National Consultant (Environmental & Social Expert) – Kenya

Project Context and Scope:

Despite Kismayo, Garowe, Mogadishu and Baidoa towns contributing significantly to the country’s social and economic development, rapid urbanization has stretched the towns’ ability to meet demand for basic services including water and sanitation services. The towns are experiencing a high influx of IDP’s which coupled with a high youth unemployment rate are contributing to increased fragility with Kismayo ranked among the top 3 most fragile cities in the world (World Economic Forum, 2017). There is hence an urgent need to assist the towns in service delivery improvement, thus contributing to strengthening governance and reducing fragility.

The Bank’s fragility assessment for Somalia noted that, lack of basic infrastructure and limited access to basic services are some of the drivers of fragility and the improvement of water and sanitation services in the two towns will support inclusive and sustainable development. The Project will strengthen key institutions and actors charged with delivering sustainable water and sanitation services to urban populations by among others; enhancing the regulatory capacity. Institutional strengthening will build on other partners’ efforts in the two towns to improve technical and managerial capacity of the private water operators.

The project will strengthen national knowledge on availability and quality of both Surface and Ground water resources providing the opportunity for regulated and sustainable water use. The project builds – on the experience from the on-going Bank interventions. Information from various sources routinely gathered as part of the monitoring and evaluation framework will be shared among stakeholders through joint reviews and other fora. Knowledge products also include sharing lessons on;

1. Initiatives to promote PPPs in fragile environments,
2. Effects of climate change on sea water intrusion in coastal aquifers and
3. Serve as a road map to replicating conflict-sensitive government approaches in management of scarce water resources in Arid and Semi – Arid Areas in the Horn of Africa and contributing to social resilience. The project will also pilot intelligent water solutions at some of the selected strategic borehole sites as a way of enhancing sustainability. This will be through use of innovative technology and mobile connectivity enabling poor community members to access water using prepaid cards/tokens at water kiosks.

The Environment and Social Expert shall conduct his/her daily work in compliance with Somalia’s laws, regulations, guidelines and procedures on environment and social welfare, the African Development Bank’s Integrated Safeguards System as well as IOM procedures and guidelines.

The Environmental and Social Expert will work under the oversight and guidance of the Project Coordinator. He/ She shall be the technical environmental and social advisor to the project.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

The core duties shall include the following:

1. Overseeing the implementation of the Project’s Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) to ensure compliance with national laws and regulations and WB/AFDB’s Integrated Safeguards System.
2. Conducting monitoring activities to ensure mitigation of any risk to environment or the social systems.
3. Ensure construction methods proposed by the Contractor are satisfactory with particular reference to WB/AfDB’s ISS.
4. Preparing regular environment monitoring reports detailing findings from monitoring activities of the project implementation site and activities.
5. Educating the public on environmental and social issues and compliance with regulations.
6. Investigating complaints about potential environmental and social violations and conducting follow-up audits to ensure compliance with established guidelines.
7. Conducting trainings to Staff of Contractors and Supervision Consultants on the requirements of the ESMP, monitoring activities to be implemented, role and responsibilities of each party among others.
8. Conducting site inspections to identify environmental hazards, construction equipment, work safety, personnel, and general public; and make recommendations for corrective action.
9. Participate in field missions and prepare environmental reports from time to time as requested by IOM & the Bank.
10. Any other duty assigned by the Project Coordinator.

Specific projects areas for the EIA study are:

1. The continuing water infrastructure projects in both Baidoa, Mogadishu, Garowe and Kismayo.
2. All project funded activities that touch on E&S matters including assessment of those that have been completed.

Tasks to be performed under this consultancy.

1. Reviewing the E&S reports prepared for the project, an initial visit to all project areas and giving recommendations

2. Minimum one field visit every quarter to supervise E&S activities

3. Submitting E &S reports every quarter to the donor

4. Prepare a project completion E&S review and final report before the end of the contract

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results.

1. Initial Field visit to both project location
2. Submission of a review report for the E&S factors for the reviewed project activities
3. Timely submission of quarter reports to the donor
4. Submission of compliance documents for the implementation of the ESMP

Required Qualifications and Experience.

• A minimum of Master of Science/ Arts degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Natural Resource Management, or related field.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant professional experience in the areas of environmental management, natural resource management, environmental assessment, environmental monitoring and environmental compliance, stakeholder engagement and public consultations.
• Experience in preparing and managing the implementation of ESIAs, ESMPs, ESMF, SESA, RAPs, GRC, operations monitoring and evaluation, and compliance assessment.
• Knowledge and experience in multi-criteria assessment, stakeholder engagement and consultation, community participation, with analytical skills in assessing institutional capacities and designing/reviewing practical implementation arrangements for complex projects, especially in Somalia.
• Experience with the Environmental and Social Safeguards Rules and Procedures of the African Development Bank Group or related MDBs will be an advantage.
• Well-rounded understanding of critical issues in sustainable development, international environment and development policy, climate change, gender, social enhancement measures, labor, youth employment, etc.
• The Environment and Social Expert must be computer literate conversant with computer software (Microsoft Word, Excel, Project, and Power-point) and must have excellent communication skills and proficient.

Languages.

Fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of Somali is an advantage.

Required Competencies.

Values.

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.
• Integrity and transparency: maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent, and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.

Core Competencies – Level 2.

• Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work.
• Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Other.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this call for applications is subject to funding confirmation.
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment and verification of residency, visa and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable.

How to apply

How to apply:

Interested candidates should submit CV and a cover letter indicating the Call for application number (CFA) i.e CFA/IOMSO/001/2023, Position Title and the Duty Station with three professional referees and their contacts (both email and telephone) to: recruitmentsomalia@iom.int

Posting period:

From: 21.03.2023 to 28.03.2023