REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN
MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES AND IRRIGATIONS
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (REOI)
COUNTRY: Republic of South Sudan
NAME OF PROJECT: The Regional Climate Resilience Program (RCRP) for Eastern and Southern Africa
PROJECT ID: P180171
Assignment Title: Senior Environmental Specialist
Reference No.: SS-MWRI-333612-CS-INDV
Place of assignment: Juba, South Sudan
Closing Date: 14th April 2023
1.Background Information
The Government of South Sudan, through the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation (MWRI), is preparing a key project to address key water sector challenges in South Sudan: the Climate Resilient Flood Management project that is integrated in the Phase 1 of the Regional Climate Resilience Program (RCRP) for Eastern and Southern Africa(P180171)The Phase 1 of the RCRP aims to improve the management of water-related climate impacts in Eastern and Southern Africa with South Sudan as one of the focus countries. This initial project is meant to help South Sudan prepare for the long-term flood and drought protection measures and investments. It focuses on non-structural measures, including climate resilient water resource management planning, early warning, improved monitoring and forecasting capacities, flood risk mapping, and community level interventions, rehabilitation of existing flood protection and water retention and storage infrastructure, including potential support to natural-capital based livelihood activities in flood-prone areas. Total potential project financing for South Sudan RCRP Phase 1 is US$ 215M for a period of 5 years (2023 – 2028).
The RCRP project is a led by the government, through the MWRI, and financed by the World Bank through grants from the International Development Association (IDA). Particularly for the case of the RCRP, IDA financing comes from the national allocation to South Sudan and several other windows: i) regional integration (RI), ii) crisis response windows (CRW), and iii) the window for Host Communities and Refugees (HRW). The MWRI has established a Project implementation Unit (PIU) to manage the preparation and implementation of the projects where technical assistance under the project management component is needed to leverage opportunities for capacity building and to support aspects such as compliance with Environmental and Social Standards (ESS) and the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), fiduciary capacity building, M&E, third-party monitoring (TPM), etc.
A Project preparation Advance (PPA) has been approved for the RCRP Phase 1 – South Sudan and the MWRI intends to apply part of the PPA proceeds towards recruitment of experts who will work alongside with the National staff drawn from the Ministry of Water resources and Irrigation to support the PIU smooth implementation of the RCRP project.
A Project Management Unit (PMU) shall be established within the MWRI for RCRP with the primary task of project implementation and overseeing service providers, stakeholder outreach and communications, fiduciary and procurement management, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), community engagement, and risk management related to social and environmental safeguards, fiduciary oversight as well as maintaining infrastructure quality and standards.
The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation intends to apply part of the proceeds of the grant to fund the position of a Senior Environmental Specialist to ensure that all activities, particularly civil works and other related activities under the Project are undertaken in full compliance with the Projects’ Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and World Bank Environmental and Social Standards (ESS) freely available for consultation at: https://www.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/environmental-and-social-framework/brief/environmental-and-social-standards
He/she will be based in the Project Implementation Unit.
2. Scope of Services and Responsibilities: The scope of services for the position includes but not limited to the following duties and responsibilities:
- Ensure that all activities, civil works related activities, under the project particularly the RCRP including the PPA, are undertaken in full compliance with the Project’s Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF).
- Provide overall environmental management oversight during the implementation of the project, supporting and advising the Project Manager and the project team in addressing a variety of environmental issues at all the stages of the implementation and in environment-related training/awareness raising and coordination activities.
- Provide guidance and technical support for screening activities under the project for environmental impacts and vulnerabilities, identify impact and risk management opportunities/strategies, and prepare the required World Bank documents.
- Guide the project implementing agencies/works contractors in preparing the necessary ESF instruments and Environmental Assessment (EA) documents and review them for quality assurance; maintain regular dialogue and assist with enhancing implementing agency/works contractors’ capacity to comply with World Bank environmental policies
- Monitor compliance of project-financed activities with World Bank environmental policies by participating in project technical discussions and field visits, reviewing project reports and recommending adequate measures, and liaising with World Bank environmental specialists.
- Monitor HSE compliance onsite by the civil works consultants / contractor at project sites.
- The environmental risk management expert shall write quarterly EHS performance report
3. Selection Criteria: Selection shall be based on qualification and experience of the candidate and followed by an interview. The qualification and experience required for short listing will include:
(i) Advanced university degree (MA or PhD) in environmental sciences, engineering, natural sciences, or similar subjects is required; (ii) Minimum 8 years of full-time relevant professional experience in environmental management, environmental monitoring, and development projects; (iii) Fluency in English is required (writing, speaking, listening and reading) (iv) Exposure to the development work with the international organizations and a range of stakeholders is an advantage; (v) Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of international good practice for identification, management and monitoring of E&S risks related to infrastructure projects; (vi) Ability to synthesize and analyze environmental information and data from a range of sources and for the perusal of decision-make; (vii) Demonstrated experience conducting assessment and management of environmental impacts in a development/humanitarian organization, Government agency and/or private firm; and (viii) Ability to travel regularly and work effective in field and potentially remote locations in South Sudan.
The shortlisted candidates will be invited for oral interview. Consultant will be required to possess the skills, concepts, knowledge, and principles required to carry out the job tasks.
Government officials or civil servants will not be considered unless: (i) they are on leave of absence without pay or have resigned or retired six months prior to the date of the advert; and (ii) their employment will not create Conflict of interest.
4. Duration: Duration of the assignment is 24 months, renewable based on satisfactory performance and availability of funds.
5. The attention of interested individual consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs 3.14, 3.16 and 3.17 of the World Bank’s ‘Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers’ July 2016 revised November 2017, July 2018 and November 2020 [Procurement in investment Project Financing; Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services], setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest
6. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultants Selection method set out in the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations.
7. The MWRI now invites eligible Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the above-mentioned services. Interested Consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services and furnish their EOI and Curriculum Vitae (CV).
8. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
9. Submission of Applications and deadline:
A signed Expressions of interest (EOI) and CV with 3 reference persons must be sent to MWRI by Friday 14th April 2023 at 16:00 hours (Juba local time). The packages must be clearly marked as “Application for Senior Environmental Specialist” and submitted to the address below:
Directorate for Planning and Programs
Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation
Juba, Republic of South Sudan
Located at Hai Cinema near World Relief
Or by Email to;
Email: crfm.procurement@gmail.com
