Republic of Liberia
Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications
Western African Regional Digital Integration Project - Series of Projects 2 Liberia (WARDIP SOP2-Liberia)
Project ID: P500628
Terms of Reference
For
Social Development Specialist
Post Title:
Social Development Specialist
Location of Post:
Monrovia, Liberia
Contract Duration:
12 months
Reporting Line:
WARDIP Liberia/PIU through the PIU Coordinator
Recruitment Type:
Local
Type of Contract
X Individual Consultant
Consulting Firm (QCBS, CQS, LCS)
Non-Consulting Service (Competitive Bidding)
PROJECT BACKGROUND
The Government of Liberia (GoL) has received financing from the World Bank for the preparation of the West Africa Regional Digital Integration Project - Series of Projects 2 Liberia (WARDIP SOP2-Liberia). This project, which will be implemented at the national level, seeks to facilitate increased broadband access and usage in preparation for regional digital markets integration in West Africa.
WARDIP SOP2-Liberia is the second phase of the Western Africa Regional Development Integration Program series of projects (DTfA - WARDIP), which builds consensus and momentum around the vision for achieving a Single Digital Market (SDM) in Africa. It is envisioned that the project will lead to an increased secure flow of digital services within and between participating countries in Western Africa. By the end of the SOP, foundations of a SDM in Western Africa in line with the AU SDM are expected to be in place.
WARDIP SOP2 builds on, and will run parallel to, investments in DTfA/WARDIP SOP1, further extending cross-border and backbone connectivity, data markets and online market environment in additional countries. It aims to increase broadband access and usage in participating countries and to advance the integration of digital markets in Western Africa and is structured to have 5 components.
Component I. Connectivity Market Development and Integration
: This component aims to provide infrastructure financing and support for an enhanced enabling environment to develop the regional broadband connectivity market.
Component II: Data Market Development and Integration
: This component aims to build trust in online transactions and strengthen the security and resilience of digital infrastructure and systems, focused on focuses on enabling secure, cross-border data exchange, storage, and processing to support regional access to data-driven services, innovation, and infrastructure.
Component III. Online Market Development and Integration:
This component aims to support the development of a robust regional online market, with a focus on boosting service uptake for an integrated SDM.
Component IV. Project Management and Implementation Support. This component would provide technical assistance and capacity support for program preparation and implementation.
Component V. Contingent Emergency Response. The component is included to help participating countries respond swiftly to eligible crises and emergencies, in case of urgent need of assistance or capacity constraints.
Environmental and social risks
The Project will be prepared and implemented under the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESF) of the WB and the environmental and social (E&S) risk classification is Substantial .
There are ten Environment and Social Standards (ESS) under the ESF, and the following standards are considered relevant (but not limited to) for this project:
ESS1: Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts
ESS2: Labor and Working Conditions
ESS3: Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention and Management
ESS4: Community Health and Safety
ESS5: Land Acquisition, Restrictions on Land Use and Involuntary Resettlement
ESS6: Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources
ESS8: Cultural Heritage
ESS10: Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure
The proposed environmental risk classification is Substantial. The project is expected to have positive environmental impacts by restoring coastal ecosystems, especially mangroves, to reduce the risk of erosion and flooding, including restoration of abandoned rice paddies and the water system. However, there are also key environmental concerns identified at this stage, including: (i) effects on water quality; (ii) risks associated with the disturbance of marine and other coastal ecosystem biodiversity during construction and operation; (iii) construction waste disposal and e-waste management; (iv) worker occupational health and safety (OHS); (v) air and noise pollution nuisances; (vi) water pollution; and (vii) high energy consumption.
The interventions will take place in fragile coastal areas, including mangroves that provide vital ecosystem services, and poorly designed or implemented activities could exacerbate erosion downstream. Furthermore, health and safety of workers and communities must be carefully managed. Potential OHS hazards associated with the construction of physical infrastructure include exposure to harmful dusts and fumes, loud noise, manual handling injuries, and stress or fatigue. Nonetheless, most of the anticipated environmental risks are expected to be site-specific, temporary, and manageable through adherence to good construction practices, energy optimization, and sustainable sourcing. The Appraisal Environmental and Social Review Summary (ESRS) and accompanying environmental management instruments will detail the mitigation measures required.
The proposed social risk classification is Moderate. The project is expected to generate significant benefits for digital and social inclusion by expanding cross-border connectivity, data flows, and access to online services in participating countries. While these benefits are substantial, Component 1 activities may give rise to some social impacts, including: (i) disruption of economic activities and livelihoods due to land acquisition; (ii) impacts on the livelihoods of fishermen caused by the laying of submarine cables; (iii) loss of access to fishing grounds due to construction of the landing station; (iv) impacts on people’s livelihoods along the fisheries value chain; (v) labor and working conditions; and (vi) community health and safety concerns.
The presence of migrant workers introduces additional risks such as labor-related grievances and the potential for sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment (SEA/SH). Although the digitalization goals are expected to improve productivity and efficiency, limited stakeholder awareness may result in initial resistance. Risks such as social exclusion of vulnerable groups (e.g., people with disabilities, landless persons, youth, and elders), potential child labor, SEA/SH, and disruptions to traditional livelihoods will need to be actively managed.
In view of this, the GoL, through the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MoPT) is setting up a Project Implementation Unit (PIU) as a starting point to kick start the activities entailed in this project and, as thus, seeks to recruit a highly qualified and motivated Social Development Specialist to join the PIU.
OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The objective of this assignment is to support the PIU with the implementation and monitoring of social development and risk mitigation measures under the project, in line with the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and national regulations. The Social Development Specialist will be responsible for ensuring the preparation, quality assurance, and compliance of social risk management instruments; overseeing stakeholder engagement and grievance redress mechanisms; supporting the implementation of inclusive community subprojects; and conducting regular monitoring and reporting to strengthen social inclusion and sustainability across the project lifecycle. The Social Development Specialist will report to the PIU Coordinator and will work closely with the Environment Management Specialist, Gender Specialist and Communication Specialist in the PIU.
SCOPE OF WORK
The Social Development Specialist will be tasked with but not limited to deliver on the following mandate:
Support the preparation and implementation of ESF instruments, specifically instruments related to social risk mitigation, in line with the World Bank ESF
Provide technical oversight and review support on ESF documents
Update ESF documents, on an as needed basis, throughout the project life cycle
Ensure that ESF instruments developed for site-specific subprojects comply with the World Bank ESS
Support the implementation of social/community subprojects under Component 3 of the project
Coordinate with a wide range of project stakeholders, including relevant government agencies, nongovernment organizations, civil society, community-based organizations, and project beneficiaries
Ensure vulnerable groups in project areas can equally participate and benefit from the project activities
Ensure adequate mitigation of risks related to gender-based violence (GBV)
Conduct training on social risk management for PIU staff and relevant project stakeholders
Monitor and report on the implementation of ESF instruments on a regular basis ensuring ESF compliance, informing as needed adjustments and improvements in the project, and contributing to an institutional knowledge base on lessons learnt
In particular, the Social Development Specialist (SDS) will be responsible for the following tasks:
Project preparation
Guide and work with consultants, including providing quality assurance, to undertake the preparation of E&S instruments in compliance with the World Bank ESF and national requirements for purposes of managing project-related social risks;
Review E&S instruments and provide as needed recommendations for improvement;
Oversee public consultations during project preparation, ensuring relevant stakeholders are consulted and meetings documented;
Support the PIU in coordinating with other implementing agencies and stakeholders regarding the project’s social development and risk mitigation activities.
Project implementation
Oversee the implementation of social risk management in line with the project’s framework documents (Environmental and Social Management Framework and Resettlement Policy Framework);
Help prepare ToRs as needed for site-specific E&S instruments (e.g., Environmental and Social Impact Assessments, Environmental and Social Management Plans, Resettlement Action Plans / Abbreviated Resettlement Action Plans, GBV Action Plans);
Develop and implement management processes for screening sub-projects, conducting stakeholder consultations, and implementing other social risk mitigation/development aspects;
Conduct training on social risk management for PIU staff and relevant agencies, including on GBV risk mitigation;
Implement the SEP and update the document as needed, ensuring any major revisions are publicly disclosed to stakeholders;
Ensure functional GRMs for project affected persons and for contracted workers, and for the submission of GBV-sensitive grievances;
Support the PIU in developing information and communication materials related to social risk mitigation and social sustainability and inclusion aspects of the project;
Ensure that social risk management compliance conditions are incorporated into project bidding documents, and a process exists for ensuring that mitigation measures will be undertaken by contractors;
Provide leadership in development of the project’s Grievance Mechanism (GM), assist in its implementation, and support monitoring and documentation;
Develop relevant compliance checklists and supervisory guides for field inspections;
Support the implementation of social/community subprojects, ensuring opportunities for marginalized groups including women; and
Liaise with the PIU Coordinator to ensure that financial resources are available to support social risk management processes, including assessments, training programs and analytics.
Monitoring and Reporting
Closely monitor the implementation of E&S instruments, including ESMPs, RAPs/A-RAPs, SEP, GRM, LMP, and GBV action plans;
Participate in regular field supervision for subprojects and prepare supervision reports;
Assist in design and assess achievement of community impact and other social indicators;
Prepare regular safeguards monitoring reports for the PCU, reporting against provisions in the ESMF and providing recommendations for any needed corrective measures; and
Support the PIU with adequate documentation on social development/risk mitigation aspects throughout the project life cycle.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
A Degree in a social science discipline, such as sociology, social work, anthropology, development studies or human geography.
A minimum of eight (8) years of relevant professional experience
Knowledge of the World Bank ESF and/or Social Safeguards Policies, including OP/BP 4.01 Environmental Assessment and OP/BP 4.12 on Involuntary Resettlement, or other multilateral organization standards, such as AfDB ISS, IFC-PS, or ADB highly desirable
Experience in World Bank funded projects as a Social Safeguards/Development Specialist will be an added advantage
Experience in conducting/dealing with social assessments, involuntary resettlement, gender inequality, GBV, inclusion of vulnerable groups, labor management, community and stakeholder consultations, and grievance redress.
Knowledge of social legislations and policies in Ghana
Excellent inter-personal skills and demonstrated ability to engage with a wide range of stakeholders including government agencies, non-government organizations, civil society, and communities in Ghana
Strong analytical and presentation skills
Passionate commitment to poverty reduction and social development principles
Good command of IT tools (especially Word, Excel, Access and data management and analysis software, etc.).
TERMS OF ASSIGNMENT
The Environmental Management Specialist will be appointed for a period of one (1) year, renewable based on good performance.
CONFIDENTIALITY
By accepting to take part in the invitation, the Consultant agrees to keep in confidence all information shared by the Liberian government authorities and the World Bank, whether written or oral, concerning the invitation and/or in relation to the government organizations’ business involved in this assignment which is not of public domain. The Consultant also agrees to use it only for the purposes of this activity and for no other reasons and not to disclose any of the said information to any third party.