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The “Armenian Association of Social Workers” non-governmental organizations (hereafter AASW) announces a competition for the selection of the individual Consultant to implement the “Environmental and Social Specialist” assignment within the framework of the “Promoting Social Inclusion and Self-Reliant Livelihood Activities in Armenia” Project (hereinafter Project). 

The objective of the assignment is to ensure that the Project complies with the relevant environmental and social requirements and to provide effective and timely management of possible environmental and social risks caused by the project activities.

The Consultant’s Service will be provided within 34 months since October 2020.

The Scope of work

The Environment and Social Specialist (E&S specialist) should be responsible for the provision of technical assistance to the Project team in ensuring the compliance and implementation of Safeguard Policy and adhering to the general procedures and guidelines of the World Bank to ensure the quality output of the program intervention. The E&S specialist shall also ensure the timely delivery of training for Project staff on Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) principles and procedures, supervision of the Project GRM, and monitoring of specific sub-grant activities. The E&S specialist shall be responsible for developing relevant environmental and social reports of the Project.

The Contract will envisage in average 25 working hours monthly (the payment will be done according to deliverable or time-sheet for some tasks)

The E&S Specialist will have duties and responsibilities including the following:

• Ensuring strict adherence by Project staff and contractors to environmental and social issues and procedures in accordance with the POM;
• Ensuring the existence of a chapter on environmental and social management of sub-grant financed activities  in the Sub-grant Management Operational Manual ;
• Undertaking environmental and social screening of sub-grant activities to exclude any of those ineligible for funding from Project and development of relevant screening reports;
• Preparing training materials related to good environmental and social practice (e.g. hygiene-oriented instructions for hostel/B&B/guesthouse facilities, beauty parlors, food processing and food delivery; waste management for apartment renovation works, etc.), conducting relevant training of trainers (ToTs), and preparing a feedback report;
• Ensuring a standardized clause of good environmental and social practice requirements is included in the sub-grant contracts;
• Making site visits as a part of an environmental and social assessment or/and consultation process and assess baseline condition of sites as a part of sub-projects due diligence;
• Monitoring of sub-grant activities with the Project team on a periodic basis to ensure that good environmental and social practice is followed by the grantees during the sub-Project preparation and implementation, as well as ensuring these activities are not generating any new and significant social or environmental risks;
• Overseeing the functioning of Project Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM), including training of all Project staff on GRM principles and procedures;
• Ensuring that the GRM is well-functioning and undertaking all the required steps described in the POM;
• Ensuring the participation of women and youth in the Project activities, including trainings and seminars;
• Making appropriate entries in Project MIS and relevant databases, including updating the relevant information on social issues for women, youth, and vulnerable groups, as well as complaints and grievances in the MIS;
• Developing an environmental and social monitoring report (before every implementation support mission of the WB), including the monitoring results of field visits and photos;
• Assist the Project Manager and Component Coordinators to ensure that all relevant Project activities comply with Government and World Bank social safeguards guidelines and instruments;
• Participating in regular implementation support missions undertaken by the WB;
• Performing administrative duties related to the Project;
• Carrying out other duties as per need of the Project as requested by PM.

The Consultant should satisfy the following qualifications and requirements:

• Higher education (preferably in Social Sciences, Environmental Science, Development Management or related field of study);
• At least 5 years of working experience related to safeguards and with knowledge on a) environmental and social impact assessment, b) environmental and social management plan for rural areas, c) social work and social protection in Armenia, etc.
• Experience in projects funded by international organizations (preferable World Bank, EU, USAID, UN agencies)
• Proven knowledge of environmental and social regulations, policies, and procedures;
• Very good interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to engage and work with local communities;
• Excellent knowledge of Armenian, working-level knowledge of English (verbal/writing);
• Good computer and ICT skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Databases, Communication tools, etc.).

The Project

The project is expected to help increase access to social assistance benefits and services and provide self-employment support to about 11,000 vulnerable members of society in urban and rural communities in Ararat, Armavir, Kotayk, Lori and Shirak regions of Armenia. The Project grant was received under the Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF) which is financed by the Government of Japan.  The Project Grant Agreement was signed on May 6, 2020 (for details click here)

The project has been designed by the World Bank in partnership with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of Armenia and will be implemented by the Association of Social Workers– a non-governmental, not-for-profit national professional representative body of social workers in Armenia (for details: www.aasw.org).   The JSDF was established by the Government of Japan and the World Bank as a mechanism to provide direct assistance to the poorest and most vulnerable groups in eligible World Bank countries. The aim is to enhance their capacities, strengthen their empowerment and participation in society and economic life.

The Application Procedure

All interested candidates meeting the above-listed requirements are requested to submit their letters of interest and CVs (in English) to the e-mail address below until October 1, 2020.

Please clearly indicate the title of the position (Environment and Social Specialist) in the subject line of the e-mail. Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for the interview.

E-mail:   procurement@aasw.org

Tel:  (374 93) 514499 (for questions and clarifications)