Expertise: environmental safeguarrds
Expertise Group: Biological Sciences & Ecology
Consultant Source: International
TOR Keywords: environmental safeguards, compliance
Objective and Purpose of the Assignment
The consultant will support ADB’s Environmental Safeguards Staff with environmental safeguards tasks and
documentation required for both project preparation and project administration activities of the Water
and Urban Development (WUD) Sector working in Southeast Asia countries (SEA) under TA 10463 REG
Southeast Asia Resilient and Water Secure Cities Facility.
Scope of Work
Specifically, the scope of work includes providing key support to project teams for WUD SEA projects
primarily in Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Philippines, Viet Nam, and Timor Leste, to ensure compliance
with ADB Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS 2009) as well as the forthcoming Environment and Social
Framework (ESF), Operations Manual Bank Policies Safeguard Policy Statement (OM Section F1/BP Issued
October 2013), and Access to Information Policy (2018). The scope of work will cover, but is not
restricted to, the following:
(i) Assist in project processing and implementation activities to ensure compliance with environmental
safeguard policies (domestic environmental requirements, as well as ADB SPS and ESF);
(ii) Assist in the preliminary review of environmental reports (focus on EIA/IEE/EMPs/DDRs/SMRs),
project agreements, and environment related deliverables;
(iii) Assist in the monitoring of environmental compliance of ongoing projects;
(iv) Assist with any required capacity building activities for in-country project management units and /
or executing agencies, inclusive of any environmental safeguards clinics;
(v) Support with the development of project specific templates for monitoring and reporting and any
capacity development materials;
(vi) Carry out additional work to be assigned by the environmental safeguards specialist servicing WUD
SEA as required.
Detailed Tasks and/or Expected Output
In close coordination with the environmental safeguard specialist, the consultant shall provide support
to ensure that all works and outputs are fully compliant with relevant ADB and Government policies and
guidelines on environmental safeguards.
The consultant’s work shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
Task 1: Preparation and Processing of Urban Development and Water Projects
(i) Conduct rapid assessment(s) of potential environmental and safety impacts and risks of proposed
projects using the appropriate rapid environment assessment (REA) checklist(s), recommend the initial
environment safeguard categorization per ADB and national categorization system, contribute to concept
papers; technical assistance (TA) documents, terms of reference (TOR), and any other required
deliverables;
(ii) Advise the executing agency (EA), TA consultants, and ADB project team on domestic as well as ADB
SPS and ESF environmental due diligence requirements (scope, methodology, and timeframe of environment
assessment);
(iii) Review environmental due diligence reports such as EIAs, IEEs, and any corresponding EMPs and DDRs
to examine their adequacy in accordance with ADB SPS 2009 and ESF, national environmental laws and
regulations, IFC EHS Guidelines, and other international best practices and prepare recommendations to
improve the reports and contribute to their finalization as necessary;
(iv) Prepare background materials to be able to properly classify projects using the REA;
(v) Prepare draft inputs to project processing documents such as ToR, RRP, PAM, loan/grant covenants,
among other environmental and climate related requirements, as well as for environmental provisions and
EHS checks in bidding documents when detailed engineering design stage processing or advanced
procurement actions are planned;
(vi) Compile, prepare and review information, guidelines, checklists, standards on international best
practices on environmental management for urban development and water sector projects relevant to WUD
SEA activities as and when requested;
(vii) Prepare presentation and guidance materials and fact sheets for capacity building efforts, when
necessary;
(viii) As instructed, participate in any conference calls and ADB missions (virtual and physical) to
verify /EIA/IEE/due diligence reports, discuss with relevant agencies and environmental teams and
specialists, and prepare a mission report and/or contribute to mission MOU or Aide Memoire inputs and
action plans.
Task 2: Monitoring Environmental Compliance and Performance of Ongoing Projects
(i) Contribute to the overall environmental safeguards related management and implementation of project
activities with the ADB project teams;
(ii) Review environmental performance through the environmental monitoring reports submitted by the EA;
(iii) Provide technical guidance and inputs for due diligence reports, bidding documents, and incoming
new and updated EIAs/IEEs/EMPs/DDRs to ensure ADB SPS and ESF and domestic/national regulations are
being fulfilled;
(iv) Support on bidding documents checks in relation to environmental and EHS provisions;
(v) As necessary, participate in conference calls and missions (virtual and physical) to review the
implementation of loan/grant conditions and covenants of Category A and B projects. Tasks may include
field visits and meetings with counterparts and government authorities to review compliance with
environmental safeguard requirements, public consultation, development/monitoring of corrective action
plans and templates, safeguards capacity development and training, and preparation of inputs for mission
MOU or Aide Memoire and action plans. Where applicable, examine adequacy vis-a-vis environmental
requirements and prepare recommendations to fill gaps or towards improving and ensuring due diligence /
compliance. Ensure follow-up with the EA and/or consultants;
(vi) Support with the preparation of project-specific templates and guidance materials for monitoring
and reporting and training materials, as needed.
Outputs/Reporting Requirements
The consultant will prepare the required materials and reports outlined in the scope of work and
detailed tasks. In addition to working with the WUD SEA assigned environmental safeguards focal(s), the
consultant may be required to coordinate with and support the ADB mission leaders in relevant resident
missions, as well as the EAs and Project Implementation and Administration Consultant (PIAC)
international and national environmental safeguards specialists in the respective aforementioned list of
countries.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
The Consultant should possess at least a Bachelor’s degree in geography, natural sciences, environmental
sciences/management, or environmental engineering, or any related discipline. In addition, a Master’s
degree in a relevant environmental discipline is required, together with a minimum of 10 years work
experience in environmental impact assessment and management, with at least 8 years in developing
countries and work experience in Southeast Asia in at least 2 of the countries listed. Additional
certification in Occupational/ Environmental Health and Safety (OHS/EHS) will be a significant
advantage.
Familiarity with and previous experience using ADB safeguards policies and guidelines is a specific
requirement as the position requires an experienced consultant who can work independently with a minimum
of supervision, and who can also lead international and national consultants as and when necessary.
Experience in preparing and delivering environmental safeguards trainings, especially in SERD countries,
is an advantage. Work experience in the urban development and water sector, including solid waste
management, wastewater treatment and water supply is required.
Minimum General Experience: 10 Years
Minimum Specific Experience (relevant to assignment): 10 Years
