PROJECT BACKGROUND

The Government of the Republic of Zambia has received a loan from the African Development Bank/African Development Fund/Nigeria Trust Fund to finance the Chiansi Smallholder Outgrower Support Project (COSP).

The Principal objectives of this project are to increase agricultural income and improve livelihoods of the smallholder farmers by increasing agricultural productivity, and market access.

The Project has three strategic components: Development of Climate Resilient infrastructure Social Services and Skills Development and institutional Support and Project Management. Each component has complementary actions defined under sub components for each implementing entity.

Appications are invited from suitably qualified and experienced candidates to fill the following positions under the COSP.

Position: Environmental & Social Safeguards Specialist (1 post)

a) Duty Station Chiansi Smallholder Outgrower Support Project (COSP) in Kofue

b) Reports to: Project Coordinator

Objectives of the Assignment

The Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist shal be responsible for overal management, oversight and monitoring of implementation of environmental measures and will also ensure the timely delivery of the Environment and Social Safeguards (E&S) expected outcomes in the whole Project operations. 5/He will directly report to the Project Coordinator.

Main duties and accountabilily

The E&S Safeguards Specials should be responsible and take ful ownership to undertake and perform the following assignments;

a. General tasks:

Ensure compliance with and/or implementation of the Safeguards strology of the Project particularly on the following:

• Review and update the Project Environmental and Social Management Plan ESMP) considering various types of subprojects and recommendations from the E&S Audit and Support implementation of the revised ESMP by the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) and implementing Partners (IPs)
• Adopt general environmental and social policies, regulation and guideines relative to specific types and locations of infrastructure development and alterative livelihoods activities
• Conduct relevant Environmental and Social Assessments (ESA) for the preparation of environmental and social management/mitigation plans and
• Secure appropriate envronmental clearance from designated regulatory agencies.

2 Support the PIU in integrating Environmental and Social (E&s) Safeguards in its analytic and regulatory initiatives and ensure the effective implementation of Safeguards strategies and processes at all levels and

3) Serve as Safeguards advosor to the PIU and IPs to ensure alignment among al project components on Safeguards related requirements.

b. Specific tasks:

• Conduct appraisal and review of environmental engineering designs and enterprise proposals/plans to check compliance with and recommend appropriate measures in the ESMP
• Design and conduct E&S capacity building activities for technical PU staff, IPs and various relevant stakeholders and serve as trainerorresource person in delivering related training programmes
• Lead in the spot monitoring of selected projects and evaluation of Safeguards compliance by Contractors for infrastructure subprojects and interest Groups (IGs) for alternative livelihood subprojects
• Lead in the crafting of lessons learned from the project experiences on Contractors and is compliance with sateguards policies, to form part of the E&S Quarterly Reports
• Provide support to IPs in preparing ESIAs (as per AfDB requirement) for particular subproject
• Review EIA Reports ensure adequacy and quality as per approved Terms of Reference (TORs)and support the project in submission of reports to designatedregulatory agencies and to AfIDs for approval
• Ensure Safeguard instruments are integrated in subproject operations
• Monitor the implementation of the Grievance Redress Mechanism GRMJ through registry of grievances and resolutional the Project level and/or participate in the conduct of investigation and resolution process of grievance lodged/elevated
• Conduct regular consultation and meetings among IPs and other stakeholders and provide feedback and recommendations on how resolve complex issues
• Preparing periodic reports on the implementation of the ESMP for submission to the AfDB in line with required template, and
• Any other relevant tasks assigned by the Project Coordinator to support the project with respect to E &S Safeguard issues

Contract Duration
This is a full time Position for a period of four Yeor, I (Renewable. Performance Based Contract)

Required Expertise and Qualification

a. Education & Relevant experiences

• Candidates should have a minimum Bachelor Degree in Social Sciences, Agriculture, Forestry, Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Civil Engineering. Development Management ond/or related discipline,
• At least five (5) years of professional working experience related to the field of environmental assesments and management of E&S Safeguards and with knowledge on all environmental and social impact assessment EIA), environmental and social management plan (SMP) for rural infrastructure and enterprise development projects;
• Conversant with multilateral donor agency requirements on E&S safeguard effective implementation and their management and
• Having been Consulant/expert for the preparation and/or implementation of atleast 3 environmental and social safeguards instruments
• Proven experience in implementing international environmental sofeguards policies/standards perfectly knowledgeable will AfDB safeguards policies

b. Knowledge, Competencies and Skills

• with technical knowledge on various Safeguards related laws, policies and procesess particularly on Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Processes, Zambian Environmental laws, the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) Environmental impact Assessment (EIA) System
• In depth knowledge of social environmental and cultural issues affecting the implementation of rural infrastructure and enterprise subprojects
• Capability to provide guidance on negotition and conflict resolution processes
• Innovativeness and effectiveness capability under varying work assignments and time pressures
• Strong interpersonal and ability to work in multidisciplinary teams, develop synergies and establish effective working relations with various stakeholders
• Can work with limited supervision and under tight timelines
• Ability to work well with Government official and community personel, resourceful, initiative, tact ond ability to cope with any situation
• Knowledge of specific gender issues in rural development and sensitivity to local culture and traditions
• Openness to change and ability receive/integrate feedback,
• Excellent knowledge of the English language and proficient written and oral communication skills