Environmental and Social Management (ESM) Specialist

Environmental and Social Management (ESM) Specialist

About Strategic Grain Reserve Project (SGRP)

Over the last ten years, Afghanistan witnessed two major shortages of supply of locally grown wheat due to sharp decline in local production, and limited supply from traditional export markets in neighboring countries. As a result, many Afghans especially those living in rural and remote area suffered from severe shortage of wheat which is described as a major food intake in the country.

In response to the described challenges, the Government of Afghanistan, represented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock (MAIL), is planning to establish a Strategic Grain Reserve to be primarily used in responding to such emergency situations, and requested the support from the World Bank in this regard.

The Strategic Grain Reserve Project (SGRP) is a World Bank funded project implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) through the establishment of transitional Project Implementation Unit (PIU) and would have three components: (i) Establish physical infrastructure (grain silos) to reserve grain; (ii) Strengthening institutional capacity to operate the strategic grain reserve; (iii) Establishment of a Project Implementation Unit (PIU) in the short term to be in charge of managing all project activities.

Job Summary

The ESM Specialist of SGR project is responsible for implementation of Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF), establishment/implementation of effective GRM system, preparation of site specific Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) monitoring of site-specific ESMPs for providing the social/environmental support to all legal amendments, regulations and procedures to be developed under the project to ensure that all required environmental and social mitigation measures set out in plans.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Take part in the review and clearance of SGR project documents for compliance with the World Bank safeguards policies.
• Developing process of an Environmental and Social Safeguard guideline in consultation with the World Bank and project facility team.
•  Support the SGR project director, in the implementation of the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF).
• Prepare the ToR for international consultant to develop Pest Management Plan (PMP).
• Implement the Pest Management Plan during project operational phase and provide training on the PMP to the relevant stakeholders.
• Provide the reports that address the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) issues and submit the reports to the SGR project director.
• Prepare site specific Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP), for the SGR project and ensure that such plans are approved by relevant authorities before implementation.
• Based on Project GRM manual, functionalize the effective GRM system and establish the GRCs at different level.
• Based on GRM training manual conduct GRM training for the project staff and awareness activities to project’s beneficiaries on utilization of grievance redress approaches.
• Conduct consultation with PAPs and stakeholders during environmental and social survey and reflect their concerns and views in ESMPs and project design.
• Design/conduct the health & safety and safeguard trainings and workshops for the project staff and counterparts.
• Conduct the social assessment and reflect the land acquisition issues and ensure that sub project sites are clear of squatters and encroachers or any land dispute.
• Incorporate environmental concerns, potential impacts, and recommended mitigations measures according to project stages such as design, construction and operation.
• Prepare, distribute and disclose the relevant Environmental and Social documents for the SGR project staff and others relevant organizations.
• Develop environmental and social screening and assessment procedures for the implementation of the ESMF of SGR project and as a basis for developing the social aspects in the ESMPs.
• Follow up the integration of safeguard assessment information and completion of safeguards self-screening checklist during the SGR project development process.
• Undertake follow up monitoring to ensure that proposed mitigation measures are implemented according to an agree upon environmental and social mitigation implementation plan.
• Keep close linkage for flow up of information between World Bank and SGR project in environmental related issues.
• Maintaining and improving safeguard management processes, systems, tools, and filters.
• Identify challenges, opportunities, priorities and needs for the development and implementation of the facilities safeguard plan and implementation at all levels.
•  Compile monthly, quarterly and annual reports on safeguards related issues and deliver to World Bank management as part of the M&E reports.
• He/she will report to the SGR project director.
• Undertake other duties as per the requirements of the project or as directed by project director.

Travels to Provinces

Require Travels to provinces.

Skills

• Understanding of environmental and social safeguard issues in Afghanistan.
• Fundamental knowledge of agricultural projects and their social and environmental effects.
•  Knowledge of major world treaties regarding environment and social safeguard
• Demonstrated skills in retrieving, gathering and obtaining information from various sources.
•  Sound organizational skills and ability to prioritize and deliver assignments in a timely manner often under severe time pressures.
• Ability to work under pressure and work extra hours when required.

Qualifications

• Master Degree in Environmental Science / Environmental Engineering / Natural Resources Management or relevant scientific discipline is required.
• At least 5 years’ relevant experience with master degree.
• Natural Resource and Environmental management, policy development and social safeguard application is an advantageous.
• Full computer literacy in internet searching and Microsoft Office programs i.e. MS-Word, MS-Excel and MS-Power Point.
•  Being fluent in English language; and should have good command on both national languages (Dari and Pashto).

Job Location

Kabul, Afghanistan

Education

Master degree                                       

Submission Guideline

Please send your update CV along with a cover letter electronically to sgr.vacancies@mail.gov.af

The email subject line must be: (ESM Specialist– 65/MAIL/SGR).

Please note that any/all application submissions after the closing date will not be considered.
Only short listed candidates whose application responds to the above criteria will be contacted for interview. Offering the contract to the successful applicant is subject to fund availability from the donor.

Submission Email

sgr.vacancies@mail.gov.af