Solomon Islands nationals: Environmental and Social Management Officer (SOLWater)

Expertise: Environmental and Social Management
Expertise Group: Biological Sciences & Ecology

Consultant Source: National
TOR Keywords: Environmental Safeguards, Social Safeguards

Objective and Purpose of the Assignment

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is implementing TA 6597-REG: Sustainable Capacity Development for
Safeguards in the Pacific to support capacity development and institutional strengthening in the
Pacific. The TA is implementing knowledge support and ad hoc project support and training delivery to
help Pacific developing member countries more effectively implement safeguards.
As part of a wider regional capacity development/institutional strengthening program the TA is providing
supplemental support to a number of project implementation and regulatory agencies throughout the
region. The first set of institutional strengthening activities under this program is to recruit an
environmental and social management (ESM) offer to support to Solomon Water (SolWater) in its Honiara
office, Solomon Islands.

Scope of Work

This is an entry-level position. At least two years’ professional experience is preferred but
candidates with less experience are encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will be mentored by a
senior international professional through on-the-job training and on-line support.
The officer will preferably be a resident of the Solomon Islands and graduate of a national, regional,
or overseas university with a degree in environmental planning, science or engineering.
The position will be for one year. It may be extended for up to one year based on performance and fund
availability.

Detailed Tasks and/or Expected Output

The officer will provide ESM support to SolWater to deliver its capital works program and development
partner-financed projects according to good international industry practice and the country’s
environmental and social requirements.
While the activities will focus on the ESM aspects (including broad social risks and impacts, health and
safety, labor and working conditions etc), the officer will be expected to work with the SolWater Land
Management Unit and become familiar with the broad requirements of land access arrangements, especially
in respect of timing and sharing of information between land due diligence reporting and ESM reporting.
In terms of the organizational arrangements, the ESM officer will be junior to, and provide support to,
the SolWater Environmental Officer and will report to SolWater management.
The officer will be mentored by a senior international professional to conduct the following tasks:

1. Screen works and investments for ESM risks and determine what type of ESM assessment (if any) will be
   required;
2. Assist SolWater to facilitate consultations and communications for works under development as well as
   ongoing works and projects
3. Assist SolWater to apply for development consent for works. This may or may not involve development
   of a public environmental report to accompany and support the application for development consent;
4. Assist SolWater to review public environmental reports or environmental impact statements prepared
   for SolWater by other consultants prior to application for development consent;
5. Working with the mentor, assist SolWater to ensure that the ESM requirements for works are included
   in tender and contract documents;
6. Support SolWater and their contractors to develop their construction environmental and social
   management plans;
7. Review and provide comment on construction environmental and social management plans submitted by
   contractors;
8. Monitor and inspect works being delivered by in-house teams and contractors checking for compliance
   with the approved construction environmental and social management plans and/or contractual requirements;
9. Based on experience gained through the above tasks, develop an in-house ESM system to good
   international practice for SolWater. The ESM system will provide a standardized approach to the design
   and implementation of the ESM instruments and ensure consistency in screening, assessment,
   implementation, and monitoring of ESM requirements across all works delivered by SolWater; and
10. Submit a monthly report to the SolWater manager, TA manager and the mentor. The report will cover
    main activities undertaken in the preceding month, key learning, expected activities for the following
    month, and any suggested activities for focus or a concentrated effort in coming months.

Expected Outputs

1. Monthly progress reports highlighting cover main activities undertaken in the preceding month, key
   learning, expected activities for the following month, and any suggested activities for focus or a
   concentrated effort in coming months.
2. Final report summarizing outputs and activities. This will include a draft ESM system and other key
   outputs of the consultancy.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

1. Resident of the Solomon Islands or have regional or country experience
2. Graduate of a national, regional, or overseas university with a degree in environmental planning,
   science or engineering.
3. At least two years’ professional experience but candidates with less experience are encouraged to
   apply.

Minimum General Experience: 2 Years
Minimum Specific Experience (relevant to assignment): 2 Years