MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTVITY PROGRAMME FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA (APPSA)
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
(CONSULTING SERVICES- INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS SELECTION METHOD)
LOAN NO: P164486
CREDIT NO: IDA-63580-LS
ASSIGNMENT TITLE: ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL SAFEGUARDS SPECIALIST
REFERENCE NO: LS- DAR-142463-CS-INDV
DURATION: TWELVE MONTHS
BACKGROUND
In an effort, to fight poverty and to accelerate economic growth and improve the welfare of the Basotho the Government of Lesotho (GOL) is part of the SADC regional initiative that implements a regional project for agricultural technology development and dissemination called Agricultural Productivity Program for Southern Africa (APPSA). This is a six-year project supported by separate World Bank (WB) – IDA credit and is under the regional coordination of the Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA). APPSA seeks to promote regional collaboration and put in place mechanisms to encourage technology generation and dissemination within and across national borders of participating countries in the SADC region by (i) supporting regional collaboration in agricultural research, technology dissemination, and training; (ii) establishing Regional Centers of Leadership (RCoLs) on commodities of regional importance, and (iii) facilitating increased sharing of agricultural information, knowledge, and technology among participating countries. Priority farming systems for each existing Regional Center of Leadership (RCoL) have been identified based on a regional priority-setting study that identified top R&D priorities for the SADC region and to that effect Lesotho settled for Horticulture considering the potential comparative advantages that needs to be exploited. The proposed RCoL is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security through the Department of Agricultural Research (DAR) in collaboration with other NARS institutions (NUL and LAC). The project has four sub-components:
Component 1: Technology Generation and Dissemination
Component 2: Strengthening the Institutional and Enabling Environment for Technology adoption
Component 3: Contingency Emergency Response Component (US$0).
Component 4: Project management, monitoring and evaluation and regional coordination
OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist function is responsible for developing and overseeing environmental and social policies and procedures, as well as reviewing and appraising proposed projects for compliance with the environmental and social safeguards requirements. It works with investment officers and clients to define steps necessary to address compliance gaps. Identify opportunities to add value proactively, beyond compliance and risk mitigation, and contribute to long term developmental impact and such sustainability. Work within Government of Lesotho (GoL) and World Bank policies, principles and goal, working directly with National Agricultural Research System (NARS) and clients.
DUTIES
- Provide technical expertise on key issues related to environmental, social impact assessment and sustainability risks in the design, preparation, implementation and supervision of project operations taking into consideration standard practices.
- Advice on and communicate environmental 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 safeguard processes, based on, but not limited to, the findings of the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPMP) activities.
- Lead, identify, and report on activities with high safeguards sensitivity as well as ensuring that magnitude and significance of risks are minimized
- Work with other safeguards teams to ensure that appropriate resources and capacity are deployed to effectively cover the safeguards documents (ESMF and IPMP) of the projects
- Lead monitoring of safeguards policy compliance of APPSA project during implementation
- Design and incorporate into the safeguards plans and project effective and feasible measures to avoid, minimize, and mitigate the adverse environmental and social impacts, and draft relevant project processing documentation.
- Supervise activities to ensure implementation of mitigations measures
- Undertake internal and external consultations with stakeholders in accordance with relevant policies and guidelines
- Contribute significantly to activities for advocacy, dissemination and knowledge building relating to safeguards 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 Ministry of Environment, Tourism and Culture (Department of Environment) and other relevant parties on environment management issues.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Advanced Degree or equivalent, in Environmental Science, Biological Sciences, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences or other related fields.
EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
- A minimum of 5 years working experience as an Environmental, Social or Urban Development Specialist in projects of similar nature.
- A 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.
CONDITIONS
- Renewal of the contract will be subject to satisfactory performance.
SUBMISSION
Expressions of interest accompanied by detailed CV must be submitted in a written form to the email address below by 16:00 hrs local time on the 20 October 2023 clearly marked “Expression of Interest for Consulting Services – “ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL SAFEGUARDS SPECIALIST’’ LS-DAR-376249-CS-INDV. To:
The RCoL Coordinator
Agricultural Productivity Programme for Southern Africa (APPSA)
Department of Agricultural Research
P.O. Box 829
Maseru 100
Lesotho
Email: [email protected]
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified