Environment and Social Safeguards Consultant at Eko Electricity Distribution Company

Position Overview

• The main objective of the specialist is to support, advise and enhance the implementation of subprojects under the Nigerian Electricity Distribution Recovery Programme (DISREP) to achieve compliance in line with the requirements of World Bank safeguards policies and Environmental and Social Framework (ESF).
• This is to ensure social safeguards and anticipated social issues documented in the Program Action Plan (PAP)/ individual DISCO's PAP and Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) are implemented in a systemic manner as against Adhoc, taking into consideration participation of project affected persons, relevant institutions, and other stakeholders in project activities.
• This consultancy will also provide support to the DISREP program to ensure compliance with the World Bank Environmental Social Standards (ESS) throughout the DISREP project implementation period.
• The Environment and Social Safeguards Consultant will lead the implementation, monitoring and reporting of social safeguards compliance and ensure that the PAPs and all the micro projects by DISCOS are implemented in line with the program PAP, project ESCP and the disclosed Environmental and Social Framework (ESMF).
• The Consultant will work closely with the relevant staff of BPE, TCN, DisCos, and the PIU for the attainment of the project's goal.
• The Consultant will operate from the PIU office in Abuja and report to the Program Coordinator and the relevant World Bank staff.

Key Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of BPE, the consultant will be responsible for, but not limited to the following duties:

• Organize local-level capacity building and interaction programs on environmental and social screening, awareness as well as organize national level consultations with major stakeholders.
• Provide leadership/build capacity of staff to carry out environmental and social screening of program activities as provided by the DISREP using the exclusion list and in line with the relevant documents (e.g. PAP requirements) for project staff, government agencies, contractors, and other stakeholders on project-related WB requirements for environment safeguards.
• Coordinate and guide consultants engaged to prepare relevant specific program documents/Social safeguards instruments for program activities.
• Periodically review and assess the effectiveness of the activities implemented and their outcomes and impacts as well as compliance with national and international standards and the environmental safeguards instruments; ESMF and Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMPs).
• Where required, visit and assess various sites under the program to monitor the progress of activities and ensure compliance with PAP and social safeguard requirements.
• Prepare internal environmental and social guidelines for the preparation, implementation, monitoring and reporting of environmental and social impacts required by various safeguards instruments.
• Ensure that environmental and social management clauses are inserted into bidding/binding contract documents to ensure compliance.
• Assess the adequacy of implementation of environment and safeguards mitigation measures and the capacity of the institutions and agencies responsible for social safeguards, as they relate to the program PAP
• Ensure that the planned project activities and related Environment and Social (E&S) assessment and management instruments and processes are subjected to the exclusion list and are in compliance with the national legislation of Nigeria as well as the Bank's E&S policies, and are duly and diligently implemented in a logical sequence with the environmentally and socially relevant project activities.
• Provide technical and problem-solving support and selective training to individuals and stakeholders responsible for implementation of safeguard processes and mitigation measures.
• Organize social orientation, awareness, and training for relevant staff of the DISCOS and other Agencies involved in the DISREP.
• Evaluate social, gender and labour influx risks associated with program activities and propose mitigation measures.
• Prepare internal social guidelines for the implementation, monitoring and reporting of various safeguards instruments including complaints related to the program activities.
• Review from a social safeguard point of view - ESMP/RAPS/GRM and other relevant social safeguards documents prepared by the DISCOs to ensure compliance with the PAP and relevant policies of the Government of Nigeria and the World Bank ESF.
• Coordinate field visits to ascertain if the grievance redress mechanisms established for the program and by the DISCOS are functioning appropriately and the program activities are implemented in a socially sustainable manner.
• Facilitate the implementation of the program's Grievances Redress Mechanism (GRM) by monitoring the status of grievances, facilitating their resolution, maintaining documentation, and reporting the progress through monitoring reports.
• Responsible for the evaluation processes (social aspects) for consultant(s) and contractor(s) for the Program.
• Prepare and submit timely and regular progress reports indicating full compliance with relevant social requirements of the PAP and grievance redress, and status of the implementation of environmental Safeguards instruments and their compliance.
• Facilitate the clearance of the prepared environmental and social safeguard instruments with the Federal Ministry of Environment and the World Bank; and then disclosure in country.
• Undertake other duties as per the requirements of the program or as directed by BPE/PIU including developing a system for continuous stakeholder's consultation before appraisal of each sub project with consideration for women and other vulnerable in decision regarding program activities and arrange for disclosure activities.

Requirements

• The consultant will be an experienced Environment and Social Specialist.
• He/she must have a Master's Degree in Sociology, Natural Sciences, Geography, humanity or a related field.
• Should have at least 6 years' post qualification experiences in the field of Environment and Social Safeguards, land acquisition, resettlement related to Energy and infrastructure sectors with five (5) years should have been on a donor funded project in a similar position.
• He/she must possess a specialized knowledge and expertise built preferably in World Bank Funded Projects or International Development Partners. Excellent familiarity with the World Bank ESMF, Nigerian Government EIA policy and the Bank's Disclosure Policy will be an added advantage. Literacy in Geographical Information System (GIS) is recommended, and candidate must be computer literate and should have excellent spoken and written English language skills.
• Conversant with environmental laws and covenants in Nigeria.
• Familiar with environmental institutions and their roles in environmental governance at the National, State, LG and Community levels in Nigeria.
• Computer literacy and competence in the use of standard software applications for statistical analysis, and spread sheets where necessary.
• Experience in the use and application of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) as a minimum.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English. Ability to communicate and write effectively in English.

Remuneration and Payment Terms

• The consultant shall be paid a remuneration based on milestones achieved and deliverables.
• He/she shall be responsible for all taxes and duties including income tax applicable as per rules and regulations. In case of travel requirement outside Abuja, the consultant shall be paid travel expenses, subsistence allowance and hotel expenses on actual basis to cover the duration of any assignment undertaken out of station.

Duration of Service

• The assignment of the Social Safeguards Consultant will be for one (1) year with the possibility of renewal annually subject to work requirements and satisfactory performance.