Community Based Organizations (CBOs), private sector agencies and other service providers.
iii. Assist in ensuring that families and communities in the project area are aware of the project through delivering presentations, organizing forums for dialogue, information exchange and dissemination.
iv. Liaise with local community groups, relevant stakeholders to facilitate community linkages with LREEAP.
v. Manage a functional LREEAP Grievance Redress Mechanism to:
• Ensure that complaints received from Project affected communities and individuals are promptly reviewed in order to address project-related concerns.
• Create awareness of the existence of project and Grievance Redress mechanism.
• Oversee the implementation of grievance Redress mechanism: register grievance on the Grievance logbook and acknowledge receipt.
• Support the PIU in responding to grievances of project affected communities and individuals.
• Review and evaluate the grievances and ensure that the compliant is given feedback within set timelines.
• Disclose all site-specific ESMP and all other project documents and information as required.
• Facilitate trainings and meetings on any environmental and social issues.
Other Requirements and Competencies
The CPLO is expected to demonstrate the following competencies through the duration of engagement.
2.1 Operation Focus
i. Gain a thorough understanding of the project operation;
ii. Understand potential impacts of the operation on the local environment, economy and society;
iii. Interact with project partners and inform them of community relations activities and community concerns;
iv. Utilize data and information from the grievance mechanism to develop lessons learned and ensure that they are communicated to communities as appropriate.
2.2 Manage the LREAP Grievance Redress Mechanism
i. Create awareness on the existence of the project and Grievance Redress Mechanism.
ii. Oversee implementation and operation of the Grievance Redress Mechanism.
iii. Register the grievance/complaints on the Grievance Log Book and acknowledge receipt within five (5) days.
iv. Assist the PIU in responding back to the beneficiary’s queries/complaints lodged, giving their status and/or their outcome if they had been resolved.
v. Review and evaluate grievances/complaints and ensure that complainant is given feedback within 14 days.
vi. Receive community and stakeholders’ complaints and concerns and record them in a database; and update complaint information in the database regularly.
vii. Resolve complaints and concerns as appropriate; review complaints regularly and close them out when appropriate.
viii. Work with complaint owners to help identify options for complaint resolution, as necessary.
ix. Assign complaints that cannot be resolved to a relevant authority within the MEM/DoE.
x. Follow up with authority handling the complaint to ensure complaint resolution is advancing in a timely manner and using a fair process; and
xi. Monitor any resolutions to grievances to ensure they are implemented.
2.3 Stakeholders Focus
i. Gain a thorough understanding of local socio-economic and cultural conditions;
ii. Build and maintain relationships with local stakeholders (such as local chiefs, religious leaders, community change agents, community organizations, and nongovernmental organizations);
iii. Provide information about the LREEAP to the stakeholders;
iv.Understand community perceptions of the LREEAP Project;
v. Recognize issues within the community that may result in heightened concern or unrest, and thus provide an early warning system on community issues;
vi. Based on the project’s Environmental and Social Management Framework, facilitate periodic engagements between LREEAP PIU staff, contractors, Consultants, community members, and local officials and representatives, as needed; and
vii. Assist the PIU to arrange meetings and meeting place for any consultations with the community.
2.4 Environmental focus
i. Under the guidance of the Environmental specialist, disclose all site-specific Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) and all other project documents and information, as required;
ii. Conduct regular meetings with MEM/DOE and relevant stakeholders including communities to resolve issues and problems; and
iii. Facilitate trainings and meetings on any environment and social issues.
Qualifications and Experience
i. Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations or Mass Communication or Journalism or Sociology or Development Studies.
ii. Five (5) years’ relevant project experience working with communities especially in Lesotho.
iii. At least two (2) years’ experience working with energy sector.
iv. Deep knowledge of potential conflict points for MEM and communities.
v. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with project stakeholders and beneficiaries.
vi. Excellent oral and written fluency in Sesotho and English.
vii. Superior organizational and time management skills.
viii. Demonstrable computer skills with Microsoft Applications and other software is an added advantage.
ix. Demonstrable ability to produce informative reports for the client – Sample table of contents for monthly, quarterly and annual reports prepared to be submitted with the CV.
Reporting Requirements
Working in close collaboration the gender and community awareness specialist CPLO will report to the Environment and Social Specialists. The reporting and administrative supervision at district level will be established at a later stage. The CPLO will produce weekly and monthly reports indicating complaints or queries registered and key communication messages shared with the PIU.
Other Requirements
i. Strong customer service focus.
ii. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
iii. Ability to work both independently and within teams.
iv. Ability to work on issues that may lead to conflict or be emotionally charged.
v. Ability to influence decision making at all levels.
vi. Ability to spend extended periods in the field and work irregular hours.
vii. Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of public relations and communications programs and/or marketing campaign strategies.
viii. General knowledge of school system personnel policies.
ix. Ability to maintain complete and accurate records and statistics and to develop meaningful reports from that information.
x. Ability to make oral presentations before large/small groups of people.
xi. Ability to exercise considerable tact and courtesy in frequent contact with the public.
xii. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
Location and Duration of the Assignment
The Community Participation and Liaison Officer will be based in Maseru, Lesotho at the Department
of Energy in the Ministry of Energy and Meteorology. Frequent travels inside and outside the country
will be required for supervision of project implementation. Travel costs thereto shall be covered under
PIU.
Interested candidates must email applications, CVs including certified Certificates to [email protected] cc [email protected] or hand deliver to Lower Thetsane end of Senqu Street. The deadline for submission of applications is Friday, 28th May 2021 at 12:00 noon. Please contact Procurement Specialist at +266 58044104 for further clarifications.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contracted. Female are strongly encouraged to apply.