MINISTRY OF GENDER, YOUTH AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT PATHWAYS TO SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS PROJECT (PSLP)
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
(CONSULTING SERVICES- INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS SELECTION METHOD)
LOAN NO: P177814
CREDIT NO: IDA -71480 -LS
ASSIGNMENT TITLE: ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL SAFEGUARDS SPECIALIST
REFERENCE NO: LS-MOSD-421292-CS-INDV
DURATION: TWELVE MONTHS
BACKGROUND
The Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho through the Ministry of Gender, Youth and Social Development (MoGYSD) has secured credit from the World Bank in the amount equivalent to US$26.5 million toward the implementation of Pathways to Sustainable Livelihood Project (PSLP) for a five (5) year period up to 2027.
The Ministry intends to use a portion of the proceeds of this credit for an individual consultant to act as a Safeguard Specialist to serve as part of a Project Facilitation Unit (PFU) (to be recruited) in the Ministry of Gender, Youth and Social Development.
The project (Pathways to Sustainable Livelihoods Project (PSLP) – P177184) funding is expected to help poor and vulnerable Basotho achieve some level of well-being and graduate out of poverty, as well as improving effectiveness and equity of its social assistance programs and delivery systems. The project is composed of the following components:
- Component 1 will support the introduction of an economic inclusion package designed to strengthen beneficiary livelihoods.
- Component 2 will pre-position contingent finance to enable the timely delivery of shock responsive cash transfers, using those same delivery systems, for more efficient shock responses.
- Component 3 will build on the main achievements of the previous Social Assistance Project (P151442) by continuing to strengthen core delivery systems in order to improve the efficiency and equity of the selected social assistance programs; and
- Component 4 includes project management and technical assistance and supports components 1-3.
OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) specialist (on a parttime basis) function is responsible for overseeing environmental and social policies and procedures, as well as monitoring project activities for compliance with the environmental and social requirements, in line with the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework. S/he will work with Livelihood Specialist and beneficiaries, as needed, to define steps necessary to address compliance gaps and improve project outcomes, to identify opportunities and to add value proactively, beyond compliance and risk mitigation, and contribute to long-term developmental impact and sustainability. The ESS Specialist will work complying to Government of Lesotho (GoL) and World Bank (WB) Environmental and Social Standards, principles and goals.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide technical expertise on key issues related to environmental, social impact assessment and sustainability risks in the implementation and supervision of project operations taking into consideration the requirements of the WB Environmental and Social Standards and international best practices.
- Assist with establishing an appropriate Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) for the Project, building on the existing mechanisms and systems in place within Ministry of Gender, Youth and Social Development (MGYSD).
- Advice on and communicate environmental and social issues, regulatory requirements and other relevant issues to technical staff , regulatory authorities and the public.
- Establish, support and supervise the implementation of environmental and social processes, based on, but not limited to, Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) activities.
- Lead, identify, and report on activities with high environmental and social sensitivity, risks and impacts as well as ensuring that magnitude and significance of risks are minimized.
- Work with other environmental and social specialists to ensure that appropriate resources and capacity are deployed to effectively prepare, monitor and implement environmental and social documents (ESMF and SEP) of the projects.
- Lead monitoring of environmental and social compliance of PSLP project during implementation
- Ensure that environmental and social plans prepared consider cost effective and feasible measures to avoid, minimize, and mitigate the adverse environmental and social impacts, and draft relevant project processing documentation.
- Undertake internal and external consultations with stakeholders in accordance with relevant policies and guidelines.
- Contribute significantly to activities for advocacy, knowledge building and dissemination relating to environmental and social practices and policies.
- Identify environmental/social risk or issues and develop mitigation measures to ensure compliance with the national policies and good international practices.
- Liaise with the Department of Environment) and other relevant parties on environment management issues if needed.
- Work closely with Livelihood Specialist, as needed, on issues interrelated to safeguards and livelihoods project component, particularly in the context of stakeholder engagement.
QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
- Master’s Degree, or equivalent, in Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Biological Sciences, natural sciences, or other related fields.
- A minimum of 5 years working experience as an Environmental, Social or Urban Development Specialist in projects of similar nature.
- Technical knowledge in both environmental and social safeguards processes and compliance
- Experience with GoL and World Bank safeguards policies and requirements will be an added advantage.
- Fluency spoken and written in both Sesotho and English languages is essential.
DURATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The incumbent will be based in Maseru, MGYSD offices. Whenever necessary, and as advised by the Project Coordinator, the Safeguard Specialist will travel to the districts and community councils where project activities are being implemented. The assignment shall be for a period of twelve (12) months, on a part-time basis, renewable upon satisfactory performance.
CONDITIONS
- Renewal of the contract will be subject to satisfactory performance and funds availability.
SUBMISSION
A consultant will be selected in accordance with selection of Individual Consultants Method set out in Procurement Regulations.
Expressions of interest accompanied by detailed CV must be delivered in a written form to the address below in person or by email by 16:00 hrs local time on the 3rd May 2024 clearly marked ‘’ Expression of Interest for Consulting Services – ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL SAFEGUARDS SPECIALIST (LS-MOSD-421292-CS-INDV)”
To: The Project Coordinator
Pathways to Sustainable Livelihoods Project (PSLP)
Ministry of Gender, Youth and Social Development
P/Bag A222
Maseru 100 Lesotho.
Email: [email protected] with a copy to [email protected]
Qualified persons with disabilities and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Applications can be hand delivered or emailed and applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.