Environmental and Social Specialist - Caribbean Efficient & Green Energy in Buildings (CEGEB) Project

PROJECT SUMMARY

The Caribbean Efficient and Green- Energy in Buildings (CEGEB) Project is a World Bank financed (US$131.7 Million) project supporting Grenada, Guyana, and Saint Lucia with objectives of saving energy, increasing the use of renewable energy (RE) in public buildings and facilities, and enhancing the regulatory framework for investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy in participating Caribbean countries.  The project will support investment and technical assistance for Energy Efficiency (EE) retrofitting and the installation of distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) systems in public buildings and other facilities in the three participating countries. Public buildings and other facilities eligible for investment under the Project may include central and regional administrative buildings, universities and schools, hospitals and clinics, stadiums, airports, water supply and sewage utilities.

Under the Component 3 on “Support to Pooled Procurement and Project Implementation Support, Capacity-Building & Gender Program”, the tasks to be implemented by OECS Commission (US$ 3.3 million grant) includes (i) Establishment and operation of a regional Project Implementation Unit (PIU); (ii) TA for implementing a pooled procurement for the participating countries and other stakeholders; (iii) Creation of stakeholder communication programs at the regional level; (iv) Capacity building for procurement and dissemination of regional regulations on EE & RE; and (v) Facilitation of harmonized regulations, standards and tools for EE and DRE, OECS Commission will also be responsible for establishing and coordinating the Regional Steering Committee and the Regional Technical Advisory Committee.

To realise benefits from economies of scale, the countries will procure these EE and DRE investments in public buildings under a process called pooled procurement led by the OECS Commission. It is expected that this pooled procurement of Investment Grade Audits (for EE and DRE)  and Design, Supply and Installation (DSI) and Measurement and Verification (M&V) services led by OECS Commission will enhance regional integration, supporting a significant scale up in EE and DRE investments in the region, and thereby the creation of a regional market and boost in trade in EE and RE investments and services. To facilitate this collaboration, under the CEGEB project, a Regional PIU with project officers will be created in the Environmental Sustainability Division at the OECS Commission. The Regional PIU will provide the pooled procurement services to the participating countries for their investment in EE and DPVs and implement the regional capacity building by providing comprehensive procurement training and resources, inter alia, on effectively utilizing framework agreements for building retrofits and contract management. The Project will also provide technical assistance to address regulatory and technical constraints to EE and RE investments, and build capacity in the planning, implementation, and operations of these investments in a sustainable manner.

Environmental and Social (E&S) risk management is a core aspect of project implementation, ensuring compliance with the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), national regulations, and best practices. The OECS seeks to engage an Environmental and Social Specialist to oversee and coordinate all environmental and social aspects of the project.

JOB OVERVIEW 

Under the leadership of the Head, Environmental Sustainability Division (ESD), and with supervision from the Programme Director for Sustainable Energy, The Environmental and Social Specialist will be responsible for ensuring that the CEGEB Project’s environmental outcomes are achieved, and that any adverse impacts are effectively avoided and/or mitigated in a timely manner. The Environmental and Social Specialist will work to ensure that all project activities are implemented in line with the WB Environmental and Social Framework, WB Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines, national legislations, and Project Environmental and Social documentation and support national level Environmental and Social Specialists on the project in doing the same.

KEY DUTIES

• Coordinate the implementation, monitoring and reporting of Environmental and Social compliance at the regional level and support national PIUs as needed, in coordination with the Environmental and Social Specialists of each National PIU.
• Implement the commitments and activities specified in the Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) of the OECS Commission, including those related to stakeholder engagement;
• Lead the update of the Environmental and Social instruments (e.g. ESCP) as needed.
• Review and ensure that relevant aspects of the ESCP and the WB Environmental and Social Standards (ESS) instruments are duly incorporated into the procurement documents. Support with monitoring to ensure that the consultants and contractors comply with the ESHS specifications of their respective contracts.
• Provide guidance such that all Terms of Reference (ToRs) for studies, capacity building, training and any technical assistance activities carried out under the Project duly incorporate and take into consideration, the requirements (as applicable) of the E&S Standards of the Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) of the Bank.
• Provide technical support to the pooled procurement process by incorporating the relevant aspects of the ESCP, including, inter alia, the relevant E&S instruments such as site-specific Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) provided by the participating country Project Implementation Units (PIUs), the Labor Management Procedures, and code of conduct, into the ESHS specifications of the procurement documents and contracts with contractors.
• Contribute to the evaluation of bids/proposals to ensure that E&S risks and mitigation measures specified in the ESMF/ESMPs are adequately captured in all received bids/proposals;
• Work with the PIU procurement staff to ensure that Environmental and Social aspects are incorporated as appropriate in contracts for goods and services and that suppliers and contractors are fully aware of their responsibilities in this regard;
• Support with Environmental and Social monitoring to ensure that the consultants and contractors comply with the ESHS specifications of their respective contracts.
• Coordinate with the Environmental and Social Officers of each National PIU, to undertake regular environmental and social monitoring to verify whether contractors are complying with the E&S provisions of the contracts and ESMPs.
• Coordinate with the Environmental and Social Officers of each National PIU to support implementation of  ESMF, SEP and LMP and other site specific E&S documents.  
• Coordinate trainings for project staff, E&S officers of National PIUs and consultants on ESF topics such as ESF requirements, Environmental, Social, Health and Safety standards, stakeholder engagement, grievance mechanisms and the inclusion of E&S requirements in bidding documents and contracts.
• Perform other duties in line with the scope of the project leading to compliance with environmental and social aspects and related instruments.
• Ensure that all project workers, including those of the PIU, sign a Code of Conduct as part of their contracts, that includes provisions on sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and violence against children.
• Support the implementation, monitoring and reporting of a grievance mechanism for project workers.
• Incorporate stakeholder engagement and information disclosure measures in the implementation of Project activities, in a manner consistent with ESS10. This includes providing stakeholders with information about the environmental and social risks and impacts of Project activities in a timely, understandable, accessible and appropriate manner and format, including but not limited to any environmental and social instruments prepared, through the OECS Commission’s website, public display boards in their offices, and other platforms used by the OECS Commission for stakeholder engagement. and consult stakeholders in a culturally appropriate manner, including with regard to any environmental and social instruments prepared as part of Project activities.
• Document stakeholder engagement activities, including description of consultations and participation mechanisms utilized, and records of meetings held; feedback received and responses to said feedback; and measures to engage stakeholders who, because of their circumstances, may be disadvantaged or vulnerable.
• Establish, publicize, maintain, and operate an accessible grievance mechanism, to receive and facilitate resolution of concerns and grievances in relation to the Project, in a manner consistent with ESS10. The grievance mechanism shall be equipped to receive, register, and facilitate the resolution of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment (SEA/SH) complaints, including through the referral of survivors to relevant gender-based violence service providers, all in a safe, confidential, and survivor-centered manner.
• Produce monthly reports on Environmental and Social activities for the Project Manager.
• Contribute to biannual reports with inputs on the E&S performance of the Project.
• Perform other duties in line with the scope of the project leading to compliance with environmental and social management and related instruments.

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT

• The Environmental and Social Specialist is expected to meet the following requirements:
• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Social Sciences, Natural Resource Management, or a related field from a recognized university
• At least five (5) years of relevant experience in environmental and/or social risk management, preferably in infrastructure or energy-related projects.
• Experience working on projects that have applied the World Bank’s operational Environmental and Social Standards, or experience applying similar Environment and Social Standards in other organisations will be preferred.
• Ability to work in teams and communicate effectively, and demonstrated resourcefulness and initiative.
• Strong knowledge of environmental and social policies, legislation, and regulations in the OECS region.
• Knowledge and capacity in outreach and awareness/capacity building programs to engage with stakeholders; conduct training; and manage grievance redress mechanisms.
• Capacity to work simultaneously on a variety of issues and tasks, independently adjusting to priorities and achieving agreed objectives and deadlines.
• Demonstrate outstanding ability to communicate in written and spoken English.
• Be competent in the use of word processing software packages, including MS Office.

JOB LOCATION

• The OECS Commission is headquartered in Castries, Saint Lucia. The position of Environmental and Social Specialist is stationed at the OECS Commission headquarters.
• The OECS Commission values workforce diversity and is open to considering eligible applicants of all backgrounds, genders, religions, and sexual orientations.
• Strong emphasis will be placed on recruiting nationals from all OECS Member States. The Commission is particularly underrepresented by nationals of Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, Martinique, Guadeloupe, and St. Martin.
• Candidates from these Member States are encouraged to apply.
   

BENEFITS

The position is on a fixed-term establishment. The OECS Commission offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, which will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The incumbent will be eligible for membership in the Organisation’s non-contributory Group Health and Life Insurance Scheme. 

Only applications under consideration will be acknowledged.