Job Details

Job Description

THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS)
CHIANSI SMALL HOLDER OUTGROWER SUPPORT PROJECT (COSP)
AGRICULTURAL SECTOR

Financing Agreement reference: 2100150042749

Project ID No.: P-ZM-AAO-039

The Goverment of the Republic of Zambia through the Ministry of Agriculture has received a loan from the African Development Bank toward the cost of the Chiansi Small Holder Outgrower Support Project (COSP) and intends to apply part of the agreed amount for this loan to payments under the contracts for the recruitment of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU).

The services included under this project are;

• The enhancement of crop diversification and productivity which will foster food security
• Increased scale of production and revenues accruing to the beneficiary farmers
• The development of irrigation infrastructure and market linkages
• Capacity building in modern farm management practice, including the use of improved technologies and in food processing and preservation.

The Ministry of Agriculture now invites eligible candidates to indicate their interest in providing these services. Interested candidates must provide information through an expression of interest and detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) indicating that they are qualified to carry out the required services for any of the following positions:

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL SAFEGUARDS SPECIALIST (1)

Period: Four (4) Year renewable after Two (02) Years
Nature of Job: Full Time at the PIU
Reporting: Project Coordinator
Terms of Reference

Duties and Responsibilities

The Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist shall be responsible for overall management, oversight and monitoring of implementation of environmental measures and will also ensure the timely delivery of the Environment and Social Safeguards (E&S) expected outcomes in the whole Project operations. S/He will directly report to the Project Coordinator

1. Scope of Work

The E&S Safeguards Specialist should be responsible and take full ownership to undertake and perform the following scope of work:

a. General tasks:

1) Ensure compliance with and/or implementation of the Safeguards strategy of the Project particularly on the following

i. Review and update the Project Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) considering various types of subprojects and recommendations from the E&S Audit, and Support implementation of the revised ESMP by the (Project Implementation Unit (PIU) and Implementing Partners (IPs).
ii. Adopt general environmental and social policies, regulation and guidelines relative to specific types and locations of infrastructure development and alternative livelihoods activities;
iii. Conduct relevant Environmental and Social Assessments (ESA) for the preparation of environmental and social management/mitigation plans; and
iv. Secure appropriate environmental clearance from designated regulatory agencies.

2) Support the PIU in integrating Environmental and Social (E&S) Safeguards in its analytic and regulatory initiatives and ensure the effective implementation of Safeguards strategies and processes at all levels; and

3) Serve as Safeguards advisor to the PIU and IPs to ensure alignment among all project components on Safeguards related requirements.

b. Specific tasks:

• Conduct appraisal and review of environmental engineering designs and enterprise proposals/plans to check compliance with and recommend appropriate measures in the ESMP;
• Design and conduct E&S capacity building activities for technical PIU staff, IPs and various relevant stakeholders and serve as trainer or resource person in delivering related training programmes;
• Lead in the spot monitoring of selected projects and evaluation of Safeguards compliance by Contractors for infrastructure subprojects and Interest Groups (IGs) for alternative livelihood subprojects;
• Lead in the crafting of lessons learned from the project experiences on Contractors and IGs compliance with Safeguards policies, to form part of the E&S Quarterly Reports;
• Provide support to IPs in preparing ESIAS (as per AfDB requirement) for particular sub project.
• Review EIA Reports, ensure adequacy and quality as per approved Terms of Reference (TORS), and support the Project in submission of reports to designated regulatory agencies and to AfDB for approval;
• Ensure Safeguard instruments are integrated in subproject operations;
• Monitor the implementation of the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) through registry of grievances and resolution at the Project level and/or participate in the conduct of investigation and resolution process of grievance lodged/elevated;
• Conduct regular consultation and meetings among IPS and other stakeholders and provide feedback and recommendations on how to resolve complex issues;
• Preparing periodic reports on the implementation of the ESMP for submission to the AfDB in line with required template. and
• Any other relevant tasks assigned by the Project Coordinator to support the Project with respect to E&S Safeguard issues.

2. Required Expertise and Qualification

a. Education & Relevant Experiences

• Grade Twelve (12) School Certificate
• Candidates should have a minimum Bachelor Degree in Social Sciences, Agriculture. Forestry, Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Civil Engineering. Development Management and/or related discipline,
• At least five (05) years of professional working experience related to the field of environmental assessments and management of E&S Safeguards and with knowledge on a) environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA), b) environmental and social management plan (ESMP) for rural infrastructure and enterprise development projects; c) Conversant with multilateral donor agency requirements on E&S safeguard effective implementation and their management, and d) Having been consultant/expert for the preparation and/or implementation of at least 3 environmental and social safeguards instruments
• Proven experience in implementing international environmental safeguards policies/standards preferably knowledgeable with AfDB safeguards policies.

b. Knowledge, Competencies and Skills

• With technical knowledge on various Safeguards related laws, policies and processes particularly on Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Processes, Zambian Environmental Laws, the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) System
• In depth knowledge of social, environmental and cultural issues affecting the implementation of rural infrastructure and enterprise subprojects;
• Capability to provide guidance on negotiation and conflict resolution processes;
  Innovativeness and effectiveness capability under varying work assignments, and time pressures:
• Strong interpersonal and ability to work in multidisciplinary teams, develop synergies and establish effective working relations with various stakeholders:
• Can work with limited supervision and under tight timelines,
• Ability to work well with Government officials and community personnel; resourcefulness. initiative, tact and ability to cope with any situation
• Knowledge of specific gender issues in rural development and sensitivity to local culture and traditions.)
• Openness to change and ability to receive integrate feedback,
• Excellent knowledge of the English language and proficient written and oral communication skills.

Government Officials and Civil Servants from the hiring Ministry are ineligible to be hired under this category of consultants except under four specific conditions to be simultaneously fulfilled as prescribed in the African Development Bank Operations Procurement Manual Part A, Volume 1. Section A24.

The Ministry of Agriculture now invites applications from suitable consultants for the above listed positions. Eligibility criteria, establishment of the short-list and the selection procedure shall be in accordance with the African Development Bank’s Procurement Policy and Methodology for Bank Group Funded Operations, dated October 2015, which is available on the Bank’s website at http://www.afdb.org

Interested applicants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours.

Head- Procurement and Supplies Unit
Ministry of Agriculture
Mulungushi House, Independence Avenue
PO BOX 50197, Lusaka, Zambia
[email protected]

Expressions of interest must be clearly labelled with the position applied for ending with the Abbreviation COSP and deposited into the tender box on the Ground Floor, Room G3 at the address below by 23 February, 2024 at 10:30 Hours. Faxed applications will not be accepted.

The Application should be addressed to:

Attn: The Permanent Secretary- Administration.
Ministry of Agriculture
Mulungushi House. Independence Avenue
PO Box 50197, Lusaka Zambia
Tel +260-211-254546