Tender Detail

Source: World Bank — Ethiopia Digital Foundations Project

Request for Expression of Interest

(Consulting Services – Individual Consultant Selection)

Selection of Environmental and Social Risk Management Specialist to support the Program Implementation Unit

at the National ID program, Office of the Prime Minister - Ethiopia Digital ID for Inclusion and Services (P179040)

Country: Ethiopia

Project: Ethiopia Digital Foundations Project

Project ID: P171034

Credit No.  IDA – 68560

Salary: Negotiable and Attractive

Assignment Title:  Environmental and Social Risk Management Specialist t to support the Program Implementation Unit at the National ID program, Office of the Prime Minister - Ethiopia Digital ID for Inclusion and Services (P179040)

Reference No.: ET-MINT-362730-CS-INDV

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Ministry of Finance (MoF), has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Ethiopia Digital Foundations Project (“Digital Foundations”).  The Ethiopian National ID Program is one of the beneficiaries of the project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for selecting of individual consultants.

National ID Program as part of the project is looking for an Individual Consultant to provide professional service that supports the program. Experienced individual Environmental and Social Risk Management Specialist who have relevant experience in the area of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (knowledge and experience in the World Bank financed projects is a plus) are invited to express their interest for the assignment.

The Environmental and Social Risk Management Specialist is mainly responsible for the overall Project Environmental and Social Risk related activities of the project/subproject.

Specific responsibilities for the Environmental and Social Risk Management Specialist will include, but are not limited to, the following core activities:

• Responsible for implementation of the ESMF in all subproject activities as per agreements/requirements.
• Identification and mitigation of the overall Environmental and social risks. Make arrangements to ensure the compliance of project activities that falls under all the Components and subcomponents of the project, with the World Bank Environment and Social Standard (ESS) and the national Environment and Social guidelines, laws, and regulations throughout the project / subproject life cycle. 
• Coordinate, and support the processes of Environmental & Social screening, preparation, review, and approval as depicted in the ESMF, and oversee its smooth implementation including advice to Relying parties and beneficiary institutions on the procurement of consultants for any required Environmental and Social Risk Management (ESRM) studies.
• Ensure that Project’s Environmental and Social Risk Management instruments (as necessary) are translated (form & language), disclosed, and disseminated to relevant stakeholders as required.
• Coordinate with the Federal Environmental Protection Authority and its regional counterparts on a regular basis to support the implementation of ESMF.
• Coordinate the commissioning of an independent consulting firm to carry out the Project Environmental & Social performance audit on an annual basis
• Participate in missions, meetings, and discussions with ESRM teams (with EDIDP Management, WB, and other implementing partners).
• Planning and managing the budget and timeframe for implementation of the ESMF for the full duration of the project.

    Prepare the Grievance Redress Mechanism and Grievance Management System and prepare GRM databases in order to ensure that all registered complaints are addressed timely and properly.

    Facilitate the management of grievances and conflicts that arise during the project implementation on all project components and subcomponents based on the framework and using the GRM resolution procedures for disputes.

    Communicate with the project relying parties and beneficiary institutions to ensure an inclusive and safe work environment, Gender Based Violence (GBV) prevention and response action plan, Grievance redress mechanism (GRM) process and procedure, and Safety and emergency procedure (SEP) in the implementation of project activities.

    Conduct periodic field inspections/ visits to ensure the implementation of the mitigation measures in the subprojects and compliance with the World Bank ESF as well as respective ESMF, Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP), and other site-specific plans and report on its findings.

    Work closely with environmental and social risk management specialists of, relying parties and beneficiaries to coordinate common activities for implementation, monitoring, and reporting.

    Prepare and submit quarterly, biannual and annual environmental and social performance reports, including GRM implementation status of the project to the Program office and the World Bank.

    In collaboration with the Program management team, organize and conduct a capacity-building program on Environmental and Social risk management to raise awareness among E&S focal persons, officials of project implementation, Beneficiary/stakeholder institutions, and technical and program management officers.

    Conduct consultations and awareness creation sessions for Project Affected Persons (PAPs), local government stakeholders, and Project implementers to discuss broader and/or site-specific environmental and social issues and get feedback from the participants for successive project implementation cycles.

    Assist beneficiary partners with the provision of technical assistance and coordination of demand-driven/ needs-based awareness training/ capacity building and provide guidance to support environmentally sensitive areas, vulnerable groups, and underserved people in project/subproject implementation locations.

    Conduct and follow up the process of public consultation and disclosure of project environmental and social management instruments

• Coordinate with the project beneficiary and stakeholder institutions to ensure the project’s compliance with the ESMF including Social Assessment (SA), Labour Management Procedure (LMP), GBV action plan and all Environmental and Social aspects of the project.
• Provide specific technical advice on the Environmental risk mitigation measures implementation on subproject activities for the respective implementers.
• Participate in the preparation of ToR for all required ESRM for the project and develop E & S screening/scoping Reports for all the subprojects and based on the approval processes prepare required ESRM instruments.
• Advise/ assist EDIDP and project implementation partners in the planning and in holding an informative campaign on environmental risks, community health, and safety-related activities, including the mitigation mechanisms for Gender-Based Violence (GBV), abuse, harassment. Conduct any work within the scope of the stipulated position assigned by Project Management to support the project with respect to the project environmental and social risk management

Ministry of Innovation and Technology on behalf of Ethiopian National ID Program now invites potential Environmental and Social Risk Management to indicate their interest to provide the Services. Interested Candidates should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the services for a period of one year with possibility of extension for additional period subject to outstanding performance and availability of budget. The shortlisting criteria include the following;

• At least a master’s degree in a field relevant to Environmental and social sciences, preferably in Environmental and social System Analysis.
• At least 10 years of experience in Environmental studies and social development.
• Demonstrated experience in large-scale development project management at various levels of Environmental and social Risk management activities, preferably for partner-funded infrastructure projects.
• Experience in E&S management tools development such as preparation and management of Environmental and Social Impact Assessments, Environmental and Social Management Plans, Environmental and Social Monitoring Plans, Resettlement Action Plans, GBV action plans, Construction Environmental, and Social Management Plans, and Resettlement Policy Framework.
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills;
• Demonstrated ability to work productively in a team setting.
• Willingness to travel frequently nationwide to support/manage the implementation of the Framework, carry out stakeholder consultations, and monitor/supervision projects,
• Knowledge of the country’s legal process on GBV issues, land acquisition and population displacement,
• Work experience as an Environmental or social development Specialist in/ with World Bank-funded projects and knowledge of the World Bank Environment and Social Framework (ESF) and requirements will be an advantage,
• Fluency in English and Amharic languages is a requirement and knowledge of other local languages will be an added value,
• The candidate must have the highest levels of personal integrity, and a reputation for a transparent and systematic work style; and
• The candidate must be able to work under pressure situations, to meet demanding deadlines.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” July 2016 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Selection of Individual Consultant (Section V) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Expressions of interest (CV, cover letter and documentary evidence for fulfilling the qualifications) must be delivered in a written form to the address below in person, or preferably by email on or before July 10th, 2023. Further information can be obtained, by email at the below address during office hours from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM Addis Ababa time: 

Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia,

Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MInT)

Ethiopia Digital Foundations Project

Attn: Focal Person, Project Implementation Unit (PIU)

Address: Arada Sub-city, off Churchill Road, behind Lycée Guebre-Mariam,

E-mail: digital.foundation@mint.gov.et or tessedf@gmail.com or jermiyasy@gmail.com

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia