Specialist, Environmental & Social Performance (ESP) Specialist -Substation & RMP

Position:

ESP Specialist -Substation & RMP

Division:

Project Delivery

Report to:

Project Manager –Substations or Road Maintenance & Technical Assistance (TA)

Band:

C

Background & Project Description

In September 2017, the U.S. Government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) signed a $500 million compact agreement with the Government of Nepal. The Compact aims to increase the availability and reliability of electricity, maintain road quality, and facilitate power trade between Nepal and India—helping to spur investments, and accelerate economic growth. The compact agreement is valid for a period of five years, and is currently in implementation stage, prior to Entry-Into-Force (EIF) at which time the five-year time period begins. 

Pursuant to the aforementioned agreement, the entity charged with implementing the project has been established as the Millennium Challenge Account Nepal entity. This position will assume a critical role in the success of MCA-Nepal. 

Position Objective

The Specialist, Environmental & Social Performance (ESP), under the supervision of the Project Manager – Substation (or the Road Maintenance & Technical Assistance (TA), as designated), is responsible for assisting in providing technical input to ensure the environmental and social performance of all Compact funded activities. This involves assisting the Project Manager in ensuring compliance of the Program activities with relevant national environmental and social laws and regulations, MCC Environmental Guidelines, and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards on Environment and Social Sustainability.

Duties and Responsibilities

Planning

• Develop and/or review, with guidance from the Quality Assurance Managers (EHS and Social) of ESP documents including, but not limited to, Environmental and Social Management System, Environmental and Social Impact Assessments and Management Plans, Resettlement Action Plans, Stakeholder Engagement Plans, etc., and under the guidance of the Project Manager, ensure the dissemination and implementation of these tools to improve environmental and social performance on Compact activities; 

Technical Assistance

• Engage MCA Staff, MCC Staff, and other government counterparts to effectively integrate environmental and social considerations into project planning, development, and implementation, including Terms of Reference, work plans, designs, supervision contracts, budgets, timelines, and monitoring mechanisms;  
• Coordinate closely with all MCA Staff in the project team and government counterparts to ensure proper oversight of the implementation of all Compact-funded activities, including participating in field missions.

Monitoring & Evaluation 

• Monitor the adherence of the project team and implementing partners to ESP plans and schedules across different project stages, to ensure efficient implementation of ESP elements and strengthen quality of ESP outputs;
• Maintains documentation and databases related to ESP information to support reporting and communications activities.

Requirements (Education, Experience, Technical Competencies)

• Bachelor's Degree in Natural Science, Environmental Planning, Engineering, or a similar discipline.
• Demonstrated experience in environmental and social impact assessment on projects of a similar nature.
• Familiarity with international environmental and social guidelines and policies, including IFC Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability.
• Exposure to Nepali Environment Protection Act & Environment Protection Regulations derived from working on projects of similar nature. 
• Willing to undertake regular field visits and interact with different stakeholders;
• Responsible and flexible attitude and capable of working with minimal supervision;
• Have high integrity and exercise good judgement.

This Position Description is subject to revisions/updates as necessary to ensure alignment to the organization’s strategic direction and structure. Revisions to the description are subject to applicable Human Resources policies and procedures, and official versions of each Position Description are maintained by Human Resources.