Social Safeguards Specialist

الوصف الوظيفي

Water Security Development - Gaza Central Desalination Program: Associated Works Project Phase I (AWP-Phase 1)

Project Background:

The proposed project is part of a coordinated international effort to address chronic poor water quality in Gaza and the significant increase in domestic demand expected in the medium term, which is projected to reach around 145 MCM a year by 2030. PWA, in partnership with the European Commission (EC), the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), the Islamic Development Bank (ISDB) and the World Bank, formulated the Gaza Central Desalination Program (GCDP). The GCDP covers all Gaza and comprises two main components: (i) construction of a desalination plant with initial capacity to produce 55 MCM a year of desalinated water that can be doubled in the future; and (ii) construction of a north-south water carrier, including storage reservoirs to convey and properly blend the desalinated water with groundwater sources to achieve water supply meeting WHO guidelines for potable water. The latter component is referred to as “Associated Works.”

The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) for the benefit of the has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Water Security Development - Gaza Central Desalination Program: Associated Works Project Phase I (AWP-Phase 1) and intends to apply part of the proceeds for supporting the Project implementation and management capacity of the implementing institution (PWA).

The PWA is considering the recruitment of a qualified Social Safeguards Specialist who will contribute to the successful implementation of the project across all aspects.

Project Components

Component 1: Improved Supply of Bulk Water to the southern and middle governorates of Gaza
Component 2: Capacity Building and Performance Improvement of Selected Institutions
Component 3: Project Management and Implementation Support

Responsibilities:

Overall Coordination

Lead and coordinate the PWA/PMU relevant team’s efforts in providing advice, building capacity, and advancing the development and implementation of social safeguards policies and procedures.

Work with PWA/PMU team to ensure that appropriate resources and capacity are deployed to effectively cover the social safeguards/social risk management requirements of projects during preparation and implementation.

Major responsibilities and tasks are detailed below:

Ensure compliance with Donors’ (such as World Bank, KFW, AFD) social safeguards/social risk management policies and procedure during project implementation.
Lead the monitoring of safeguards policy compliance during implementation and prepare the periodic social monitoring reports pertaining to the project ;
Assist in implementing the social aspects/requirements of the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) considering various types of activities under the Projects implemented by PMU;
Support the PWA/PMU team in assessment, development, updating, and implementation of Resettlement Action Plans (RAP) as required by ESMF or Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF);
Follow up with stakeholders (throughout the project and as required) to ensure that the voice and needs of diverse and/or vulnerable individuals and groups (i.e., women, disaster victims, endangered ethnic groups, vulnerable communities) are focused on in the planning and delivery of project schemes/interventions/subprojects and that, in particular, these individuals and groups have access to potable water supply at the end of the Project;
Coordinate with Monitoring team for database management and support to all PWA/PMU to prepare database on mini-grid beneficiaries, grievance redress mechanism and other project components;
Support the social screening and categorization process for the subprojects developed;
Review ESIA and ESMPs Reports submitted by the different consultants, ensure adequacy and quality as per approved ToR, and the World Bank Social Safeguards policies and guidelines;
Provide support to PWA/PMU in preparing the ESIA and ESMP (as per Donors requirement) for each particular subproject. Conduct consultative meetings with relevant stakeholders to discuss site specific social issues of sub-project and get feedbacks from the participants to address the same in a systematic manner;
Ensure the functionality of the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) and its handling procedures, including channels for GBV/SEA/SH grievances based on the ESMF and prepare GRM database in order to ensure that all registered complains are addressed properly;
Ensure that all grievances are well documented and support the complaint’s staff in providing periodic and on time reports on the GRM.As required, review the consultancy assignment ToRs as well as bid documents of subprojects and ensure that all necessary social mitigation measures including that for labor influx management, prevention of GBV/SEA/SH, availability of grievance redress measures including for workers, implementation and codes of conduct for workers etc. are incorporated in the respective civil works contract documents;
Follow up on the implementation of the citizens engagement activities as per the prepared Citizens Engagement Strategy/Plan. Ensure that relevant elements of the Citizen Engagement Strategy are reflected in or inform, as required, other plans, strategies etc. developed for the project
Support the PWA/PMU in the implementation of Multiple Stakeholders Engagement Plan (MSEP), to ensure meaningful consultations with various project stakeholders, including project affected people, on project activities, mitigation measures, GRM and other project components;
Support PWA/PMU to maintain good community relations and address community concerns as they arise.
Periodically carry out field visits and conduct monitoring of social development activities and provide timely advise where required;
Prepare timely reports (monthly, quarterly, field monitoring) on the safeguard risks, including the GRM, with appropriate actions to be taken for all sub projects and ensure that timely actions are taken;
Work in close collaboration with Environment, Gender, M&E and Communication Experts in PMU for implementation of requirements outlined in the ESMF/ESIA/ESMP/RAPs;
Advice in the best practice of monitoring and reporting on the social impact of the project;
Document the good practices in the project on incorporation and integration of social issues into engineering design in collaboration with the Project Manager and Environmental Officer.
Any other tasks assigned by Senior Experts and Project Manager to support the project with respect to the social safeguard issues;

Capacity Building & Knowledge Sharing

Lead, identify, assess, and monitor overall capacity building needs on social safeguards.
Prepare annual plan for social safeguard training/orientation, and train/ orient the staff involved on the application of social and Grievance Redress Mechanism in line with Relevant Donors Policies. Support in the coordination of training activities to ensure the principles and procedures for ESMF and RAPs are well understood and being followed.
Contribute significantly to activities for gender, advocacy, dissemination, and knowledge building relating to safeguard policies.

متطلبات الوظيفة

Job Requirements:

Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree in in Social Science, socio-economy, socio-politics science, Sociology, administrative science, engineering, and any other related discipline). At least 3 (Three) years’ experiences in the field of Water and Sanitation and/or on the Municipal Development Sectors and at least 3 (Three) assignments in Social Safeguard. The candidate should also have:

Proven experience in implementing international social safeguards policies/standards in projects financed by Donors such as (World Bank, KFW, AFD, EU and USAID);
Excellent knowledge of the English language (both spoken and written);
Ability to build capacity and train various stakeholders;
Knowledge and/or familiarity with the social dynamics in Gaza / Palestine;
Ability to work well with Government officials and community personnel;
Strong and demonstrated capacity for organization, management with good reporting and coordination skills;
Strong leadership, technical competence and professional skills for timely implementation, coordination and management of activities;
Ability to work in a team, develop synergies and establish effective working relations with various stakeholders;
Strong interpersonal and communications skills, resourcefulness, initiative, tact and ability to cope with any situation;
good working knowledge in the operations of multilateral development organizations and executing agencies;
Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback.