Job Details

Job Description

MINISTRY OF LOCAL AUTHORITY AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

ZAMBIA DEVOLUTION SUPPORT PROGRAMME (ZDSP)

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

1. BACKGROUND

The Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) entered into a Financing Agreement (FA) with the World Bank through a USD 210 million credit facility for the implementation of the Zambia Devolution Support Program (ZDSP) for the period 2023 to 2028. The Program aims to strengthen the financing, institutional performance, and accountability of Local Authorities in Zambia. The program focuses on four key result areas: capital grants to Local Authorities, strengthened public financial management, transparency and accountability of Local Authorities, strengthened fiscal framework for devolution, and capacity building for Local Authorities.

2. Project Implementation Structure

The program is implemented through various Program implementing agencies with responsibilities of achieving specific Disbursement Link Indicators/Disbursement Link Results. The implementing agencies include:

a. Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD),

b. Chalimbana Local Government Training Institute (CLGTI),

c. Decentralization Secretariat,

d. Ministry of Finance and National Planning (MoFNP) (Budget Office and Accountant General),

e. Office of the Auditor General (OAG),

f. Local Government Service Commission (LGSC),

g. Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA)

h. Local Authorities; and

i. Independent Verification Agent (IVA) and (iv) External Auditors

3. Programme Implementation Unit (PMU )

3.1 Program Management Unit Management Structure

The Program Management Unit (PMU) of the ZDSP comprises the Programme Coordinator, Financial Management Specialist, Procurement Specialist, Environmental Safeguards Specialist, Social Safeguards Specialist, and Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist.

The PMU coordinates the implementation of the program, by coordinating the implementation of activities by the different implementing agencies.

The Ministry invites suitable applicants from the general public to fill up the position of the Social Safeguard Specialist in the Zambia Devolution Support Program.

SOCIAL SAFEGUARD SPECIALIST (VACANCY 1)

Description of Assignment

• Support the PMU in ensuring social safeguard requirements are met before sub-program implementation.
• Support the PMU in ensuring that the social safeguards issues and recommendations from the ESIAS/ESMPS, ZEMA Approval Conditions and World Bank Missions are appropriately integrated into the contractors’ Bills of Quantities (BoQs) for Civil works.
• Ensure that Standard bidding documents and contracts include necessary social provisions, including sexual exploitation and abuse/sexual harassment (SEA/SH) risks, security risk, etc, in management provisions.
• Ensure that the safeguards management and enforcement clauses are properly documented in the contracts.
• Provide necessary coordination and relevant input into and monitoring of the Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) and the Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP).
• Capacity building and training of LA safeguard teams, Contractors and their workers in the Environmental and Social Management. requirements before and during civil works.
• Monitor the implementation of safeguards as entailed in the Environmental and Social Management and Monitoring Plans (ESMMPs) for the sub-programs.
• Review safeguard reports, and ensuring that all safeguard risks identified during the studies, implementation, site visits, World Bank Missions and other field assessments are included in the program implementation reports.
• Assist PMU, LAs, and implementing agencies in preparation and implementation of stakeholders’ engagement plans
• Monitor the implementation and effectiveness of the Stakeholder Engagement Plan and advise PMU on continuous improvement modalities.
• Undertake capacity assessment of LAs and Contractors in Safeguards Management and advise the PMU on the capacity building strategies to bridge the gaps.
• Support the screening of environmental risks and impacts associated with the sub-programs funded by the capital grants to TCs
• Offer direct training to all coordination and implementation teams, LAS, Contractors and Supervising consultants in safeguards assessment, planning, implementation, monitoring, documentation and reporting.
• Programme focal point for Grievance Redress. Mechanism (GRM);
• Ensures that all complaints related to the program are received and, timely resolved in compliance with the Programme Operations Manual (POM);
• Administers the GRM register at all GRM levels from Ministerial, PMU and District level;• Ensure awareness to Programme beneficiaries on the existence of the GRM to all Programme levels through outreach programs, due diligence activities and both community and radio interviews;
• Facilitates developing of GRM materials for dissemination to stakeholder through awareness meetings and on the program website to communities affected by the program:
• Facilitate induction training to all GRM committees on GBV/SEA/SH mainstreaming:
• Provide overall guidance on the functions of the GRM committees
• Participate in field missions with PMU team (and when needed) to offer support to PMU, LAS, and Contractors in tracking progress, emerging safeguards issues and recommend redress protocols.
• Preparing relevant parts of required social monitoring reports, including reports on Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPS) implementation status.
• Review for quality social risk management instruments (e.g. ESMP, RAP/ARAP) as per the ESRM and ESCP that are prepared by consultants prior to being sent to the National regulators/ World Bank for clearance and provide inputs and edits as needed.
• Any other responsibilities assigned

Qualifications, Experience and Key Attributes

• A social science degree, in one of the following disciplines: political science or policy, sociology, anthropology, Economics, gender studies, social assessment studies, development studies, international relations, or other related fields.
• Masters degree will be an add advantage.
• Five (5) years practical experience in implementing similar Programmes.
• Practical experience in areas relevant to social risk management and compliance, such as gender and social inclusion, vulnerable groups and individuals, persons with disabilities, livelihoods, stakeholder engagement, social impact analysis, assessment of social risks, grievance mechanism etc.).
• Good knowledge of the national regulations/directives and operations of WB and executing agencies.
• Proven experience and skills in managing programs.
• Proven capacity to work across multiple stakeholders, including government entities, civil society organizations (CSOs), local communities, and the private sector.
• Solid knowledge of Microsoft Office, with advanced Power Point/presentation skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skillsin English.

4. REPORTING LINE

The Social Safeguards Specialist will be reporting to the Program Coordinator.

Mode of Application:

Applicants should address their applications to:

The Permanent Secretary-Administration

Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development

United Nations Road

LUSAKA

And Submit to [email protected] not later than 30th May, 2025.