TERMS   OF REFERENCE

COMMUNITY   LIAISON   OFFICER

1.            BACKGROUND

1.01     The UK Caribbean Infrastructure Fund (UKCIF) is a 330 million pound infrastructure fund that aims to have a tangible impact on nine beneficiary countries in the Caribbean through investment in economic infrastructure.  The project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and is managed by the Caribbean Development Bank.   UKCIF includes a strong focus on promoting the social and economic benefits from the infrastructure provision, and effectively managing any related risks.

1.02     Saint Lucia (SLU) is a beneficiary country of UKCIF.  The Government of Saint Lucia (GOSL) is seeking to utilise its allocated UKCIF funding to help finance road improvements along the Millennium Highway and West Coast Road (MHWCR) Corridor.

1.03     There are significant benefits to be realised from the Project but there are also a range of social and environmental safeguard issues that were identified through the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) which must be managed during implementation.  In this regard, the engagement of a Community Liaison Officer (CLO) is imperative to support the Project Coordinator (PC) and the Project Management Unit in managing the safeguard aspects of the Project.   This critical input is intended to increase the likelihood of realising the project's intended outcomes.

2.          OBJECTIVE/OUTCOME

2.01      The expected outcomes of the Project are:

(a)        A socially-inclusive management and planning framework for the road sector in Saint

Lucia.

(b)         Increased efficiency, resilience and improved safety of MHWCR.

3.          SCOPE OF SERVICES

3.01      The CLO will promote constructive partnerships and communication between Department of Infrastructure, Ports and Energy (DIPE) and the communities on issues relating to project implementation and will be responsible for implementing community engagement activities as set out in the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP). Among other activities, CLO will:

(a)       Review SEP with a view to identifying and documenting any gaps in the (i) stakeholder identification and analysis that were undertaken; (ii) stakeholder engagement programme (e.g., information to be disclosed, format and communication methods; stakeholder consultation methods); and (iii) schedule for the various stakeholder engagement activities.    Information  in  the  ESIA  should  be  used  to  support  SEP  review  and implementation. The SEP must be updated to address any gaps identified;

(b)       Maintain updates to SEP as necessary, based on issues arising during implementation that may include inter alia, stakeholder engagement, and land acquisition.  Any major changes to the project activities and/or schedule will be duly reflected in the updated SEP.

(c)         Provide timely feedback to PC on concerns raised by community leaders.

(d)       Provide timely feedback to community members on project implementation, concerns raised or important decisions taken by DIPE in accordance with agreed protocols.

(e)      Develop public relations programmes along with DIPE, Non-Governmental Organisations, and Community-based Organisations to educate community members about the project and encourage their continuous buy-in and active participation throughout the project cycle.

(f)        Facilitate dialogue and sensitise Project-affected communities as necessary, with particular attention being paid to obtaining information from the less vocal persons in the communities through the use of differential participatory techniques.

(g)       Manage community members' expectations of the project during scheduled meetings and ad-hoc interaction, as necessary.

(h)        Identify potential grievances or project risks and/or opportunities.

(i)        Assist Resettlement Action Committee with management of, and timely responses

to grievances lodged through the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) of the SEP.

(j)         Liaise with contractors as needed (e.g. during the local labour recruitment process by assisting with drafting gender-responsive local hiring policies and procedures) especially where community requirements are being solicited.

(k)       Raise awareness of employment opportunities, especially for vulnerable groups in society and within the  Project areas including women,  youth and  Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

(l)         Manage stakeholder engagement logistics such as soliciting suggestions/grievances from suggestion boxes, placing communication materials on notice boards and via social media, and arranging community meetings.

(m)      Facilitate stakeholder participation at all relevant levels in accordance with the identified needs of the different categories of stakeholders, particularly women, youth, and PWDs. This may include other activities - participatory assessments and problem-solving of issues, concerns and opportunities, focus group discussions, information-sharing, and community meetings.

(n)       Assist in evaluating the social, environmental and economic impacts of Project activities on the well-being of community members using participatory approaches.

(o)        Monitor implementation of the recommendations proposed under the Consultancy - "Enhancing the Socio-Economic and Livelihood Impacts of the Millennium Highway and West  Coast  Road  Upgrading   Project"   and maintain records and data  (disaggregated by sex and age) for Project-affected   Persons  (PAPs)  participation in training activities;.

(p)       Assist PC in ensuring that the implementation of project activities is in conformance With GOSL's and CDB's environmental and social requirements.

(q)       Attend   Project   Steering   Committee   meetings   as required   and provide Information   on community   discussions,   highlighting   any current   and/or       potential   challenges   likely to impact implementation   progress.

(r)        Maintain comprehensive and updated minutes of meetings with the community   and other stakeholders.

(s)          Prepare and submit to the PC inputs for incorporation   into monthly progress Reports to CDB.

(t)        Prepare and submit to the PC, inputs for incorporation   into a Project Completion Report, within three months after practical completion of the works.

(u)       Promote   and conduct   awareness   training   on health and safety risks directly associated with the Project.   These  should  include  but not be limited  to mitigating  potential  conflicts between   any  foreign  workers   and  local  communities   that  may  arise  from  an  influx  of workers  to the Project  sites during  construction,   increased  risks  of harmful  practices  such as sex work,  gender-based   violence  and the use of illegal drugs.

4.          DURATION

4.01     The consultancy   is expected to last no more than thirty-six (36) months from the date of contract     signing.

5.         REPORTS/DELIVERABLES

5.01     CLO shall report to PC. CLO will furnish reports/deliverables    on the assignment as set out below: (a)     Prior to commencement   of the works, develop and implement   a results-based, gender-

Sensitive M&E framework/plan   for the SEP that monitors the implementation   of SEP and

Includes the following indicators:

(i)        Number   of consultation   meetings   and other public   discussions   (forums,   focus groups, etc.)  Conducted   within a reporting period.    The reporting period will be defined in the framework (e.g. monthly, quarterly, or annually);

(ii)         % of women participating   in consultations   by reporting period;

(iii)      Number   of  grievances    received   within   a  reporting   period,   number   of  those resolved  within  the prescribed  timeline,  disaggregated   by sex of the complainant; and

(iv)   Number of project-related   press materials published /broadcasted   in the national media.