Applications are invited for the following vacant positions tenable at the Ministry of Natural Resources – the Lesotho Lowlands Water Supply Scheme Unit (LLWSSU).
The LLWSS is a bulk water supply designed for the lowlands of Lesotho.
JOB TITLE: Environment & Social Impact Manager
GRADE: Special Grade
NO OF POSITIONS: 1 (One)
RESPONSIBLE TO: Director, LLWSSU
TENURE: 2 Years
JOB SUMMARY
The LLWSS requires surety that its environmental and social impacts are either positive or can be mitigated and this process needs to be married very early on. A methodology of estimating demands and willingness to pay for different sizes of communities needs to be developed and agreed upon.
A Specialist is needed to examine the methodology used, ground-truth check it and help facilitate quick agreement with other stakeholders. Heavy engagement with the communities is required.
The Specialist will also ensure that the Resettlement Action Plan as well as the Environment Management Plan are in place and are implemented in accordance with the national and international laws. At the same time, the Specialist will assist in setting up of a system for assessing, addressing, and implementing settlement and compensation policies and plans to landowners and communities as well as land acquisition.
Key Responsibilities
The Specialist shall be responsible for all environmental and social impact assessments and their related management activities and this includes but is not limited to the following:
- Development of the terms of reference for social and environmental assessments required to inform the scheme/project preparation and implementation.
- Preparation, review, and validation of Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) reports, Environmental Management Plans (EMP), compensation and resettlement plan as well as other socioeconomic reports. This shall include the balance between positive and adverse impacts, and the cost implications.
- Oversee the management of all social and environment programmes including consultants and ensure the highest standard of quality in community engagement, project outreach and mitigation activities conforms to the national and international procedures and guidelines.
- Supervision of land acquisition and involuntary resettlement activities under implementation including taking responsibility for inclusion of vulnerable households as well as gender perspectives to ensure equal participation and benefit distribution.
- The provision of advice to the other members of the team, during the planning and design of development projects on the potential social and environmental effects of the various project options under consideration, in order that adverse impacts can be minimized and positive impacts maximized. This advice shall include recommendations on the necessary mitigation measures and costs.
- Review and validate catchment management studies reports and integrated catchment conservation and management project proposal documents. The Expert shall be expected to participate in stakeholder participation.
- Prepares quarterly progress report which includes work carried out and planned activities for the next quarter.
Qualifications and Experience
- Minimum BSc Degree in Environmental and Social Sciences field with at least 10 to 15 years’ experience in conducting Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Studies (ESIA) as well as Resettlement and Compensation Plans for large water supply projects and construction of multipurpose dams.
- The Specialist shall also have experience in the procurement and supervision of consultants/contractors.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications on relevant forms, G.P. 104 (for the serving officers) and G.P. 103 (for job seekers) with duly certified copies of educational certificates, CV, ID and transcripts, should be submitted to:
Human Resources Office
Block C, LNDC 5th Floor
Department of Mining
Maseru 100
NOT LATER THAN 30th JUNE 2025 AT 15:00 PM