GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA

MINISTRY OF FISHERIES AND LIVESTOCK

SUSTAINABLE LIVESTOCK INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT PROJECT (SLIMP)

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS)

SECTOR: AGRICULTURE

FINANCING AGREEMENT REFERENCE: 2100150042147

PROJECT ID NO.: P-ZM-AAE-003

The Government of the Republic of Zambia has received financing from the African Development Fund (ADB) towards the cost of the Sustainable Livestock Infrastructure Management Project (SLIMP), and intends to apply part of the agreed amount for this loan to payments under the contract for recruitment One Full Time Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist for a period of 12 Months.

1.0 OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The general objective of the assignment is to ensure the Project’s compliance with national environmental legislation and policies, as well as the Bank’s environmental and social safeguards guidelines and policies by proper implementation of the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP). Under the assignment, an assessment of all potential environmental, social and economic impacts of the Project, and identification of E&S impacts (positive and negative) and risks will be undertaken, and then measures to avoid, reduce, mitigate and/ or compensate for these will be designed with a view to facilitating the smooth implementation of the Sustainable Livestock Infrastructure Management Project (SLIMP).

The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock now invites eligible individual consultants to indicate their interest in providing these services.

2.0 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the general guidance and supervision of the Project Coordinator (PC), the E&S Safeguards Specialist will be a part of Project Implementation Unit (PIU) team and shall be responsible for the provision of technical assistance to the PIU and Implementing Partners (IPs) in ensuring the compliance and implementation of safeguards strategies and adherence to the general procedures and guidelines of the African Development Bank (AfDB) as well as national regulations.

The Specialist shall carry out the following duties and responsibilities:

Provide technical guidance to PIU on national and AfDB’s E&S safeguards requirements for the SLIMP;
Lead in the review and update of the Project’s Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) and any relevant E&S instruments, by taking into account local context, national laws and policies, and AfDB’s Integrated Safeguards System (ISS) and policies;
Lead and monitor the implementation of the Safeguards strategy of the Project;
Secure required clearances from designated regulatory agencies as and when applicable;
Conduct appraisals and reviews of technical and engineering designs of the livestock infrastructure works and actual civil works to ensure compliance with the aforesaid policies and guidelines;
Lead in the spot monitoring/ supervision of Project works and activities, and evaluation of Safeguards compliance in carrying out those works, especially by Contractors and Consultants;
Provide technical and strategic advice to PIU to ensure mainstreaming of E&S and alignment among all project components;
Lead in the determination, design and execution of capacity building interventions for internal and external stakeholders in accordance with the E&S requirements and objectives of the Project;
Ensure active involvement and empowerment of women, the youth and other key groups to improve their incomes, food security and nutrition status;
Undertake analyses and strengthening of social aspects such as inclusivity, gender, child protection, gender based violence (GBV), HIV and AIDS, and related matters in the execution of the project;
Lead in the implementation of the Grievance Redress Mechanism for the Project, and ensure their functionality across all SLIMP sites and districts;
Draw a stakeholder engagement strategy with input from other key stakeholders and lead in its implementation;
Ensure that the general public and all stakeholders are fully engaged in the Project and that any information disclosures are carried out as and when required;
Undertake regular collection and compilation of E&S data and required analyses for purposes of reporting and knowledge management;
Prepare the Project’s periodic E&S reports required by the AfDB and Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the Ministry;
Provide support to and/ or coordinate implementation of required E&S assignments, including independent E&S compliance Audit, and any E&S review or evaluation of SLIMP;
Actively participate in the execution of Project Completion Report processes with internal stakeholders, as well as external ones, including the AfDB team;
Build capacity by training the PIU and beneficiaries on E&S Reporting;
Liaise with relevant project stakeholders including communities, in ensuring adherence to African Development Bank (AfDB) environmental safeguard policies, guidelines, procedures and best practices while executing the project; and
Carry out any E&S or any duties assigned from time to time.

3.0 ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

3.1 Education & Relevant Experience

Candidates should have a minimum of a Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Agriculture related field, Environmental Science/ Management, Development Studies and/or related discipline;
He/she shall have at least five (5) years of professional working experience related to environmental assessments and management, social impact assessments, community empowerment and development, agriculture and livestock projects and related fields;
He/she should have practical experience in livestock production and value chain development;
He/she should be conversant with multilateral donor agency requirements on E&S safeguards’ implementation and management;
Proven experience in implementing international environmental safeguards policies/standards, preferably knowledge and experience with AfDB safeguards policies will be a distinct advantage;
Training in livestock production, agribusiness, entrepreneurship, commercialization, and agriculture value chain will be an added advantage; and
Working knowledge of English (oral and written) is required, while that of Bemba, Ny’anja and other local languages will be an added advantage.

3.2 Knowledge, Competencies and Skills

He/she must be conversant with national legal and policy framework related to environmental and social safeguards, and the project’s context including knowledge of requirements of governmental entities that issue licenses and permits.
Knowledge of the workings of the public sector and development industry;
Ability to work with national, provincial and local authorities, as well as communities and beneficiaries in Zambia;
Knowledge of social, environmental and cultural issues affecting implementation of projects of this nature;
High levels of integrity and professionalism;
Strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skills;
Experience working in multicultural settings, as well as openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
Possession of excellent computer skills; and
Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines.

Eligibility criteria, establishment of the short-list and the selection procedure shall be in accordance with the African Development Bank’s “Procurement Policy for Bank Group Funded Operations” (BPM), dated October 2015”, which is available on the Bank’s website at http://www.afdb.org.