REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

Republic of Tajikistan

Learning Environment – Foundation of Quality Education Project 

Consulting services

Contract No MOES/LEARN/LC/2024-01

 

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL LOCAL CONSULTANT FOR PROJECT LEARN

 Issuance date: 05/04/2024

Closing date/time: 23/04/2024

 

PROJECT OVERVIEW

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). 

 

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Environmental and Social Development Consultant will be responsible for providing a range of environmental and social consulting services. The main task of the consultant is to assist the LEARN Project team in building the capacity of specialists in protective measures, through: (a) providing consultations/trainings on the new socio-ecological structure of the World Bank; (b) preparing appropriate environmental and social documentation; (c) supervising and monitoring the fulfilment of environmental and social management plans and compliance with safety regulations during project construction and installation works. As part of service implementation, the Consultant must use tools prepared during the planning stage of the LEARN Project and approved by the World Bank:

− Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP);

− Environmental and Social Framework Document (ESMF);

− Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP);

− Labor Management Procedures (LMP);

− Code of Conduct for Project Employees. 

The Environmental and Social Development Consultant will report to and work under the supervision of the Project LEARN’s Director and Coordinator. 

 

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES OF CHIEF ASSESSMENT SPECIALIST:

Task 1.: Capacity Building - Training.

i. The Consultant, based on the plan, must take a number of actions to strengthen the capacity of stakeholders, through organizing and conducting a training process on the management of social and environmental risks during the implementation of subprojects. As the WB Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) is relatively new, the Consultant shall develop a methodology, prepare a capacity building plan based on the ESMP requirements and train internal Project staff and other entities involved in its implementation to properly understand and apply the requirements reflected in the WB socio-environmental standards as well as the framework tools prepared specifically for the LEARN Project.    

ii. The plan should include the following topics:

iii. --WB Social and Environmental Standards and their applicability to the Project; 

− Framework document for environmental and social protection;

- Stakeholder Engagement Plan;

- Relevant Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) issues, including precautions related to COVID-19 spread control measures;

- Stakeholder Engagement Plan and implementation of the GRM;

- Procedures to regulate labor relations, including the Code of Conduct.

 

Task 2. The consultant will assist in the preparation of the following environmental and social documentation:

− Development of a screening conclusion template, in accordance with the World Bank policy;

- Development of a model Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP), including an abbreviated ESMP for small-scale activities;

− Development of a model plan for social and environmental monitoring.

 

Task 3. Conduct control and monitoring of socio-ecological risks and impacts, as well as the results of the proposed measures in the fields.

The Consultant will assist Project specialists in monitoring subprojects during construction to ensure proper implementation of the ESMP, compliance/non-compliance by contractors with risk mitigation measures and the effectiveness of measures taken. Monitoring should be carried out on the basis of a developed social and environmental monitoring plan. During monitoring of the implementation of the subproject, if inconsistencies or inadequate risk management are identified, the Consultant will assist the Project specialists in drafting an act or order for the contractor to take appropriate corrective actions.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION:

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

i. Higher education in Ecology or Sociology or related field. Master's Degree in this field will be an advantage;

ii. Minimum 5 years of experience in the field of Ecology and Sociology;

iii. Knowledge of developing the ESCP, ESMF and SEP documents;

iv. Knowledge of the local business environment in the construction industry;

v. Knowledge of legislative and regulatory documents of the Republic of Tajikistan in terms of environment and sociology in construction works;                      

vi. Computer literacy: Windows XP, Excel, Word and ability quickly master new systems;

vii. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in Tajik and Russian languages. Knowledge of English will be an advantage.

 

ASSIGNMENT DURATION, LOCATION AND REPORTING:

The Environmental and Social Development Consultant is expected to be available for this assignment as soon as the contract is signed. This assignment will be for 6 (six) months. The Environment and Social Development Consultant will report to the Coordinator and Director of Project LEARN The reports should be prepared monthly and presented both in electronic version and in hard copy in Russian and English. The report will be reviewed and approved by Project Coordinator and approved by the Director.

 

APPLICATION AND SELECTION: 

The attention of interested 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 in November 2017 and August 2018 and November 2020) - Procurement in Investment Project Financing Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

 

Qualified applicants are requested to send the CV and cover letter in Russian and English via e-mail: procurement.learn@maorif.tj c/c director.learn@maorif.tj 

 

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

 

The deadline for submitting documents is 23 April 2024, before 17:00 (Dushanbe time).

 

Mr. Dilshod Safarzoda

Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Republic of Tajikistan

Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Nissormuhammad Ave. 13A

Tel/Fax: (+992 37) 2274502