Expertise: Environmental and Social Management Officer
Expertise Group: Social & Political Science
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. As part of the institutional strengthening activities under this program, ADB is hoping to
recruit an environmental and social management (ESM) officer to support the work of the Water Authority
of Fiji (WAF) to be based in its Suva office, Fiji. This support is considered necessary not only to
support the ongoing Urban Water Supply and Wastewater Management Investment Program but to also provide
support for the preparation of the subsequent project—Water Investment for Sustainability and Resilience
Project—which is currently subject to due diligence and feasibility study and due for Board appraisal in
quarter 1 2025.
WAF has an Environmental Management team, which is currently developing an Environment & Social
Management System aligned to ISO140000, to ensure Environment and Social Safeguards are well managed. To
enable whole-of-organization capacity building and knowledge transfer, WAF’s approach has been to embed
these safeguards into core business and not just limit them to ADB funded project teams.
Scope of Work
This is an early-career level position. At least seven years’ professional experience is preferred but
candidates with less experience are encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will be mentored by
WAF’s Head of Environment and expert consultants through on-the-job training and on-line support.
The officer will preferably be a resident of Fiji and graduate of a national, regional, or overseas
university with a degree in environmental planning, environment management/science or engineering.
The position will be for 11 months. It may be extended based on performance and fund availability.
Detailed Tasks and/or Expected Output
The officer will provide ESM support to WAF and provide inputs to the Urban Water Supply and Wastewater
Management Investment Program and preparation of the Water Investment for Sustainability and Resilience
Project, and provide support, as required, to WAF’s ESM team to help deliver its capital works program
according to good international practice and the country’s environmental and social requirements.
In terms of the organizational arrangements, the ESM officer will provide support to, the WAF
Environment Management Unit, and will report to the Head of the Environment Management Unit of WAF.
The officer will be engaged , to conduct the following tasks:
Screen works and investments for ESM risks and determine what type of ESM assessment (if any) will be
required;
Assist WAF to facilitate consultations and communications for works under development as well as ongoing
works and projects
Prepare ESMS Screening Reports for all projects.
Support project holders in developing preliminary safeguard instruments for the projects, including
stakeholder engagement strategies during project design and implementation.
Review and analyse ESMS reports submitted by project teams and contribute to progress reports for
internal and external stakeholders.
Assist project teams in establishing a project-level grievance mechanism in line with WAF’s ESMS
framework.
Assist in delivering ESMS training sessions for project partners, and internal teams to ensure the
consistent application of ESMS principles across all projects.
Provide recommendations for refining WAF’s ESMS processes and aligning them with best practices in
environmental and social safeguards.
Coordinate with project managers and teams to ensure that environmental and social considerations are
fully integrated into all WAF projects and operational decisions.
Establish and implement a monitoring system to track compliance with ESMS requirements across all
projects and operations.
Maintain documentation and records required for accreditation and audit purposes.
Ensure that a project-level grievance mechanism is in place and functioning in accordance with ESMS
standards.
Develop a comprehensive roadmap and strategy for achieving ESMS accreditation.
Lead the development, implementation, and review of environmental and social policies required for
accreditation.
Maintain a comprehensive and well-organized repository of all ESMS-related documents, reports, and
certifications.
Conduct regular audits and assessments to ensure compliance with ESMS standards.
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;
and
Submit a monthly report to the Head of the Environment Management Unit of WAFand TA manager. 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.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Resident of Fiji or have regional or country experience
Graduate of a national, regional, or overseas university with a degree in environmental planning,
environment management/ science or engineering.
At least seven years’ professional experience but candidates with less experience are encouraged to
apply.
Minimum General Experience: 7 Years
Minimum Specific Experience (relevant to assignment): 7 Years
