Assignment Title: Social Safeguards and Monitoring and Reporting (M&R) Officer

Reference No. : SLU DVRP-CS-IC-SSMR-01-16

Saint Lucia has received financing from the World Bank towards the following Projects and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services for engagement of Social Safeguards and Monitoring and Reporting (M&R) Officer

The consulting services (“the Services”) include undertaking screening, scoping and assessment of all sub project activities and developing and implementing safeguards instruments to ensure that all projects listed in the “Introduction” are in compliance with the World Bank’s OP 4.12 and 4.01, managing/maintain and routinely updating the DVRP’s Results Framework and reporting on Project progress for the DVRP.   The responsibilities include:

Social Safeguards:

-     Social Risks Screening: Screen and scope (examine and evaluate) all activities proposed by individual subprojects to evaluate and assess the potential social risks or impacts and to determine, document, develop and implement required mitigation measures.

-     OP 4.12 Screening: Screen and scope proposed projects for land acquisition, displacement of livelihoods (as per OP/BP 4.12) and in consultation with relevant technical specialists, assess feasibility of altering project designs to avoid impacts related to private land acquisition/resettlement/displacement of livelihoods (as per OP/BP 4.12).

-     Grievance Redress Mechanism: Develop, implement and report on the Grievance Redress Mechanism.

-     Consultations: Conduct consultations with the relevant project beneficiaries and any Project Affected People (PAP) on a regular basis to ensure that issues are addressed in a timely manner and that project beneficiaries are kept abreast of developments. Develop any and all mitigation measures / RAPs in close consultation with PAP.

-     Beneficiary Feedback System (BFS): Develop and implement a BFS (for the DVRP, SOLAR DVRP AF, OECS Regional Tourism Competitiveness Project, and OECS Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme Project to determine the level of Citizen Engagement (CE) in the projects and its sub projects. This includes: (i) design pre-implementation survey to be implemented at subproject sites prior to the implementation of works, working with the DVRP Communications / Liaison Officer or Communications Specialist for other Projects to adjust pre-existing community outreach surveys to comply with  data collection requirements of the CE indicator; (ii) design of a template for the recording of consultation minutes and reporting on the BFS in the quarterly project progress reports; (iii) design post-implementation evaluation survey to be implemented at subproject sites following the completion of works, or work with the DVRP Communications / Liaison Officer  or the Communications Specialist for other Projects to adjust pre-existing community outreach surveys to comply with  data collection requirements of the CE indicator; (iv) develop a proposal for the collection of data for the BFI. The proposal should include details on the activities to be executed and timelines.  This may also require consultation and collaboration with the National Statistics Office.

 -    Social Updates: Prepare the social aspects of the DVRP quarterly project progress report . Report on project activities and social issues/concerns as they arise to serve as documentation of compliance and to support periodic reporting to the PCU.  

 M&R for the DVRP:

• Assist the Saint Lucia Development Bank (SLDB) in the preparation of the social updates for the annual CAFF safeguards reporting (for DVRP).

• Manage, maintain and update on a regular basis, the DVRP’s Results Framework with inputs from the implementing agencies and PCU staff, for quarterly submission.

• Prepare and submit to the Bank the DVRP Quarterly Progress Report, with inputs from implementing agencies and PCU staff. The Progress Report should include highlight project achievements, delays, challenges, risks and mitigation plans as well as photographs. The following documents should be annexed to the Quarterly Reports: (i) up to date Results Framework; (ii) updated Gantt Charts; (iii) Social Impacts Matrix; and (iv) stakeholders’ consultation Minutes (as relevant.

The assignment is full-time and is expected to start on September 1, 2017 for a period of one year in the first instance; renewable annually subject to satisfactory performance.    Remuneration in the first instance will be paid by the DVRP.  Engagement can cover a period of five years subject to annual performance review with an intermediate performance evaluation after the first six months of services rendered.

The Department of Economic Development, Transport and Civil Aviation now invites eligible individual consultants (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Individual Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services; (Curriculum Vitae, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, clients’ references etc). Interested Consultants should have the following requisite minimum qualifications and professional experiences listed below for undertaking the assignment.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum required education and experience

Academic:

- At least a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences (geography, sociology, economics or law) or related discipline

Experience:

- Demonstrated experience of a minimum of 5 years in the field of social development, project planning or project implementation,

1. Specific knowledge required to start

• World Bank OP 4.01 and 4.12 policies
• Saint Lucia Land Acquisition Act
• Existing legislation in Saint Lucia on managing projects that lead to Project Affected Persons
• Reporting for major donor organizations

Required competencies (core and technical to be specified)

The successful candidate will have:

• Ability to perform subproject screenings and assessments for existence of social risks and impacts, provide advice, and contribute to capacity building on Social Safeguards
• Operational Project Management - Participates in the development and review of Safeguards Section of the Operations Manual
• Operational Project Management – Ability to carry out assessments and develop safeguards instruments including the Resettlement Action Plans and implementation progress reports
• Drive for Results - Takes personal ownership and accountability to meet deadlines and achieve agreed-upon results, and has the personal organization to do so
• Teamwork (Collaboration) and Inclusion - Collaborates with other team members and contributes productively to the team's work and output
• Business Judgment and Analytical Decision Making - Analyses facts and data to support sound, logical decisions regarding own and others' work.
• Previous experience working with Donor-financed projects and the Government of Saint Lucia would be a plus

Other Competencies:

- Excellent knowledge of English with fluency in reading, preparation of technical reports and general writing. 

- Demonstrated ability to work in teams and communicate effectively.

- Qualitative research skills and experience in community consultation is an asset

- Knowledge of World Bank Social Safeguards policies would be an asset.

- Work experience in Saint Lucia would be an asset, specifically in Saint Lucia.

- Ability to handle stakeholders tactfully, courteously, and diplomatically;

- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with focal points, Project Steering Committees, Department of Finance and World Bank staff, vendors, private operators and the public.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 1.9 of the World Bank’s Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits & Grants by World Bank Borrowers (“Consultant Guidelines”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultants (IC) method set out in the World Bank’s   Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits & Grants by World Bank Borrowers (“Consultant Guidelines”). 

Further information on the assignment is contained in the Terms of Reference which can be obtained from the Project Coordination Unit.   Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by fax, or by e-mail) by August 18, 2017.   

Interested eligible candidates must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services and are invited to submit their CV (Curriculum Vitae), including employment records, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills, previous remuneration, etc.   

Unsuitable applications will not be acknowledged.  Applicants whose qualifications and experiences are in line with the Terms of Reference will be short-listed and invited to attend an interview for further consideration.

To ensure impartiality, the Social Safeguards and M&R Officer must not in any way be affiliated with business entities that are currently providing or are seeking to provide goods or services to the project.