Republic of Tajikistan

Learning Environment – Foundation of Quality Education Project 

Consulting services

Contract No MOES/LEARN/IC/2023-03

 

Position: Environmental specialist  

 Issuance date: 07/04/2023

Closing date/time: 21/04/2023

 

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION:

The Government of the Republic of Tajikistan has received grant funding in the amount of US$50.0 million from the World Bank for the implementation of the "Learning Environment – Foundation of Quality Education Project” (the Project, LEARN) during 2023-2029. The Project will be implemented by the Ministry of Education and Science (MOES), and in close coordination with the Agency for Supervision in the Sphere of Education and Science (ASSES). 

The Project Development Objective is to enhance the quality of teaching and learning environments in selected general secondary schools.

 “Teaching and Learning environment” in this project refers to the complete physical, social, and pedagogical context in which learning is intended to occur. The teaching and learning environment in this project is defined as consisting of the skills and competencies of teachers and physical learning spaces where learning occurs . It is school settings (not just classrooms) and contexts in which students learn and teachers teach within the school premises.

The main purpose of the assignment is to provide support for MOES in the implementation of the project, especially in activities related to the implementation of the legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan in the field of environmental safeguards management, implementation, and compliance of the World Bank's ESF (Environmental and Social Framework) and other relevant standards as described under the project ESCP.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

During the implementation of the assignment, the Environmental Specialist should be guided by the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) requirements as well as the current legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan and will ensure the effective implementation of the commitments outlined in the Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) and line with the Environmental & Social Management Framework (ESMF) and Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs). The Environmental Specialist working in close collaboration with the Social Development Specialist will be responsible for:

(a) Providing input to the relevant sections of the draft Project Operational Manual to ensure that environmental and social development aspects are adequately addressed.

(b) Coordinate environment-related activities at all project sites in compliance with the Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) at all and in accordance with a compliance with ten Environmental and Social Standards (ESS) of The World Bank, the norms of which MOES RT will fulfill throughout the project life cycle;

(c) Manage the implementation of environmental aspects of ESMF, including environmental screening and filling the screening checklists for each site to be undertaken under the component 2;

(d) Review and update site-specific ESMPs and environment and health and safety plans developed by the Contractors;

(e) Monitoring the implementation of the ESMF (Environmental and Social Framework) which is an integral part of the project, if necessary, follow the guidelines for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in the Design, Construction and reconstruction facilities, which includes baseline data for the environmental social risks, identification of the composition and nature of risks and impacts on surrounding and their foreseeable consequences;

(f) In close collaboration with social development specialist contribute to the design, monitoring and implementation of the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM)

(g) Assist in preparation of necessary materials (questionnaires, tests etc.) to conduct monitoring and evaluation of results on project implementation in compliance with the ESMF/ESMP;

(h) Carry out environmental surveys, preparation of reports on environmental impacts and support of acceptable standards of project environmental impacts during the implementation;

(i) Verification of the implementations of the environmental prerequisites and their compliance for the selected subprojects including the reconstruction/renovation/expansion of schools in the selected sites to the requirements of the World Bank ESF and National Environmental Laws, Regulations and Standards;

(j) Prepare an annual plan for training and capacity building of relevant project staff, and contractor, constant supervision on compliance and the performance of contractors and subcontractors;

(k) Establishment of environmental monitoring and compliance mechanism prior to civil work and follow up at the stage of construction works and operation of the project (quality of aboveground and underground water and air, noise level, erosion reduction, restoration of landscape and vegetation, environmental standards applicable to the project and environmental monitoring requirements related to the project. Expected emissions, discharges, waste, their negative impact on the environment and ways to minimize them. (Storage and disposal of waste);

(l) Ensure proper disclosure of site-specific ESMPs and conduct public consultations for site-specific ESMPs prior to commencement of civil works;

(m) The Environmental Specialist will conduct a transect walk during project design and consult with potential PAPs (project affected people) and convey potential risks and impacts from the project and also share mitigation measures;

(n) Ensure that the related elements of the environment and occupational health and safety (OHS) are included in the training programs and are regularly conducted for related project engineers and contractors;

(o) The environmental specialist will establish close contact with Committee of Environmental Protection (CEP) and ensure necessary permits are obtained by the contractors.

(p) The Environmental specialist will coordinate with WB E&S (environmental and social) team as well as with other implementation agencies and project stakeholders. 

(q) Submit quarterly/semi-annual/annual reports to the MOES Director and the World Bank Group on the progress of work and the adequacy of measures taken to monitor compliance with the established environmental parameters during the implementation of the project, identify deficiencies and propose corrective measures;

(r) Any other tasks agreed with the MOES.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION:

The selected candidate will conform to the following qualifications and experience profile:

Education:

• Higher education in environmental Sciences, environmental management, climate change, occupational health and safety, urban development, and engineering and construction;

 

Experience: 

• At least 5 (five) years’ experience in environmental management, knowledge and understanding of the principles of environmental assessment and monitoring procedures; 

• At least 2 (two) years of experience in the implementation of a similar project, which was financed by international financial institutions i.e., WB, ADB, EBRD, or other international donors is required;

• A good knowledge and understanding of the environmental national legislation of the GoT, World Bank’s environmental and social policy standards and rules other international financial institutions is required;

• An experience in accordance with international standards and requirements of international environmental organizations will be an advantage;

• Familiarity with the education sector project would be an advantage.

 

Personal Qualities:

• Excellent communication skills;

• Excellent team-working, decision-making skills;

• Ability to work under pressure;

• Honesty and sense of responsibility. 

• Willingness to visit the project site as needed (sometimes remotely);

 

Other skills and requirements

• Fluency in Tajik and Russian languages (oral and written) and fluency in written and spoken English will be an advantage;

• Skills in preparing high-quality reports will be an asset.

• A confident user of (MS Office, MS Word, MS Excel, PowerPoint, Internet E-mail etc.) and other computer programs;

• Two reference letters from the most recent employers

ASSIGNMENT DURATION, LOCATION AND REPORTING:

The Environmental Specialist will report to and work under the supervision of the Head of capital construction department and the LEARN Project Coordinator. In addition, he/she will report to the WB Environmental Specialists. The Environmental Specialist is expected to be available for this assignment as soon as LEARN becomes effective (expected in March 2023). This assignment is for a total of 12 (twelve) months starting from the contract signing date and renewable annually based on the specialist’s performance and project needs. The social development specialist will be located in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, is expected to work full-time, and available for visits to project sites. The MOES shall provide office space and equipment during his/her tenure of service in the Project. 

 

APPLICATION AND SELECTION: 

The Consultant(s) will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the World Bank Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers (May 2004, revised October 2006, 2010 and 2011). The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraphs 1.9 and 1.11 of the World Bank’s Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits & Grants by World Bank Borrowers dated January 2011 and revised July 2014 (“Consultant Guidelines”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest and eligibility.  

 

Qualified applicants are requested to send documents via e-mail: maorif-marketing@mail.ru 

Please, include the position title in the subject of the email.

 

For more information, please call: (+992 37) 2274502 from 8:00 to 17:00 

 

The deadline for submitting documents is 21 April 2023, before 17:00 (Dushanbe time).